Tummy tucks are expensive and come with risks just like all surgeries. Without exercise and dietary changes post-surgery, the weight may very well come back. Changing your eating and exercise habits will also shrink your stomach, though it will take more time. Three options include calorie restriction, Pilates and hill walking.
Calorie Restriction
Calorie restriction works off the principle that eating less will make your body use its existing fat stores. If your weight is staying the same, that means you are eating just enough calories for your body to maintain its weight with your current amount of physical activity. Cutting back on the calories will then put you at a caloric deficit and you'll lose weight. This will make your entire body leaner, including the tummy. The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 30 percent of calories from fat, with fewer than 10 percent from saturated fat and eating a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetable per day as a way to lower calories. Keeping a food journal or following low-calorie diet plans is another way to watch your calories. Consult a physician or registered dietician.
Walking Hills
Walking is a popular method of exercise for combating belly fat, but if you are short on time or if your daily walks aren't getting results you can increase your caloric burn by adding an incline to your walks. CNN Health recommends spending up to two-thirds of your walks going up hills or on an incline if you use a treadmill. You can start with only one-fourth and increase the amount slowly from there. Other tips from "Health" magazine include getting a dog, walking with a friend, wearing a backpack or using Nordic poles to burn more calories. A study performed in Canada showed that dog owners walked almost twice the amount of time on average per week than non-dog owners, which burned about 600 calories more.
Criss-Cross
The criss-cross is an example of a Pilates exercise that will fight belly fat. To perform the criss-cross, lie face up on a mat. Rest the back of your head in your hands with your arms bent. Bend your knees and rest your feet on the mat. Lift your head, shoulders and upper back off the mat. Turn your upper body and pull your right knee toward your chest so that your left shoulder and right knee move toward each other. Straighten your left leg off the mat at the same time. The lower your heel gets to the floor, the more challenging the exercise is for your abs. Switch your legs and turn your body the other way to finish one repetition. Perform 15 reps.
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