"How can I lose the fat from my stomach? I exercise most days and watch what I eat but it doesn't seem to get any smaller, so what am I doing wrong?"
There are two types of body fat. One type is subcutaneous fat — this is the fat you can pinch or grab hold of on your back, arms, thighs, hips and stomach areas. And the other is visceral fat. This lies out of reach, deep within your abdominal cavity where it fills the spaces between your abdominal organs.
![Belly fat can be hard to shift.
PICTURE / GETTY IMAGES](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/LLWXBXCIAHB44OKKN3F5QIYYQ4.jpg?auth=0a3ab90cd71d89223e8beb8ea59f47c5cce7a9dca4d1493230d147ec7c97b6a8&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Visceral fat is of particular concern because it's a key player in a variety of health problems. It has been linked to metabolic disturbances, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In women it is also associated with breast cancer and the need for gallbladder surgery. Fortunately visceral fat is easier to lose than the fat on the outside of your body — the subcutaneous. We accumulate bodyfat overtime through poor eating habits such as too much food, takeaways too often, sugary drinks, and high-calorie snacks together with a lack of regular exercise.
Maybe it's time for you to consult a health and fitness professional who can assess your current wellness and where you might be able to make some changes to achieve better health. Sometimes our "eating well" may not be as balanced as it could be. Portion sizes can be distorted and snacks and treats have become daily rather than weekly. You don't have to give up your favourite foods but with a few simple tweaks you can still enjoy the foods you love in moderation.