Here are the best exercises and workouts to lose belly fat
People may be more susceptible to weight loss ads this new year, expert says
When many people think of losing weight, one of the first things that comes to mind is getting a totally toned and taut tummy. After all, who doesn’t want to be able to slip into a pair of jeans without having to deal with a muffin top? Plus, losing belly fat is a surefire way to improve your health: Research links a larger waist size to heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. That said, we hate to break it to you, but doing hundreds of crunches every day isn’t the best way to lose belly fat. In fact, exercises that promote spot reduction just don’t exist.
“Spot reduction isn’t a viable approach to losing belly fat,” explains fitness trainer and nutrition expert Corey Phelps, creator of the Cultivate by Corey Fitness Program. “But there are some great core-focused exercises that will torch fat all over the body, resulting in a strong and more chiseled core.”
Celebrity trainer and nutrition expert Jillian Michaels also says that doing a variety of exercises that combine cardio, strength, and core work will ultimately help you reduce body fat. “I’m a big fan of exercises that are core-focused, but work multiple muscle groups simultaneously with a HIIT component for added calorie burn,” she says.
Here are the best exercises and workouts to lose belly fat, according to personal trainers. Need more workout inspiration? Pick up the Tone Up in 15 workout DVD, which is filled with 15-minute total-body workouts that you can do at home.
Burpees
Mountain Climbers
Turkish Get-Up
Sprawls
Medicine Ball Burpees
Overhead Medicine Ball Slams
Side-to-Side Medicine Ball Slams
Russian Twists
BOSU Ball Planks
Running On an Incline
Rowing Machine
HIITStrength Training
Yoga
Walking
Heading into the new year, there’s always a spike in ads for diets or weight loss products. A nutrition expert tells us people may be more susceptible to them this year.
“Many people did gain weight during the stay-at-home orders, and just the change in their life, the increase in stress and are very aware of it,” said Debbie Petitpain, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Petitpain urges caution on anything promoting rapid weight loss. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“You’re not really looking to go on a diet. If you go on a diet, that means one day you have to come off it and we all know what happens when that happens. What you’re really looking to do is create that lifestyle shift,” said Petitpain.
She says small changes are more likely to stick long-term and would be easier to manage on top of the stress of 2020.
Think things like making sure you eat enough fruit and veggies or cutting at least one sugary drink each day.
“Most of the added sugar that we’re taking in comes from beverages. So, even a simple swap, of say going from one sugary drink like a soda or a sports drink a day to water can end up saving you about 2,000 teaspoons of sugar one year later,” said Petitpain.
Petitpain says people should remember your overall health isn’t just about weight. Other things like getting enough sleep and limiting alcohol will also help you feel your best.
