It's one of those aggravating facts of life: As a woman ages, her metabolism slows down, her hormones go wacky ("go wacky" is a fancy medical term I just made up), and her body fat gradually increases. Then, after menopause, that extra fat starts looking around for new places to settle down. Unfortunately, one of the most popular locations for post-menopausal fat to accumulate is . . . (dramatic pause). . . the belly. Of course, you already know that excess belly fat is not very attractive, but what you may not know is that it can also be dangerous. There are two types of belly fat; visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat lies deep within the abdomen and surrounds abdominal organs. It's the dangerous stuff that has been linked to several health problems, including heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gallbladder problems, high blood pressure, and colorectal cancer. Subcutaneous fat, which is located between the skin and abdominal wall, is less dangerous but more visible. It's the stuff you can grab and shove together to make your belly look like a butt.
Those smart folks at the Mayo Clinic (not to be confused with the Mustard Clinic) published an article that offers some useful advice for keeping belly fat at bay. Check it out here: Belly fat in women: How to keep it off Remember, a certified personal trainer can help you stay motivated in your battle against belly fat. Call Central Valley Fitness for more information at (559) 871-1658.
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