It may sound counterintuitive, but it works!
Eating Well/Getty Images
Whoisnttrying to lose that nagging, hard-to-shed belly fat known asvisceral fat?
Of course, its easy to assume a stricter workout routine or aggressively cutting calories yields the best results.
Photo:Eating Well/Getty Images
Visceral fat doesnt just make your belly bigger.
This deep abdominal fat surrounds your internal organs like your liver, stomach and intestines.
But how, exactly, does rest help reduce visceral fat?
Read on to learn how more downtime could be the key to losing that stubborn belly fat for good.
Here’s how rest works its magic in the fight against visceral fat.
Blame it on your hormones.
Meanwhile, leptin, which sends signals to your brain that youre full, decreases.
You may end up consuming extra calories, which can settle as visceral fat.
Helps Regulate Your Stress Hormones
Occasional stress is no big deal.
But when stress lingers, so do its effects on your body.
This may lead to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
If being anxious wasnt bad enough, research reveals that increased cortisol levels can also trigger stress eating.
Rest may lower cortisol, she explains.
Conversely, a lack of sleep may increase cortisol.
Active rest days can also keep you motivated by allowing you to keep moving without risking burnout.
Supports a Healthy Metabolism
Did you know your body burns calories even when youre asleep?
Sleep is when your body engages in critical repair and regeneration processes.
Its also when your body releases growth hormone, which helps break down fat for energy.
Its also about getting regular, quality sleep.
The Bottom Line
Losing visceral fat isnt just about eating salads and sweating buckets at the gym.
Its about making sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices.
Thats why its the No.
1 secret weapon in the battle against visceral fat.
Plus, rest is free, easy and available to everyone (no gym membership required!).
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