Michael Mosley's quick way to burn belly fat in time for Christmas - it's not cardio

Michael Mosley's quick way to burn belly fat in time for Christmas - it's not cardio Dr Michael Mosley was known for helping people lose weight and lead healthier lives Health expert Dr Michael Mosley was an expert in the world of fitness and health with a wealth of advice for people. One of his key areas of expertise was weight loss, with diet tips that thousands followed for shedding pounds and getting healthier. The TV star and author created diet plans including The Fast 800, 5:2, The Way of Life and The Fast 800 Keto, while also hosting the Just One Thing podcast. He tragically passed away in June 2024 while on holiday in Greece, but left behind a legacy for those wanting to improve their health or lifestyle. One of his most popular areas was his tips on specific foods and exercise to tackle different health issues, from diabetes to weight loss and hard-to-shift fat, including an effective way of getting rid of belly fat. The expert shared one workout method to burn the fat around the stomach which he said was better than cardio exercises. Speaking on his Radio 4 'Stay Young' programme, Dr Mosley explained how scientific studies have shown resistance exercise targets the stomach area more effectively. They also have benefits such as improving memory, sleep, and potentially even extending lifespan. And for those wanting to get in shape ahead of the festive season, it might be an area worth investigating. Dr Mosley told listeners on the show of his own workout regime to both stay strong both physically and mentally. He said: "Today I’m doing something that will not only help me stay strong but should also improve my memory, my sleep, my waistline, make me look good and perhaps even help me live longer. I’ve been doing press-ups. "I try to do at least 30 of these every day, followed by at least 30 squats. Resistance exercises are the quickest and simplest way to improve your muscle mass." The idea is one embraced by many gymgoers, he said, adding: "It is something we should all do because maintaining your muscle mass is one of the best ways to preserve your health as you age. Without resistance exercises, your muscles start to decline after the age of 30. "Your muscles have a remarkable ability to regenerate in response to resistance training. Studies have shown that in just 12 weeks you can increase your muscle mass by up to 10 per cent and your strength by up to 150 per cent." The exercise doesn't just target the belly fat but also helps the whole body, said the doctor. He added: "For a start, it can give your brain a boost. A review of dozens of studies on the effects of exercise on the over 50s has shown that both aerobic and resistance training are good for the brain but researchers found that resistance training was especially good for memory and executive function which includes things like problem-solving." He explained the best exercise for belly fat was those using weights as these were the most effective. He said, explaining: "Resistance exercise can also help you lose fat, particularly around your belly. Researchers at Harvard University followed around 10,000 men for 12 years and they found minute-for-minute strength training targets belly fat better than cardio. "That’s important because the fat that accumulates around your belly doesn’t just sit there passively, it produces chemicals that can have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels. Muscle cells on the other hand have a positive effect. When you exercise they soak up blood sugars like a sponge. "In fact one study found that for every 10 per cent increase in your skeletal muscle, there was a 10 per cent reduction in your risk of pre-diabetes. Which means not only does building muscle make you look and feel younger but it could also add years to your life. A recent analysis found that 30-60 minutes of resistance training a week, reduces the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer by up to 20 per cent." "Why does it have such an impact? Well, resistance exercise seems to rejuvenate you at the cellular level." Speaking about his own experiences the then 66-year-old shared how he regularly ran and walked quickly in addition to his 30 morning press-ups and squats, but said he wasn't a fan of gym workouts, asking: "Does that matter?" Professor Abigail Mackey from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark advised him: "I think that heading into old age if you really want to go in with the best conditions possible for maintaining independent living for as long as possible then you need to be using weights which for most people means having access to a gym. The squats and the push-ups are excellent because they train so many muscles."