How to Lose Belly Fat Super Fast

If you're looking for super quick ways to lose belly fat, you may be one of the millions of people carrying around extra weight in your midsection — or you may just want to look better in your jeans. Either way, you can trim down fast by pairing ​efficient exercise techniques with a smarter diet.​

It really does boil down to those two things. However, if you are looking to achieve the results you desire in a shorter time frame, there are proven methods that bring about faster results.

A common misconception people have is that spot reduction, or the idea that you can lose weight in just one area of your body by doing targeted strength exercises, is possible. That's simply not the way it works. That's why, when it comes to losing belly fat fast, cardio is king. And not just any type of cardio — high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

HIIT training involves short interval sprints of max effort (80 percent of your max effort or higher) with recovery in between. This is one of the most effective ways of shedding fat fast, according to the American Council on Exercise. This is because the body uses fat for fuel during a HIIT workout and continues to do so post-workout until the body restores to its normal resting state.

​Read More:​ Hate HIIT? You'll Love These 7 Workouts

If cardio (specifically HIIT) is king, better food choices are queen, and ​both are incredibly important.​ Nutritionists and trainers agree that, in addition to physical activity, it's important to reduce calorie intake, eat regular meals, and avoid letting small "slips" turn into weight gain.

To be more specific, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's Dietary Guidelines for 2015-2020 suggest a healthy mix of whole vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, dairy and oils, while limiting added sugars and saturated fats.

Be sure to check labels, as many pre-packaged grocery store items found today, even if they are savory in flavor, contain added sugars. Alcohol is not suggested, but if it is consumed, moderation is key, with up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.