Getting rid of belly fat is no easy task and it’s something that is on almost everyone’s list of New Year resolutions. Unfortunately, you can’t have a flat belly without diet and exercise, but we must not think of dieting as a way of limiting foods, but as a way of introducing new foods and recipes. The same goes for exercising, which can actually be a lot of fun when you find the right fitness routine that makes you feel energized and strong because as an added bonus you’ll get a flat belly.
Food
There are different types of foods that can help you blast belly fat, without much effort and these are some that have to be part of your daily diet:
Green tea: Drinking tea throughout the morning is good for weight loss. Green tea has compounds called catechins, which help blast fat by boosting your metabolism and increasing the release of fat from fat cells.
Whole grains: If you love rice, there’s a healthier alternative. Switch to unrefined carbs like oats, quinoa, brown rice, and wheat products that are high in fiber, which make you feel full longer and eat less.
Spice it up: Eating spicy food helps with inflammation and it even interferes with the formation of new fat cells. So add black pepper to everything, and add some cayenne, chili powder, and salsa to all your food, it’s good for you.
Cooking oil: Changing your cooking oil is a big step towards eating healthier. Skip the fried foods, but if you really need to use oil, switch your traditional corn oil to canola, coconut, or olive oil, which helps you stay lean.
Dark chocolate: If you have a taste for something sweet always go for the dark chocolate. Research shows that eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can reduce overall body fat and shrink the waist. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so make sure you buy quality dark chocolate that has at least 70% cacao.
Beans: A bowl of beans is simply delicious, but they are rich in fiber and can lessen the accumulation of abdominal fat deposits. Soluble fiber found in beans can decrease your visceral fat over time, but if they leave you feeling bloated, make sure you presoak them, to get rid of the gas-causing oligosaccharides.
Nuts: Most people eat almonds after a workout or between meals because polyunsaturated fats activate genes that reduce fat storage and improve insulin metabolism. Walnuts are also good for you, especially since you can snack on them and not gain any weight.
Exercise
The days of doing 100 crunches to have a flat belly are over. Now there are a variety of workouts that can help you blast belly fat and in a shorter period of time. One of the best ways to lose belly fat is to do yoga or mat exercises like these:
But, if yoga is not your cup of tea and you like dancing, then a more high-intensity workout might just be what you’re looking for:
Some of the best workouts are the ones that you do in the comfort of your own home. Many times you go to the gym to use the machines or to do a class, but they might not target the specific areas that you are having trouble with, which is why this workout is perfect because it requires no equipment.
Make your health a priority this year and if you want to look great for the summer, start working on your belly fat blasting goals today!