6 Body Fat Fighting Facts We Don't Know About

Contributing Author: The Tortoise

Dr Zoe Williams of the 'Obesity: Outsmart Your Fat' BBC programme enlightens us about 6 body fat facts most of us probably do not know. Read on for her 6 eye-opening everyday tips to win your fight against fat.

#1 The body needs enough sleep

Dr Williams says: "If you don't get enough shut eye, this can cause your metabolism to slow down, as your body tries to conserve energy. And also trigger the release of the hormone cortisol, which makes you more likely to eat foods that are high in fat and sugar."

#2 Move every 20 minutes

Dr Williams says: "The muscles, when active, produce a very clever enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, and this enzyme actually breaks down your fat. If you sit for 20 minutes or longer, then that switches off. So you just have to get up and move, to switch it on again."

#3 Thirst or hunger?

Dr Williams says: "The brain can sometimes misinterpret thirst for hunger, so by drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated, you reduce the risk of reaching for the snacks."

#4 The after-meal walk

Dr Williams says: "After you eat, whenever you can, try and build in a brisk stroll for about 15 minutes.This can help to normalise blood sugar levels for up to three hours afterwards. And if you can't manage 15 minutes, then 10 minutes or even just 5 can give you some of the benefits."

#5 Stress feeds fat

Dr Williams says: "Thousands of years ago, a stressful situation would normally mean you were being chased or having to fight. Our bodies haven't changed much since then, but our environment has. Most of us these days deal with a stressful situation sitting at our desk, but our bodies still think we need to replenish those calories, even though we probably don't."

#6 The 7-minute full on

Dr Williams says: "Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is go to the gym. But you don't always have to. You can do a 7-minute high-intensity workout at home, and not only will you burn fat during the workout, your body will keep burning fat for 24 hours afterward."

Reference

Williams, Zoe, 'Nine ways to outsmart your fat', BBC

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