Many of us are guilty of eating far more food than our body really needs, and excessive calories equal excess fat. Often the first place it appears is on our bellies and many of us try to find ways of losing stomach fat. We normally want to lose weight because we feel better when we look better and carrying extra weight can also lead to health problems and disorders like diabetes.
Many of us may be tempted to try miracle weight loss plans that claim to shed stones in weeks. But losing those excess pounds is not easy and can normally only be achieved by with a combination of eating the right foods and getting some exercise. And it takes time.
Unfortunately the wrong foods, the ones that contain loads of fat are the ones we crave, hot dogs, fries and pizzas. But to lose weight we need to change what we eat. Some foods that do contain fat are good for us. For example fish is not only high in protein but some types of fish like tuna also contain omega 3 fatty acids which are good for us.
Natural foods are much better for us than processed foods which invariably contain a lot of fat and refined sugars. Vegetables should be eaten every day, whether raw or cooked, as they contain a lot of vitamins and fiber, another essential part of a balanced and healthy diet. Pulses and beans are both high in fiber and protein rich.
When it comes to starchy carbohydrates, it is best to try to avoid the white varieties of say bread or pasta and instead replace these with whole wheat or grain breads and brown rice. Carbonated soft drinks are also out, as they are full of sugar, loaded with sodium and the bubbles make us bloated. Instead, opt for water as it helps to flush out the system. It is especially important to drink lots of water when doing exercise, to replace the liquids lost when sweating.
Deserts and cakes are some of the worst offenders for fat and refined sugar content which are largely responsible for excess fat. Those who really crave something sweet should opt for fruit instead, as natural sugars are much better for us. There are fat free alternatives for some deserts like frozen yogurt, instead of ice cream.
We have to help our bodies loose fat by exercising. A good cardiovascular workout can burn a lot of fat and swimming, jogging, cycling and running are all good for this. But remember to be effective, exercise must be taken regularly.
Once the excess fat has been lost it is time to start toning up the muscles to get that elusive flat tummy. Some people head straight for their local gym, but not everyone can afford gym membership. The good news is there are plenty of exercises that can be done at home without the aid of specialist machinery and without spending a penny and many people swear by crunches and sit ups for toning up the abdominal muscles. Losing stomach fat is an achievable goal but reaching that goal can take a lot of will power and dedication.
Core body exercises can help you increase your core muscle strength and overall fitness. Start learning how to burn belly fat by getting rid of boring cardio! Yes, that’s right, find out what the new cardio is.