You may be able to lose weight and gain muscle around your midsection with a nutrient-rich diet, along with regular exercise.
Living with fat around your midsection can be a
However, if you’re living with excess abdominal fat and have been looking for ways to lose it, you probably realize it’s not always as simple as some weight loss gurus would have you believe.
For one, the size (or “flatness”) of your stomach can depend on
Furthermore, multiple
This is because fat cells are stored throughout the body and can be broken down and used as energy during exercise from any part of the body, not just the area that you’re exercising.
There are several strategies that can increase weight loss and promote muscle growth. When combined with a nutritious diet and health-promoting lifestyle, this could potentially help decrease belly fat while improving overall health.
Here are 29 science-backed methods to help you lose extra belly fat.
1. Cut calories, but not too much
Typically, if you’re looking to lose weight, you may need to monitor your calorie intake.
One popular approach is to reduce your daily intake by 500–750 calories, which can help you lose approximately
That being said, restricting your calorie intake too much can be counterproductive and harmful to your health.
Eating too few calories can cause a decrease in your metabolic rate, or the number of
Decreasing your calorie intake too much can also cause a significant reduction in lean body mass, which can lower the number of calories that you burn at rest.
Furthermore, consuming too few calories each day is associated with several side effects, including fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritability.
SummaryEating too few calories may slow your metabolism and cause negative health effects. Therefore, it is important not to restrict calories too much or for too long.
2. Eat more fiber, especially soluble fiber
Soluble fibers absorb large quantities of water and slow down the passing of food through the digestive tract.
Furthermore, soluble fiber may
SummaryEating soluble fiber can increase feelings of fullness, help decrease the absorption of calories, and protect against the accumulation of visceral fat around the organs.
3. Increase your intake of probiotics
Probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria that may play a key role in
Not only has
Regular intake of probiotics may shift the balance toward beneficial gut flora, reducing the risk of weight gain to help you reach and maintain a moderate weight.
have also been shown to be particularly effective at helping reduce belly fat in individuals who are already living with obesity. These include:
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus amylovorus
- Lactobacillus gasseri
Probiotic foods include fermented ingredients like Kombucha, yogurt, kefir, tempeh, kimchi, and pickles.
It’s important to note that probiotics do not directly cause weight loss. They can be a helpful tool when used in conjunction with a nutritious diet and exercise, but they may not have the same effect on everyone. Always talk with your doctor before deciding to add probiotics to your diet.
SummaryProbiotics may help build up beneficial gut flora. Some Lactobacillus strains have been shown to be effective at helping prevent weight gain and reduce belly fat in individuals already living with obesity, but this is typically in conjunction with other lifestyle changes.
4. Add more cardio to your routine
Doing cardio, or aerobic exercise, is an excellent way to burn calories and improve overall health.
Additionally,
Studies usually recommend doing
Examples of cardio include running, brisk walking, biking, and rowing.
SummaryDoing moderate to high intensity cardio for 20–40 minutes per day has been shown to be effective at reducing belly fat.
Protein shakes are an easy way to add extra protein to your diet.
Getting enough
Furthermore,
For best results, add other nutrient-dense, fiber-rich ingredients to your protein shake, such as spinach, kale, or berries.
SummaryProtein shakes are an easy way to add extra protein to your diet. Increasing your protein intake may help maintain lean body mass, reduce your appetite, and decrease visceral fat.
6. Eat foods rich in monounsaturated fatty acids
Monounsaturated fatty acids are a type of heart-healthy fat found in a variety of foods.
Interestingly,
The Mediterranean diet is an example of a diet that’s high in monounsaturated fatty acids, and it’s been
SummaryDiets high in monounsaturated fatty acids may help reduce belly fat and help with weight management.
7. Limit your intake of refined carbs
Limiting your carb intake has been shown to have real health benefits, especially for
More specifically,
However, you don’t have to cut out all carbs to reap the benefits, especially if a low carb diet is not ideal for your personal health history.
In fact,
SummaryLimiting your total carb intake or swapping refined carbs for whole grains could help reduce belly fat and support weight loss.
Losing muscle mass is a common side effect of dieting.
This can
Doing
Moreover, resistance training may even be effective at
SummaryResistance training may prevent the loss of muscle mass often seen with dieting, which could help maintain your metabolic rate and reduce body fat and visceral fat.
9. Do exercises standing instead of sitting
If you’re able, performing exercises while standing up may benefit your health more than performing the same exercises while sitting or using weight machines.
By standing, you
A 2013 study comparing the effects of standing and sitting exercises showed that some standing exercises increased muscle activation by
Another study suggested that standing may
Although this might seem like a minor alteration, for individuals who are able to, standing can be an easy way to strengthen the midsection and maximize your results.
