How to Lose Stomach Fat

Exercise is important if you want a toned, trim abdomen.

Many people are self-conscious about their stomachs. In the age of the bare midriff, a flat, toned belly has become one of the most desirable of attributes. Fat around the midsection is stubbornly hard to get rid of, but it can be done.

Things You'll Need

• Workout clothes
• Gym access

Instructions

1. Quit drinking alcohol. A "beer belly" is layers of fat caused by consumption of more calories than you're burning off. Alcohol has a lot of empty calories. Try a low-carb or low-calorie beverage instead.

2. Watch your diet. Try for low-fat foods when possible. Eat many small meals rather a few large ones. Practice portion control. Fat around the middle comes from the same place all the other fat comes from--your diet.

3. Find a workout routine that combines cardio, weightlifting and stretching. You can't really "target your abs," except for toning muscle. Fat loss occurs throughout the body, and exercise is required for building strength and burning calories.

4. Consider liposuction only as a last resort and only if you are willing to completely change your lifestyle afterward. Liposuction fixes the symptoms of an unhealthy lifestyle, not the underlying problem. You'll be back where you started if you don't change your eating and exercise habits.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid scams that make promises along the lines of "Lose Belly Fat Fast!" Taking diet pills can be dangerous, and spending huge amounts of money on "secret methods" won't help, either.

• Limit salt and sodium intake to reduce excess water weight.

• Don't diet yourself down to 110 lbs. if you are 5 foot 10 inches and big-boned. Remember, media images aren't an accurate reflection of how all human bodies should look. If you are a healthy weight for your height, you may just have a faulty body image.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish