12 WAYS TO LOSE BELLY FAT !!!!

 

                                                                                                           We all have our problem areas, and few of us are ever really satisfied with our shape. However, by taking some simple steps we can improve our body shape, health and general well being. If you are like me, and carry excess baggage round your middle you are probably very keen to lighten your luggage!

Not only is belly fat unsightly but it has been scientifically linked to many health problems such as bloating, heartburn, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and dementia. And you thought having a muffin top was the worst part! The good news is there are a number of ways to reduce belly fat, to feel more attractive and avoid those scary health risks.
Let me outline twelve steps to take for fat loss to take the belly down a notch!
This is going to sound crazy, but …

1. You need to eat more meals and more often!

Don’t get too excited because at the same time you need to reduce the size of your portions. Eating 5-6 small meals per day will first of all prevent you from binging or overeating at meal times and it also keeps your metabolism running as it is constantly burning up food.  Check out 5 Tips on Eating Often and Losing Weight … for more information!

2. Never skip breakfast …

If you don’t eat after many hours of sleeping your body goes into ‘starvation mode’. This is bad news for shedding belly fat as it slows your metabolism down in an effort to save energy and burn less calories. In fact a lot of dietitians advice that the best breakfast is a heavy one.
See what great healthy breakfast options you have in 15 Healthy Breakfast Ideas …

3. Carefully monitor the food you are eating …

Try to eat more fat burning foods such as brown rice, whole grains, vegetables, natural fruits, skimmed milk, lean poultry or meat, seafood and egg whites. I’m sure you already know all the ones to avoid as they are likely to be your favourites! The list includes pizzas, burgers, deep fried foods, bakery foods, fatty meats and all products that contain lots of sugar.  Learn which foods are the worst in 10 Worst Foods for Your Hips …

4. Eat slowly …

Get into the habit of taking smaller bites and chewing them slowly. By doing this you will avoid overeating and bloating.

5. Do the most effective exercise efficiently …

Cardiovascular exercises are the ones that get your heart thumping and the fat burning, so cardio workouts such as brisk walking, jogging, aerobics and cycling are best for slimming your tum. If you exercise before breakfast your body will burn the excess fat in your body as there is no food available to burn, making it the best time to burn off that belly fat.  To know which ones are the most effective, see this post: 10 Top Exercises to Lose Weight …

6. Drink, drink and drink again!

Keeping your body hydrated is essential to losing belly fat as if you are dehydrated your liver won’t function and the fat burning process won’t be as effective. Drink lots of water and also hot green tea neutralizes the effects of fatty foods

7. Get more sleep …

If you are not sleeping at least 7-8 hours per night you will find it difficult to find the energy to work out and eat well. Studies show people who are constantly tired have slower metabolisms.  So, make sure you get a good night sleep every night!

8. Cut down or eliminate alcohol consumption …

Because of alcohols effects on the liver, drinking alcoholic drinks slows down the body’s natural fat burning process. An occasional glass of red wine is probably the best option as not only is it low-carb but it has some other health benefits.

9. Take the long way …

Try to resist taking short cuts in order to increase your movement and metabolism. Park in the space furthest away from the entrance, take the stairs instead of the list and when possible walk and leave the car at home.  See other great ideas on how you can burn more calories during the day!

10. Reduce your salt intake …

Excessive consumption of salt makes the body retain water. This makes the abdomen appear bloated. We can get enough salt from our diet without needing to add it to our food. Also junk food contains a lot of salt and is best eliminated in order to lose excess stomach fat.

11. Avoid stress …

You may find it surprising but stress can cause weight gain. Not just because we are more like to comfort eat, but when our body detects stress it releases a lot of hormones that cause changes in metabolism. Bad news for belly fat.  See how you can become stress-free with these 5 Easy and Cheap Techniques to Beat Stress.

12. Stay motivated!

Have a think about what could help you stay motivated. Keeping a food diary, joining an exercise class or rewarding yourself for small successes are great ways to keep you on your toes. But most importantly, if you do hit a low, don’t punish yourself or binge. Just start afresh and keep a picture of those dream abs handy!