I think that we can all agree that belly fat seems to be the hardest to lose. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost weight successfully, only to notice that my belly still looked the same. That’s when I started looking up how to lose belly fat specifically! I discovered proven methods that target belly fat loss.
As a full-time mom, wife, and Blogger – I don’t have time to make it to the gym on a consistent basis. That’s what I love so much about these methods of how to lose belly fat! – They don’t require much effort on your part. In fact, with just a few of slight behavior changes you can be on your way to a flatter belly in no time!
Before we get started, here are a few tips to set you up for success!
- Combining any of the below methods will make your belly fat loss journey more successful.
- Adding in a cardio workout a few times a week will also help speed up weight loss because you’ll be burning more calories. Try going for a brisk walk, jumping jacks, or jogging on the treadmill if you have the time.
Intermittent Fasting
To put things in simple terms, intermittent fasting is just skipping out on certain meals on purpose. So for example, you might decide to skip lunch every day. Or even skip both breakfast and lunch every day, and only eat dinner. The idea is to only do this for a set period of time like maybe a 1 week or 2 depending on your goals.
The reason why I love intermittent fasting is that you don’t necessarily change what you eat because it’s not a diet. You simply are just changing when, and how frequent you eat. I find it a lot easier than dieting because you don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. I’ve seen a lot of success with this method. Full disclaimer: If you have any medical issues, of course, you’ll want to check with your doctor before fasting intermittently.
If fasting isn’t your thing, meal replacement smoothies are a great alternative. After this, check out these 7 Delicious Smoothie Recipes for Weight Loss that Actually Work.
Consume More Protein
One of the quickest ways to burn more calories is by eating more protein. This works due to the fact that our bodies burn calories during digestion. You actually burn more calories while your body is digesting protein, than when it is digesting carbs and fat.
Another benefit of increasing your protein intake is that you’ll feel full longer. Combine this method with intermittent fasting for an even easier fasting experience. You won’t be as hungry throughout the day.
A few high protein foods that are good for you include salmon, beans, lean beef, greek yogurt, and spinach.
Decrease Your Sugar Intake
Eating foods high in sugar is one of the fastest ways to gain belly fat. On the other hand, reducing your sugar intake is one of the fastest ways to lose belly fat. Sugar increases your insulin levels, which signals for your body to store calories as extra fat.
Another thing to consider is that calories from sugar are empty, and provide little nutritional value to you.
Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which reduces fat accumulation. Taking a tablespoon every day can help you burn belly fat, be sure to dilute it with a little water. Apple cider has also been known to make you feel fuller longer after eating, so taking it with a meal may be a good idea.
You’ll want to be sure that the apple cider vinegar you are taking is Organic and contain’s the “Mother” for it to be effective. You can get the one that I trust and use here: Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Most alcoholic beverages are extremely high in calories. Being that people tend to drink in more relaxed, or social settings it’s very easy to get carried away and drink more calories than you are even aware of! The average wine drinker consumes 2,000 extra calories each year (source Life Hacker).
Not to mention the majority of mixed drinks are loaded with sugar, which subsequently is stored as fat!
Drink Plenty of Water
Swap out all of your sugary juices, and other high-calorie beverages for water instead. This alone can cut almost 2,000 calories a week. One other method that has worked for me is drinking a full glass of water before every meal. This way, you can fill your belly with something prior to eating and you’re likely to eat less. It also helps to make smaller portion sizes than usual.
Eliminate Stress
I know this one is a little easier said than done! However, it’s really important. Stress hormones are needed as they tell you how you should react to certain situations. However, when these hormones (specifically cortisol) is too high for an extended period of time it can cause increased belly fat. Now if that isn’t a good enough reason to stop stressing over the little things, then I don’t know what is!
Increase Your Fiber Intake
Fiber is another great way to curve your appetite. By consuming more fiber, you’ll be able to go longer between meals. So if you decide to skip a meal during the day, it’ll be much easier and decrease your overall calories for the day. A few healthy high fiber foods include black beans, broccoli, oranges, and bananas.
Get a Full Night of Sleep
There are so many reasons why getting a full night of sleep is one of the most effective ways how to lose belly fat. Not only does lack of sleep interrupt your insulin levels/fat cells, but it also causes you to just be hungrier overall. So make sure you get some shut-eye!
Get Moving
While all of the above ways how to lose belly fat are effective, one of the quickest ways is to be more active! This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym. Being active could range from anything to taking a daily walk, playing with your kids, riding your bike, even walking around your favorite shopping mall! The point is just to get your body moving. The more you’re moving, the more likely you are to burn more calories and burn belly fat!
When it comes to stubborn belly fat, combining all of these methods will get you the maximum results. Of course, it’s always important to listen to your body and do what works best for your overall health. Understand that losing belly fat is a process and not something that will happen overnight. The most important thing is to get started today. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
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