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Quon lost 101 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Quon lost 101 pounds in 9 months.  After having a wakeup call via a workplace video, she decided that it was time to change her lifestyle with healthy eating and exercise.  Learn more about her weight loss journey…

Quon before and after

Hello, my name is Quon Cason. I am a 39 year old mother of two and my motivation for losing weight was to become healthy and to prevent obesity related illnesses. Even more importantly, I wanted to feel good about my myself. What initially jumpstarted my journey was when a co-worker filmed me at a company event. I watched the video and I was flabbergasted when I saw how out of control my weight had gotten. Yes, I knew I was overweight. However, to see myself in the video and not recognize that woman and realize how out of control I had gotten FLOORED ME!

From that day forward, I went cold turkey on eating junk food like processed foods, soda, fast food and all the other crap I loved and was clearly addicted to. I started juicing, eating clean and working out at least 4 days a week. My workouts consist of cardio, strength training and HIIT (high intensity interval training). My starting weight was 297 pounds and my current weight is 196 pounds. I would like to lose 10 to 15 more pounds.

I have so much more energy, and when people see me their reaction is priceless. The best response is when I am not recognized at all. I must admit that I am proud of myself for sticking to my plan and accomplishing my initial goal of 100 lbs gone in 9 months!! I hope to inspire others. I am the walking billboard for “If I can do it, so can you”, because Lord knows I have failed so many times before.

Quon weight loss story

Tanisha lost 193 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tanisha lost 193 pounds, down from 430 pounds, with weight loss surgery and by changing her lifestyle.  After years of using food to battle depression and dealing with a host of medical issues , she decided to have surgery to live a better life.  Here is what she shared with us…

Tanisha before and after

All throughout my teenage years, I was obese and being 5’2″ it was a disadvantage. Ever since I was in college, I’ve always had a bad habit of eating everything I could because it always made me feel better. It was comfort for my depression and satisfaction for my needs. My obesity was worse when I went to CSUSB in 2006. I got fatter and bigger every year. I would try to lose the weight, but my mind would tell me “no!” so, I just felt that if I would eat, I would feel better and I was on the right track for a while. However, since I graduated CSUSB in 2011 my health gotten much worse. I had Obstructive Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Pre-Diabetes, etc… I knew then I had to get weight loss surgery. It was my saving grace.

Since then, I had the surgery in June 3, 2013. I had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery and I was scared at first. However, I knew that if I did not changed my ways, I might have died. My highest weight was an astounding 430 pounds. Now, I weigh an incredible 237 pounds. I’ve lost 193 pounds total since 2012 and I’m still losing weight now. I was given a second chance to start my weight loss journey.

I have to eat three meals a day with only two snacks meals, and I’ve stopped eating so many sweets and junk food. Now, I’m eating fruits and some veggies. I hated to exercise when I was obese, but now, I really love it! I love to use my Nintendo Wii and play my Dancing video games. I incorporate some strength training two times a week into my workout schedule. Walking everyday helps me to feel free from the negativity in my life.  Also, Belly dancing is new for me, but I really love it.

My family and my friends have always helped me because they knew I would not survive if I went the wrong path. They have really become my providers. Being a musician as well, my music friends always gave me the confidence I needed to be strong. Being a huge wrestling fan also helped me become stronger as well.

For everyone that wants to lose weight: You have to take it one step at a time. Stay strong, stay positive, and live a healthy life. Never look back, because if I can do it, you can do it as well! You all are so worth it, just believe in your heart and yourself. You can follow me on twitter: @henrytanisha or on Facebook.

Sweet Snacks That Won’t Wreck Your Healthy Eating Plans

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sweet snacks recipes

According to the USDA, the typical American consumes a total of 150 lbs of sugar every year. This includes sugar in everything from candy to condiments. It’s already pretty obvious that sugar, especially heavily processed sugar, isn’t good for our bodies. Sadly, most Americans have a major sweet tooth. One of the most difficult things to give up when you start a new diet are sweet things.

There is a never-ending search for sweet snacks that are low in calories, carbs, fat or whatever you are trying to avoid with your eating habits. The good news is that there are amazing sweet snacks you can make yourself or buy that aren’t going to totally mess up your diet (if you practice moderation) and are healthier options than a candy bar.

