Simple abdominal workouts can help burn stomach fat, according to Prevention's Shortcut to Big Weight Loss ( Rodale Press, Inc. December 2007) by Chris Freytag. By properly managing stress, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, a person can lose abdominal fat and have a flatter stomach.
Abdominal Workouts for a Flatter Stomach
It is recommended that a person should keep the stomach muscles tightened at all times while exercising. This is the only way that abdominal workouts can be effective in helping a person have a flatter stomach. This is why some people still have belly fat even though they do rigorous stomach exercises.
Freytag recommends doing the bicycle exercise to help burn stomach fat. Lie on the floor with the knees raised above the floor at a 90-degree angle. Tighten the stomach muscles. The hands should be clasped behind the head. Slowly raise the head and shoulders off of the floor. Bring the right knee towards the chest while straightening the left leg out until it is parallel to the floor.
While doing this, raise and twist the torso so that the left elbow moves towards the right knee. Resume the starting position and then repeat the process starting with the left knee.
Simple Belly Fat Exercises
The balancing side twist is another suggested exercise. Stand with the right leg raised at a 90-degree angle. Extend the arms in front of the body at shoulder level. Slightly curve the arms as if in a hugging position with the hands connected at the fingertips.
Bring the navel in towards the spine and move the hips forward. Turn the upper body as far to the left as possible. Keep the hips straight. Resume the starting position. Do a few repetitions. Then repeat the exercise with the left leg elevated.
Burn Stomach Fat While Resting
According Freytag, a person can actually lose abdominal fat by relaxing. The reason for this is that stress stimulates the production of cortisol, a hormone that causes fat to accumulate in the stomach. Exercise helps reduce cortisol levels. Relaxation techniques such as positive visualization can do the same thing.
Sleep can also affect a person's waistline. Freytag points to a Quebec study that found that people can burn stomach fat by getting enough sleep. Researchers found that sleep deprivation causes the body to produce more cortisol. A lack of sleep also increases a person's appetite. According to the study's findings, people who sleep for at least seven hours a night produce more leptin, a hormone that curbs hunger.
See the article titled Reduce Thigh Fat With Easy Leg Toning Exercises for tips on keeping the legs in shape. The article titled Reduce Body Fat With a Cellulite Diet provides information about slimming foods. The article Cellulite Exercise Routines for Slimmer Thighs offers more information on reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Jennifer Graham - Jennifer Graham is a Writer/Producer for a video production company. She helps create videos that raise awareness to health related ...
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