Belly fat: Clingy friend who just won't leave
By Omar Ibrahim
Belly fat seems to be the only friend that will never leave me. It's with me at all times of the day: I wake up, it's there; I have my morning cheesecake (it's a thing, I swear), it's still there; it even follows me to the shower.
It's a constant reminder of why I've decided to be a winter holiday traveler — summer vacations are overrated anyway. Why would I spend money and time baking in the sun, half-dressed and hydrating like my life depended on it? I'd rather go to a family reunion and call it a night. But that's a discussion for another time.
Today, I want to answer the burning question on everyone's mind — and no, it's not whether hot air balloons are real or a myth. It's: 'Can I target belly fat? And if so, how do I burn it as quickly as possible?' To make a long story short: No. The end. To make a short story long, let me explain why that's (unfortunately) the case.
Your body (not mine) has played a cruel trick on you. And to be very honest, if you're going to blame anyone, it should be your parents. They passed down their weaknesses to you, and now it's up to you to clean up their mess (daddy issues? Sorry).
Your body decides where to store fat — and typically, it starts in the gut (to protect your organs) and ends somewhere less noticeable, like your fingers or toes. The problem is: The first place fat is stored is usually the last place it burns off. So, your belly will likely be the final stop on your fat loss journey.
How fast you lose belly fat depends on where you are in that journey. And if anyone tells you otherwise, they need to start with Biology for Dummies — which, by the way, is an excellent read. There is no magic diet, vinegar shot or body oil that will help. You simply need to be in a caloric deficit, consistently, for a long period of time — until you reach a weight that reveals the treasure (your abs) at the end.
In conclusion, the only way to burn off belly fat is to: Blame your parents for your genetics; be in a caloric deficit; be consistent (don't play yourself); be patient.
NOTE: Omar Ibrahim is a certified fitness and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience in health, fitness and nutrition. With a background in pharmacy and biotechnology, he blends science with passion to help others reach their wellness goals. Having personally overcome childhood obesity, injuries, eating disorders and social challenges, he draws on his journey — and a touch of sarcasm — to guide others on their own health and fitness paths.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
A rickshaw driver and his dog are winning hearts in Nepal
IN the heart of Kathmandu's tourist hub, Thamel, many cycle rickshaw drivers wait eagerly to take tourists on rides in the vibrant neighbourhood. But Babu Tamang's rickshaw comes with an added twist – a wagging tale and tufts of orange and white fur that delight passengers, with many leaving an extra tip for the hardworking man and some ear scratches for his eight-year-old pup. Tamang, 57, has always been fond of dogs. Two years ago, he was crushed when his wife told him a leopard killed his 10-year-old dog, Putle, in his home village, a six-hour drive from the Nepali capital. After mourning his faithful companion, he stumbled upon a rough-looking dog in a garage where he parks his cycle rickshaw. It was love at first woof. Tamang, who lives in the city away from his family, giving his four-legged companion a bath after a long day of work. "He never leaves me alone,' Tamang says with a smile. "Living in this city, away from my family, Shyam has become my closest companion." Shyam, a name for the Hindu god Krishna, goes to work with his human every day. When Tamang gets a passenger, Shyam trails behind the rickshaw, drawing smiles and pets from passersby. As soon as the ride is over and the fare paid, Tamang signals for the pooch to hop onto the rickshaw. Now that it's peak summer, Shyam seeks shade beneath the rickshaw during the midday heat. "He gets oil stains from the chains, so I have to give him a bath,' Tamang says, laughing. "But he doesn't like it, and we often get into a little fight over it.' Tamang and Shyam are certainly popular with tourists, some of whom take pictures of the duo. Tamang shares a small apartment with two other rickshaw drivers who accept Shyam's constant presence. The only time he is separated from his canine best friend is when he visits his village. "Dogs are not allowed on public buses, so I have to leave him behind in the garage with a mechanic friend. It makes me sad,' Tamang says. As the sun sets and the lights come on at the end of a long workday, Tamang's rickshaw slowly makes its way back with reliable Shyam following closely. "He's not just a dog, he's my family.' – AP
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
China cuts ties with Czech President over Dalai Lama visit
Czech President Petr Pavel met the 14th Dalai Lama in India in July despite strong opposition from Beijing. - Facebook/DalaiLama BEIJING: China said it will cease engagement with Czech President Petr Pavel over his meeting with the Dalai Lama, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Pavel met the 14th Dalai Lama in India in July despite strong opposition from Beijing, which considers the Tibetan spiritual leader a separatist. The Czech presidential office said the meeting with the Dalai Lama, who celebrated his 90th birthday last month, took place in a private capacity. "China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged serious protests with the Czech side,' Beijing's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in written remarks on Tuesday (Aug 12). "In light of the severity of Pavel's provocative action, China decides to cease all engagement with him.' The central European country's vocal criticism of human-rights violations in China, as well as active diplomatic and business ties with Taiwan, have repeatedly angered the government in Beijing. In May, Czechs blamed state-linked Chinese hackers for cyberattacks against Foreign Ministry's unclassified networks. The Chinese Embassy in Prague then rejected the allegations as "unsubstantiated.' Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told reporters that Pavel's meeting with the Dalai Lama had been private, and he called on China to treat it as such, CTK newswire reported on Tuesday. Pavel, a former high-ranking Czech military and NATO official, won the presidency two years ago. He replaced Milos Zeman, a strong advocate for closer economic ties with China. The Dalai Lama had a close relationship with the first Czech post-communist President Vaclav Havel, who repeatedly hosted him in Prague. - Bloomberg
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Govt rules out GEG revival, tightens youth smoking controls, Parliament told
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has no plans to reinstate the previously halted anti-smoking generational endgame (GEG) policy. The Health Ministry said in a parliamentary written reply that it is instead focusing on strict regulatory measures to curb smoking among youths. The ministry said the sale and use of smoking products among minors are already prohibited under Sections 13 and 17 of the Smoking Products Control for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). "The Generational Endgame policy is not being implemented for now," it added. The ministry noted that its current strategy involves stringent regulatory measures under the same Act. "These include mandatory product registration, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, sales control, and smoking prohibitions in designated non-smoking areas. "Our priority is to protect young people from the dangers of smoking by enforcing these regulations," it said. Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) had asked about the ministry's consideration for reinstating the GEG policy. The policy, which was halted, aimed to create a smoke-free generation by prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco and smoking products (including e-cigarettes and vapes) to individuals born on or after Jan 1, 2007. This policy was a key component of the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022. The GEG provisions were later removed before the Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat .
