A paunch is simply a sign of excess body fat, although it is not usually looked at this way. Most people have the idea that if they are generally lean, and only have a paunch, they don't really have a problem with body fat. However, this is not true - excess fat does not accumulate evenly over the entire body. Areas such as the abdomen, the hips, and the buttocks are usually the first places the excess fat is noticed. If you have a paunch it means that you have too much body fat, and this is probably simply because you are consuming more calories than you are burning. Excess calories are converted into fat and stored - in your case, they are stored in the abdominal area.
Apart from the fact that a large paunch looks terrible, it is also extremely unhealthy. Excess abdominal fat, also known as central obesity, is known to be a factor in the development of numerous health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is therefore extremely important that you start addressing this problem immediately.
First of all, let's put aside the myth of spot reduction - the idea that exercising a particular part of the body will reduce fat in that area. Spot exercise can only build muscle in the area that is being exercised. However, you do not burn calories only in the area that is being exercised. Calories and fat are burned more or less proportionately all over the body. Therefore, to get rid of a paunch, you need an all round approach - simply doing crunches will not do the trick, even if you do 100 a day.
Exercise is certainly essential in order to lose weight, but aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling, are much more effective than strength training exercises. You should therefore engage in one of these activities for at least half an hour, and preferably one hour, daily. In addition, you need to pay attention to your diet - primarily reduce your intake of fats and simple carbohydrates. Cut down your intake of junk food, pastries, sweets, and choose low fat options whenever they are available - for example, low fat yogurt, lean meat, and so on. vegetables and fruits should of course be consumed in plenty, and you can also eat plenty of nuts, whole grain, and fish. In case the cause of the accumulated fat is a medical condition or some medication that you are on, you will need to consult your doctor about the required measures.
answered by M W