3 Tips for a Flat Stomach
by Kevin DiDonato, MS, CSCS, CES
QUESTION: What is the BEST way to shred BELLY FAT?
ANSWER: There are many, many different approaches you should consider when you’re looking to shred belly fat.
Although this is a great question, it’s a very complicated question to answer.
You see, there are people who feel that X-Y-Z will work for EVERYONE.
And then there are some other people that only feel ONE way is the right approach.
But what they may not understand is this: weight loss can be very simple, or it can be very complicated.
So let’s start from scratch. Have a seat and get ready for a crash-course on fat cell anatomy, fat loss, and how to get the “six-pack” that everyone is after.
Fat Cell Anatomy
Now, before we begin, you should understand a little bit about fat cells.
First, they are NOT just pockets that hold fatty acids for later use. This theory was smashed years ago!
Although that is one of their jobs (storing and releasing fatty acids for energy) it is NOT their primary job.
You see, recently studies have shown that fat cells are actually an endocrine organ – yes an organ that releases hormones.
And the hormones that fat cells release may make or break your fat loss results.
You see, fat cells release two powerful fat burning hormones – adiponectin and leptin – which help regulate glucose metabolism, appetite, and when and how much fat you need to release and burn.
However, sometimes your body either doesn’t respond appropriately to those hormones, or there is not enough of the hormones produced and released from your fat cells.
And this may lead to poor appetite control, altered energy metabolism, and a host of other complications.
Now, you also should know that you have fat cells EVERYWHERE!
They are not just stationed over your abs, but they are spread all over your body, which may be another misconception.
And this makes the age-old spot reduction techniques obsolete.
I know it’s hard to believe!
You can’t spot reduce! When you start a diet or an exercise program, you start to burn fat from ALL OVER YOUR BODY and not in certain areas, like your abs.
In fact, sometimes your abs may be the last place you – and others – will notice have totally shrunk and melted away!
So what should you do to turn on your fat burning genes?
The Plan
There are plenty of things you can do to lose fat – that you may have tried and stopped – because you didn’t see immediate results.
Remember, it took you how long to put the weight on? Usually months or years – so it will take that long or longer to strip that fat away.
Here are some of the basics you need to know in order to burn your fat:
1. Eat the Right Diet
Of course, in order to burn fat, you have to eat right.
And eating right doesn’t mean eating out more…
Or eating fast food more…
It means eating the right foods – at the right times - and in the right combinations.
You want to focus on whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbs.
Now, eating these foods is not enough. You need to eat them in the right combinations in order to burn the fat and lose the weight.
Eating too many carbs and not enough protein, for example, may lead to fat storage instead of burning the fat.
You want to make sure your portions are where they need to be. A good rule of thumb: YOUR open hand = good portion of protein, and YOUR closed fist = good portion of complex carbs.
Eating the right way will go a long way in your ability to burn fat and keep it off!
2. Exercise the RIGHT Way
If you want to burn the fat, you need to move your body.
Exercise is great for, not only making you look good naked, but for expending calories – which is the basis to weight and fat loss.
It not only expends calories, but it also builds lean and toned muscles, which is what gives you the lean, mean, and trim look.
So what should you do?
A combination of strength training, high-intensity training, and cardio!
Yes, although cardio is NOT the best exercise to burn extra fat, it is necessary for added calorie burn and weight loss.
You should do cardio at least one or two days per week, alternating days of high-intensity interval training in between.
And, you need to do strength training. This helps to build the lean muscle mass stores on your body, which is also a potent metabolism-boosting tissue!
This should help you expend calories, build lean muscle mass, and utilize more fat for energy to fuel your workouts!
The BEST Way to a Flatter Stomach
If you’re looking for a flatter stomach, leaner body, and greater fat loss, then look no further than the steps above.
Not only will they help you to tone and trim up your whole body, but they will help you shed years of unwanted fat stores.
So what are you waiting for?
The body of your dreams is only a few short months away! Start implementing these tips today, and soon you will have a leaner and fitter body that lacks excess belly fat – and overall fat!
