No belly is the same. But of course you want it to be tight and flat and that requires a different strategy for each type of abdomen. See what kind of belly you have and which approach is suitable for you.
Did you know… For visible abs, your body fat percentage should be quite low:about 8 percent for men and 14 percent for women.
Type 1:The apple-shaped belly
The average woman used to have a pear shape with a narrow waist, wide hips and well-filled buttocks. Nowadays, the apple shape predominates, where the fat settles around the abdomen.
What is it?
We often blame hormones for a fuller figure, and that's actually true:hormones determine where in your body the fat is stored. The problem starts when the hormone balance is disturbed. This can be due to the menopause, poor/unhealthy food, stress or too little exercise.
Evildoers The hormone estrogen is especially a culprit here. With an estrogen imbalance, more fat is produced and your insulin level rises. This makes you hungry for fast sugars and carbohydrates (read:bad and fatty food) and that is not conducive to a tight stomach.
Age also plays a role:the older you get, the less muscle your body produces and the more fat is produced.
And now?
Unfortunately, there is no miracle pill that makes the fat disappear like snow in the sun. Managing stress and being healthy and not eating too much already makes a difference.
De-stress
Stress is bad for your figure. It triggers hormones that raise your sugar level, causing more fat to be produced in the body. Make sure you can get rid of your stress. Go for a run, swim or shop. As long as it helps to get that rushed feeling out of your body. Supplements can also help you calm down. Magnesium helps your body and mind to relax, so that you can deal with stress better. Magnesium forms a top combination with calcium. Take the tablets before going to bed and you will see that you are completely relaxed.
In the June issue of Santé you will find more belly types and tips on how to flatten your belly. Also useful:the tips that are specifically aimed at your age. Read the article from page 54.
