How to Lose Belly Fat After H. Pylori

MayoClinic.com reports that an H. pylori infection occurs when the bacterium Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach. The infection causes bloating, burning in the abdomen or even sores in the intestines that make exercise for weight loss uncomfortable or impossible.

Lack of physical activity typically leads to the accumulation of belly fat, or visceral fat — a harmful type of fat that elevates your cancer risk. Recognize some proven methods to shed unwanted belly fat after your recovery from an H. pylori infection in order to ensure your well-being.

Eat for reduced calories. Weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you feed your body daily. Exclude from your diet fructose-sweetened food and drinks, as well as trans fats and saturated fats. Your belly benefits the most from fruits, whole grains and vegetables.

Dedicate 20 to 40 minutes to aerobic exercise five days a week. Workouts that boost your heart rate and breathing also burn calories quickly, when approved by your doctor. Popular methods include swimming, walking and bike riding.

Lift hand weights or free weights. People who lift weights several times each week typically continuing burning calories for several hours after the lifting ends, according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. An ideal session lasts at least 20 minutes.

Include low-fat dairy in your diet. Harvard Medical School reports that people who consume healthy amounts of calcium often have a reduced risk for continued belly fat buildup.

Test your stretching ability with a resistance tube. While elastic resistance tubing doesn’t receive the same media attention as weightlifting, stretching the tube is a form of strength training that reduces fat and can be performed almost anywhere.

Turn up the music with an aerobic dance DVD. An hour spent aerobic dancing in your living room typically burns more than 500 calories.

Sneak exercise into your normal activities. You’ll burn extra calories and reduce your belly by walking faster to your meeting, mowing the yard or looking for opportunities to use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Tips

Trainers suggest abdominal hollowing as a proven method to tone and improve the appearance of your belly. Start on all fours and take a deep breath with your stomach hanging down. Exhale and slowly suck your navel up and in toward the spine. Keep the pose for up to 10 seconds and then relax. Aim for 10 repetitions.

Warnings

Alert your doctor if you think you may have an H. pylori infection, as complications of the condition include stomach cancer. The infection is typically contracted through exposure to the saliva or fecal matter of another person, although your risk also increases when you drink untreated water. Severe abdominal pain and black or bloody stool indicates the need for immediate care.