Review: Time to Chew the Fat
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 16, 2012
The title of this review does NOT mean to partake in the Inuit tradition of consuming fresh whale blubber. (Besides, whale blubber is not exactly my idea of an afternoon snack while watching reruns of "This Old House" on my local public television channel.) Rather, the aforementioned reference is to Stephen Williams's "How to Lose Belly Fast: Get Right of the Unwanted Curves...Right Away!"In this particular case, the focus is upon stubborn belly fat---also known as adipose (visceral) fat. That being said, there's really nothing highly unusual about people getting a bit of belly fat as they get older. It does happen; I have belly fat. (Not a lot per se, but enough so that, when I am shirtless, it is somewhat noticeable. Then again, I am 42 and have hypothyroidism, so that may be a mitigating circumstance in my situation.)Before you start getting unnecessarily anxiety-ridden, let's have a bit of a health lesson. Human beings are born with a certain amount of adipose throughout their bodies, primarily in the hips, buttocks, thighs, arms---and the belly. As we age, hormonal and physical changes take place that, when combined with additional factors such as exercise and diet choices, cause deposits of fat to accumulate in the aforementioned areas. These fatty deposits cause physical changes to occur, such as stretch marks and internal stress placed upon the organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, intestines, and spleen. In women, excess fat accumulates in the hips and buttocks. With men, most fat is stored in the abdomen; hence the segue into Williams's book.What's important to remember is that health experts have determined that a strong correlation exists between high levels of belly fat and heart disease. So if there are men out there who have an annoying tendency to seem as if they are late in their third trimester, that is definitely an ominous sign to talk with your doctor to see what steps the two of you can take so that you may add several additional years to your life.Belly fat is viewed in some cultures as a sign of affluence, such as in Hispanic and Pacific islander societies. Buddha (nee Siddhartha Gautama) is portrayed in carvings and paintings as a benevolent being reclining under a bhodisattva tree, placidly contemplating the meaning of existence while involuntarily exposing his protruding stomach. While these examples may be interpreted by some people as demonstrative of the good life within specific cultural parameters, the underlying health issues loom more prominently in the minds of many health-conscious individuals in Western societies such as the U.S. and Canada. Being cognizant of these health risks, especially among middle-aged people and older, can serve as an impetus for changing one's health and diet. "How to Lose Belly Fast" stresses the importance of slow, gradual changes in our individual dietary habits, as rapid weight loss overall (not just in the belly area) can pose serious health risks.There are no magic cures for losing excess belly fat. The only real effective method for losing this weight in this particular area is rigorous exercise, coupled with a healthy diet. Additionally, undertaking any sort of weight-loss program should be performed under the guide and care of a certified health professional such as a nutritionist, dietician, or primary-care physician.Williams has written a timely tome for all people (not just men) that emphasizes safe, responsible steps to take so that excess belly fat can be gradually lost without sacrificing one's health in the process.