What is the best exercise to lose belly fat?
Studies have shown that people with excess belly fat may face a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. So will exercising just your abs help reduce belly fat?
According to cardiac rehabilitation specialist and exercise physiologist Laura Cartwright, of Wrexham Maelor Hospital, scientific evidence shows that it is not possible to reduce fat in a particular area by simply training that area of the body.
The body stores fat as triglycerides, which can be used as fuel anywhere in your body, not just in the exercised area.
Aerobic exercise, along with a healthy diet, is the best way to lose belly fat and overall body fat. This will create a calorie deficit (when you use more calories than you consume), promoting fat loss over time.
Most people can absolutely lose excess belly fat through lifestyle changes, including regular exercise. Illustration: Shutterstock
According toBritish Heart FoundationThis exercise includes any activity that increases your heart rate, such as walking, dancing, running, or swimming. It can also include housework, gardening, and playing with children.
Other types of exercise, such as weight training, Pilates, and yoga, can also help you lose belly fat. Sitting exercises can be an effective way to burn calories and increase your aerobic fitness if you find walking or standing difficult.
Exercise guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. Aim for exercise that leaves you breathless but still able to speak in complete sentences.
Remember to warm up before and cool down after your workout. If you start to feel out of breath, slow down and take a break.
If you're new to exercise, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. You don't need to exercise at a high intensity to burn calories.
Stress and lack of sleep can also interfere with fat loss, as they can increase the stress hormone cortisol, which affects appetite. Activities that reduce stress and promote good sleep can include mindfulness, breathing techniques, and gentle exercises such as tai chi and yoga.
Similarly, according to doctors at Vinmec International General Hospital, one of the amazing health benefits of exercise is reducing belly fat. However, this does not mean that you should only focus on abdominal exercises, because reducing fat in one area of the body is impossible.
According to a recent study, six weeks of ab training had no significant effect on waist circumference or abdominal fat. Instead, weight training or cardio reduced fat all over the body.
In addition, belly fat will be significantly reduced if you regularly do aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, or swimming.
Regular exercise completely prevents the return of belly fat after weight loss. This shows that exercise has a particularly important position in the process of maintaining weight for everyone.
In addition, exercise also helps reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar levels, and improve other metabolic activities related to excess belly fat in the body. Regular exercise is one of the best things people can do to help prolong life, improve health, and prevent disease.
