It is June which officially kicks off summer and bathing suit season , but are you ready for it?

If you’re dealing with unwanted belly fat then the idea of getting into a bathing suit this summer probably doesn’t sound appealing at all, and it likely leaves you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin all year long.

What you probably don’t know is that there’s a LOT more to losing belly fat than just diet and exercise.

So that’s why this week is a #throwbackthursday blog about all the belly fat facts you need to know so you can banish belly fat for good!

OMG, I have to wear a swim suit! COVID 15 How do I get rid of it?

I would say that 90% of the people I talk to would love to lose weight around their midsection. Most of them are seeking that ever so elusive flat stomach.

Are you one of those people?

If you are, I have good news for you…

There’s still time to flatten your stomach for summer!

And it doesn’t require counting calories, crash dieting or spending hours at the gym.

Because the fact of the matter is, belly fat is NOT always a result of eating too much and exercising too little.  In fact, calories-in versus calories-out is a dying school of thought.

There is a plethora of research these days showing just how broken the calorie counting and crash dieting approach is.  In fact, cutting calories and crash dieting can actually cause weight gain long-term.

Everywhere you turn you’ll see all kinds of marketing, promotional products and advertising geared towards the calories-in versus calories-out method for weight loss and finding that flat stomach.

And yet, people still struggle to lose or maintain weight loss, even when they’ve tried almost every diet and exercise routine out there.

And what about the people who have stick-skinny arms and legs but are round in the middle – what’s their story?

What’s up with that belly fat that just won’t budge?!

The accumulation of fat in our bodies, and particularly around our midsection, is way more complex than what is portrayed in mainstream health.

Diet and exercise actually play a small role in the reason for fat around your midsection.  In some cases, eating “healthy” and exercising can even contribute to fat accumulation.

There’s still time to flatten your stomach for summer!

Here are some facts about belly fat that I bet you didn’t know…

Excessive inflammation increases your storage capacity for fat cells, particularly white fat cells which are directly related to your “spare tire.”

White fat cells that accumulate around your midsection also serve as a protective mechanism to store the toxins you’re exposed to in order to prevent them from affecting your brain.  So the more toxins you’re exposed to, the more white fat cells you make and the bigger the spare tire gets.

Constipation and poor liver detoxification can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body which creates even more white fat cells around your midsection.

Excessive amounts of white fat cells trigger even more inflammation which can result in fluid retention (edema), resulting in even more white fat cells!  And a toxic body will intentionally hold onto fat to hide toxins in order to protect you and your brain from the re-circulation of toxins if they are not eliminated.

Low glutathione levels reduces mitochondrial function which leads to weight gain or loss resistance.  Glutathione is the body’s most powerful antioxidant, and mitochondria are the organelles within our cells which generates energy from the food we are eating.

Insulin resistance or carbohydrate intolerance contributes to a fatty liver.  All of which contribute to inflammation overload and poor toxin detoxification.

Do you see now why diet and exercise aren’t enough to get rid of belly fat?

Now, that you know the facts about belly fat, it might seem like getting rid of it is much more complex than you originally thought.

In some sense this is true. Diet and exercise are a part of it, but alone won’t get rid of it.

Don’t lose hope, though.

There are four simple steps you can take to reduce your inflammation and toxic load while boosting your liver function and glutathione levels to help you get that flat stomach for summer.

Step 1: Boost Glutathione & Liver Function

Your body needs cysteine (a sulfur-rich amino acid), B2 and selenium to make glutathione and for your liver to function optimally.  Eat foods rich in these nutrients such as; organic grass fed red meat, wild salmon, eggs, chicken, lamb, almonds, brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus, onions, mushrooms, and spinach.

Step 2:  Cut Down Carbs (especially processed ones)

This one should be easy if you focus on replacing carbs, especially processed ones, with some of the nutrient rich foods mentioned above.  Eating too many carbs in one sitting, or multiple times a day can oversaturate your cells with glucose causing insulin resistance, even in the “healthiest” people.  Focus replacing your carb intake by bumping up your healthy fats with avocados, fattier cuts of organic meat and poultry, and oils such as olive, coconut and avocado oil.  This will cut your carb cravings, leave you feeling fuller longer and less bloated.

Step 3:  Minimize Toxic Exposures

We can’t always control what toxins we are exposed to because we can’t always see, hear, smell or feel them BUTtaking action to control the ones you are aware of can drastically reduce the toxic load on your body.  Some swift and strategic toxin reducing actions you can take include: using non-toxic home cleaning and personal care products, drinking and cooking with filtered water only, getting a HEPA air filter for your bedroom and office, and getting outside for fresh air multiple times a day.

Step 4:  Reduce Inflammation

By minimizing your toxic exposures, cutting down on carbs, and boosting your liver and glutathione levels you’ll already be on your way to reducing inflammation.  There are a LOT of other unforeseen things that can cause inflammation such as food sensitivities, parasites, bacteria and yeast overgrowth in the gut.  To sort out these other inflammatory agents you’ll need to do some testing.  But you can also take reducing inflammation to the next level by getting to bed by 10pm and avoiding the top most toxic and inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, sugar, soy and alcohol.