Exercises To Get Rid of Belly Fat

From LoveToKnow Diet

It can be confusing when trying to learn about exercise to get rid of belly fat. With so many ab workouts advertised on television, you hear about everything from "amazing" fad diets to the lady down the street who has her own miracle solution. It's hard to figure out what will work for you.

mans stomach

Get Serious

The first step to losing belly fat is to get serious about weight loss. You won't be successful if you don't fully commit to your goal. Speaking of goals, set a realistic goal for your weight loss. Instead of saying you're going to lose 50 pounds, start by attempting to lose five pounds. These goals on the way to your "main" goal are easier to achieve, giving you an immediate sense of accomplishment and success. It's easy to get discouraged, and you're just setting yourself up for defeat by not focusing on small steps.

How to Lose that Belly Fat

To lose belly fat combine a healthy diet with an exercise plan. You may want to contact your physician before starting any such exercise program to ensure your body is up for it and no health complications would be worsened.

Exercises to Get Rid of Belly Fat

Experts agree that a combination of strength training and aerobic exercises is the solution to burning belly fat. Studies show that exercises which target your middle aren't good enough to lose that spare tire. Exercises such as sit-ups won't do you any good unless you're working out the rest of your body, too. You can build your ab muscles up, but those efforts are hardly noticed if there's still a layer of fat covering those muscles.

Strength Training

It's a recognized fact that muscle burns more calories than fat does. It makes sense, then, to increase the muscle mass of your body in order to more effectively burn calories. To do this, strength training is a necessity. This can be accomplished by going to the gym to lift weights, or you can strength train at home.

  • Free weights are an effective way to train. They are portable, adjustable and you work different muscle groups in a variety of ways.
  • Weight machines are excellent because they reduce the threat of injury by preventing you from doing the intended exercise incorrectly. The amount of weight lifted is adjustable, so you can start with very little weight and progress gradually to more.
  • You don't have to have a fancy set of weights to strength train. You can build muscle mass by lifting things in your own home, such as 2-liter bottles of water. Inexpensive dumbbells are available at most fitness stores.

Aerobic Exercises

Aerobic exercises are a necessary element to your exercise plan because they burn a lot of calories and speed up your metabolism. They work your entire body, which is what is needed to burn fat.

To include aerobic exercise in your routine go to the gym and use equipment there or exercise at home. Either way, the important thing is to choose an exercise or exercises that you will do faithfully. Aerobic exercises include:

  • Running
  • Walking
  • Jogging
  • Stair Climbing
  • Elliptical Machines
  • Spinning
  • Aerobics
  • Swimming
  • Dancing

As you can see, a variety of exercises fit into this category. You don't have to stick to the same exercise all the time. By changing it up, you're not only decreasing your chances of getting bored, but you're also increasing the effectiveness of your workout.

How to Put it All Together

Implement these exercises to get rid of belly fat in a plan that includes five days of 30 to 45 minute workouts. Alternate activities each day. For instance, if you run the first day, do strength training the next day and swim the day after that.

A Slimmer You

Within a week or so, you should see and feel the first effects of your efforts. You'll notice the start of muscle definition. Results like this are enough to keep you committed and planning to achieve that flat stomach!



 


Comments

Hi Mandy,

What to do about your belly after children will depend on your stomach. Everyone's is unique and some people's skin is not as elastic as others. In those cases, the stomach stretches during pregnancy and hangs following having the baby. No exercises can fix this. I know a woman who weighs 110 but the skin of her belly hangs to her lap. If that's the case, then plastic surgery is the only option I know of.

If that is not your situation, then you may want to try a diet like the Flat Belly Diet which is designed to target the belly.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

I am 43 year old lady and had 3 children. I have belly which is destroying my self esteem. I walk, jog, run and do exercise but belly is not going away. People saw I have nice sexy legs, hips and a bottom to die for but the problem is my belly. I do not what to do since I have just started a new relationship. I do not want to go to the next level until I have gotten rid of my belly.

-- Contributed by: Mandy

Hi Nash,

I hear your frustration. It sounds like your following all the conventional wisdom out there, and since that's not working, I suggest you check out the Flat Belly Diet. This diet is backed by Prevention Magazine and includes specific healthy fats with each meal. Chocolate is even allowed, so it sounds like it might just be what you are looking for.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad
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