The desire for a flat stomach is shared by both men and women alike. The weight loss industry is worth billions of dollars and companies are making a killing with supplements and exercise equipment which promise fast results.
The truth is that the "ab coaster" the "ab flyer" and even the "abdoer twist" won't help you get a flat stomach.
There are only 2 ways to get a flat stomach; exercise and dieting. Sticking to one works, but if you want faster results, do both.
Diet
1. Eat smaller meals, more often
Eating 5-6 small meals a day can go a long way in your quest to get a flat stomach. You might think that by eating more, you would gain weight. After all, it does sound very logical. But this would only happen if you were to eat the same sized portions as before.
Eating smaller meals throughout the day boosts you metabolism so your body is constantly in fat burning mode.
Make sure each meal contains healthy fat, protein, fibre and low GI carbohydrates for best results.
2. Drink 8 glasses of water a day
Not only does water give your skin a healthy glow but it helps with weight loss as well. Water distributes vitamins and minerals throughout your body and acts as a natural detoxifier. If you are craving food, drink more water instead. Water acts as an appetite suppressant.
3. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is just empty calories which means that it has no nutritional value. A couple of drinks might make you feel good, but alcohol is an enemy of weight loss. Try switching to water instead; your body and mind will thank you.
4. No more late night snacks
Try to avoid late night snacking at all costs. If the temptation becomes too great, first, try drinking more water so you feel more full. If that doesn't work, snack on fruit; it is a much healthier option.
Your body slows down when you sleep so you can't digest food properly, the food you ate a couple of hours before going to bed will turn into fat. This is why late night snacking should be avoided.
5. Have a cheat day
Depriving yourself from your favourite foods will sooner or later catch up with you. You can find yourself raiding the fridge at 2 in the morning if you aren't careful.
Therefore, once a week, have a cheat day. On that day you can eat anything your taste buds desire. This will help motivate you to stick to your diet plan as you will have something to look forward to.
These are just a few guidelines to follow to start eating healthier. The best advice I can give you is to listen to your mind. If your mind is telling you that you shouldn't be eating something then don't eat it and vice versa.
Exercise
1. Cardio
There is no better way to get a flat stomach than by doing cardio. The best thing is that you can get your weekly cardio in by doing something you enjoy. If you enjoy basketball, organize a game with your colleagues or friends. If you love to swim, go the beach or the swimming pool etc.
It goes without saying that the more often you do cardio the better, but try to aim for at least 2-3 times a week.
2. Ab Exercises
Good old ab exercises. Many know how to do them but just as many hate doing them.
Somewhere along the line, people thought that by just doing ab crunches, they could get a flat stomach. The truth is that you have to lose the belly fat first and then do crunches to see any results. Ab exercises will strengthen and tone your abs, not help you lose weight.
Here is a great video on Youtube which you can follow a couple of times a week (anymore than that will overwork the area).
Here is a great (free) website with all the ab exercises you need to know with images on how to do them.
Exercise and diet. These are the only 2 things which you need to do to get a flat stomach. Informercials promising a flat stomach in a week, are to put it bluntly, lying. There is no quick fix. Just like anything else in life, hard work and persistence will get you the results you want.
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