Fruit

Most fruit is naturally very sweet when ripe. Berries, melons, citrus and apples are just a few of the wonderful options available depending on the season and the nutrition they contain puts candy bars to shame. Not only is fruit healthy for you but it contains natural sugar that is better than over-processed white sugar (Many fruits like berries have a reasonable glycemic index). Some fruit should still be eaten in moderation due to its high sugar content but overall, but in general eating fruit is a great way to satiate your sweet craving.  Package it as a snack, put it in your green smoothies or eat it how ever you prefer. (Of course, this may not be an option for those of you who are on very low carb diets)

Frozen Greek Yogurt

Froyo is pretty much the perfect delicious alternative to ice cream. Greek yogurt in particular is very rich and healthy for you. Making your own frozen yogurt at home is fun and will definitely take care of your sweet craving.  Practice moderation since many frozen yogurt brands are pretty high in sugar.  Do your research and choose the most natural, low sugar brands.  Also, consider frozen yogurt as a go to on cheat days instead of regular ice cream.

Granola

Granola is not only delicious but also super healthy for you and can be very filling. It makes a great midday snack or a pick-me-up after a workout. The grains in granola help to stabilize your blood sugar due to it’s high fiber content and knock out that sugar craving. Look for brands that are low in sugar and baked instead of fried (check the fat content).  You can also make your own granola and granola bars.

Sorbet

Sorbet is another delicious alternative to ice cream. If you love fruit, you’ll love sorbet. Sorbet is more of a light frozen treat and can be made from nearly anything. It’s also generally dairy-free. Make Your Own: Many store-bought sorbets are pretty high in sugar unlike the following recipes.

Popsicles

Store-bought popsicles are shockingly high in artificial flavors and loaded with sugar. During the summer homemade popsicles are a great way to cool off and get a taste of something sweet, but you can eat them all year round You will need to buy popsicle molds but they are available in most any store like Walmart and are pretty cheap.

Smoothies

Smoothes are super easy to make and can absolutely satisfy a craving for something sweet. All you need is a blender and your imagination. An added health benefit of smoothies is within the blending process itself. When the fruit and other ingredients are pulverized it allows your body to absorb the nutrients and fiber. Smoothies don’t really require a particular recipe but if you’re looking for something new to try, these recipes are delicious and healthy.

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

One of the simplest yet decadent sweet snacks are chocolate dipped fruits. The trick to making chocolate dipped fruit healthier is swapping sugar-filled milk chocolate for a dark chocolate (70% is a good choice). Dark chocolate takes some getting used to but you’ll find that the more bitter chocolate is delicious when combined with sweet fruit.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are one of the most popular combinations. Simply melt down your chocolate slowly, in a double-boiler preferably, and wash your strawberries. Use the green of the strawberries to roll the berry in the chocolate. Once covered, you can either leave them like that or add toppings. Set the berries on a sheet of parchment paper and place in the fridge to let the chocolate cool and harden.

Another amazing chocolate and fruit combo are dipped bananas. Bananas are an amazingly healthy fruit that is filled with potassium. To make these, prepare the chocolate the same way. Peel your bananas and cut in half, roll in the chocolate and place on parchment paper. Add toppings if you want, crushed walnuts and granola are especially good, and place in the freezer until hardened.

As more Americans become aware of their health and the dangers of high sugar many food companies now have sugar-free lines of their products. While you can find diet-friendly sweet snacks in stores they usually instead have artificial sugar products so shop carefully. Homemade sweet snacks are fun to make and even more fun to taste test.

Lesson 6: What I See in the Mirror

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mirror lesson weight lossLesson #6: Today’s weight loss lesson is super simple, but also very powerful. You will need a mirror for this challenge, preferably a full length mirror (use what you have if you don’t have a long one).  You’ll also need pen and paper.

Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 | Lesson 5

Stand in front of your mirror and look at yourself for at least 60 seconds.  Take up to 3 minutes to really stare at what you see and take it all in.  Don’t censor your thoughts, just let the assumptions, thoughts and emotions flow.  Don’t judge what you are thinking or feeling.

Part 1 – Write down the answers to these questions. Write whatever comes to mind and is your truth.  No judgement.

  1. When I look at my face I feel ________, because ________.
  2. When I look at my body I feel ________, because ________.
  3. When I consider the shape of my body I feel _________, because________.
  4. I think that my body is _____________. (use 1-3 words to complete this sentence)

Part 2 – Consider what you like and don’t like about your body.  Write down 5 things you like and up to 5 things you would like to change.

