rss feedsFrom The Blog
The One Hormone That’s Keeping Your Belly Fat
by Shin Ohtake on Thursday, March 25, 2010 • 67 Comments
Beer belly, spare tire, spill over…they’re all the same thing - Belly Fat. And it’s the most difficult area to lose fat and get lean. No amount of sit ups, crunches or side bends are going to get rid of it. It’s fat around your belly and you need to burn off the fat if you ever want to see the effects of all your ab/core exercises.
The problem is that the fat around your belly isn’t like any other fat on your body. It’s heavily influenced by your hormones and in order for you to make real changes in that area, you’re going to have to take charge of your hormones. And this is the difficult part…first you have to know which hormones are doing the damage and then you have to learn how to control these hormones and lastly, you have to implement these changes if you ever want your belly fat to go away.
Now, there’s few key hormones that affect your belly fat, but there’s one in particular that really makes a difference. It’s a powerful hormone that is essential to your body’s metabolic functions but it can also easily get out of balance and cause havoc to your body. And to make matters more difficult this hormone increases as you age making the occurrence of imbalance, and a larger belly, almost a sure thing. BUT all is not lost…you CAN get rid of your spare tire, IF you know what to do. Stop wasting your time and effort on things that don’t work. I’ll show you what you need to know, so you can take control of your hormone and really start making a difference in your body. You’ll understand why you haven’t been able to burn off your belly fat and learn to make the necessary changes in order to finally penetrate the stubborn fat that’s been surrounding your belly like Fort Knox.
If you’ve been reading my articles for a while now, you know that I’m a stickler about insulin. It’s one of the most influential hormone in your body when it comes to health and fat loss. Insulin control hinders on consuming the right type of carbohydrates, proper food combinations and elimination of refined sugars…all in an effort to keep your blood sugar levels even. Abusing insulin through poor diet and lifestyle is one of the biggest reasons people gain weight and have a real hard time losing it. Insulin insensitivity is a real problem and it you tend to be easy on your sugar, refined carb and alcohol intake…you need seriously consider changing your habits, if you’re really serious about losing fat.
But, if you feel that you’re quite careful with your sugar, refined carb and alcohol intake and lead an active healthy lifestyle, but still have that dreaded belly you just can’t seem to budge…I want to introduce you to another hormone that plays a key role in fat loss, and it may be the missing link to that stubborn fat around your belly.
The hormone in question is estrogen.
In a healthy normal body, estrogen is balanced with progesterone in women and estrogen is balanced with testosterone in men. The intricate balance and homeostasis of these hormones play an important role in maintaining essential metabolic functions in your body. But when these hormones get out of balance, it can severely disrupt your body’s metabolism and cause fat to be deposited around your belly, thighs and buttocks for women, and in the belly and chest for men. It’s also heavily linked to serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
An imbalance in your hormones causing excess estrogen levels can be caused by many things and unfortunately we’re susceptible to all of them. Here’s a list of some of the major causes:
- (i) Aging process. As you age the hormone that balances estrogen level decreases and there’s an increase in conversion of androgens to estrogen for both male and females.
- (ii) Processed Foods. Many of the processed foods you eat have been treated or exposed to chemicals that increase estrogen activity. These are chemicals that cause estrogenic effects are known as xenoestrogens. For instance all processed or packaged foods that have genetically modified foods in them, such as genetically modified corn and soybean. (which by the way is about 99.9% of all products).
- (iii) Foods from livestock. Meat, dairy products and eggs that come from cows and chickens fed with genetically modified corn and soybeans, injected with growth hormones and treated with antibiotics all produce estrogenic effects.
- (iv) Produce. All fruits and vegetables treated with pesticides and herbicides. (xenoestrogens)
- (v) Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages decrease testosterone and increase estrogen levels.
- (vi) Petroleum. All petroleum based products like detergents, paints, nail polishes, lotions, soaps and plastics are considered xenoestrogens and causes estrogenic effects in your body.
Anything treated or exposed to pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and even air pollutants like car fumes are all considered xenoestrogens.
Excess estrogen can increase the size of your fat tissues. It just so happens that your fat tissues are very estrogen sensitive and so the more estrogen you have the larger the your fat tissues get. The problem with these fat tissues that are estrogen sensitive is that it’s stubborn and resistant to fat burning.
