Fastest Way To Flat, Toned Stomach

To achieve a flat, toned stomach, you will need to dedicate yourself to following a healthy diet and exercise regimen daily. Doing daily cardiovascular exercise and strength training your core, along with dropping your total daily calories, will help you achieve your flat-belly goals quickly, according to the American Council on Exercise. To burn fat, your cardio workout should be a minimum of 30 minutes at a moderate to intense pace. To strengthen your abs, choose exercises that engage your entire core, such as plank pose, bicycle and Pliates Hundred. For faster results, combine your cardio with your strength training to burn more calories in a shorter amount of time, notes the "IDEA Fitness Journal."

Step 1

Eat five to six meals a day to raise your metabolism, increase your energy and keep you full. Eat a small balanced meal of lean proteins, complex carbs and essential fatty acids every two to three hours for a flat belly and overall body fat loss, according to Tosca Reno, author of "The Eat Clean Diet."

Step 2

Drink only water and avoid high-calorie drinks such as sodas, juices, coffees and alcoholic beverages. Drink nine cups of water daily for women and 13 cups of water daily for men, to keep water weight and belly bloat down.

Step 3

Eat one small serving of food rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, with every meal. Choose foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, olives and oils to prevent and reduce belly fat, according to the March 2007 "Journal of Diabetes Care."

Step 4

Engage your core throughout your day to tighten and tone your stomach. Pull your bellybutton in toward your back and lift your spine tall as you sit at your desk or drive. Tilt your tailbone slightly forward and pull your bellybutton into your back as you walk, jog or run to tighten the abs.

Step 5

Eat one serving of probiotics daily to keep your digestive tract running smoothly and reduce belly bloat from gas. Choose foods rich in probiotics, such as nonfat Greek yogurt with no sugar added. Avoid yogurts with additives such as high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.