Belly fat is one of the hardest areas to lose weight, and it can be frustrating when you feel like you are doing everything right – watching your diet, exercising and yet you’re not seeing the results you want.

There are some non-nutritional and lifestyle factors that might be hindering your belly fat loss progress.

1. Not Getting Enough Sleep

Did you know that lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain and make it harder to lose belly fat? According to studies, when you don’t get enough sleep, the body releases more of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to cravings for junk foods and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.

Lack of sleep can also contribute to other factors that can make weight loss more difficult such as feeling tired and lack of energy, which can impact your motivation levels for exercise and make you more likely to opt-out for unhealthy food choices.

To improve your sleep quality and help with the belly fat loss, try to establish a regular sleep routine, avoid electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, and create a bedtime ritual that will help you relax before bed.

2. Stress

Stress is another factor that can contribute to weight gain and difficulty losing belly fat. When you’re stressed, the body releases cortisol, the same hormone that’s released when lack of sleep occurs.

The sudden release of cortisol can lead to an increase in insulin, which can cause sugar cravings and lead to overeating of junk foods.

When stress levels become chronic, it can also cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.

To help cope with stress, try to create a stress management plan to build resilience, and make time to do things that help you relax such as yoga, meditation, or taking a hot bath.

Developing a support network of friends and family can also make a significant difference in managing stress levels.

3. Lack of Physical Activity

Even if you watch your diet and watch what you eat, if you’re not getting enough physical activity, it can impede your efforts on belly fat loss.

Exercise is the key to help stimulate the body to burn fat, and it strengthens the core muscles, which can help support a healthy weight loss regimen.

To lose belly fat, aim to perform high-intensity interval training exercises or resistance training 3 to 4 times a week, which can help shed belly fat at a faster rate.

Additionally, if you have a sedentary work lifestyle, make sure to find ways to sit less and stand more throughout your workday, take breaks and walk around, or even perform stretching exercises.

Besides, regular physical activity is also beneficial for overall health and well-being and contributes to overall positive physical and mental health.

If you need motivation to get started, consider working out with a friend or hiring a personal trainer.

Conclusion

Although nutrition is a critical factor for losing belly fat, implementing a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, healthy sleep patterns, stress management, and daily physical activity can also greatly aid with your efforts.

By taking a holistic approach, you can speed up the process of losing stubborn belly fat and achieve your body weight goals.