Most people who come to me, come with the intention of losing weight. This is a fine goal, however, in my opinion the real goal should be body fat loss, why, because this is what they are really trying to achieve. However, society has thought the majority of us to focus on scales weight loss. If you’re trying to lose weight, odds are you probably want to eliminate your belly fat. After all, visceral fat, or the belly fat stored in your abdominal cavity, is the most dangerous. Visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stoke, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Getting rid of body fat is a longer and more drawn out process than just losing weight. As I have said before, it is easy to lose weight – just cut your calories back until the scales starts dropping. Losing weight the correct way requires more discipline. You can’t spot-target fat loss; your genetic make-up determines where you gain and lose fat. Let me say that again; you cannot decide where you want to lose body fat and target that area specifically – your body gains and loses body-fat a certain way. However, you can lose weight overall, including from your belly, with a mix of dietary changes, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.
When it comes to your diet, it’s not just what you eat but also what you drink that’s important. If you’re downing sugary beverages on the regular, you may be ingesting hundreds of empty calories each day, which can lead to an excess of belly fat. However, I have put a list of beverages together that you can drink that can help you burn that excess belly fat. Enjoy!
Water
This is one of the best drinks for weight-loss. It has been shown numerous times that drinking more water can reduce your overall food consumption by making you feel satiated for longer. And, as we all know, a controlled reduction in your daily calorie intake will eventually lead to fat loss.
Coffee
Drinking coffee is recommended for weight loss. Caffeine has been linked to successful weight-loss maintenance, and it makes for a pretty effective pre-workout beverage. Just make sure it’s an Americano or a Flat White you order as other coffees many have more sugar than coffee and avoid adding syrups and extra sugar. On another positive, coffee may actually be good for your heart, as new research suggests. We are blessed in Kilkenny with so many coffee shops, only problem is choosing which one to go to.
Matcha
Matcha contains high levels of catechins, antioxidants that may be effective in boosting metabolism and promoting fat loss. Plus, the caffeine contained in matcha can give you an energy boost when exercising, which can make workouts more effective.
If you’re drinking matcha, just be wary of some matcha tea lattes, which could be made with added sugars or calorific milks. Café la Coco, Starbucks, and Quigley’s (McDonagh Junction) all make health conscious Matcha Lattes, just be sure to remind the barista to avoid adding extra sugar.
Ginger Tea
Enjoying a cup of hot ginger tea may benefit weight loss by promoting fullness, reducing hunger, and decreasing calorie intake. What’s more, research shows that ginger tea actually increases thermogenesis (heat production in the body), which can help you burn more calories overall. Winning!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to water may help promote fat loss. Apple cider vinegar slows digestion, which can keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time and may help reduce overeating. Many people associate this drink with acidity, however, it actually becomes alkaline when consumed. I generally take this before bed with some sodium and magnesium for additional benefits.
If you feel you are FINALLY ready to make the right changes in your health and fitness, please get in touch to book your free consultation.
To your health and fitness,
Ciarán
