Some parts of the body hold on to fat longer than others. If you are like many people, no matter how much you exercise or how carefully you eat, those stubborn spots don’t seem to want to go away. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as targeting an area for weight loss. Your body has a mind of its own, regardless of your wishes. (Updated Oct 4, 2022)
Boost Your Metabolism
Boosting your metabolism will energize your whole body. Keeping your body working at a higher level will use up more calories to burn belly fat and tone other troublesome areas.
“Metabolism” is an over-arching term that covers all the chemical processes that take place in your body to perpetuate life: from breaking down food to cells using energy (calories) from nutrients.
Nutrition and activity are therefore the two key factors in your individual metabolism. Genetics also play a part in how your body functions internally.
Curious? Watch the video below for a brief tutorial on metabolism:
Your metabolic rate is important in the context of weight loss because a rapid metabolism will increase energy expenditure. To get rid of those last pockets of unsightly bulges, increasing your metabolism will help to burn off fat even after you’ve stopped exercising.
Belly Fat Burning Workout
The following exercises can be done at home to get your heart pumping, blood flowing, and cells working overtime.
Interval training works by alternating bursts of intense activity with short breaks, promoting anaerobic capacity. Don’t try to do them all at once: the rest between sets is as important as performing the exercise.
This group of three exercises will take five minutes to do but the effects will continue to help burn belly fat long after your workout.
1. Bear Crawl
Engaging your core will tone and strengthen your torso. Form is important: your back should remain absolutely flat throughout so that the abdominal muscles are doing most of the work.
Steps:
- Kneel on the floor with your knees directly below hips. Place your hands on the floor in front of you so that they are directly below the shoulders.
- Raise your knees slightly off the floor by pushing up on the balls of your feet.
- Crawl forward with opposite-side arms and legs together: right arm/left leg forward, then left arm/right leg forward, keeping heels off the floor and weight evenly distributed between the balls of the feet and the hands. Make sure to keep your back straight and your hips low.
- Take 10 steps forward and 10 steps back. It’s harder than it sounds and may take a little practice to perfect the form.
- Rest for 30-60 seconds and do as many reps as you like.
2. Cross-Switch Jumps
Lunges work your core, back, glutes, and quadriceps.
Make sure your lunge form is correct before you pick up speed—check in the mirror to verify that your head, neck, and back are aligned with the back leg. Also, the front knee should be directly over the ankle so you don’t strain the joints. Both knees should be at 90° angles.
If you’re new to lunges, start with simple lunges first before quickening the pace.