And to make matters worse, these estrogen sensitive fat tissues end up producing more estrogen, which then promotes more fat gain and so on, creating a vicious repetitive cycle. And here’s the real kicker, regular exercise and normal caloric restriction diet isn’t enough to burn these stubborn fat either. The only way to win the battle against the bulge is by eliminating excess estrogen.
Here’s the other issue…as you age your end up producing more estrogen as well! You could be doing the exact same level of physical activity and be eating the exact amount of calories from the same foods and all of a sudden you hit a certain age and you start getting thicker, softer and generally more plump. As mentioned above, for women the typical area of that’s affected is your belly, butt and thighs and for men it’s your belly and chest. Men that have male breast development known as gynecomastia, often suffer from excess estrogen levels.
So what’s the best way to eliminate excess estrogens in your body?
The first step is to minimize your exposure to xenoestrogens. Here are just a few steps you can take to help decrease your exposure to xenoestrogens.
- Minimize use of plastics such as plastic utensils, plastic water bottles, plastic containers (tupperware). Instead try and use glass or stainless steel containers instead.
- Try and use liquids and lotions that you put onto your skin that have little or no parabens (synthetic preservatives) in them. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. (Examples of common parabens are methylparabens, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben). Instead of synthetic preservative, you can look for natural preservatives such as neems oil, vit E, salt, lemon, bee propolis, rosemary extract and grapefruit seed extract instead.
- Stay away from processed foods, packaged foods and fast foods. Active ingredients in these engineered foods have been exposed and treated with various harmful chemicals that can have estrogenic effects. Instead have real, unrefined whole foods that haven’t been exposed to pesticides or herbicides.
- Stay away from regular red meat, milk and other dairy products. Majority of cows have been fed genetically modified corn and treated with growth hormones and antibiotics which all increase estrogenic activity. Instead, consume grass fed red meat and organic milk and dairy that come from grass fed cows that hasn’t been exposed to harmful chemicals like growth hormones and antibiotics.
- Stay away from regular chickens and eggs. Most chickens are kept in horrible, feces infested coups with thousands of other chickens, given antibiotics and fed GM corn to fatten them up quicker. Instead, get free range chickens and eggs, free of antibiotics and fed wild grains.
- Stay away from fruits and vegetables treated with pesticides and herbicides. I would say go organic, but it’s not a label that’s as trustworthy as it used to be, so I would opt to buy at your local farmers market where you can talk to the farmers to make sure that harmful chemicals aren’t used on their products.
- Stay away from genetically modified soy products. Processed soy products have high estrogenic compounds. Also, be careful of consuming too much natural soy as well, since the active ingredient isoflavones produce estrogen activity in your body. However, there are positive health benefits that isoflavones have as well. So consume natural soy foods, like edamame and soya beans in moderation.
The second step is to combat excess levels of estrogens in your body by consuming estrogen inhibiting compounds founds in plants. The active ingredients that are found in plants are flavonoids and indoles. Here’s a list of foods that have estrogen inhibiting compounds.
- Cruciferous vegetables: kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, bok choy, mustard seeds, watercress, radish, daikon
- Citrus Fruits: oranges, tangerines, clementines, grapefruits, lemon, lime
- Garlic & onion
- Bee products: propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly
- Chamomile
- Zinc** - Zinc help inhibit aromatase enzymes, which are naturally occurring enzymes that convert androgens into estrogens. The availability of these enzymes increase as you age.
Lastly, change your lifestyle to enhance your body’s own abilities to combat excessive estrogen production that occurs with the aging process. The best way to keep your body young and your hormones balanced is to exercise, get plenty of rest and avoid chronic stress.
- Strength training - Using heavier challenging weights helps increase beneficial hormones (DHEA) to counterbalance excess estrogen.
- Full Body exercises - Utilizing compound movements that involve larger muscle groups have shown to be the most effective in increasing many favorable hormones (including DHEA) to combat excess estrogen.
- Rest - Getting enough sleep, usually around 8 hours, is vital to increase beneficial hormonal production as well as decrease destructive hormones (cortisol) which can enhance estrogen imbalance.
