After the holidays, it can be normal for many to feel like they need to loosen up your belt a notch or two to allow for those few extra pounds that have popped up around the waist. Fortunately, with the right training it is absolutely possible to tone up and develop a strong core without super strict diets or hours and hours of rigorous exercise. Following are three simple, tried and tested methods to tame that tummy easily and quickly.
1. Pick the Right Exercise
We can all agree that regular exercise is key to staying healthy and balancing stress in our lives. However, most of us don’t have the time to spend hours in the gym. So if a six-pack (or just a slightly trimmer middle area!) is your goal, skip the hours slow-rolling it on the treadmill, incorporate in a few HIIT workouts each week with our favorite belly-blasting exercises below to reach your goals in a snap.
- Bicycle crunches
- Standing cross-body crunches
- Longarm crunch
- Reverse dumbbell chop
- Reverse crunches
- Plank jack
- Side plank
- Flutter kicks
- V Ups
- Side squat reach
- Leg lifts
2. Mind Your Diet
We’ve all heard the adage that “you are what you eat,” and it is so very true which is why it is important to be mindful not only of your exercise routine, but also the choices you are making in your diet. Minor changes in your eating habits can help in a pretty significant way, here are a few cardinal rules when it comes to losing belly fat.
- Eat slowly and chew the food properly to avoid bloating or indigestion. This will also keep you from overeating.
- Switch your ordinary table salt with natural sea salt or kosher salt. These salts are low in sodium, which is why they help you avoid bloating.
- Avoid consuming simple carbohydrates. It is best to limit foods like pasta and white bread. A healthier option is to opt for protein-packed timely meals.
- Avoid eating late at night. It is advisable to stop eating at least four hours before you hit the bed.
3. Manage Stress
Elevated stress levels can wreak havoc on your body and oddly many of us show stress in the form of belly fat accumulation. From migraines and acne to a bulging belly, stress hormones can do a lot of damage. This is why the importance of taking the time to relax and unwind cannot be emphasized enough. Make sure to incorporate breathing exercises and other activities that help to calm your nerves and keep you present-focused. Whether you take up yoga, meditation, or simply go for a refreshing walk daily, self-care is the secret to a healthy body and mind.
So, if you are ready to lose those extra pounds around your middle, come see us a few times a week for an amazing HIIT workout combined with some great core work, tweak eating habits where needed, and take the time to de-stress your body and mind.