Perhaps you want to fit into the old pair of jeans that you found in the garage. Or maybe you just want to be able to climb up a flight of stairs without struggling to breathe. Whatever the motivations are, there are many reasons for people to want to reduce the amount of fat on their bodies.

Fab or Flab?

Fat is a normal part of our bodies and is essential for healthy body function. Our body fat acts as a reservoir that provides energy in times of insufficient dietary intake. Aside from storing excessive energy, fatty deposits beneath the skin and around vital organs such as our heart can help to protect and insulate our bodies. Fat also contributes to our cell membranes, allowing for the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin A and D.

However, while having a reasonable amount of body fat is necessary for our overall health, bad eating habits and the modern sedentary lifestyle have led to problems with too much body fat. Having a large accumulation of body fat, particularly around the waistline, has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. People who are obese also suffer from social stigma, resulting in poor self-esteem and mental health issues.

Because each person is unique in age, genetics, and activity level, there are differences in how our bodies process, store, and burn calories and fat. For example, women tend to carry more weight around their hips due to genetic design for reproduction, while men typically store fat around their waist and burn fat faster due to higher testosterone levels. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), ideal body fat for average women and men are 21-24 percent and 14-17 percent respectively, decreasing to 14-20 percent and 6-13 percent respectively for athletes.

Watch What You Eat

When trying to shed fat, people often think of going on a diet. While limiting your calorie intake is helpful to some degree, it is just as important to ensure that you monitor the food that you eat to avoid damaging your body as you lose weight. Therefore, it is more beneficial to consider changing over to a healthy eating plan instead of going on a crash diet. By making better food choices, you naturally steer away from problem foods that lead to excessive fat and physical problems.

The leader of these problem foods is refined carbohydrates. Refined carbs such as white bread, pasta, and rice are processed grains that are low in fiber and nutrients. These ingredients tend to have a high glycemic index, leading to fluctuating blood sugar levels and hunger pangs. By choosing whole grains and seeds such as whole wheat, barley, brown rice, or quinoa, you can consume more nutrients and maintain stable energy levels.

While avoiding refined carbs, ensure that you add food that is high in protein. High-quality protein intake has been shown to help build muscles, manage weight, and burn fat. At the same time, a diet high in soluble fiber and good fats from olive oil, avocados, and nuts will not only provide vital nutrients but also reduce your appetite and help you feel fuller for longer.

Supplement to Shred

Exercise is another essential component of fat burning. Strength training, also known as resistance training, is the new trend in weight loss and body sculpting. By building muscle mass and increasing your muscle strength, strength training is designed to melt visceral fat and program your body to burn more calories, even while it is at rest. Although the most common form of strength training is lifting weights at the gym, there are many other ways to do strength training without specialized equipment.

As you build muscle, it is crucial to give your cardio some love as well. Cardio is another term for aerobic exercise, a type of training that conditions the muscles that work your heart and lungs. Doctors recommend about 20-40 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Anything from walking and dancing to running and swimming are forms of cardio. By giving your heart and lungs a workout, you keep your vital organs healthy, boost your metabolism, and burn fat throughout the body.

Many people training to build muscle and lose weight combine their exercise regime with supplements for maximum results. CBD has been known to have a myriad of benefits for stress relief, chronic pain, and inflammation, and now ShredCBD for weight loss can help you cut back on unwanted fat as well. Premium CBD isolates combined with proven fat-burning ingredients can effectively break down fat stores and give you more energy and focus for your exercise regime.

We do not have to be lean to be mean, but we certainly need to be aware of the risks associated with carrying excess fat around. By taking care of our bodies with wholesome diets, adequate exercise, and the appropriate supplements, we can ensure that we look great in our jeans, and enjoy healthier and longer lives.