- Chronic stress - Avoiding or managing chronically stressful situations, both personally and professionally will greatly reduce the production of stress hormones (cortisol) and help reduce estrogen imbalance as well.
So, if you’ve been struggling to get rid of your stubborn belly fat for sometime and you’ve tried everything under the sun with no success, you may be suffering from excess estrogen levels in your body. If that’s the case, you can start making these changes I showed you above and see how your body responds.
It’s vital that you minimize exposure to xenoestrogens as much as possible and start incorporating estrogen inhibiting foods into your diet. And of course implement the simple but essential changes like working out using full body exercises using challenging weights as utilized in the MAX Workouts program, to help maximize your body’s ability to combat excess estrogen productions as well.
Once you’ve combined all of the factors mentioned, you’ll finally create the much needed metabolic environment within your body to regain the necessary hormonal balance and finally start to be able to burn off that stubborn belly fat!
Have you been struggling with getting rid of your belly fat?
If so you may have high estrogen levels in your body?
Do you think you are exposed to high levels of xenoestrogens from your environment, diet and lifestyle?
What do you think about the article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Post your comments below!
About The Author
Shin Ohtake is a widely recognized strength coach and fitness & fat-loss expert. His unconventional, no-nonsense approach to getting fit has made him the go-to source for fitness enthusiasts and trainers alike. Shin is also the author of the world famous, MAX Workouts book, which has transformed and reshaped the bodies of thousands of people across the globe - without requiring hours in the gym. To learn more about how MAX Workouts can help you achieve your fitness goals, visit maxworkouts.com.
Like this post? Help me spread the word!
67 Comments
Posted by Regina on 03/25 at 07:59 AM
Excellent Article will try your recommendations, I feel i could really benefit from diet changes, thanks for sharing this.
Regards,
Regina
Posted by Lilfirelaw on 03/25 at 07:59 AM
Shin, Love the article, sure sounds like what is happening to me. I have noticed with getting older I can’t eat processed food, it upsets my digestive track, a lot!! I will have to check my lotions too. With living here in S. Korea I am buying more food from the stores here as I don’t think they use all the pesticides like in the states. I just have to wash everything very well. I will focus on the foods you recommend and see if that helps. I hope to be able to start running again next week it the groin injury will let me. I’ll keep you posted. I’m doing what I can for now.
Thanks for these news letters, I’m learning a lot.
Stacey
Posted by Lisa Tatulli on 03/25 at 08:04 AM
I think this is a great article. I have been doing the Isagenix program for 2 years exactly for the reasons you mentioned. You should look into it. I would like to see what you think!
Lisa
Posted by chris millspaugh on 03/25 at 08:07 AM
god information. Tough to accomplish if you’re 68, work 50 hours a week and have a lot of stress.
Posted by Jermaine Salmon on 03/25 at 08:10 AM
Great article, I always find your blogs very useful. I have a small problem with belly fat and i’ve been fighting it with diet and exercise. I’m slowly getting a smaller waist and will definately keep a sharper eye on what I eat. Thanks again.
2LT Jermaine Salmon
US ARMY
Posted by phoemela on 03/25 at 08:12 AM
hi shin when i read all these i was OHHHHHHH…
but anyway it’s an aniteresting.i’m gonna try some,thanks
Posted by Steve Bellamy on 03/25 at 08:14 AM
Thanks again for some great info, its very frustrating when the rest of your body looks good and the belly lets the whole picture down. Intresting about the chemicals, containers etc, especialy in this disposable society.
Thanks mate
Steve :
coolsmile:
Posted by Theo on 03/25 at 08:14 AM
Very interesting, i wil surely attempt to try it.
PS: with your advice I lost 10kg and 8% body fat over a year and I do not even follow it like a religion, a bit of a life style change did the trick.
Posted by BEATRIZ on 03/25 at 08:22 AM
this is very educational, I love reading it cause stubborn fats is imbedded in my midrif section. Ill follow what all you mentioned, and I hope it will help my problem. More power!!!!
Posted by sueb on 03/25 at 08:27 AM
Great article! I am 43 and starting to find this area of my body very difficult to deal with. I will try some of your tips. Thanks!
Posted by Morgan leah on 03/25 at 08:32 AM
Definitely makes me think about what I’m putting in body. Interesting stuff, thanks !
Posted by Jeff on 03/25 at 08:59 AM
I didn’t realize that about the plastic containers. I use those ALL of the time to reduce throw-away plastic bag use. Ugh.
Sleeping is a huge issue for me, always has been. My doctor says it’s just how I’m wired, because none of the “normal” things, such as sleep-aids, melatonin or l-Tryptophan work for me. She says it’s normal for someone in my profession (music), because our brains naturally kick in later at night.
Any suggestions?
Posted by Carol Mastingle on 03/25 at 09:17 AM
Greetings ! The more we know and pool ourknowledge the better for all of us ! And within our core selves, if we re listening to that still small inner voice, we will know what to do!
And set about doing it. This could mean turning our lives and thinking patterns around !
We can do it !
Carol Mastingle
Posted by Elaine on 03/25 at 09:17 AM
HI Shin - thanks for the info. Only thing I don’t understand is that you say estrogen levels rise with age but how does that tally with menopause when estrogen levels become too low? I am 3 years into menopause and am putting weight on around my waist, hips and bottom ... I am a personal trainer, work out 4-5 times a week and still can’t shift the excess fat ... Help!
Posted by john on 03/25 at 09:29 AM
I’m 67, don’t have the problem with belly fat, as a matter of fact @6’ & 160#s, would love to gain a few #s. . . .in the right places. But in reading this article, I have to admit that I’m noticing “balance” issues lately, which does concern me. I live in AZ, am an avid hiker/rock climber/boulder jumper and “balance” is important. Apart the dietary information in this article, I’m wondering if there are exercises that us seniors should incorporate into our routines to help in the area of balance ?? Thanks, really enjoy and always learn so much from your articles !!
Posted by Agnetha on 03/25 at 09:41 AM
Shin, I say thank you very much for this article! This is exactly my problem and now I have got some tips to reduce my exposure to estrogen. Thanks a lot!
Posted by Aroona on 03/25 at 10:07 AM
Hi Shin
Your articles are always very practical and informative. I will definitely try the tips to have a better body.
Thanks
Posted by Robert N on 03/25 at 10:15 AM
Excellent article. 9 months ago I started a rigorous program that implemented the majority of your recommendations. The greatest impact besides the dietary changes was HIT and MAX workout related changes to how I exercised. At 62 years I now feel healthier than even when I was a young High school athlete. I’ve gotten my fat ratio down to below 13% and my BMI near 20,which I never dreamed I’d be at again. The last fine tuning is related to this article the estrogen levels. Your articles, advice and referals are right on target. Thanks for the great input.
Robert
Posted by RK on 03/25 at 10:25 AM
Great information. Definately knock out the processed food and refined sugars, I read once that its not the hamburger you eat, as it is the sugary soda you drink with it. It’s somewhat difficult to trust the organic part, we can only hope. The next alternative is to grow your own. The consistent weight training, 2-4 days a week, with the 15-20 of intense cardio, and strict attention to diet (lots of vegetables, high quality protein, high quality water). After what I am reading diet seems to be 80% of it or better. It’s gotta work. You just have to do the work. Take pride in your discipline. Keep up the great material Shin.
Posted by terry on 03/25 at 10:26 AM
Been training for a year now and have dropped 14 Kg
I do lots of cardio but just cannot move that roll around the waist
Surely if I focussed more on stomach 3 times a week as apposed to once this should help??
Posted by Nic on 03/25 at 10:26 AM
Always enjoy and learn from your articles.
As per comment from another reader… I’m also confused concerning estrogen levels. They do decrease with age but you mention they increase? Or did you mean the ratio is off balance with other hormones? Could you possible clarify this point.
Thank you.
Posted by luis on 03/25 at 10:47 AM
Thank you for this amazing topic! It will help us so much!
Posted by terry on 03/25 at 11:21 AM
What are your feelings on Bio Identical testosterone replacement?
Posted by noralee on 03/25 at 11:57 AM
What about menopause? That’s when women usually put on a lot of belly fat and they have lost their estrogen producing ability. Also, what about the women who take estrogen daily. Does that make them fat?
