Yet it can feel like the last thing to go when trying to lose weight.
It may also help you live longer.
As our day winds down, we naturally need less energy.
Photo: Getty Images / Capuski
This is not to say you should go to bed with a gnawing, hungry stomach.
Just go fora bedtime snackthat’s lower in calories with some protein, fat or fiber for satisfaction.
Popcorn, cottage cheese or nuts are some healthy choices.
Do it’s crucial that you take some action to change it?
Or maybe reframing the stressor and changing your perception of it will help.
Sometimes stress can increase when we’re not taking good care of ourselves.
Find ways to release stress through self-care practices.
Sitting for eight hours or more a day has been associated with higher BMI.
Take every opportunity to move as much as possible.
“If your body isn’t rested, it cannot cooperate with weight loss or fat release.
Poor sleep habits affect stress levels, hormone regulation and metabolic rhythms,” says Posey.
It makes sense why your body does thisit needs more energy to function on less sleep.
While quality sleep can be hard to come by, practicing good sleep habits can help.
Pick up a book instead of your phone an hour before bed to help your body wind down.
Set a bedtime alarm and have a go at stick to it each night.
Not Fueling Your Gut
“An unhealthy gut cannot absorb nutrients and remove waste efficiently.
When that happens, the belly becomes bloated and distended,” explains Posey.
Beyond bloating, a weakened gut can causeinflammation, making it more difficult to lose weight.
This isn’t to say you might never enjoy things like ice cream or chips.
Just focus on those healthy whole foods more often.
Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics can help improve gut health.
Probiotics include Greek yogurt or skyr, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut and sourdough.
Foods like artichokes, apples, asparagus, garlic and bananas act asprebioticsfood for your beneficial gut bacteria.
It also increases your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
This includes cereal, granola bars, bread, beverages and more.
When our blood sugar is too low, our body craves more carbs to get it back up.
This triggers a tricky cycle.
Individuals who frequently binge drink are especially at risk for increased visceral fat.
This study defined binge drinking as 7 drinks per occasion for males and 5 drinks per occasion for females.
Be mindful of your alcohol intake, and pair it with food and water.
Consuming Too Many Calorie-Free Sweeteners
Sweetening that cup of java with a sugar substitute can backfire.
First, the microbiome was not as rich and healthy as those who regularly ate non-aspartame, non-sugar sweeteners.
Both artificial sweetener groups also showed increased levels ofinflammatory markersin their blood.
There is no magic bullet when it comes to reducing stubborn visceral fat.
Consider all of your health habits, including diet, physical activity, sleep and stress.
Start to incorporate small changes and be patientlosing visceral fat can take some time.
By being consistent over the long haul, you will reap the benefits of your healthy habits.
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