Visceral fat, found in and around the organs, can be a serious danger to your health. There is a hormone called adiponectin that will prompt the body to reduce visceral fat and increase lean tissue.
A quote from The Secret Life of Fat:
"Exercise increases adiponectin, the hormone emitted by fat tissue that moves fat away from the viscera to the limbs and hips. It improves insulin sensitivity, too, leading to lower blood glucose and triglyceride levels. The added benefit of most of these hormones is that they won’t just burn fat, they’ll increase lean tissue, which also leads to higher metabolism. So even at rest, we’ll burn more calories."
The best way to increase adiponectin levels? According to one study: “A progressive high intensity exercise program demonstrated increased adiponectin concentrations in overweight and obese children.” Another study concluded: “The results show that high intensity interval training (HIIT) positively changes blood lipids and adiponectin variables in obese adolescent girls, resulting in improved insulin sensitivity, as attested by a lower HOMA-IR, and achieving better results compared to moderate-intensity exercise. “
The hormones of your endocrine system can work against your fat loss efforts, or they can make fat loss more achievable. In addition to adiponectin, HIIT simulates a cascade of fat-burning hormones; among them testosterone, human growth hormone, and irisin.
HIIT is what we do at New Orleans Personal Trainers and Austin Personal Training. For those who are extremely out of shape, all you have to do is a little more than you are used to handling. Each week you will improve, and soon your hormones will work for you rather than against you.