SummaryIf you’re physically able to, doing exercises while standing instead of sitting may burn more calories, increase muscle activation, improve your breathing, and increase your heart rate.
A combination of diet and exercise is probably the most effective way to achieve weight loss and improve your overall health.
Interestingly, studies have shown that you do not need to exercise vigorously or spend hours in the gym to reap health benefits.
Regular, brisk walks have been shown to effectively
In fact, one study found that when individuals living with obesity reached
SummaryTaking regular, brisk walks could be an effective strategy to reduce body fat and belly fat.
Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juice, sweet tea, and energy drinks are often high in calories and added sugar.
It’s also very easy to drink large quantities of these beverages at a time, which can significantly increase your daily calorie intake and may contribute to
This is because liquids have less of an effect on satiety compared to solid foods, making it easier to consume them in excess.
These drinks are also generally loaded with fructose, which has been linked directly to
SummaryBeverages like soda, fruit juice, sweet tea, and energy drinks are often high in calories, added sugar, and fructose, which may contribute to weight gain. Liquids also have less impact on satiety than solid foods, making it easier to consume them in excess.
12. Eat whole, single-ingredient foods
Focusing on eating more whole, single-ingredient foods is a great way to improve the nutritional value of your diet.
Whole foods are nutrient-dense and often rich in fiber, which can
Furthermore, many nutritious whole foods have been shown to
SummaryWhole, single-ingredient foods are loaded with nutrients, including fiber. Many whole foods have also been shown to support weight management.
There are several ways in which drinking more water could help support weight management and prevent bloating.
For starters, it may promote weight loss by very temporarily increasing your metabolic rate, or the number of calories that you burn at rest.
Additionally,
What’s more, increasing your water intake can also
SummaryDrinking water may temporarily increase your metabolism, increase feelings of fullness, and help relieve constipation, all of which may be beneficial for a flatter stomach.
Mindful eating is a technique designed to help you recognize and cope with your emotions and physical sensations regarding food and hunger.
It involves slowing down,
Also, it is more likely to help you
SummaryBy eating mindfully, you can focus on your physical hunger and eating only until you’re satisfied. This may help reduce the risk of stress eating for some people.
15. Limit carbonated beverages
Drinking large amounts of carbonated beverages such as soda or sparkling water can cause gas.
This is because the bubbles in it contain carbon dioxide, which is released from the liquid in your stomach. This may cause stomach distention or bloat.
Chewing gum, drinking through a straw, or talking while eating can also contribute to bloating.
Drinking from a glass and swapping carbonated drinks out for water may be beneficial to help prevent bloating.
SummaryConsuming carbonated drinks, drinking from a straw, and chewing gum may cause stomach distention and bloating in some people.
16. Try high intensity interval training (HIIT)
High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of exercise that usually involves performing intervals of very intense activity, such as sprinting, rowing, or jumping, with short breaks in between.
This method of exercising helps your body
What’s more, this type of exercise takes up much less of your time than other types of exercise, as it usually can be completed in 10–20 minutes.
SummaryHigh intensity interval training increases fat burning and boosts your metabolic rate, even after your workout is over. It also takes less time than other types of exercise.
Not only has
Additionally,
Furthermore,
Though it might not be possible to eliminate stress completely, adding stress-relieving activities to your daily routine, like yoga or meditation, can be beneficial.
SummaryStress triggers the production of cortisol, which can increase appetite and food cravings.
Protein can also help
How much protein you need depends on many factors, such as your age, sex, and activity level.
For an easy way to meet your protein needs, be sure include a good source of protein — such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, tofu, or legumes — in every meal.
SummaryHigh protein diets may increase your metabolic rate, reduce your appetite, and help you retain muscle mass during weight loss.
When you’re trying to lose weight, it can be helpful to monitor your food intake.
There are several ways to do this, but the most popular and effective options involve counting calories or
You do not have to do this all the time, but it may be good to keep track of your intake for several days in a row every few weeks. This will make you more aware of your calorie intake and allow you to adjust your eating patterns if needed.
Here are five free apps or websites that can help you easily keep track of your nutrient and calorie intake.
SummaryMonitoring your food intake once in a while may help you lose weight by making you more aware of your calorie intake.
Eggs are high in protein and low in calories, with about
Some research suggests that eggs can help support weight loss.
For example,
Another study involving over 2,200 adults found that consuming at least one egg per day was associated with a
Similarly, a study on nearly 24,000 people showed that eating eggs once daily was
SummaryEggs are high in protein and low in calories. They can increase feelings of fullness and may be associated with a lower risk of belly fat.
