HOW TO GET RID OF BELLY FAT

We have probably all experienced a "problem area" on our body at least once.

For me, after my pregnancy, it was the extra belly fat that would never seem to go away.

Even after I lost the baby weight, that stubborn belly fat was still an issue.

And if this sounds familiar, I want you to know you're not alone.

Today I want to share some steps and helpful tips that helped me with my problem areas and overall fat/weight loss.

The truth is, there is no magic bullet or formula to spot and reduce fat.

No matter how many crunches we do, we can’t target fat loss on our belly without reducing overall body fat.

But don't worry because there are ways that we can improve overall body composition to help improve your fat loss results! I’m going to give you all the insider tips.

HOW TO GET RID OF BELLY FAT

If you want to know how to get rid of belly fat, the truth is, you just do the same things you do to get rid of fat anywhere else.

The key to eliminating belly fat is to focus on overall fat loss. Belly fat may be the last to go, but following these simple steps is a great place to start!

CREATING A CALORIE DEFICIT AND CONSUMING ENOUGH PROTEIN HELP WITH GETTING RID OF BELLY FAT

We have to be in a calorie deficit to lose fat. In other words, calories in have to be less than calories out. It’s simple in principle, but anyone who has ever tried reducing their calories knows it isn’t always easy.

For one thing, you can’t just slash calories drastically. There is an art (and science) to the process. Not only is an extreme calorie reduction unhealthy, but it can stall your results long-term.

We have to think long-term. Otherwise, we risk gaining it all back. Quick fixes may work temporarily, but these crash diets often lead to disaster and weight regain.

Short-term diets give you short-term results, but if you want to change your body and keep the weight off for good, then you need a long-term solution.

So, if you want results that’ll last, you need to do something different.

A good way to get into a calorie deficit without starving yourself is to replace higher-calorie foods with more nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods like fruits and veggies. Think about replacing processed foods like a candy bar or bag of chips with an apple or a side salad.

Ensuring you hit your protein goals will also increase your overall feeling of fullness or satiety. Most people find that when they increase protein, they feel fuller longer, and cravings go away.

Another thing to do is swap out your soda or other high-calorie drinks for water or lower-calorie options.

The point is to eliminate as many empty calories as possible while still feeling full after you eat.

The easier it is for you to feel satiated, the more likely you can stay on a diet long-term. This is one key reason protein is essential in fat loss … which includes getting rid of belly fat.

The body can develop cravings when it has nutrient gaps. If your body is getting what it needs, this can reduce the cravings you may be experiencing.

NEXT IS EXERCISE

Another way to balance the calorie scales in your favor is through daily movement.

We want to include strength training, ideally 3-4 times per week to get rid of belly fat. This will help rev up your metabolism to burn more calories (and belly fat) at rest. Having more lean tissue, aka muscle, will also give you a tighter, leaner appearance overall. And people who have more muscle burn more calories ... even at rest.

The more muscle you gain, the easier it will be to burn excess calories.

Exercise large muscle groups like your back, legs, and chest. These muscles will ultimately burn more calories and fat than your biceps or other smaller muscle groups.

Additionally, incorporating daily walks will help burn more calories, improve blood flow, and help you create more of a calorie deficit without stimulating your appetite the way more intense forms of cardio do. So get those steps in throughout the day. This will help you create more of a calorie deficit without drastically reducing your intake. Start by adding a 10-minute walk each day and build from there.

GETTING GOOD SLEEP CAN HELP GET RID OF BELLY FAT

Sleep is not often the first thing we consider when it comes to fat loss, but it should be.

A good night's sleep can help balance our hormones, including leptin and ghrelin, responsible for increasing cravings and hunger.

You need to sleep so your body can recover from your workouts.

You need to sleep so your body can repair and grow muscle.

Sleep can help improve your metabolism.

Better sleep reduces stress.

Simply put, better sleep can help prevent weight gain and sets us up for better fat loss.

DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER CAN HELP WITH FAT LOSS

Water is essential because it allows your body to transport nutrients from place to place more efficiently. It also helps improve digestion and absorption of the nutrients that you eat.

The more efficiently your body can get micronutrients and macronutrients where they need to go, the better it will operate, which can assist with fat loss. Staying hydrated helps our metabolism and ability to burn fat effectively. Water intake is generally good for your metabolism because water is what removes toxins and waste from your cells.

Also, the more efficiently your body can use the nutrients you consume, the less likely you will experience cravings.

Not to mention, drinking water also lessens how often our body mistakes being thirsty for being hungry. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger when we are dehydrated.

Consuming enough water will make sticking to a long-term nutrition plan easier.

USING THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Although not a substitute for a poor diet, nutritional supplements can help you improve your overall health and fat loss. Remember, they are supplements that should be used along with exercise and a good diet. In that context, they can go a long way to support your efforts and help your body work more efficiently.

A protein supplement can help you hit your daily protein goal, making it easier to stay on track when in a caloric deficit. It will also support your efforts in the gym to build lean muscles.

Likewise, a greens supplement can help you get a lot of nutrition you simply don’t have time to plan into your everyday meals. This one also contains digestive enzymes and probiotics to nourish your gut health and make weight loss all the easier.

Additionally, metabolism boosters like L-carnitine can help efficiently burn fat and provide your body with the right nutrients that will effectively metabolize stored fat

HOW TO GET RID OF BELLY FAT: A QUICK RECAP

The key to burning belly fat and your overall body fat is consistency. Set yourself up with a good nutrition and exercise program that you can stick to. Nothing is worse than going all out for a week, burning out, and then quitting. Start slow, and make small changes that you can stick to long-term.

Supplements can be helpful on your fat loss journey, but remember that there is no magic diet … no magic workout … and no magic supplement.

They all work together to help you earn the results you're after. But ultimately, you are responsible for showing up and doing the work.

1:1 COACHING WILL HELP YOU GET THE BODY YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

If you need additional support, personalized 1:1 coaching can help. I help my clients by creating customized fitness and nutrition plans to shed those extra pounds and fit back into their favorite jeans. We work together on a long-term solution, and best of all, they are enjoying all their favorite foods and learning how to go out to social events, vacations, and work trips without the stress around food or fear of gaining it all back. If this sounds like something that might help you, I invite you to schedule a free discovery call with me to discuss the X-Power fat loss program.