[Newsletter] The Smartest Coach in the Room

Why losing belly fat is boring Every Saturday, The Smartest Coach in the Room delivers helpful takeaways on the hottest nutrition and health topics and the world’s most effective coaching techniques. (Did some amazing friend forward this to you? [Subscribe here]( Why Losing Belly Fat Is Boring If you’re a sentient being on planet Earth (greetings!), you’ve seen magazine and internet articles with titles like this: “The 5-Second Flat Belly Trick!” Or: “6 Days to a Six-Pack!” Just, no. Belly fat isn’t eradicated quickly, nor is being “totally shredded” always the most productive health goal. However... Some types of belly fat are associated with health risks. Visceral fat—that’s belly fat found deep in your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs—is linked to chronic inflammation, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders. (Subcutaneous fat—the padding just under the surface of the skin—is relatively benign.) Of course, without slicing yourself open (hard pass), you won’t easily know what kind of fat your belly harbors. Luckily, the healthy behaviors that help you lose belly fat for aesthetic reasons will also help you improve your health and reduce your risk of disease. They look something like this: - Consume a diet centered around minimally-processed foods. (This makes it harder to overeat, and easier to feel satisfied and meet your nutrition requirements.) - Find movement that you like and will do regularly. (Consistency > just about everything else.) - Eat slowly and mindfully. (Helps improve mind-body awareness so you can more easily eat the right amount for your body.) - Practice self-compassion. (Sure, it sounds woo-woo, but it’s linked to healthier eating, more consistent exercise habits, and lower rates of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress.) Not exactly clickbait, huh? But consider: How many people actually do these things… day in and day out? (Statistically, less than 3 percent of Americans meet the basic qualifications for a “healthy lifestyle.”) Our point: If so few people can do just the basics, how likely is it that they’ll be able to do something that’s even harder? Especially when they’re just starting out? (Like those advanced, “cutting edge” nutrition or fitness protocols that “celebrity models and Marvel heroes use.”) The reality... Fat loss tactics don’t need to be complicated. In fact, the “boring” stuff totally works—and is a lot more doable (and certainly more sustainable) than pretty much any “extreme” plan. So helps clients embrace and master the “basics”: Once they experience some success, they’ll become true believers. Maybe they’ll even spread the word. (Check out our deep dive: [The Real Secret to Losing Belly Fat, According to Science]( 10-Second Takeaways - Disease risk and all-cause mortality go up when midsections are over 37 inches (94 cm) for men and over 31 inches (80 cm) for women. - Mostly due to normal hormonal shifts, postmenopausal women tend to experience a shift in body fat distribution, with a decrease in leg fat, and an increase in abdominal fat. - The abdomen can look rounder post-pregnancy. This is more likely due to stretched, less compressive abdominal tissue and possibly lingering diastasis recti, not fat. - Trans fats, an ingredient often found in processed foods, may actually cause belly fat. - Getting a flat (or flatter) stomach won’t fix your confidence, relationship, or existential problems. (In fact, sometimes getting hyper-lean creates new problems and stress.) Want to learn more about nutrition science and how to use it to help people make healthy eating and lifestyle changes? Check out our [Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification](. It combines the science of nutrition with the art of coaching so you can help anyone make evidenced-informed decisions and achieve their most important health and fitness goals. [Become a Certified Nutrition Coach - Join the presale list for the #1 rated PN Level 1 Nutrition Certification]( Take care, Alex --------------------------------------------------------------- Alex Picot-Annand, PN2, Holistic Nutritionist Senior Writer Precision Nutrition Home of the world’s top nutrition coaches --------------------------------------------------------------- What did you think of this email? Precision Nutrition Business Insider's #1 Choice for Nutrition Certifications in 2022 --- To view this email as a web page, click [here.]( Precision Nutrition Inc. 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 Toronto, ON, M5E 1W7, Canada Finally, nutrition makes sense. Visit us at [www.precisionnutrition.com]( today. Follow us on [Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences](