Struggling with stubborn belly fat? Wellness coach shares insights

702’s Clement Manyathela speaks with weight loss and wellness coach, Brett Eloff.

Listen below:

Belly fat is one of the hardest places to target for many people.

Beyond appearance, the extra weight around your midsection can also affect your health, increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

There are two types of fat: under the top layer of the skin (subcutaneous fat) and fat around the internal organs (visceral fat).

Both can accumulate around your fat if you consume more calories than you burn.

For women, due to the drop in estrogen level, their metabolism slows down and the body burns fewer calories.

For men, the drop in testosterone leads to a drop in muscle building, leaving unspent energy stored in the tummy area.

To lose tummy fat is not as simple as targeting one specific area but rather a general, holistic approach, says Eloff. 

This means adopting a healthy journey and a nutritious, balanced diet.

Cut out the sugary drinks and alcohol and opt for whole foods over processed foods.

You don’t have to go to the gym to do long hours of cardio.

A simple walk to move your body and get those steps in will go a long way.

“Generally, with time and if you do the right things, the right strategy, that belly fat should generally reduce.”  

 – Brett Eloff, wellness coach

“[Health] is a journey, it’s not a quick fix. It takes a lot of hard work… There’s a reason why there are more millionaires in the world than there are people with six packs, because it is extremely difficult in the society that we live in.”

 – Brett Eloff, wellness coach

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.