Unfortunately - you'll probably get more abdominal fat as you get older…

It's a sad fact that, as we age, many of us find ourselves carrying an increased amount of abdominal fat or belly fat and - even worse - this kind of fat is actually dangerous for our general health.

Why exercise on its own just isn't enough.. 

Unfortunately, there are lots of misconceptions surrounding abdominal fat, the major one probably being that you can lose it simply by doing abdominal exercise. The truth is, you can't. 

No doubt this particular misconception has arisen from the belief that by exercising the set of muscles closest to the areas of stored fat, we'll be able to eliminate that fat. However, that isn't the way the body works.  

While abdominal exercise is vital to build and tone abdominal muscles - it won't get rid of the stomach fat on its own.  You need to understand why that abdominal fat got stored around your middle in the first place.

The body stores fat in order to help us survive famine. Because the body doesn't want to lose this fat, it stores it in areas where it's least likely to be worked off through exercise.  In other words, if it were stored on our hands, it would be worked off quickly because we're using our hands all day. Fat stored around the abdomen will be retained over a much longer period.

Why apples are more dangerous than pears…

You probably know all about the pear shape - the bane of many women's lives.  Those of us who are pear shapes will store excess fat on our hips and thighs when we put on weight.  You may be less familiar with the apple.  If you are an apple shape you will tend naturally to store fat around your  abdomen.  

Unfortunately - in this context - the apple is more dangerous than the pear.  Even more unfortunately - as the tendancy to store fat around the abdomen increases with age - apple shapes will become more apple-like as they get older.

The main reason that the apple shape is more dangerous than the pear shape is the way the fat is distributed. The apple shaped body typically accumulates excess fat around the internal organs whereas the pear body shape stores fat under the skin in the buttocks and thigh area. You may hate the accumulated fat on your hips and thighs - but it's much better there than around your major organs. 

Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance are two common problems associated with larger apple shapes but there's also an increased risk of breast cancer, ovulatory dysfunction, heart problems and sleep apnea. 

Quite apart from any of these serious health risks - abdominal fat just doesn't look good.

Because of the increased risk of health problems - if you have concentrated fat around your abdomen - it's especially important you take steps to reduce your weight and get rid of the abdominal fat.

Green tea can accelerate the loss of abdominal fat..

Green tea is an amazing natural antioxidant whose protective and health enhancing qualities are only just starting to be revealed through extensive research.  Quite apart from its value as an antioxidant - protecting you against most types of cancer, coronary artery disease and brain aging - recent studies have shown that green tea actually helps you lose abdominal fat.

It is the compounds in green tea which promote fat loss by inhibiting the particular enzyme that stimulates the body to store fat.  So by combining green tea with a healthy diet and more exercise you will lose weight more quickly - and more of it will be from around your middle.

The importance of exercise in your anti-aging routine..

Although it's true that abdominal exercise alone won't lead to loss of stomach fat, it's important that you do abdominal exercise to recreate the flat, strong stomach of your younger days.  

Strengthening your abdominal muscles will also lead to a stronger back and less strain when lifting and carrying.

While vanity is the number one motivation behind weight loss, as we age, the likelihood of weight related health problems increases and should never been taken lightly. The best way to lose abdominal fat is through a healthy combination of diet AND exercise.  For a really effective anti-aging exercise routine combine cardio workouts with specific routines to tone and strengthen muscles.

Combine aerobic exercise with toning and strengthening for best results..

Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise is exercise that elevates your heart rate to around 60-85% of its maximum rate (the fastest it could possibly beat). When you're in the aerobic zone, you should be able to talk, but not able to carry on a long conversation.  If you find it difficult to talk at all when exercising like this then that probably means you are unfit.

Most experts agree that you should do some form of cardiovascular exercise for between twenty to thirty minutes a minimum of three days each week.  Obviously the more you do above this minimum the fitter you will become and the healthier and more energetic you will feel and look.

Examples of excellent cardio exercise include - running, power walking, swimming, rowing, biking and step aerobics.  There are plenty of others and you should easily be able to find something you enjoy doing that fits your lifestyle and your fitness level. 

How cardio exercise benefits your body and makes you feel good…

Cardio exercise has many health benefits. Not only does it burn calories and reduce body fat - it will also strengthen your heart and lungs. Heart disease is a leading cause of premature death for both men and women so making time for regular cardio exercise is very important. Other positive results include increased bone mass and improvements in muscle tone. 

It's easy to get hooked on cardiovascular exercise because exercise of this kind stimulates the body to release endorphins and mood enhancing hormones.  In fact - some studies have linked cardiovascular exercise to an increased speed of recovery from depressive illness.  

But you also need to build and tone core muscles..

Cardio exercise won't increase your muscle mass - so you also need do exercises that specifically target your core strength.  Reduced muscle mass is increasingly evident as you get older and it is vital that you follow a program that builds muscle and fights flab - especially the abdominal flab. 

Muscle toning and strengthening exercises can be done with resistance training in the gym using special equipment or you can follow a core exercise programe at home or take up pilates or yoga. All of these are excellent forms of exercise for building muscle mass and increasing suppleness and strength.

The key to following an effective anti-aging exercise routine is to balance core strength training with some form of cardio exercise - to do it regularly and to make sure you keep it up.  If you manage to build a routine that fits in with the way you live and that you enjoy doing - it will play a huge part in keeping you looking younger for longer.

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