Part 3 –  Ask yourself whether the things you would like to change realistic and why or why not?  I want you to have a dialogue with yourself about the reasons you want or need to change.  Are you being truthful.  Are you being hurtful to yourself.  Can you actually accept some of the things you want to change as good or unique.

Part 4 – How do you feel now?  Do you feel down and deflated?  Do you feel enlightened? Do you feel motivated?  Do you feel proud of yourself?  Do you feel healthy?  It is time to review your answers and decide on your next action.

  • Think about how you would like to feel about your body?
  • If you are feeling down about the way you look, you have to decide what the true source of those feelings are?  Did someone tell you that you’re too fat or not attractive, or is that feeling coming from you.  If you don’t like things about the way you look, and it’ can’t be changed how will you find happiness.
  • If you are happy with the way you look but know you could be healthier, what are your next steps?  What actions are you willing to take?
  • What positive action can you take today?  If you love your body, take actions that will make it healthier and keep it healthy.  If you want to change some things, start brainstorming about the actions you can take.

We have to be real with ourselves about how we feel about our bodies.  Our body is our temple and we have to show it love.  Love may be positive change.  Love may be accepting that you will not be a size 2.  Love may be leaving alcohol, soda and fast food alone.  Love could be walking for 20 minutes a day or training for a marathon. You have to find out what love is for you. 

Is Green Tea Good For Weight Loss?

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green tea weight loss

In these days of fad diets and intense searches for the next weight loss miracle, you’ll hear “green tea” come up in health-centered conversations more and more often. Many people take on drinking green tea not knowing if or why it really helps with weight loss. Even though it’s occupying shelves in health and vitamin sections nationwide, I have to wonder “Does it really work?”. Let’s clear up a few misconceptions…

Super Drink

Rest assured, all the rumors are indeed true about this tea being good for you…but it is NOT a miracle weight loss drink.  That being said… Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. Overflowing with antioxidants, there are numerous benefits to consuming green tea including how it can help you have a healthy heart and that it has anti-cancer properties.

While the natural supply of vitamins and nutrients in Green Tea can help your body to burn calories and fat, the results don’t come about as quickly as some would expect. This doesn’t take away from its effectiveness as a nutritional supplement. If you read the ingredients of popular weight loss and diet pills, you’re likely to see some form of green tea listed. It works in terms of supporting health, but it isn’t “the answer” in itself to losing pounds. Anything worth having requires some effort, a healthy life included.

How It Works

Green tea works to reduce fat and stimulate your metabolism. The fats and sugars that enter the body are synthesized into a substance known as triglycerides. When digested in healthy amounts, triglycerides provide the body with energy. If they are consumed in excess, they’re stored as fat. The polyphenols in green tea activate enzymes that can help dissolve extra triglycerides. The problem: You have to drink a significant amount of tea or consume it in a concentrated form to even begin to have any real effect on the body.  Also, depending on what else is going on with your body, green tea may not have an effect at all.

It seems that green tea is good for so many things and that includes addressing high triglycerides. The catechin flavonoids in green tea can reduce triglycerides by up to 20%. The catch is you need to be a BIG tea drinker to benefit as about 600 to 700 mg of green tea catechins are required to achieve the triglyceride lowering effect (the equivalent of 6 to12 cups per day since the catechin content of tea varies greatly).  Alternately, nutritional supplements are available that provide green tea catechins in a more concentrated form. – DiabeticConnect.com

Additionally, green tea contains caffeine, another substance known to aid fat burning in some people. Some avoid the consumption of caffeine because of its strongly stimulating properties. However, many choose to indulge in a hot cup of green tea because it contains a significantly less amount of caffeine than coffee. You’ll still reap the energy increasing benefits without the hyper-sensitive side effects.

Increased Metabolism

Burning fat also means an increase in your body’s metabolism. Recent studies show consuming green tree extract stimulates a process known as thermogenesis. This is the natural increase in your body’s temperature during digestion. Thermogenesis determines how quickly your food will be burned off and recycled into energy. It’s possible to experience this fat burning, metabolism increasing benefit by drinking green tea as a beverage or, for added convenience, you can consume it as a dietary supplement.  It’s important to note that the increase will not be significant enough to burn off a lot of pounds all at once and green tea alone is not a long term weight loss solution.

