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

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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 to lose belly fat in 2 weeks? ›

10 surprising ways to lose belly fat
  1. Focus on plant fibre. Soluble fibre, found in plant foods like flaxseeds and avocado, has been found to help reduce abdominal fat. ...
  2. Pack in the protein. ...
  3. Eat calcium and vitamin D-rich foods. ...
  4. Choose an eating 'window' ...
  5. Get sound sleep. ...
  6. Quit smoking.
Jun 4, 2024

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.

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 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

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat? ›

Five foods that may help burn belly fat include:
  • foods with soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • foods with protein like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
  • fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
  • foods with probiotics like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • green tea.

What to drink to lose belly fat? ›

Here are five drinks that, when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, may help you achieve your goal of losing belly fat:
  • Cucumber and mint infused water. ...
  • Ginger tea. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Lemon water. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar (ACV) drink.
Apr 4, 2024

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.

Can I shrink my stomach in a week? ›

While it's not possible to shrink your stomach, it is possible to change how your stomach adjusts to hunger and feelings of fullness. Researchers have found that over time, you can become accustomed to feeling fuller with smaller amounts of food.

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.

How to shred belly fat fast? ›

The way to do that, she says, will probably come as no surprise: You need to burn more calories than you take in by exercising more and eating less. You can get even more bang for your buck when you manage sleep and stress as part of your belly fat-burning plan.

How can a woman in her 50s lose belly fat? ›

Eat a healthy diet.
  1. Focusing on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  2. Choosing lean sources of protein, such as fish and low-fat dairy products.
  3. Limiting processed meats, as well as the saturated fat that's found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter.

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 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What is the highest fat burning exercise? ›

Running burns the most calories per hour. But if running isn't your thing, there are other calorie-burning exercises like HIIT workouts, jumping rope, and swimming. You can do any combination of these exercises according to your preferences and fitness level.

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