Got stubborn belly fat? Both GLP-1 users and those trying to lose weight on their own may not realize that their muffin top may be putting the brakes on weight loss and possibly blocking their ability to burn fat.

“Belly fat doesn’t just wreak havoc with BMI; it also triggers inflammation,” said celebrity fitness and nutrition expert Lisa Lynn, known for her decades on national TV and 17 years as Martha Stewart’s personal trainer.

 A frequent guest on The Dr. Oz Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Fox News and Sirius Radio, and a featured author in many health publications including Fitness Magazine, Lynn says belly fat is about more than vanity.

 “Being able to pinch more than an inch of belly fat means it’s something that needs to be addressed for health reasons, even for those using GLP-1 drugs,” she said.

 Lynn says losing belly fat often requires more than diet, exercise and GLP-1 use.

 “Seemingly healthy protein maxxing may be to blame for stalling attempts to shrink waistlines to their intended original size,” she said, adding that “Making one small dietary change, such as adding 20 grams of my LynFit Natural Whey Protein Powder Peptides with Prebiotic Fiber twice daily to everyday nutrition habits is a convenient way to hit daily protein and fiber goals, while helping to whittle away at that belly fat.” 

Lynn's Top 5 Reasons Why Belly Fat Won't Budge

1. Getting older, being female and/or having lost weight and regained it throughout the years. “As people age and lose weight, their metabolism declines due to muscle loss. Add meno/andro-pause and stress to this long list and every ounce settles on the belly.”
2. Not taking a “metabolic” break. “Try intermittent metabolic fasting. Have the last meal of the day no later than 7 p.m. and don’t eat again until 7 a.m. (9 a.m. at the latest, or the body uses hard-earned muscle for fuel, metabolic rate declines and skin gets loose). Twelve-hour metabolic fasting sets the stage for more efficient fat burning by working with the body naturally and safely.”
3. Protein maxxing using the wrong types of proteins. “People often assume the seemingly healthy Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or typical protein or collagen powders are all created equal. Nothing could be further from the truth. If someone is consuming the above proteins or still eating red meat, pork, protein bars or overprocessed cereals and snack foods, that might be why they’re not losing weight or they’ve lost weight but still have leftover belly fat. Most protein sources are consumed in excess, contain too much saturated fat and lactose, and may not be the best protein for a specific body or metabolism. Those might be the reasons their weight loss has stopped and they can’t button their pants.”
4. Chronic stress. “Stress can upset the body’s delicate hormone balance, making it harder to lose belly fat. Stress causes the body to release cortisol, which sends signals to store fat. It can also enlarge fat cells around the mid-section. In addition to learning to accept the things that can’t be changed, make dietary changes such as starting every morning with my Natural Whey Protein Powder or my Clean Collagen liquid peptides. These help maintain hormonal balance by fueling the body the right whey (pun intended). Even eggs, chicken and fish don’t do that. Natural whey protein provides the specific amino acid profile that’s lactose-free, easy to digest and feeds muscles while starving fat. For best results, aim to consume it within 60 minutes of waking up to support healthy metabolism, which is the body’s fat-burning engine.”
5. Doing the wrong kind of workout or replacing lost amino acids with the wrong kind of protein, such as yogurt, that the body can’t digest. “Sure, exercise helps reduce stress, but it won’t contribute to the loss of excess belly/visceral fat unless it’s the right exercise combined with eating clean enough for an aging body.

“Exercise is a health science, but most people today follow fads. Diet is 90% of waist-loss success. The remaining 10% is staying active by standing more and sitting less. Everyone with a pulse should aim for three total body weight workouts per week, getting 10,000 steps every day, and fueling their body the right ‘whey’ to boost their metabolism and burn stubborn belly fat. Strength training/lifting weights is especially important for females over age 40.”  

Metabolic Health Doesn't Negotiate

Lynn says getting enough quality sleep, exercising daily, managing stress and fueling the body the right way, every day, is easier than most people think. “Just follow the facts, avoid the fad/influencer-based advice and have the right nutritional tools that make it easier. Start by consuming proper amounts of clean protein like natural whey and be sure to have at least one big leafy green salad daily.”  

 Get more of Lisa Lynn’s fitness and nutrition advice at Lynfit.com/blogs/news.