Stomach fat is infamously hard to get rid of while dieting. While some people believe they can eliminate belly fat by targeting the area with crunches and other exercises, your body stores and burns fat in naturally predetermined ways. Short of having it surgically removed, the only way to really get rid of stomach fat is to lose weight and be patient. Water --- steaming hot or ice cold --- is no magical tonic that kicks your metabolism into overdrive or melts fat. However, drinking water aids weight-loss efforts, ultimately helping you reduce belly fat.
Step 1
Cut 500 to 1,000 calories out of your typical diet to lose 1 to 2 lbs. each week, which is a safe and realistic goal.
Step 2
Replace soda, fruit juices, sports drinks and other beverages that contain calories with water as part of your calorie reduction.
Step 3
Drink a 16 oz. glass of water 20 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. This helps fill you up before a meal so you eat less food and still feel satisfied.
Step 4
Pour yourself a glass of water when the urge to snack sets in. The water alleviates hunger, and sometimes you mistake thirst for hunger, notes Dr. Melina Jampolis on CNN Health. In addition, getting the water and drinking it can provide adequate distraction when you want to snack out of boredom or emotional distress rather than genuine hunger.
Step 5
Have a glass of water with every meal. Assuming you've made healthy dietary changes as part of your weight loss plan, you're consuming more dietary fiber from whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Increased fiber requires increased fluids to prevent constipation.
Step 6
Make a cup or two of tea during the day, and get some of your water that way for variety. Try a mug of decaffeinated green or chamomile tea at night to help you relax and distract you from pre-bedtime snack cravings.
Step 7
Stir 1 tsp. of lemon or lime juice into a glass of water for flavor to break up the monotony of drinking water all day. Even little things like this help you stick with your efforts to reduce your stomach fat.
Step 8
Dilute orange or other 100 percent fruit juices with an equal amount of water when you really want something different to drink. This halves the calories while still providing nutritional value. It allows you to avoid completely denying yourself other beverages, making your efforts to get rid of belly fat less unpleasant and therefore more likely to succeed long term.
Step 9
Replenish the fluids you lose via sweating with water during and after exercise, which is another crucial aspect of successful weight loss. However, heavy perspiration for a considerable length of time calls for a sports drink or electrolyte replacement beverage to keep your electrolytes in balance.
Tips and Warnings
- Drinking water is only one small part of a successful weight loss plan to get rid of stomach fat. Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods. Your diet should consist primarily of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and some low-fat dairy. Incorporate aerobic and strength-training exercise into your efforts. Consult your primary care physician before making sweeping dietary changes and starting an exercise regimen.
References
- University of New Mexico; SuperAbs Resource Manual; Len Kravitz, Ph.D.
- MayoClinic.com; Weight Loss: 6 Strategies for Success; December 2010
- CNN Health; Trying to Lose Weight? Drink More Water; Denise Mann; August 2010
- CNN Health; Can Drinking Lots of Water Help You Lose Weight?; Dr. Melina Jampolis; April 2009
- Harvard School of Public Health: The Healthy Eating Pyramid
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