There is one exercise that is more effective than any other when it comes to losing belly fat, Dr Berg says, and it is something that anyone can do
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A health guru has laid out an effective strategy for tackling stubborn belly fat that anyone can implement without needing any special gym equipment. Chiropractic doctor Eric Berg DC, an advocate of healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, and the writer behind the best-seller ‘The Healthy Keto Plan’, runs a YouTube channel with a 12.6 million-strong following.
In one of his videos, he explains: “Exercise contributes to about 15% of belly fat loss, and diet contributes about 85%. The first step to burning fat is to switch the body’s fuel source from glucose to fat.”
He continues: “Whether you burn sugar or fat depends on one hormone: insulin. If your insulin goes up, you’ll burn sugar, and you won’t burn fat. If your insulin goes down, then you can burn fat.”
Dr Berg, also the director of Dr Berg Nutritionals, noted that fat calories are not significant influencers of insulin levels. However, he warns it does not give a free pass to consume endless amounts of fat if you want to shed weight.
The expert highlights the importance of reducing carbohydrate intake to prompt the body into fat-burning mode. Once this metabolic switch occurs, the body starts creating highly bioavailable energy molecules called ketones, reports Surrey Live.
“Ketones are the byproduct of fat – energy your body can use as fuel. Eating also increases insulin,” Dr Berg told his audience.
“To get into fat-burning mode, you need to lower your insulin by reducing your carbohydrates and doing intermittent fasting. It’s also important to remember that even a little bit of carbs can stop you from burning fat.”
“Consistency is key with this fat loss program. But, if you do this program 100 per cent, your body will become an efficient fat-burning machine.”
He said getting into a state of fat-burning can help reduce insulin resistance, which may help correct a slow metabolism and help you lose stubborn weight. “With these problems out of the way, you’ll notice a lot of success when you add exercise,” Dr Berg added.
Dr Berg suggests mixing one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a tall glass of water and sipping it through a straw two to three times daily to enhance insulin resistance. Apple cider vinegar is rich in probiotic bacteria that can benefit your gut health, aid digestion, and possibly support weight loss efforts.
The health expert says walking is the best exercise to burn belly fat. “Walking can help you lose belly fat even more than doing high-intensity exercise,” he revealed.
“High-intensity interval training can help improve certain hormones and is essential for building muscle. But walking is better for losing fat. It’s essential to walk an hour or two hours a day.”
Consider using a pedometer and aim for 8,000 to 10,000 steps daily. He advised that the best thing you can do is combine walking with high-intensity interval training, but walking alone will still offer significant benefits.
