What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? (2024)

What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? (1)

Laura Cartwright, cardiac rehabilitation specialist and exercise physiologist at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, shares the best exercise to lose belly fat along with other helpful weight loss tips.

Studies have shown that people who carry excess belly fatcan face higher risks of heart diseaseand type 2 diabetes. If this applies to you, it’s natural that you’d want to reduce the amount of fatty tissue in this area.

But scientific evidence shows that it’s impossible to reduce fat in one specific area by exercising that body part alone. The body stores fat as triglycerides, which can be used for fuel anywhere in your body, not just in the exercised area.

Doing aerobic exercise while eating a healthy dietis the best way to lose belly fat and overall body fat. This will help to create a calorie deficit (where you use more calories than you consume), which promotes fat loss over time.

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilatesand yogacan also help you lose belly fat.Seated exercisecan be an effective way to burn calories and increase your aerobic fitness levels if you find walking or standing difficult.

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NHS guidelines suggest aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. Aim to exercise at a level where you become a little out of breath but can still speak in full sentences. Take time to warm up before and to cool down after exercise. If you begin to feel more breathless, slow down and rest.

If you are new to exercise, start slowly and build up gradually. You don’t need to exercise at a high intensity to burn calories. Stressand lack of sleep can also affect fat loss,because they can lead to increases in the stress hormone cortisol, affecting appetite.

Stress-relieving and good sleep-promoting activities can include mindfulness, breathing techniques, and gentle exercise like tai chi and yoga.

What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? (2)Meet the expert

Laura Cartwright is a cardiac rehabilitation specialist and exercise physiologist at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, where she delivers exercise assessment and exercise classes alongside an education programme for cardiac patients.

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What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? (3)

Published 5 June 2023

More useful information

What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? (2024)

FAQs

What's the best exercise to lose fat around your belly? ›

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

Which exercise burns the most belly fat? ›

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and interval training are exercise routines that use short bursts of intense exercise mixed with lower-intensity moves and rest periods. Research shows that HIIT exercises for belly fat help control weight and improve your overall physical condition.

How can I reduce my tummy in 7 days? ›

What is the fastest way to lose belly fat in a week? Doing cardio and abdominal exercises every day, coupled with a healthy diet (that is low in calories, fats, and sugars) is an efficient strategy for losing belly fat quickly.

What to drink to lose belly fat? ›

Still, to help reduce excess belly fat, moderate your intake and enjoy other beverages with lower sugar content, such as water, unsweetened iced tea, or sparkling water with a wedge of lemon or lime. Fruit juice often contains as much sugar as soda and may contribute to weight gain if consumed in high amounts.

What is the single best exercise to lose belly fat? ›

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat? ›

7 Foods that Burn Belly Fat
  • Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told Today. ...
  • Swap your beef for salmon. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Red bell peppers. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Edamame. ...
  • Diluted vinegar.

How can I slim my stomach ASAP? ›

Flat Stomach Tips: Effective Solutions for Improving Stomach Shape
  1. Eat Six Small Meals Each Day. ...
  2. Stay Hydrated. ...
  3. Consider Your Macros. ...
  4. Choose the Right Carbohydrates. ...
  5. Increase Fiber Intake. ...
  6. Eat More Lean Protein. ...
  7. Use Quality Fats. ...
  8. Stay Away from High-Calorie Drinks.
Mar 27, 2023

Does walking reduce belly fat? ›

A research study states that regular walking helps reduce belly fat, which improves the body's response to insulin. Walking for at least 30 minutes every day allows you to prevent weight gain. It can also strengthen the muscles in your legs and tone your legs.

How long does it take to lose belly fat? ›

How long does it take to lose stomach fat? Understanding that is crucial for setting realistic goals and maintaining motivation. Generally, a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is about 1 to 2 pounds per week. This means that you can realistically expect to lose 4 to 8 pounds of body fat per month.

What to drink to get a flat stomach fast? ›

Some of the fastest ways to get rid of bloating include drinking plenty of water, eating fresh produce and healthy fats, and reducing your soda and sugar intake. 1 It's also important to pair a nutrient-rich diet with an active lifestyle and exercises that strengthen the core for a flat belly.

What is a flat tummy walk? ›

A “flat tummy walk” is a type of exercise that is intended to help tone and strengthen the. abdominal muscles, leading to a flatter stomach. This type of exercise typically involves engaging the core muscles and walking at a brisk pace. It can be done indoors or outdoors and doesn't require any equipment.

Why is belly fat so hard to lose? ›

One reason belly fat is so hard to lose is that it's considered an “active fat.” Unlike some fatty tissue that simply sits “dormant,” belly fat releases hormones that can have an impact on your health — and your ability to lose weight, especially in the waist and abdomen areas.

Does lemon water burn fat? ›

There is no evidence to suggest that lemon water has more benefits for weight loss than plain water. That said, lemon juice is naturally low in calories. Replacing sugary soda with fresh lemon water is a healthful way to reduce calorie intake, which is a positive step toward weight management.

What liquid burns belly fat fast? ›

Ginger water

When regularly consumed, the two substances zingerone and shogaols found in ginger help to burn stubborn belly fat. To achieve lasting results, you must also maintain a balanced diet rich in healthy foods and a regular exercise schedule.

What to drink in the morning to lose weight? ›

5 Morning Drinks that May Help You Lose Weight
  • Warm lemon water. Drinking lukewarm lemon water in morning helps with digestion, boosts metabolism and promotes weight loss. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Cumin seeds water. ...
  • Herbal detox tea. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar drink.
Oct 20, 2023

What exercise equipment burns the most belly fat? ›

The following are among the most popular and effective workout machines used for reducing belly fat.
  • Treadmill.
  • Elliptical.
  • Stairmaster.
  • Stationary bike.
  • Rowing machine.
Nov 10, 2020

What is the 30 30 30 rule? ›

The rule includes eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning and then doing 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise.

What exercise burns the most belly fat in 2 weeks? ›

Aim to do ab work three or four times a week on non-consecutive days with at least 24 hours of rest in between sessions, says Gagliardi. During those sessions, you can start with simpler moves like crunches, bicycle crunches, and planks.

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