Have you ever wondered how to lose the belly fat fast? If you have, you are definitely not alone. Studies show that a large majority of people, women in particular, have issues with the way their abdominal region looks.
It is a common feature that most people who are dieting are trying to target.
Although it is impossible to spot reduce you belly fat, losing weight overall will help you to achieve a flatter stomach. Losing weight in general will not only make you feel better, it can actually help you to live a longer, healthier life.
You will reduce your risk for heart disease, some cancers, hypertension and diabetes. How great is that? Plus, as you lose weight, you also help to reduce dangerous visceral fat which lies in your abdominal area.
Too much visceral fat over time puts great stress on your organs. It can lead to dangerous health complications. Remember that putting a strict time limit on how fast you want to achieve your goals can be counterproductive because losing weight successfully requires healthy habits that you should adopt for a lifetime. Not just a “quick fix.”
If you want to trim down your midsection and get back into your slim jeans, especially after a sedentary year of rotating lockdowns, there’s no better reason or time to take action. Get started with these 9 tips!
9 Tips to Lose the Belly Fat Fast
Keep in mind that you didn’t gain rolls of fat around your middle overnight, so you must be patient and consistent in your efforts in order to gain long term success.
Cutting back calories severely or engaging in grueling workouts may give you some quick results but it will be unattainable in the long run.
It could even cause damage to your health.
The safest and most effective way to lose belly fat for the long run is through good nutrition, daily movement, managing your stress levels and getting adequate sleep.
1. Get Moving
When you want to lose weight which will automatically start slimming down your belly area, get moving.
Regular activity will help you to burn stored fat. Exercise is great to help you burn belly fat because it helps to reduce insulin levels that are circulating in your body.
This helps to let the liver know it’s alright to use up stored fatty acids and release those unhealthy visceral fat deposits.
As insulin levels are reduced, fat is worked off. How much exercise do you need? Well, that depends on your weight loss goals.
Experts suggest 30-60 minutes of moderate to strenuous exercise most days. The CDC recommends getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.
What types of exercise are best? Think cardio – jogging, power walking, swimming, dancing, jumping rope, HIIT and cycling.
2. Start Lifting Weights
You don’t have to be a heavy lifter in a leotard in some gym to get started with weights. Even using light weights which can be readily found in the sporting goods area of your favorite store, can start delivering great results.
Combining moderate amounts of weight lifting activity in combination with aerobic/cardiovascular exercise is a great way to build lean muscle.
That in turn helps burn calories quicker and longer throughout the day, even while you’re taking it easy! Now that’s a powerful combination to help burn belly fat and get lean in the process.
3. Read Your Labels
When you go to the grocery store, are you conscientious about reading the labels on the side of the package? If you’re not, now is the time to start checking those labels.
You would be amazed at how clever food companies are in disguising hidden sugars and fats in their products. Compare and contrast different brands of the product you’re looking to buy.
Some products like yogurt for example, will claim to have less fat but they may be higher in sugars and carbs than others. Always remember that the first ingredient on an ingredient list is the one that is the highest in content.
So if you see sugar as the first ingredient listed, try to avoid it and move onto something else.
Many times, “low fat” products will actually contain much higher volumes of sugars, salts and carbs in order to keep the taste appealing. Be a grocery detective. Be aware of what you’re consuming when buying prepackaged foods.
4. Avoid Packaged Foods If You Can
When trying to lose weight, eating fresh is always the healthiest way to go but not always possible.
With busy lifestyles and little time, people often reach for food out of the box. Trying to eat fresh food over convenience food is always best.
But when that’s not possible, take a look at the breakdown on the side panel.
Trying to keep your intake of sodium (salt), trans fats and added sugars low is optimal when working towards weight loss goals. Those 3 ingredients can often sabotage all your hard weight loss work.
5. Up Your NEAT
We tend to think that the only way to see great results in weight loss is through extensive, brutal exercise. This is not necessarily so!
Did you know that non-exercise activity thermogenesis or NEAT, is the foundation of a healthy body makeup? Outside of traditional workouts, all the movement that you do in a day adds up to helping you achieve your goals.
Things like walking the dog, walking from your car to the shops, making up the bed and tidying up your kitchen all contribute to daily caloric burn. Even twitching or tapping you foot burns calories.
It all adds up at the end of the day. So consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator and doing more household chores. NEAT helps in burning daily calories, increases you metabolic rate, helps lower blood sugar levels and improves your cardiovascular health.
Now that’s a winning situation!
6. Reduce Your Stress
Too much stress in your daily life can really take its toll on your belly fat loss efforts, not to mention your general health. Constant stress actually elevates cortisol levels in the body.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is used in the fight or flight response. But too much is inflammatory and releases glucose into the bloodstream to help prepare you for that difficult situation your brain thinks you’re about to encounter.
Once that adrenaline surge burns off, glucose levels drop and that can lead to hunger and cravings (mostly the sugary kind). It’s a normal function that is part of why we crave sweets.
This kind of stress can lead to emotional eating, sleep deprivation, temptations to grab quick, processed foods, and the desire to exercise less.
Over the last year with all the lockdowns, a lot of people are having a tough time trying to lose body fat. So when in doubt, just be aware of your choices, work on controlling what you can and don’t stress over needing to lose weight in the moment.
7. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is definitely something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Not only is it important for overall good health, but it is all part of having a slimmer belly.
According to the University of Leeds, people that tend to get at least 6 hours of sleep per night tend to have 1.18 inches less around their waistlines.
So dial back the time when you eat dinner, and try to get to bed earlier so you can get your 6 hours or more. Your belly fat loss efforts will thank you.
8. Focus on How Your Feel Over The Scale
In a number obsessed world, we tend to overthink the number on the scale. If you are incorporating lean muscle building exercises, you might notice that the scale isn’t moving down as quickly as you’d hoped.
But how do you feel? And how do your clothes look when you wear them? That is really more important that the actual number you see.
As you build muscle and burn fat, your clothes will look and fit better which means you’re on the road to getting to your goal.
If you’re looking to reduce your risks of heart disease and diabetes, typical waist measurements should read below 35 inches for women and below 40 inches for men.
Experts also suggest weighing yourself only once a week. Fluid retention and digestion can change those numbers if you’re weighing in daily which can get disheartening.
9. Hang Out With Like Minded People
Sometimes just being in the company of other people who are on the same journey can be a great motivator.
If you want to lose belly fat and get in shape, research shows that you are more likely to achieve those goals if you are associating with people who share the same interests and objectives.
It can be very inspiring to connect with people who are in a similar situation. Plus it’s comforting to be able to share with those who understand.
Final Thoughts If You Want to Lose The Belly Fat Fast
Losing weight is not easy, especially in the belly area. If it were, most people would have the fitness model look they were dreaming about.
So instead of looking for a quick, easy fix, accept the fact that it took a long time of unhealthy habits to get you to the place you are now.
But the good news is that you have the power to change it! With information, you gain knowledge. With knowledge, you gain power. And with power you gain confidence. Believe in yourself, your abilities and your power for change.
Set a reasonable goal for yourself and stay committed to achieving it. When you slip up, get back at it the next day. Be kind to yourself.
Every day is a fresh start that gives you the ability to make your weight loss goals a reality.
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