Belly fat can be particularly challenging to lose because it’s more than just unsightly—it’s unhealthy, increasing your risk of diabetes and other health conditions. If you’re unhappy with the way your belly looks and are ready to do something about it, these 5 ways to say goodbye to belly fat will help you shed the weight once and for all.
1) Cut out Sugary Drinks
Drinking too many sugary drinks is never a good idea. Sugary drinks, including energy drinks and sodas, are bad for your health and can exacerbate belly fat loss. Opt for naturally sweetened beverages like tea or water instead of soda. If you must have something with caffeine, opt for something herbal like green tea instead of soda. Cutting out sugar will reduce calories and increase weight loss over time.
And even though sugar is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, etc., it’s important to be mindful of how much sugar you’re consuming per serving; try not to exceed 10% of your daily recommended amount (2 tsp).
If losing weight is one of your goals in 2017, check out these tips on how to say goodbye to belly fat once and for all!
2) Eat Complex Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates are simple sugars that are readily processed by your body. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates take longer for your body to break down and digest, so you’ll feel fuller longer. Examples of complex carbs include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. For a healthy belly fat loss plan, avoid highly processed snacks such as candy bars and chips.
3) Eat Protein Before Carbs
For dieters, eating protein before carbs can help you lose belly fat. Here’s why: Protein takes longer for your body to break down and digest than carbs. Eating a combination of carbs and protein, on the other hand, causes your body to digest and burn calories faster. Research shows that dieters with a high-protein breakfast were more likely to stick with their diet than those who ate cereal or bagels (11). In fact, people trying to shed fat should make it a habit of eating all their meals slowly—it will naturally help you feel fuller longer. Skipping breakfast isn’t easy, but it will certainly pay off in weight loss by keeping you full until lunchtime!
4) Keep Food Logs
Do you eat well 80 percent of the time, but let yourself go during meal times or snack breaks? One of your biggest barriers to belly fat loss is eating too many excess calories, so one solution is to keep food logs. Use a notebook and jot down every bite you take during an entire day. You'll be amazed at how often our calorie-dense meals are actually loaded with extra calories.
5) Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
When it comes to losing belly fat, exercise is often thought of as just a means of burning calories. Sure, you’ll lose some weight through physical activity—anywhere from 5 percent and 50 percent more than your current weight, depending on how much and how hard you work out. But don’t forget that what you do with your body when you aren’t working out matters, too.