Add It To Your Routine

As previously stated, green tea has been proven to have numerous health benefits but to reap them to their maximum potential, it’s best to incorporate it into your daily health regimen. You’ll see most commercial weight loss supplements include green tea, and all of them suggest a regular exercise routine and healthy eating habits for the best results. Green tea works, just not on its own. Those who take a daily extract supplement burn 17% more fat while exercising than those who don’t (the dosage varies depending on age, weight, etc). Continuous consumption also strengthens the metabolism, creating a constant fat burning routine even after your workout is completed.  Do your research on what dosage is best for you.

Whether you’re working toward weight loss or just trying to improve your health, green tea is a great addition to your grocery list. High in catechins (phytochemicals), green tea along with an active lifestyle has been proven to combat obesity and heart defects. A diet high in calories with mild activity won’t yield the best results regardless of any natural supplements. A moderately monitored diet with equally moderate level of exercise usually shows significant progress around 12 weeks. Those who are increasingly active and consume a weight-friendly diet can expect to see results much sooner.

The results may seem to straddle the fence a bit in terms of weight loss, but the overall health benefits outweigh its ineffectiveness when it comes to dropping pounds. Green tea isn’t the final answer for someone looking to lose 25lbs as quickly as possible but for long-term benefits for your waistline and internal organs, green tea is worth adding to your shopping list.

PS: Matcha Green Tea is one of the hottest trends around right now.  Learn more about this powerful form of green tea.

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Patricia lost 52 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Patricia lost 52 pounds, going from 302 pounds to 250 pounds.  She was motivated by a pain issue and decided it was time to change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Patricia before and after photos

Hi, my name is Patricia. My story is a little different than most. What initially peaked my interest into becoming healthy and fit stemmed from the extreme back pain I was experiencing due to being blessed up top… Lol. My initial weight was 302 pounds and I am now at 250. I started out in a bootcamp class 3 days a week and unexpectedly I really enjoyed working out. From there, I ventured into my current love, my hip hop class.  I also love hiking, run/walk, strength training etc.  Before I’d I ate everything from fast foods to any and all restaurants. The killer for me was mixed fruitie drinks with all the empty calories. I found any reason and excuse to eat out and drink of course. The most important change I had to make was my diet. Initially when I started my weight loss journey I didn’t change my eating and it showed.  Now with my lifestyle change I do allow myself cheat meals and an occasional fruity drink but I’ve adapted drinking my Moscato every so often instead.  Turkey and chicken are my meat of choice. I also eat lots of vegetables and fruits. I’ve now started drinking my gallon of water a day to come full circle.

My endurance and momentum to keep up physically proved challenging. Once I got on board with my eating everything else fell into place. Most importantly, I no longer have back pain. Because of this, my fire is now lit by the desire to become healthy and fit. I am 50+ pounds down with 1 1/2 years in on this journey. I’m just getting started. This is indeed a lifestyle change for me that is here to stay. I must say that I’m truly enjoying my journey and the new and improved me.

Check her out on Instagram for more photos from her journey: @plussizebella

Pros and Cons of The Fast Diet

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the fast dietOne of the newest diet trends is the Fast Diet, as described by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer in their book, The Fast Diet: Lose weight, stay healthy and live longer with the secret of intermittent fasting (Atria Books, February 2013); is gaining a lot of notice for its promises, criticisms and anecdotal evidence of effectiveness. Before you rush out to try it, there are several things that you should consider when looking at any new diet plan. The Fast Diet is too new to have a body of supporting clinical evidence to call its own, but it is based on some historical nutritional studies that reveal the potential pros and cons of adopting this approach.  In addition, the concept of fasting is one that has been embraced for centuries, but more so for spiritual reasons and body cleansing.

The reality check

One of the basic rules is that if a new diet appears and proves popular, then just about everyone with a name and a title is going to come out and tell you why it doesn’t work and how cutting calories and increasing exercise is the only way to lose weight. Within this rule is a grain of truth, but the fact is that there are many diets that prove popular and are an effective means to lose weight.  There will always be supporters and people who think a the diet is horrible. The other solid fact is that not all diets work for everyone and every diet is best supported by regular exercise and responsible nutrition.  You have to find out what works for you and you have to determine for yourself if it’s healthy.

