Time and time again, we see Americans with oversized bellies. We as gamers/slackers have to beat that trend and slim down to stay healthy. I was never the lucky one with good genes and washboard abs however it can be conquered. Here are the three steps in obtaining that flat stomach.
1. More Cardio. Doing ab exercises will do nothing but display the layer of fat you have over your stomach. That’s not what you want, unless you want to look like wrestlers on WWF. In any case, you have to push it, whether it be swimming, running, biking, they all help. I recommend at least 30 minutes a day at moderate level intensity for about 5 days a week. Start off slow because you want to build your endurance while minimizing chances of injury. Make sure you work out your entire core, not just your abs. Your whole torso needs to be targeted (lower back, abs, and sides.) Strengthening your core will help increase your ability to do exercises with proper form, thus bettering your gain.
2. Less Sugary & Fatty Food. Okay seriously, the sugar infested foods will literally kill your chances in obtaining that flat stomach. I remember in an aerobics class I once took, the instructor definitely told us that majority of the time it’s 80% diet and 20% exercising. If you have the heart to throw away sweets and fatty foods, you’re already on a great start. If you have the will power to cut out meat, dairy and eggs, you’re phenomenal. However, most of us will have to deal with the latter, that is, low fat turkey, skinless chicken breast, lean beef, and fish.
3. Different people progress in different times; some see results fast, some slow. Don’t be disappointed when you’re a few weeks or even months down the line and don’t notice any changes. Trust me, your heart will feel a lot better, you’ll feel less tired, and your brain will feed off being healthy. Losing fat takes time, and losing too much too fast is unhealthy. Gradual loss is better and more likely to sustain over time. Working out a lot will increase your body’s wanting of calories so make sure you don’t starve nor over eat. I recommend a good 4 to 5 meal day, small meals, and maybe snack twice if you need to. (Nuts, fruits, veggies)
In a gaming standpoint, there’s the ever so fun, Wii Sports as well as the classic Dance Dance Revolution. Wii Fit will also revolutionize the industry if they ever release it in the US. A friend of mine lost tons of weight by just playing Dance Dance Revolution. It works wonders. Working out is always a drag but some find enjoyment through games while others in the gym. Either way, find what suits your lifestyle.
There are more advanced techniques but we’ll save that for another day. Until next time, happy eating, and treat yourself right so you don’t become the American stereotype. Recent studies have shown that bigger bellies are now linked to dementia, along with higher rates of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
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