While being overweight is not considered good for one's health, belly fat is considered to be of particular concern. It's different from the love handles and assorted bumps that are visible to the eye. Belly fat is the kind that is located in the abdominal region that sits around the internal ogans.

Belly fat is not always easy to detect and its presence can have a negative impact on a person's health. It's possible to have a firm tummy and still have belly fat, so even if you think that you have dodged this particular health bullet, that may not be the case.

Measuring for Belly Fat

It's a good idea to take your measurements every couple of months and monitor your waist-to-hip measurements. If it gets to the point where your waist is larger than your hips, then it's a sign that you need to take steps to get your belly fat under control.

Get Active to Lose the Fat

One way to deal with belly fat and get some other wonderful health benefits is to start a program of regular exercise. Some of the health benefits of exercise, such as increased energy and a more positive outlook will become evident fairly quickly.

Getting rid of belly fat through exercise is a long-term project. If you expect to see instant results, then you are going to be disappointed. You didn't accumulate the fat overnight in the first place, and it will take some time to get rid of it. Here's the easy part. Really. You can commit to as little as a 15 minute walk each day as you start out. 15 minutes. You can do that!

Once you start exercising, the belly fat will be the first type to disappear, so don't get discouraged if you are exercising regularly and don't see a lot of change right away. You will be getting results that you can't measure with your tape measure, at least in the beginning. Plus, just implementing that 15 walk will make you stronger, more energetic, and more willing to try a new activity you wouldn't have considered before.

A good strategy for staying motivated when you are exercising is to add some variety to your routine. You will want to include some aerobic exercise, like basketball, jogging, swimming, or tennis into the mix. Whether you're a loner or a team player, there are flexible sports that can accommodate you. (A portable basketball hoop in your driveway can be just as much fun as an out hoop at the local playground.) Be sure to work out with weights, too, since this will help you to build muscle and give you a more toned appearance.

Stress and Belly Fat

Did you know that stress plays a role in whether you will develop belly fat, too? When we are stressed out, we tend to store more fat in our bodies. While you may not be able to think yourself thin, you do have tools you can use, like becoming more physically active, to help keep yourself feeling more calm.

If you adopt a more healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, you will be better able to deal with the challenges that modern life throws at you. Why don't you get into the pool, onto the basketball court, or onto the sidewalk and start right away? You don't have anything to lose and so much to gain! Except for belly fat.