Posted by Robert Squires on 03/25 at 11:58 AM
Several people (like Robert N) commented on the preponderant effect of the workout program on belly/body fat. I would like to agree with and amplify that observation. Caloric and food quality adjustments are part of any good fitness approach, but getting too concerned about genetic modification and organic growth will “take your eye off the ball”. Basic care to control (didn’t say eliminate) processed food, refined sugar, and alcohol will take you most of the way. In manufacturing there is a rule called the 80/20 rule. You can spend (if you’re not diligent) 20% of your time doing 80% of the work and the other 80% doing 20% of the work (and have much less to show for the day). Develop a “smart” workout program, pursue it with focus and persistence, and don’t get too stressed about the other 20%.
Posted by monica sanchez on 03/25 at 12:43 PM
Thanks for sharing; great info…I’ll try to be concious of all of this. I how do I tone my stomach though?
Posted by Julia Zuniga on 03/25 at 12:58 PM
I just watched the film “Food, Inc.” All of your information lines up with the disturbing information in that documentary. I really think your information can help me. I’m 47 and struggling with hormonal imbalance, plateaus and abdominal fluff! Thanks for the information.
Posted by Pia on 03/25 at 01:15 PM
This is mind blowing. I know some of the stuff about estrogen, but how deep it goes I had no idea. Wonderful article, I really learned something, + got some ideas as how to improve my already healthy lifestyle. I always enjoy your articles and benefit from you passion.
Pia
Posted by Nancy on 03/25 at 02:45 PM
Shin: I really admire and respect all the information you give us all the time. My clients (personal training and boot campers) are not seeing changes in the scale. They have been keeping food journals which I review from time to time and claim they have made major modifications in their daily eating and they are exercising a lot more and still no weight loss. That’s not to say they aren’t losing some inches because most of them are. What else can I do. I have given them handouts, talked to them, shared with them all that I know. Stressed a clean diet. Told them to watch their portions, listen to their bodies, avoid soda, diet and regular, salt, sugar etc. What am I missing or what are they missing from the equation? Their success is my success and I don’t know why they aren’t losing pounds. I know the part about muscle weighing more etc.
Posted by Powhrii on 03/25 at 03:02 PM
I have really enjoyed reading the many articles you have sent through and this one is no different. Each time I hit a ‘wall’ you have an article to combat it and reading this one has done the same…so i thank you for all the time and effort you have given to provide this excellent information. THANKS
Posted by Makini on 03/25 at 03:18 PM
WOW!!! This information is great and very interesting. I feel like we had a personal conversation and I described what has been happening to me. I started having some soy every day to decrease menopause symptoms. Exercise (swimming) helped me stabilize my weight, but I was having a difficult time loosing weight. Weight training helped, but it’s the dietary changes that hadn’t been put in place!! Please do a follow-up in 30 or 45 days. I hope a few responders try your suggestions so that we can let you know how we did!!!
Posted by Kelsey Willard on 03/25 at 03:39 PM
This is great info! I have been studying this stuff along with health & nutrition for the last year or so and what you have said here is so right! More people need to know about this! Thanks for sharing!
Check out the book called “Detoxify or Die”, by Sherry A. Rogers. Great book on xenoestrogens and toxins in our society today. It changed my life!
Posted by Nick on 03/25 at 03:47 PM
Very interesting.
The workout and the diet are things that we can control Im a little disturbed about the environmental influences you mentioned.
Very interesting.
Posted by Nuke Thao on 03/25 at 03:57 PM
Interesting information! Thanks Shin!
Posted by Jacobus on 03/25 at 04:08 PM
Very concise and precise.Thank you, awesomeness prevails on your articles.
Posted by tanja mcabier on 03/25 at 04:29 PM
Can I get the list of estrogen inhibiting foods?
Posted by Kristaq on 03/25 at 05:33 PM
Love the article! Very eye opening!! Thank you for this information!
Posted by Leon on 03/25 at 05:34 PM
I found your your comments very interesting,i believe sleep might be my biggest problem, i am required to work shifts with my company, the afternoon pattern only allows for six hours sleep and the night shift is the killer, i can only get my body to sleep 3 hours at a time because of daylight, traffic noise, heat and a few other. How do i cross this bridge i can not just give up my job because of lack of sleep!