The 5:2 Fast Diet Plan

Dr. Mosley presents the Fast Diet plan in a 5:2 structure. This means for 5 days you get to eat whatever you want and for 2 days you fast. He spends the 244 pages of the book explaining why this is not as simple as it sounds. You don’t just eat fast food and junk Monday through Friday and then nothing at all on Saturday and Sunday; Mosley presents a careful balance of nutritional elements that are designed to redefine your basic diet and calorie intake and to add in the balance of intermittent fasting.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is defined as a reduction of calories to 500 calories a day for women and 600 for men. You are allowed to drink as much water as you want. Mosley also outlines that the 5 days of eating should be broken up with a day of fasting every 2 or 3 days, rather than placing them back to back. The book contains many suggestions and recipes for how to ease into the fasting day so that you do not experience hunger pains or any symptoms of a drop in blood sugar levels.  I think this is a much better method than just not eating for days on end.

The Pros of the Fast Diet

While the name and presentation of an intermittent fasting diet may be new, the diet itself is not. There have been numerous clinical studies done that show that it is a safe and effective way to lose weight. There are also many studies that suggest that it may have a positive impact on reducing certain types of estrogen receptor cancers, such as breast cancer; as well as provide other health benefits that do not appear in other diet plan studies.

The Cons of the Fast Diet

It is probably a disappointment to quite a few that the “Fast” in Fast Diet doesn’t refer to a quick weight loss, but the diet cycle is imagined over a 6 to 8 week time frame. For people that are obese, the results from the first cycle are reported to be dramatic. The biggest drawback of the Fast Diet is that if you do not eat a balanced diet, you can cause nutritional deficiencies easily. It can also be easily taken to extremes that can reinforce unhealthy eating patterns as well.

What should you do?

Talk to your doctor before beginning any diet plan if you have any health concerns or conditions. If you are in good health, then it’s safer to try a weight loss plan like the Fast Diet. If you use the 6 week plan as an opportunity to change your eating habits during those 5 days, you may benefit greatly from the structure and approach of this diet.  Or this could not be the plan for you.  If you are prone to extremes with your diet, stay away; fasting is something that you should not flirt with if you have problems with your body image.

6 Tips for Starting a Vegan Diet

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If you have decided to start a vegan diet then you are in good company. Many people are adopting the vegan lifestyle for health and ethical reasons. Here are 6 tips for starting a vegan diet to help you get the most benefit from your choice.

vegan diet tipsTip #1 – Plan meals ahead of time

Keeping a vegan diet takes effort. By the middle of the work week, you may not be up to the effort anymore and it becomes easier to make the wrong choices. You can prevent this by planning out your meals ahead of time and organizing your food so grabbing the right thing to eat is easy. Also, always make sure to have a snack with you of fruit, nuts or whole grains to help tide you over when hunger strikes.

Tip #2 – Up your B12

Vegans have a smaller percentage of B12 deficiencies than vegetarians; possibly because of the dietary on green, leafy vegetables but even being low on B12 can seriously impact your health. B12 is a soluble vitamin, which means our bodies do not store it. What is not immediately used is filtered out. It is essential that you add a B12 supplement to your diet to avoid developing a deficiency in this vitamin. A B12 deficiency can cause serious problems and even lead to thinking disorders, neurological problems, mood disorders and fatigue.

Tip #3 – Don’t assume meatless means healthy

Many vegans assume that if there is no meat in a dish, then the dish must be healthy. A lack of animal or fish protein in a dish doesn’t imply a healthier food; it just means that something else has been used to supply the body with something that will be taken in as filling. In many instances, bleached  flour, trans fats, other benefit-less fillers are used to create a dish that is filling, but has little nutritional value. Always make sure to know what is in the dish and to make sure that the rest of your plate has a balanced serving of other foods to maintain a healthy diet.  Read food labels and do research online.

Tip #4 – Be consumer smart

Being vegan isn’t just a healthier choice for many; it is also a booming marketing demographic for food and clothing producers. The label of ‘vegan’ attached to any item often comes with an associated higher price than its non-vegan counterpart. As a smart consumer, it is important that you remember that there are no regulations about who can and cannot use the term vegan on a label. Only recently have food packaging laws been changed to clearly define what can be labeled organic and many people are shocked to discover what they though was a healthy and organic product, only contained one organic ingredient amid many chemicals, steroid and genetically altered ingredients. Be careful when buying that you don’t believe the hype. Take the time to read all of the ingredients and do your homework.

