Toning up your midsection can feel like a real hassle. However, doing sit-up after sit-up won't make your tummy look flat if you have a layer of fat over your abs. To get a slim and sleek physique, you have to get rid of the fat first, then work on toning the underlying muscles. Thankfully, you can do this simultaneously by adopting a healthy exercising and eating regimen.
Step 1
Maintain a healthy diet. Reduce your portion sizes and cut the number of calories you eat per day by 500 to lose fat. Replace simple carbohydrates like white bread with whole grains and eat polyunsaturated fats such as avocado instead of saturated fat and trans fat found in processed and fast foods, says the Harvard Medical School. Add lean protein from chicken or fish and fruits and vegetables to round out a healthy diet.
Step 2
Perform strength-training exercises regularly. According to the Harvard Medical School, using weights several times a week boosts your metabolism, meaning your exercise efforts work better to burn fat than they would if you did cardiovascular exercise alone. Bicep curls, leg presses and even carrying weights while jogging can work to tone your body.
Step 3
Do abdominal strengthening exercises. Sit-ups, crunches, leg lifts and workouts that focus on the core muscles help flatten the abdomen. You can't just do sit-ups and get rid of your stomach fat, says the MayoClinic website, so make this just one part of your exercise routine.
Step 4
Engage in cardiovascular exercise every day. While 30 minutes is the standard recommended length of time to elevate your heart rate a day, you should talk with your doctor first to see what workout intensity is right for you, according to MayoClinic. Cardiovascular exercise burns calories and helps get rid of stomach fat.
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