WARNING Wednesday: Beware of BELLY BULGE!

At a time when more than 130 million Americans are overweight or obese, it`s never been a more critical time to focus on your weight, your shape, and your health. Some critics may see a chiselled midsection as the modern American symbol of vanity, but developing a flat belly is more than just a way to support the mirror industry. Abs are the ultimate predictor of your health.

Belly fat is the most dangerous padding on your body. Decreasing your waist line is so important, it may mean you will live longer. Belly fat is classified as visceral fat; that means it is located behind your abdominal wall and surrounds your internal organs. Because it carries an express-lane pass to your heart and other important organs, visceral fat can kill you.

Are you getting scared yet? You should be.
Even if your scale says you`re healthy, a large mid section could mean you have dangerous abdominal fat, finds a new Canadian study of 14, 924 people.
As the belly measurement increases, so does your risk for heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes-by up to 93%!! (Hip fat does not seem to carry the same risk)

How do you measure up?
Guidelines define high risk as a waist that is greater than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men. But studies are showing that by the time you reach those measurements, you may already be at high risk and it will be even harder to fix the problem. Here are the NEW, current guidelines: 33 inches for woman and 38 inches for men.
*Measure just above your hip bones and across the belly button with the tape parallel to the floor and snug, but not compressing your skin. And don`t suck in your belly!*

Ladies! Look at this scary statistic::
1960- average American woman's waistline was 30 inches, number OVER 35 inches: 19%
2000- average American woman's waistline was 37 inches! Number OVER 35 inches: 60%!!
for women of any height*

A few reason to want a flat stomach:
-help you live longer
-less fatigue
-protect you from injury
-strengthens your back
-limit aches and pain
-better sex life

Until next time team, curves are GREAT, just not the ones that stick out around the belly!

Health respect & happiness,
Beki