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Belly Fat Reduction

Banishing stomach weight is easier said than done, and there are different causes of belly fat. In fact, identifying factors that trigger your belly fat is one key to transforming your body. Reducing belly weight often involves lifestyle changes such as modifying your diet and exercising more.

  1. Your Activity Level

    • It's no secret, a sedentary life can bring on a host of medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver. Zero activity also increases your weight and plays a major role in belly fat. Therefore, if you want to reduce your belly fat and achieve a slimmer physique, you'll need to devise an exercise routine and stick with this routine. It doesn't take much to get into shape and drop a few pounds. But you do need a willing spirit, and consistency is key. Start slow and go for a walk around the block. Once you've adjusted, take it a step further and increase your intensity. Start jogging or go to the gym. Cardio is excellent for burning fat. These high-impact exercises (jogging and aerobics) increase your heart rate and boost your metabolism. But don't forget to incorporate core exercises such as crunches, leg lifts and pilates to flatten and tone your mid-section.

    Eliminate Junk Foods

    • Fatty foods and sugary foods can impede any weight loss effort. And if you want to reduce your belly fat, it's time to make a few sacrifices and give up your favorite treats--at least temporarily. It's okay to enjoy an occasional treat; but bad foods shouldn't be your main staple. Adopt healthier eating habits and remove high-fat and refined sugars from your diet. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and incorporate other healthy options into your diet such as whole grains, beans, nuts and lean meats. According to Healthcastle.com, eat five to six small meals a day to avoid stuffing yourself or overeating; this also helps to decrease your daily calories.

    Ways to Reduce Water Retention

    • Lack of physical activity and poor diet aren't the only belly weight triggers. If you can't seem to lose the bulge, perhaps the problem isn't fat, but rather water weight. It's easy to mistake water weight for fat. But on a positive note, you can shed water weight quickly and stop bloating. Medications, a high-sodium diet and dehydration can bring on fluid retention. To lose water weight--and hopefully reduce your stomach weight--talk to your doctor about switching medications or taking a diuretic. According to Mayoclinic.com, you can also control water retention by eating less sodium--no more than 2,400 mg each day--and by drinking eight glasses of water a day to release excess fluid in your body.

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