Belly fat is not your friend. To my unapologetically beautiful black women, you all know that your body is your temple. So let’s talk about how to keep it healthy. One culprit that none of us can ignore is the expanding waistline. While it might be considered a vanity move to have the smallest waistline possible, it’s also a move that  can lower your risk of heart disease.

How do we get and keep a smaller waistline and do so without threatening our health at the same time? It’s really no secret! You have to move to loose. The expanding waistline brings on unwanted belly fat. That belly fat is telling you that you’ve chosen the wrong foods or combination of foods and they’ve found refuge in your stomach. Expansion, inflammation, however you want to describe it has found a new home.

In order to keep your midsection smaller, the foods you eat and the exercise you choose will be your greatest ally in accomplishing your goal. I saw a statistic that said the circumference of a woman’s waist size should be less than 35 inches or less. Okay, we know this depends on a lot of variables. However,  If this is true, a lot of us are in trouble. So what’s a girl to do?

Change Your Food Habits To Reduce Belly Fat

Some of your belly fat might actually be accumulated gas and bloating. So what does this mean? It means you have to give up your fried, and processed foods. Wait … that’s not all! Soda and alcohol go on this list also.

Nutrition becomes the key to maintaining your weight and your beauty. Foods such a papaya, cucumbers and fennel now become favorites on your list. Some of you are probably lactose intolerant. Time to kick the dairy to the side. Studies have shown that fibroids feed on dairy as well as sugar, especially in women of color.

Foods with good fats such as olive oil, almonds and avocados can help calm any buildup of inflammation.

Bring On Some Movement To Reduce Belly Fat

Crunches alone won’t get your belly flat. However, a combination of cardio – aerobics, jogging, walking, swimming along with strength training will get you what you want in a slimmer waistline. Put together a workout plan that will build you up, not tear you down. And remember, you didn’t get the belly fat overnight, so you won’t loose it overnight either.

You, your body and your beauty are all you have. keep it healthy. Be kind to yourself and most of all be patient.

That’s it for this week. As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care