Lack of exercise combined with a diet high in refined carbohydrates and processed food can pack on unwanted pounds around the abdomen. While there are lots of late-night TV commercials advertising exercise equipment and diet pills that claim to burn belly fat, you must engage in cardiovascular exercise that tones the whole body to see a reduction in belly size. If you depend on fast food to get you through the day, dietary changes can also help you lose inches around the middle.
Step 1
Start an exercise program. You don't have to join a gym to see results. Walking for 30 minutes, three to five days a week can help you lose your belly.
Step 2
Train with weights. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so the more muscle you build, the more calories you burn. This is true even when you're resting.
Step 3
Strengthen your core with Pilates, yoga or ballet. You can also just put on your favorite song and do crunches in your living room.
Step 4
Relax. Stress triggers the hormone cortisol, which can cause excess fat to be stored in the belly. Practice incorporating relaxation into your daily life through yoga, meditation, long walks or afternoon naps.
Step 5
Reduce or eliminate refined sugar and carbohydrates for lasting belly fat loss. In the short term, cutting down on refined carbs can help relieve water retention. Replace the empty calories with whole grains, which contain fiber to clean out your digestive tract and keep you feeling full longer.
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