Expert Diet and Weight Loss Solutions

Modern people generally have excess belly fat due to the ready availability of convenience foods and overeating. The benefit of transportation also leads to people walking and exercising less.

Obesity is usually measured according to the body mass index (BMI): BMI = weight (kg) / height (m). Those with BMI greater than 28, are considered obese and those between 24 and 28 are considered overweight. If no obvious cause can be found for excess weight, it is called simple obesity, which accounts for about 95 percent of the obese population. Those with clear causes are called secondary obesity.

Many factors lead to obesity, including the following:

Consumption of high-calorie foods, high-sugar foods, and cold drinks.

Low physical activity.

Low birth weights.

Having obese parents.

Too much time spent on computers, phones, and television.

High mental stress.

Women in adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and pre-geriatric periods are also prone to obesity.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that obesity results from a lack of regularity or restraint in diet and a sedentary lifestyle. The definition of obesity in TCM is the excess tissues over the original leanest body weight, also called phlegm dampness, or phlegm turbidity.

Phlegm dampness is the excess waste accumulated from the dysfunction of the internal organs. It not only refers to fat cells, but also contains high blood lipids, high blood sugar, and other pathological products.

Therefore, TCM treats obesity by adjusting the internal organs first, so as to excrete toxic accumulation from the body to achieve the purpose of weight loss. With few side effects, TCM can also play the role of nourishment and health care.

However, not all obese people can use the same diet to lose weight. TCM divides different types of obesity according to different constitutions and symptoms, and provides different dietary therapies:

To reduce the problem of abdominal fat, acupressure is an effective method.

In the abdomen, you can massage the acupoints of Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), and Daju (ST 27) 10 to 20 times to promote metabolism, regulate endocrine secretion, improve bloating, edema, and prevent a protruding abdominal.

In addition, you can also massage the head acupuncture points, such as Xiaguan (ST 7) and Jiache (ST 6), to relax the tendons and promote blood circulation. At the same time, this will have the effect of beautifying the face.

Pressing on the acupoints Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) accelerates blood circulation, increases gastrointestinal motility, and eliminates excess fat on the leg.

Except for the acupoint massage treatment mentioned, there are specific acupoints for obese people, such as Branch Ditch (TH 6), Inner Pass (PC 6), Broken Sequence (LU 7), and Water Divide (CV 9). Girdling Vessel (GB 26), Abdominal Bind (SP 14), Stone Gate (CV 5), and Yin Mound Spring (SP 9).

Exercising is an indispensable element to losing weight and having a slim bellyand persistence is the key to success. The following introduces two simple exercises specifically for reducing the fat on the belly:

PreparationLie on your back with your upper body relaxed, knees bent, eyes to the ceiling, and hands on either side of your head.

Raise the upper bodyUsing only the strength of the abdominal muscles, exhale while raising the upper body as high as possible. The upper body should be raised to a height where it can no longer be lifted, and then exhale all the air. (Note: When the upper body is up, use the stomach muscle and focus on the abdomen.)

Slowly lower your upper bodyInhale while slowly lowering your upper body until your head is almost at floor level (Note: Do not touch the floor with your head). Return to step 1 of the preparation. After repeating the above 20 times (1st round), rest for 30-45 seconds, do 20 times again (2nd round), rest for 30-45 seconds, do 20 more times (3rd round), for a total of 60 times.

Lift the feetLie on your back, exhale while lifting your feet upward, and let the muscles in your lower abdomen contract with force.

Lower the feetWhile inhaling, slowly lower the feet to relax the lower abdomen muscles. (Note: The feet should be slowly lowered to the floor, but remember not to touch the floor.)

Lift the feet againWhile exhaling, slowly lift the feet upward so that the lower abdominal muscles contract. Both feet back to the position of step 1, and finish the exhale. (Note: when the feet are up or down, use the stomach muscle rather than throwing the feet out.)

Repeat the above exercise at least 20 more times.

Read more:
3 Tips to Easily Lose Weight and Achieve a Flatter Stomach - The Epoch Times