A lifestyle that includes a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise is the one simple rule for a flatter stomach. Brisk walking or jogging will burn fat from your abdominal area -- and there are several variations of crunches that can tone your stomach muscles.
Calories
Cutting calories from your diet will help you achieve your weight loss goals. There are 3,500 calories in 1 lb. of fat, so you must cut 500 to 1,000 calories per day in order to lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Keeping a journal of how many calories you consume throughout the week will help you become aware of the areas that need improvement in your diet. Be sure to include beverages in your calorie journal since you may be surprised at how many calories sports or health drinks have.
Diet
Cutting calories involves making changes to your diet. Substitute unhealthy foods with fruits and vegetables. The majority of your diet should consist of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, leans meats, nuts and beans. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables adds volume to your diet, so you don't have to eat less foods -- you're simply eating less calories, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Be aware of how you cook the foods in your diet, since breading, frying and using high-fat sauces will decrease your chance of losing belly fat.
Physical Activity
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and strength-train your major muscle groups two or more days per week, according to the World Health Organization. You can substitute 150 minutes of moderate activity for 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Moderate intensity aerobics includes a brisk walk, swimming or riding your bicycle. Vigorous activity includes running, fast cycling or hiking. If you're trying to lose weight, you should double these numbers for best results.
Considerations
Avoid buying abdominal machines that promise a flat stomach because no abdominal exercise will target belly fat. However, you can perform exercises that focus on your abdominal muscles, such as the bicycle maneuver, basic crunches and side crunches. But unless you cut calories and perform cardio, your toned muscles will be covered by layers of fat. According to Simple Fitness Solutions, a flat stomach is not physiologically possible for some people because the muscles form a round, not flat shape. And improving your posture can make you appear trimmer and give you less of a pot belly appearance.
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