Your Belly Fat Could Be Killing You!

Belly fat. Some of us have it, others don't. Is there anything special about a big belly compared to a large bottom? Well, surprisingly, not all body fat is created equal! According to a study carried out by researchers it seems that gauging your heart attack risk depends on where your fat is, rather that how much fat you have.

These types of findings are not unique for Human Nutrition reports, which state that distribution of body fat is a more important predictor of heart attack risk than the traditional measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measurement based on the ratio between your height and weight.

It appears that a more accurate predictor of the impact body fat has on your health, is your overall body shape. You may be more like an apple or a pear, or evenly shaped top and bottom. You may have large thighs, fat hips and a huge bottom and have a lower heart attack risk than someone with skinny legs and a big belly.

A more accurate and telling predictor of heart attack risk, is the waist-to-hip ratio.

What is your waist-to-hip ratio?

Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example, if your hips measurement is 40 inches and your waist is 34 inches your hip-to-waist ratio is 0.85. If you are a man, that's great, if you are a woman, that's OK (but you are right on the limit of healthy).

- A man's ratio should not be over 0.90

- A woman's ratio should not be over 0.85

Don't fight what you were blessed you with.

If you were born an apple you will stay an apple and if you were born a pear you will continue to be appear. Accepting your natural body shape is the first step in losing weight. Through my own research, I've concluded that women, and men whose actual body shape differs from their desired one may find losing weight frustrating and have more trouble sticking to a weight-loss program as a result.

If this sounds like you, accept your overall shape as nature intended, but pay attention to reducing fat around your middle and tummy areas. Circumference is much more important to your health than how you look in relation to your top and bottom.

Learn to love yourself, while reducing your belly fat!

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Back To School 24 Day Weight Loss Challenge And Cleanse

The idea of the Back To School 24 Day Weight Loss Challenge And Cleanse is for you to develop a consistent approach to weight loss as well, and more importantly assist in you in your lifestyle change.  The weight loss challenge objective is to get rid of the excesses in your body, the excess fat, and other stuff we have taken into our system over the summer months.  Not the healthy and lean muscle tissues and body fluids.

After all the summer fun, vacationing, celebrating, and at times eating anything and everything we wanted, its time to get back to business.

The challenge requires your focus and dedication, so therefore you need to be prepared in both mind and and body.  It is advised that you first visit your doctor for a check-up before embarking on any weight loss program, or diet.

It is important that when starting the challenge, that you remain positive, and dedicated enough to work for the desired results.

Often times we become impatient, but long term effects can be accomplished depending on you, your diet, as well as a number of other factors, such as current health.

If you have been inactive for some time, be sure to stretch and stretch some more before starting any activity.  Before actually doing any exercise and working out those muscles, a little stretching is needed in order to avoid any injury or soreness in your body.

Everything should be done in moderation.  Find the level of exercise and training that suits you.  It should be enough for you to be comfortable, but not too convenient that it will not be much of a challenge.

To assist you with your cleanse, you can find everything you need for  the challenge below.

Now that you have joined, here are a few tips to assist you along the way.

The first week

The first week of the cleanse take long and steady walks for a little over twenty to thirty minutes. After the walk, follow it up with a good stretch.  This takes so little of your time for the first week.
In less than two and a half hours you have taken that first step to a healthier lifestyle that could work to your advantage.

By the second week, it is good to focus on strengthening your upper body.  This maintains your strength to be able to go through the whole cleanse, and conditioning you will be doing, throughout the challenge.  During the third week,  start walking briskly or jog for 15 - 20 minutes.

The fourth week should be spent on a low impact exercise such as swimming.  To avoid boredom, do not be afraid to try something new.  The last day of the fourth week is a time to solicit the support of the people you care about.  Spend time with them or get them to be with you in your long walks. Remember, follow up your walks, and low impact exercises with a light upper body workout.

This is just the start of your life changes, and the greater good to come because of those changes.  If by this first week you are able to stick to the  24-Day Challenge, you have a greater chance to further boost your weight loss with the steps Ive provided above and stay with the program until you achieve your desired result.

Try as much as possible to be unlike the people who give up easily just because they could not see the result they want at the time they wanted!   Patience is a virtue.  The same way it took your body time to gain all that weight, it will need time to exert itself to get rid of it. Stick to the weight loss program and you will lose weight. Just as I did, and continue to do.

The ideal of the Back To School 24 Day Weight Loss Challenge And Cleanse is to help .you develop a consistent approach to weight loss as well as assist you in becoming a healthier you.

Written by,

Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor