How to Lose Weight in Your Stomach Area

The stomach is one of the toughest areas from which to lose weight, but that shouldn't discourage you from adopting a healthier lifestyle to pave the way for significant weight loss. By making a few adjustments to your daily schedule and exercising regularly, you can have a slim and trim tummy in no time.

Step 1

Eat breakfast. The old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day isn't just some catchphrase. It's the truth. After sleeping, your metabolism will have slowed since your body has had no food to digest. If you don't eat in the morning, your metabolism will continue to stay on the slow side, which means that any food you eat throughout the day is more likely to stick with you in the form of fat.

Step 2

Exercise first thing in the morning. Before doing much of anything else, try to squeeze in some exercise when you wake up. Since your body isn't working on digesting food at that time, the exercise will go toward burning stored calories. This means more tangible weight loss in your stomach area in less time.

Step 3

Drink plenty of water. Keeping hydrated will help your body flush away fat, which tends to build up on your stomach. Likewise, if you've eaten salty foods, drinking water will help maintain your digestive tract and prevent water retention. At least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day can also stave off constipation, a prime cause of extra fullness in the stomach area.

Step 4

Jog, swim, run or bike ride at least four times a week. Getting your heart rate up is the best way to burn calories, which in turn burns fat. Ideally, you'll want at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity a day, but a few times a week is a good way to start.

Step 5

Do exercises that focus on your abdominal muscles, such as crunches and sit-ups. These exercises tone and shape the stomach area so that once you lose weight, your stomach will be well-defined and ready to show off. These strengthening exercises also have a mild cardiovascular aspect, helping your body burn a few extra calories while you're at it.

References

Article reviewed by Connie Bye Last updated on: Nov 11, 2009

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