Getting a sufficient amount of quality sleep each night is very important for weight management.
In fact,
Another small study in 36 people showed that getting 1 hour less of sleep for 5 nights per week led to
According to one review, sleep deprivation may be associated with a
For most adults, it’s generally recommended to aim for
SummaryGetting enough sleep may help support weight loss and fat loss. It’s generally recommended to aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern in which you alternate between eating and fasting for specific amounts of time.
Two popular intermittent fasting approaches include doing a 24-hour fast two to four times per week or a 16/8 fast, where you restrict your eating window to 8 hours each day, often by skipping breakfast or eating an early dinner.
Generally, this makes you eat fewer calories overall without having to consciously think about it.
While
Make sure to talk with a doctor before trying intermittent fasting, as the long-term effects of this eating pattern are not yet known.
SummaryIntermittent fasting generally causes you to eat fewer calories with little effort by restricting your eating window. It’s effective at reducing belly fat and may be easier to stick to than other diet plans.
23. Eat fatty fish each week or take fish oil
It’s generally recommended to eat fatty fish once or twice per week.
Fatty fish is a
Protein has been shown to help with weight loss, and
While whole foods are generally the best way to get your vitamins and minerals, if you don’t like eating fatty fish, you can get long-chain fatty acids from fish oil or fish oil supplements. Be sure to talk with a doctor first if you’re considering supplementation.
SummaryFatty fish is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which may help reduce belly fat.
24. Limit your intake of added sugar
Added sugar has been linked to many
It’s recommended to limit added sugar intake to
However, most people exceed this amount, and adults in the United States consume an average of
Studies have shown a direct link between high intake of added sugar and
Added sugar is hidden in various foods, so it is very important to check the ingredient label carefully when shopping.
SummaryAdded sugar has a direct link to increased waist circumference, especially in those who regularly drink sugar-sweetened beverages.
25. Replace some fat with MCT oil
MCT oil is a type of oil that contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
What’s more, one review of 13 studies also found that MCTs were
Keep in mind that MCT oil is still high in calories, much like other types of fat. Therefore, it’s important not to just add MCT oil to your diet, but rather replace other sources of fat with it.
SummaryReplacing other fats in your diet with MCT oil could boost energy expenditure and increase feelings of fullness. Some studies also show that MCT oil may be more effective at reducing waist circumference and body weight compared with other types of fat.
Crunches and other abdominal exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your core.
By doing
Furthermore, core exercises help you strengthen the muscles that ultimately hold in your belly, which may
If possible, aim to do core exercises that engage all your core muscles, such as planks or Pilates roll-ups.
SummaryCore exercises can strengthen your abdominal muscles, improve your posture, and enhance spinal stability.
27. Drink unsweetened coffee or green tea
Unsweetened coffee and green tea are both highly nutritious beverages that can help you reach or maintain a moderate weight.
In fact, multiple studies have also shown that drinking coffee and tea may be associated with
This may be partly due to their caffeine content, which can temporarily
SummaryDrinking unsweetened coffee or tea may increase fat burning and metabolism to help you reach or maintain a moderate weight.
Alcohol contains seven calories for each gram, which partly explains why many alcoholic drinks are often loaded with
Ounce for ounce, beer contains a
Although moderate drinking is unlikely to affect body weight, heavy drinking is linked to
According to the most recent
SummaryHeavy alcohol consumption may contribute to weight gain, especially around your midsection.
29. Sneak extra activity into your day
You can easily sneak extra activity into your day by increasing the amount of
This involves walking, standing, fidgeting, or just generally moving around.
According to one review, these activities can help you burn up to
Easy ways to add extra activity to your daily routine include walking around while talking on the phone, standing up regularly, working at a standing desk, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.
SummaryIncreasing the amount of non-exercise activity you do may significantly increase the number of calories you burn on a daily basis.
If your doctor has advised you to lose weight, or you have personally made the decision to lose some weight, it’s important to keep your journey in perspective — no matter what random weight loss ads and products try to tell you.
It’s not possible to “target” fat loss in just your stomach specifically, but there are many strategies that can help support overall fat loss and weight loss effectively.
In addition to making changes to your diet and workout plan, getting plenty of sleep, managing stress levels, and practicing mindful eating can all be beneficial.
By incorporating some of the tips mentioned above into your daily routine, you can work toward a “flatter stomach” while also improving your overall health.
Just one thing
Try this today: Switching up your morning routine is a great way to get your day off to a good start and help you reach your goals. Check out this article for 10 simple morning habits that can help you lose weight!
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