Posted by Mark Newby on 03/25 at 05:49 PM
Hi Shin,
Thanks man, I read all your articles without fail, this one is very interesting indeed.
Keep them coming
Posted by Dennis Armstrong on 03/25 at 05:56 PM
What great information you have given us all to folow up on. Not all will work for everyone, but anything that helps in the right direction is what where all after.
For those that still cant se results change from heavy weights to lighter and do more interval work on the bike , treadmill or circuits you will find it help enourmously.
Posted by Sara on 03/25 at 05:57 PM
Good info! Clear to understand too 
Thanks for sharing, Shin!
Posted by Francis B. Yabut on 03/25 at 06:16 PM
Just a query, what about HCG, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin? Does it help in using up stored fats?Here in the Philippines, some doctors claim it helps in helping get rid of fats?
Posted by Victoria Medlin on 03/25 at 06:31 PM
Depressing! We are surrounded by all these modern conveniences with plastic products and white flour… and finding organic foods / products outside of the USA is not as easy as “reading a label”. These facts are true however and it is good to be reminded. But, UGH!
Posted by john on 03/25 at 07:00 PM
hi could you tell me straight i am on crutches and sometime in a wheel chair.i have good upper body strength as i attend the gym three times a week and shift a bit of weight.the thing is i need to do cardio somehow too help my belly disapear what can i do as a disabled man
thankyou for your time…. 
Posted by Mal on 03/25 at 07:15 PM
Hi Shin,
you have a happy nack of doing a artical on a
subject I am having trouble with .
Question 2 glasses of red wine a night
should I cut that out ??? I am doing all
the other stuff
Posted by peter babasi on 03/25 at 08:26 PM
Hi shin,
thanks for the informative article,its just the stuff i need as am fighting the very problem you mention.
Posted by Joy on 03/25 at 09:22 PM
Thank you for this wonderfully informative post. I’ve been taking a local nutrition cooking class at a nearb hospital and have leaned the same information there…to combat cancers and such. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Posted by daniela on 03/26 at 12:35 AM
Very useful,I will do this for my life.Thank you very much!!!
Posted by Jean on 03/26 at 05:37 PM
Very Interesting article. Especially about the organic foods. Will try this and let others know.
Posted by Jen on 03/26 at 07:32 PM
“HI Shin - thanks for the info. Only thing I don’t understand is that you say estrogen levels rise with age but how does that tally with menopause when estrogen levels become too low? I am 3 years into menopause and am putting weight on around my waist, hips and bottom ... I am a personal trainer, work out 4-5 times a week and still can’t shift the excess fat ... Help!”
I totally agree with this comment….with lowering estrogen levels I have increasing weight gain 
.....HELP!!!!
Posted by Gaye on 03/26 at 11:25 PM
Very interesting info BUT can you explain why it is that when women reach menopause & oestrogen levels drop we tend to gain weight around the middle??
Posted by Enrique Gonzalez Jr. on 03/27 at 04:17 AM
Great article Shin…I like the list of foods that you put to help with battling extra estrogen levels..thanks for all the info.
Posted by Shirley on 03/27 at 06:34 AM
Gratitude is a wonderful positive attitude to implement as a part of ones daily life.And Shin Ohtake ,I’ve definately added you on top of that gratitude list.You come up with amazing,but true and veryfied ideas of how to improve one’s life.You also make us aware of “The Junk” sold in our beautyful supermarkets as “FOOD”! Thank-you so much,I never miss any of your articles!.
Posted by hi on 03/27 at 01:46 PM
shin i see where your going but i already changed this stuff about a year ago and did it help? no
Posted by Scherry on 03/27 at 09:56 PM
Thank you for the information. I took a lot of notes and plan on coming up with an action plan. I see my doctor this coming week, and will be discussing Estrogen with her to see about having my levels checked. I look forward to giving this a try.
Posted by Jimmy on 03/27 at 11:38 PM
Hi to you Shin,
1st time in,enjoy your articles, do cardio &
weights and have downloaded all your training
exercises which are exellent.problem is I can`t do much for my abbs because off a dicky back.
