We know it’s there, jiggling when we walk, getting in the way our pants’ zipper, but what causes fat belly?  It appears chronic stress may be the a common culprit.

For some who are not even overweight, they can have too much belly fat. They work out, eat right, and still they can pinch more than an inch along their waistlines.  Women should keep their waist size below 35 inches, and men should keep it under 40 inches. The fat that is  most dangerous is called visceral fat and it is located deep within our bellies and surrounds our organs. Even those who are of “normal” weight can have high levels of fat and find this in their abdomens. The fat that is less dangerous but more unsightly is called subcutaneous (under the skin) fat.

When we are stressed, our bodies realease the hormone cortisol.  Cortisol is a vital hormone which is secreted by the adrenal glands. It is involved with  metabolism of glucose and release of insulin to maintain blood sugar. When we are stressed, the cortisol levels rise and can result in increased abdominal fat. Increased belly fat is related to strokes, bad levels of cholesterol (LDL) and heart attacks.

So what can we do to reduce the effects of stress on belly fat? When you are experiencing stress, it is important to be able to regulate your “fight or flight” response to reduce levels of cortisol. Things like deep breathing, guided imagery, music, exercise, and  meditation can all help your body to relax and ward off the negative effects of stress. Sometimes having a mantra like something your mother or grandmother used to say helps too. Didn’t your grandmother say “This too shall pass” and “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle”?

Of course, remember to eat well. Do not reach for the quick-fix of junk food to cure what ills. Instead, keep in control of the situation and opt for fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, whole, unprocessed foods and limit sugars. Fiber is important too so that you will feel full and avoid overeating.

If you know what causes fat belly, you can be proactive and learn to react to your body’s stress response in a relaxed way. This will only add years to your happy, active life!

Do you need to know how to lose 10 pounds in 10 days? Sure you would rather have all the time in the world to do it, but the reality is, you have something important coming up and you want to look great for it. Whether it’s a wedding, reunion, Spring Break, or a blind date, here’s what you can do in 10 days to look your best and not feel bloated or sluggish.

The first thing people think of when they consider fast weight loss is cleansing. Cleansing has been used for centuries as a detoxifying method in religious and spiritual rituals. Today it is also used as a jump-start for health or wiping the slate clean from our unhealthy habits. The benefits of cleansing that have been reported are fast weight loss (though mostly water weight, it does succeed in reducing bloat and bulkiness) and after the initial detoxification period, clearer skin.

There are some  diet cleanse products available that are natural, effective and easy to use, however, if you cannot afford to purchase a cleanse, you can still lose 10 pounds in 10 days with a little more work.

Some things you can do to lose weight fast at home is to eat a lot of vegetables and drink a lot of water. Vegetables are high-nutrient but also low calorie so it is much better than trying to starve yourself to lose weight. Starving yourself will only result in your body holding on to the fat it has because it thinks it is not getting enough food.

Basically, you want to give your body everything it needs and eliminate the junk. So, no white bread, rice or pasta and no processed foods or refined sugar. Shop the produce section of your grocery store and very little down the aisles. You should really only need things like whole beans, vinegars for flavoring and spices when you shop the aisles at the grocery store. Even for vegetables, you should choose fresh, then frozen and then canned as a last resort because of the high sodium content which makes you retain water.

Also, do not use artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners send the signal to your brain that you just got some sugar, which is brain food. When that isn’t followed by the actual sugar molecules, it makes you crave the real thing. So opt for natural fruit juices from whole fruits. No, juice boxes do not count. Real, whole fruits.

Protein is important too. But choose lean meats such as fish (baked, not fried and not breaded) and chicken or turkey. Beans are a great source of protein too. They will make you feel full and ward off cravings or hunger pains.

Some people have reported that homemade cleansers work, but these recipes can be very dangerous if your body is not getting the nutrients it needs. Stick with a diet cleanse that has been proven to be safe and well tolerated. The last thing you need is to be unhealthy, fainting or dealing with digestive problems from trying to make up a formula on your own.

Last but not least, exercise. Cardio exercises are going to burn the most calories and result in more weight loss, but weight training with stretching, like pilates, might be helpful in creating a lean look.

Brisk walking, running, elliptical, bicycle, or fitness DVDs can help you work out to lose weight fast. With exercise, you have to put in the time to get the results. Remember though, if you are not used to exercising, you must start slow and ease into it to avoid injury. And as always, check with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

You can lose 10 pounds in 10 days with some determination and hard work. But once the 10 days is over, try to stick to the healthy habits you have created!