This has to be one of the questions i get asked the most. Lots of us worry about the extra pounds around the middle section and it is important to keep it to a safe level. It is not just a case of doing hundreds of crunches or similar exercises as this area of the body has a lot to do with eating the right food.  Here are my top tips for reducing fat in the belly area:

  • Reduce sugary foods and refined carbs.  Sugar will give you a short lived lift but then has no nutritional value and will add to your fat deposits if its not burned off during exercise. Some carbs are good but if you are trying to target the fat around your middle section, you should try to avoid too much, bread pasta, white rice and sweet desserts, for starters
  • Avoid trans fats, whether naturally or artificially made, they can be dangerous to your health and can lead to weight gain. They are typically found in fast foods and added to foods to increase the shelf life.  Eliminate as much processed foods as possible and try to cook from fresh where possible.
  • Increase your exercise.  Core exercise is very important to improve strength and tone to the tummy area in particular. However to reduce fat levels the ideal exercise is HIIT, aerobic and cardio.  Remember to reduce overall weight you need to be burning more calories than you are consuming. If you have any particular questions on this type of exercise drop me a line,  as I teach these classes every week and happy to advise the best routine for you.
  • Reduce stress levels. It may not be obvious to some,  but stress and anxiety can prevent you from losing weight, and even increase your weight.  When we are stressed we create the stress hormone, cortisol, this in turn can slow fat burning down, and increase deposits around the mid section.  Try some relaxation techniques, yoga or do some mediation. Aim for a 3o minute relaxation session each day when feeling particularly anxious or stressed.
  • Last but not least, make sure you are  drinking enough water.  Ideally it is recommended you should drink at least 2 litres of water per day, and more if you are working out. Try using a bottle with measurements on and carry it around with you. Water is essential for a healthy body, but few of us are drinking enough on a daily basis.

I do know this particular area can be so concerning for most ladies. Try not to fixate too much and focus on the things you can do going forward to help reduce or flatten the tummy area.  As always if you need any help  or have concerns drop me a line. You can join us online every week now for online exercise classes, which are great for a healthy mind and body.

Bev x