If you look down and cannot see your toes because your gut is in the way, you may need to make some changes to your lifestyle. Exercising can help you battle the bulge and lose your gut. A belly is often the result of a lack of movement and a caloric imbalance.
Burn the Belly
Cardiovascular exercise will help you to trim inches off your expanding gut. Cardio training burns calories and can help melt fat off your stomach. When you burn calories and lose weight, weight will come off from all parts of your body, including your gut. Harvard Medical School explains that 30 minutes of cardio training is recommended for healthy people, but when trying to lose weight, you may need to increase your aerobic training to 60 minutes. Choose cardiovascular activities that keep the core engaged, like running, kickboxing or even dance.
Yoga
Yoga can tighten your gut because it keeps the core actively engaged during your entire workout. Specific core poses include the plank and dolphin poses, according to the "Yoga Journal" website. Plank pose is similar to holding the top of a pushup. You must draw your bellybutton in and keep your body in one flat line. Aim to hold this position for one minute, slowly building your core strength and working toward a longer hold. Dolphin pose is similar but requires you to rest on your elbows and forearms.
Target Train
Target train your gut to gain a leaner stomach. Choose to mix up your core workout with several different exercises in order to work the entire stomach. Complete bicycle twists, standard crunches and reverse crunches, performing each exercise 20 times. Bicycle twists require you to place your hands behind your head while on your back and twisting the opposite knee to the opposite elbow. Crunches should be completed with your knees bent and your hands behind your head while lifting up toward the sky using your core. Reverse crunches demand you to use your lower abs by bending your knees into your chest and lifting your lower body off the floor, rolling your knees into your chest.
Considerations
Consider choosing to include a healthy diet in your workout plan. Eating foods like whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and low-fat dairy products will help to keep you full longer and prevent overeating. Eliminating processed foods, alcohol and sugary drinks will save you from consuming empty calories that can lead to weight gain.
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