Tip #5 – Look at restaurant menus before you go out

More and more restaurants are accommodating vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten intolerance. While some restaurants will highlight on the menu which dishes are prepared to common vegan standards, some will only list this information online. Planning ahead for what you are going to order before you get to the restaurant has more benefits than just allowing you to stick to your dietary guidelines. If you already know what you can and cannot eat and have an idea of what you will order, it can make dining out more comfortable with friends and family who may not completely understand the vegan restrictions.

Tip #6 – Find vegan sources of protein and calcium

Many of the studies done on the impact of a vegan diet on health have reported low bone density in long term vegans and a protein deficiency in the diet. This has been attributed to a commiserate low calcium intake. Protein deficiencies in the diet can contribute to lethargy, depression and other issues. This doesn’t mean that a vegan diet promotes these deficiencies; it does mean that many vegans are not following a diet that provides for vegan sources of adequate amounts of protein and calcium. Some common sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables; calcium fortified or set soy products, beans, fruits and grains.  You can find protein in things like faux meats, soy, nuts, leafy greens, beans and vegan protein powders. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for an adult is set at 1000 mcg a day. Protein needs will vary according to the individual.

Is Belly Fat Different Than Other Body Fat?

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belly fatMany people don’t realize that belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is actually different than the rest of your body. The belly fat has been linked to risk for a number of different types of things, from insulin issues, metabolism issues, heart disease, increased cancer risk, and increased type 2 diabetes risk. Even if you’re not overweight, the fat that is in your abdomen can cause a lot of issues.

The body has three different types of fat in it. Check them out:

  • Triglycerides circulate in your bloodstream. It makes up about 95 percent of the fat within your body.
  • Subcutaneous fat, which is the layer that lies directly below the skin’s surface, between the skin and the abdominal wall.
  • Visceral fat is the kind located deep within your belly.

It’s not so much what is in the visceral fat that causes the problem; it’s where the fat is located. It is actually found beneath your stomach muscles, which means that they’re the closest thing to your internal organs. Because of this placement, your internal organs start to use it for energy because it’s more efficient than getting energy from your skin fat. Your body acts much like you do; efficiency is key.  If you have an option between two places to get the same exact thing, you’re going to go to the place that is closer.

So, why is this dangerous? In old times, people assumed that fat was just stored energy, but it’s actually much more active than that. All fat cells continually secrete hormones and chemicals; these hormones and chemicals are healthy if you’re at a normal weight, they actually do good things, like regulate insulin, help to regulate appetite by allowing you to feel satisfied after eating, and even help burn stored fat. Essentially, this fat acts how fat is supposed to act. The fat does standard metabolic functions and is absolutely nothing that you have to worry about. That’s why it’s unhealthy to be without fat; you can actually starve yourself or, at the very least, get ill, if you have no fat on your body at all.

Where the problem comes in is when you are overweight or obese. If you are overweight or obese, your body has more fat cells, and those cells are much larger than they should be. These larger cells, as you would expect, work harder and secrete more hormones and chemicals than you need. Essentially, you’re getting “too much of a good thing,” which is when it becomes a very bad thing. The chemicals that come out of your fat cells start to impact your health over time. These chemicals play a huge role in diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and even certain cancers.

Alright, so why does belly fat get the short end of the stick? Don’t all fats do this? Absolutely not! Visceral fat cells actually produce more of those chemicals to start with, so if you’ve got a lot of fat in your stomach region, those chemicals are actually being produced at toxic levels. As I mentioned above, those toxins are getting into your internal organs because the visceral fat is where your internal organs are getting their “energy” from. So basically, by having the excess stomach fat, you’re actually poisoning yourself in a way in terms of what the fat is leaching into your body. That is incredibly scary.

This is why good health is important. Exercise and diet are incredibly important parts of keeping you healthy. If you’ve noticed that you have an excess of belly fat, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. The great thing is that belly fat responds well to time tested weight loss methods of eating and exercise. You doctor or health care professional can help you to get on a eating and fitness plan that can help you lose weight in that region so that you don’t continue to cause damage to your body.