Losing Belly Fat and Eating

It's true that most of us eat because we are hungry. However, if that was the only time we ate the belly fat would never be a problem to start with.


Of course, I'm not talking about those with glandular problems or medical issues. That said, most of us eat when we are tired, bored, worried, sad, lonely, angry, frustrated, disappointed and even happy.


We also eat because we are programed from an early age to be that way. I remember as a child falling asleep almost every night at the dinner table because dad would not allow me to leave it until my plate was completely clean. To this day, decades later, I still completely clean my plate before leaving the table. Sometimes I even clean my wife's plate.


I remember the rewards of ice cream for good behavior or a quiet dentist office or doctor's visit. Or the special night out for a quarter-pounder or Happy Meal after that report card made it home. Although I don't remember too many of those.


Simply said, we eat for no particular reason and for every reason under the sun.


Hunger should never be confused with appetite. Hunger is strictly physiological and is a direct link between the brain and the stomach.


Hunger generally occurs every 3-4 hours because that's how long it takes for the stomach to digest the food in it. Another reason that supports the theory if you want to lose belly fat faster and keep it off you should eat 4-6 smaller meals a day. And NEVER skip breakfast. We'll get into that theory in more depth another time.


It's important for anyone wishing to lose the belly fat forever to be able to recognize the distinct differences between “hunger” and “appetite” and to know the true signs of hunger. That can be a challenge for some.


Again, hunger is a physiological outcry for calories. It can be identified by stomach growling, low blood sugar, tiredness, sleepiness or irritability.


Appetite on the other hand is just a desire to eat and generally has nothing to do with caloric needs. It can be set off by simple things such as TV commercials, many activities, social settings, stress or certain habits.


Identifying and understanding the difference is essential to developing a program or lifestyle that will help you reach your goals and be able to lose the belly fat forever.