- Losing belly fat involves altering your dietary habits and making healthier choices. Certain foods such as fried foods, fatty foods and sugary foods play a role in belly fat. They feature a high-calorie and high-fat content, which can result in excess weight. To lose the bulge, you'll need to eliminate these foods from your diet, or consume them in moderation. Evaluate your eating habits and select healthier foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and nuts. Also, reduce your sodium intake, which can lead to fluid retention, and decrease your consumption of alcohol, which can slow your metabolism.
- To speed your weight loss efforts and obtain flatter ab muscles, start a regular exercise routine. High-impact and low-impact cardio workouts burn fat and calories, wherein you're able to shed belly fat. Along with cardio workouts, ab or core exercises strengthen the ab muscles, resulting in a slimmer, more defined mid-section. Core workouts include sit-ups, side crunches and leg lifts. Additionally, exercises such as pilates and certain dances (i.e., salsa, samba, bellydancing) target the abdominal muscles. Exercise for at least 90 minutes a week--more if possible.
- Along with diet and exercise, drinking water can help your weight loss efforts. Fluid retention caused by a high-sodium diet and certain prescription medications can add several pounds to your body. What's more, fluid retention is common in the abdomen. To lose water weight and slim the stomach, increase your fluid intake. Water is best, and it functions as a natural diuretic. In moderation, caffeine can also work as a diuretic, which flushes excess fluids from the body. Drink between eight and 10 glasses of water a day to combat extra weight.
