Are you struggling to lose weight from your stomach. Leading fitness specialists have been trying to get to the root of this common problem and have come up with a few answers.

It may be the result of over indulging in sugar, or white carbohydrates such as bread and pasta.

It could equally be the result of stress or sleep deprivation or even doing sit ups badly. Even seemingly innocent diet and exercise regimes such as excluding fat and intense bouts of exercise, could be keeping the fat in place rather than shifting it.

Weight loss experts have been trying to explain the reasons behind this. Stubborn fat around the tummy is probably the most common bodily bugbear for both men and women. Shifting it becomes even more important when you realise that fat sitting around your middle poses more health risks than fat that sits elsewhere. It has been linked to type 2 diabetes or heart problems.

Stress hormones play a major part in laying down fat across your middle. So if you have a large amount of stress in your life, try taking some time out and maybe taking up meditation, or some similar calming practise. Stress comes from many sources; work, finance and relationships to name a few. If you need help with emotional issues such as these it may be wise to seek counselling or to share your problems with a trusted friend to help ease the pressure.

So if you’re finding that dieting isn’t working for you, look towards other possible causes first, then you may find that the weight becomes easier to shift.