QUESTION: What is the BEST way to shred BELLY FAT?
ANSWER: There are many, many different approaches you should consider when you’re looking to shred belly fat.
Although this is a great question, it’s a very complicated question to answer.
You see, there are people who feel that X-Y-Z will work for EVERYONE.
And then there are some other people that only feel ONE way is the right approach.
But what they may not understand is this: weight loss can be very simple, or it can be very complicated.
So let’s start from scratch. Have a seat and get ready for a crash-course on fat cell anatomy, fat loss, and how to get the “six-pack” that everyone is after.
Fat Cell Anatomy
Now, before we begin, you should understand a little bit about fat cells.
First, they are NOT just pockets that hold fatty acids for later use. This theory was smashed years ago!
Although that is one of their jobs (storing and releasing fatty acids for energy) it is NOT their primary job.
You see, recently studies have shown that fat cells are actually an endocrine organ – yes an organ that releases hormones.
And the hormones that fat cells release may make or break your fat loss results.
You see, fat cells release two powerful fat burning hormones – adiponectin and leptin – which help regulate glucose metabolism, appetite, and when and how much fat you need to release and burn.
However, sometimes your body either doesn’t respond appropriately to those hormones, or there is not enough of the hormones produced and released from your fat cells.
And this may lead to poor appetite control, altered energy metabolism, and a host of other complications.
Now, you also should know that you have fat cells EVERYWHERE!
They are not just stationed over your abs, but they are spread all over your body, which may be another misconception.
And this makes the age-old spot reduction techniques obsolete.
I know it’s hard to believe!
You can’t spot reduce! When you start a diet or an exercise program, you start to burn fat from ALL OVER YOUR BODY and not in certain areas, like your abs.
In fact, sometimes your abs may be the last place you – and others – will notice have totally shrunk and melted away!
So what should you do to turn on your fat burning genes?
The Plan
There are plenty of things you can do to lose fat – that you may have tried and stopped – because you didn’t see immediate results.
Remember, it took you how long to put the weight on? Usually months or years – so it will take that long or longer to strip that fat away.
Here are some of the basics you need to know in order to burn your fat:
1. Eat the Right Diet
Of course, in order to burn fat, you have to eat right.
And eating right doesn’t mean eating out more…
Or eating fast food more…
It means eating the right foods – at the right times - and in the right combinations.
You want to focus on whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbs.
Now, eating these foods is not enough. You need to eat them in the right combinations in order to burn the fat and lose the weight.
Eating too many carbs and not enough protein, for example, may lead to fat storage instead of burning the fat.
You want to make sure your portions are where they need to be. A good rule of thumb: YOUR open hand = good portion of protein, and YOUR closed fist = good portion of complex carbs.
Eating the right way will go a long way in your ability to burn fat and keep it off!
2. Exercise the RIGHT Way
If you want to burn the fat, you need to move your body.
Exercise is great for, not only making you look good naked, but for expending calories – which is the basis to weight and fat loss.
It not only expends calories, but it also builds lean and toned muscles, which is what gives you the lean, mean, and trim look.
So what should you do?
A combination of strength training, high-intensity training, and cardio!
Yes, although cardio is NOT the best exercise to burn extra fat, it is necessary for added calorie burn and weight loss.
You should do cardio at least one or two days per week, alternating days of high-intensity interval training in between.
And, you need to do strength training. This helps to build the lean muscle mass stores on your body, which is also a potent metabolism-boosting tissue!
This should help you expend calories, build lean muscle mass, and utilize more fat for energy to fuel your workouts!
The BEST Way to a Flatter Stomach
If you’re looking for a flatter stomach, leaner body, and greater fat loss, then look no further than the steps above.
Not only will they help you to tone and trim up your whole body, but they will help you shed years of unwanted fat stores.
So what are you waiting for?
The body of your dreams is only a few short months away! Start implementing these tips today, and soon you will have a leaner and fitter body that lacks excess belly fat – and overall fat!
