FOR many people, belly fat is the hardest stuff to shift.
Our guts are where we store stress, hormones, insulin resistance - making it probably the toughest place to tone andlose weight.
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And this means it's not just weight gain that can cause a protruding tummy.
Hormones, bloating and other factors can also cause your stomach to look chubbier than you might like.
Despite this, there are several steps you can take to prevent this from happening.
Here we talk through the different types of bellies and what you can do about each of them.
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After years of too many beers, many people find their tummies morph into something looking more like a keg.
It's mainly down to those brewed liquid calories you sink at the bar which contain anywhere between 180 to 500 calories per pint - depending on your tipple.
On top of this, beer is made with hops, and hops contain phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that have similar effects to the female sex hormone oestrogen.
While it hasnt been proven, there is speculation that the phytoestrogens in beer change the way your body stores belly fat.
How to treat it
Drinking even a little less each day through the week can have benefits for your health, helping you cut down down on calories and contribute to weight loss.
And if you really can't ditch the booze, consider picking a tipple which is lower in calories.
In particular, a recent study showed that a glass of red wine is "good for your gut" and can even help keep you slim.
Otherwise, lifestyle changes like doing more exercise and cutting down on your calorie intake and fatty foods will help you shift that stubborn beer belly.
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Pregnancy dramatically changes a woman's body - and a growing belly is the most obvious one.
Even though you lose about 13 pounds when you give birth, it's likely you gained more than that during your pregnancy.
Abdominal separation may also during or after pregnancy - which is when your growing uterus causes the two long muscles that run parallel in your abdomen to separate from each other.
How to treat it
Despite what many celebrities would have you believe, losing weight after pregnancy can take time.
Your body needs time to recover from having a baby - with doctors recommend waiting until your postnatal check up around six to eight weeks before you start changing up your diet or exercise regime.
First, start eating healthily and drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Ditch sugary foods and instead opt for meals high in fibre as this will aid weight loss and provide you with energy to keep you going throughout the day.
Surgery may be used to correct abdominal separation caused by pregnancy or some other type of strain in the abdomen.
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Brits are more stressed than ever - with three in four of us feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope.
And we often forget that stress can seriously impact our bodies, especially our gut.
Stress leads to elevated levels of cortisol known as the stress hormone which contributes to the storage of fat, particularly abdominal fat that is often the hardest to get rid of.
Stress can also lead to a decrease in fat oxidation, the process that allows fat to be burnt as energy.
This means that you dont necessarily have to be consuming more food to put weight on.
How to treat it
Take steps to manage your stress such as deep breathing, going for a short walk or building time into your day to relax.
Herbal supplements such as ashwagandha and rhodiola have been shown to help lower cortisol levels, However, if you are taking medication, you should always check with your doctor before taking supplements.
Nutritionists also suggest snacking on nuts if you notice your belly getting bigger from stress - as they're packed with magnesium which seems to help keep cortisol levels low.
Broccoli is also a great thing to add to your diet as it's high in folic acid, which aids stress reduction.
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One common side effect of the menopause is weight gain due to fluctuations in hormones.
New evidence suggests that plummeting oestrogen levels may encourage us to eat more and exercise less, lowers the metabolic rate and increases insulin resistance, making it more difficult for our bodies to deal with sugars and starches.
Our hormones also influence fat distribution.
Perimenopause weight gain is often associated with the laying down of fat around the abdomen and internal organs, as opposed to the hips and thighs.
How to treat it
Opt for a low calorie diet as during and after menopause, the number of calories a woman burns during rest, declines.
Eat plenty of protein which keeps you full and satisfied, increases metabolic rate and reduces muscle loss.
High-quality sleep is also key in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
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Bloating is the feeling of pressure or swelling in the tummy - and over 70 per cent of people regularly suffer from it.
It can be caused by a variety of things including irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, Coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and endometriosis.
The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.
In rare cases, bloating can also be a sign of something more serious, including ovarian cancer so it if persists, it is important to speak to your GP.
How to treat it
Nutritional therapistNatalie Lamb, who works withBio-Kult, says there are several steps you can take to help with bloating.
In particular, she recommends using cider vinegar before each meal to support digestive function, reducing simple sugars and refined carbohydrates and eating more fibre.
She also suggests drinking cups of homemade bone stock or including it in soups and stews and leaving legumes to soak well overnight.
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Weight gain is usually the result of consuming more calories than you burn through regular bodily functions and physical activity.
Many people see their bellies balloon after losing control of their eating plan and gorging on fatty foods and sweet treats.
How to treat it
Increasing your activity level is one of the main ways you can lose overall weight.
You don't have to spend hours at the gym or running to get fit, but if you aim to spend 15 minutes a day being active this will slowly make a difference.
On top of this, cutting down on the calories you consume is key when it comes to cutting down belly fat.
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Opt for more fillingfoods rich in fibre and protein - both of which can help you feel fuller for longer.
In particular, whole grains have the added benefit of stopping fat from being stored around the stomach, by lowering the insulin and cortisol (the stress hormone) within your body.
They're also a great low-fat source of slow-release energy, which keeps you going throughout the day.
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Weight loss: Booze belly to hormonal tum how to blast your belly fat and fast - The Sun
