According to MayoClinic.com, your metabolism slows down as you age, often resulting in an increase in the amount of body fat you have, and many men and women experience weight gain in their stomach. Excess fat in the stomach can also cause health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and some forms of cancer. However, there are some exercises you can perform, along with eating a healthy, well-balanced to get rid of belly fat and achieve a flat stomach.
Cardiovascular Exercise
According to FlatStomachTips.com, doing regular cardiovascular exercise is essential if you want to get a flat stomach because cardiovascular exercises burn large amounts of calories, melting fat on your body away. Popular cardiovascular exercises include walking, running, swimming, cycling -- both indoor and outdoors -- rowing, using an elliptical trainer, jumping rope and kick-boxing. FlatStomachTips.com recommends choosing an exercise you enjoy so working out won't feel like a chore, and picking an exercise that matches your fitness level. If you are new to cardiovascular exercise, start with walking before progressing to jogging and then running, for example.
Crunches
Do proper crunches instead of sit-ups three times per week. Crunches do more to benefit your abdominal muscles than sit-ups, which really work to exercise your hip flexors more than anything else according to Flat-Stomach-Exercsies.com. According to FitStep.com, the proper way to perform a crunch is to lie down flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor. Put your hands behind your head or cross your arms over your chest and bring your body forward using your abdominal muscles. To increase the effectiveness of crunches, FitStep.com recommends pushing your chest and head up towards the ceiling while pushing your lower back flat onto the floor. Return to your starting position and repeat the maneuver as much as possible.
Reverse Abdominal Crunches
Reverse abdominal crunches are similar to regular crunches, but they specifically target the lower abdominal muscles. According to the Changing Shape website, you should begin flat on your back on the floor or an exercise mat with your legs straight and your hands underneath your buttocks to perform a reverse abdominal crunch. Keeping your abdominal muscles tightened, and your head and lower back firmly on the ground, pull your legs up and back at a 90-degree angle. Slowly lower your legs and stop just before your feet touch the ground. Return to your starting position and repeat the movement as many times as possible. Avoid locking your knees for maximum effect.
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