It is essential to understand that you cannot reduce from a spot – that is, lose body fat from a specific place – to lose belly fat. This is because our bodies are intelligent machines that determine where fat is stored so that it may be easily tapped for energy if the need arises. Historically, this was a matter of life and death, assisting people in avoiding hunger when food supplies ran out.

Expert Advice for a Flat Stomach

If you want to achieve a toned stomach in a healthy and long-term way, here’s some professional advice on how to build lean muscle and improve your nutrition.

  1. Make protein a top priority.

    Long, lean, strong abdominal muscles are usually associated with a “flat stomach,” which can be helped by prioritising protein-dense diets. Protein is one of the three primary macronutrients [also known as macros or dietary groups] that people require to stay alive and well. Protein, in particular, promotes muscle regeneration and the formation of new, lean tissue after exercise.
  2. Increase your focus on technique.

    Exercising without perfect form may imply that you are undervaluing your efforts, and no one wants that. Using momentum or gravity to help you with core practice might lead to injury or wasting your time because you are not targeting the muscles you think you are targeting. It all boils down to mastering proper technique, which entails engaging your deep lower abdominal muscles and coordinating your breathing.
  3. Change up your workouts every week.

    Going all out with HIIT is not the ideal method to get in shape. You can rely on us. After your body has become accustomed to a particular type of exercise, it can be more challenging to see effects because your system has become used to it and is thus more efficient at performing it. Strength training [together with cardio] should be incorporated into your regimen to help limit the chance of injury and ensure you are working on a solid foundation. Are you unsure what defines cardiac exercise? Here’s a quick recap:
    • Running
    • Dancing
    • Cycling
    • Swimming
    • Walking
    • HIIT
    • Spinning
    • Hiking
  4. NEAT activity should be a part of your daily routine.

    You have got your cardio and strength training under control, but what about the general movement that keeps your heart healthy and your weight loss journey moving? This is where the NEAT exercise comes in. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to any movement that is not clearly defined as exercise. Here are several examples:
    • Doing household chores
    • Playing with your kids
    • Moving house
    • Walking the dog
    • Climbing stairs
    • Fidgeting
  5. Be willing to change your goals.

    The beauty of goals is that they may be changed as needed. You may realise that what you want is to get fitter and stronger and that achieving a flat stomach or toned stomach will fall to the bottom of your priority list. Instead, you can aim for a variety of non-aesthetic progress markers. The kicker is that when you set performance goals, you almost always achieve your aesthetic goals as well. If you are curious to learn more about how to have a flat stomach, connect with Vijay Thakkar, the Exercise Science Expert!