4 Ways to Lose Belly Fat

Information from the latest Nutrition and Health Examination Survey shows that Americans’ waistlines are bigger than ever, because of “poor eating, poor sleeping and a more stressful life,” Stephen Francis, a personal trainer at the TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion tells Local 12’s Liz Bones. Researchers found that the average waist size in both men and women is now 39 inches. The problem is that anything above 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men raises heart attack risk. Visceral Fat: What is it? Visceral Fat: What is it? When it comes to slimming down, it’s important to get rid of visceral fat, which is the fat inside the body that surrounds internal organs. Stephen says the best ways to minimize this visceral fat are to: 

Exercise #1: Exercise Aerobic exercises – working out on a cross-trainer, for example, which works the core – are the best way to beat belly fat. You can also run or walk to keep your midsection slim – and that's how Leann Briggs keeps her abdominal area trim. “It’s fantastic,” she says. “It’s one of the best things that has gotten rid of the belly fat.”

#2: Eat a Healthy Diet : Eat a Healthy Diet In terms of diet, focus on eating fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Also, eat in small meals throughout the day.

#3: Sleep : Sleep Aim for seven hours of sleep each night. “Most studies are finding that adults that get less than seven hours of sleep have more visceral body fat, which is the tire around the waist,” Stephen explains.

#4: Manage Stress As for how to manage stress, Steve says: “Exercise is also a way to deal with stress management, so you can actually, by exercising, get in two of the four.”