Upper body is coming on good as are legs.but my
middle is not good,(like the above photo) I am
68 Kls and 77 years and loving it. I carry no other fat,the breasts are even turning to pecs.
How do I measure body fat? Regards Jimmy.
Posted by Simone Badenhorst on 03/28 at 02:23 AM
Hi there
What an interesting article, finally explained in an understandable manner.
THANK YOU!!
Simone
Posted by Karien de Jongh on 03/28 at 03:05 AM
It makes so much sense! I am going to share this with all my clients. Thanks!!! Wish I could get your book in sunny SA!!
Posted by Shin Ohtake on 03/28 at 10:11 PM
Hi Jeff,
That’s a hard one. I’ve heard of many different theories about adequate sleep. I personally have friends who can function quite well while getting only 5 hours of sleep a night. The only thing I can recommend is that you get the amount of rest that you personally need…whatever that may be. : )
Hi Elaine, Nic, Jen, Gaye
Menopausal women initially suffer from an initial loss of estrogen, however the thickening of the belly, hip and thighs that happens with age (especially predominant at around this age) is thought to be a biological mechanism that attempts to compensate for the loss of estrogen…a double edge sword no doubt! The fat cells in the stubborn belly, hip and thigh regions are the sites for estrogen synthesis via the aromatase enzyme. This results in a simultaneous increase of estrogen activity due to increased estrogen related fat gain, thereby increasing overall estrogen production. : )
Terry,
Unfortunately doing more stomach exercises is a common mistake that people make when trying to get rid of their belly fat. I have many articles related to getting rid of belly fat here on the blog. You check out, there lots of good info!
Noralee,
Women who choose to take supplemental estrogen face a bit of dilemma. There are studies that support estrogen therapy and there are studies that do not. So it’s really quite a hard call. You would really have to discuss it with your doctor for advice.
Terry,
I don’t know much about Bio Identical replacement…so I can’t really comment.
Nancy,
That’s a dilemma that many personal trainers face. It sounds like you’re doing a great job! There are so many factors involved when it comes to weight loss. This is why I always emphasize how they feel and what their body looks like (aka. measurements) instead of putting emphasis on weight loss.
Kelsey,
Thanks for the recommendation!
Leon,
That’s quite the predicament! You’ve stumped me on this one. Have you tried some natural sleep aids?
Francis,
I have read some studies on HCG and it’s effects on burning stored fat. But, I can’t really comment on it since I don’t know too much about it. : )
Posted by Lechemy on 03/29 at 01:52 AM
is there any other way to losess belly fat
Posted by ANDREW.MANEPORA'A on 03/29 at 02:06 AM
THANKS FOR THAT ADVICE I WILL CUT DOWN ON PRODUCTS AS PER ADVICE AND SEE WHETHER ITS EFFECTIVE OR NOT
REGARDS
Posted by janice on 03/29 at 08:38 AM
Going to try the tips, would love to here from other people how have had good results. Got lots of belly fat may take some time to see a result but will try .
Posted by Lisa on 03/29 at 11:03 PM
All of your articles are excellent.
Posted by Melissa on 03/30 at 07:34 PM
Really good article.I never really thought about my plastic bowls,I’ll have to change that.I was wondering though,I have a problem called PCOS that causes my insulin and testosterone to be elevated.I’m on meds for the insulin and I’m doing a clean diet but what can I do to lower the testoterone levels?
Posted by john on 04/03 at 05:17 PM
have been feeling tired all the time have been for the last 3 years.i am 30, have got blood tests and nothing has showed up ,do not know what is wrong can you help me?thanks.
Posted by teNriA on 04/04 at 06:54 AM
Good article. Very true—fat tissues actively produce aromatase enzymes that convert androgens into estrogens. Estrogens then attract more fat like a magnet making a person fatter in a vicious cycle. Perhaps vegan and vegetarian diets are healthier as there are no hormones in veg. Furthermore, people worry that they can’t get complete amino acids from veg—this is not true—if you combine grains and pulses (e.g. bread and beans or rice and beans) it produces a complete amino acid… without all the animal hormones found in meat!
Post A Comment
Next entry: How To Prevent Your Beer Belly
Posted by don levinson on 03/25 at 07:49 AM
interesting stuff. i will try some of these tips