In continuation with my
Beautiful Confidence series, today's post highlights healthy habits for losing stubborn belly fat and tips for a flatter stomach as bikini season nears. Stubborn belly fat is one of those annoyances that sticks around and doesn't go away, like a lurking ex-boyfriend. However, there are ways to evict that muffin top and create six-pack abs for the Summer season.
1. Eat clean
There is an infamous saying that goes, "abs are built in the kitchen." From my experience, this is absolutely true. There are moments where we all cheat and get tempted by pizza or pasta, which is perfectly fine in limitations. When it's time to slim down, eating junk food all day will not help in the weight-loss process. Therefore, the goal is to eat clean or unprocessed foods such as:
Fruits - Apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, mangoes, etc.
Vegetables - Kale, spinach, romaine, cabbage, bell peppers, mushrooms
Carbs - Sweet potatoes, brown rice, gluten-free oats, gluten-free pasta, quinoa
Protein - Lean meats like chicken breasts or lean beef, white fish like tilapia, salmon, whey protein, egg whites, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese
Healthy Fats - Coconut oil, avocado, fish oil, nuts, flax seeds
2. Eat more often
No, you didn't read that incorrectly. Many people mistake starving themselves as the miracle weight-loss solution when in reality, it only makes things worse for the body and metabolism. Eating the correct amount of protein, whole foods and healthy fats, promotes fat loss. On the other hand, starving oneself will have a domino effect where the body is deprived of nutrients after so long. Therefore, it will scream "feed me everything" at one point. Eating at least 5-6 small meals per day will also help the body burn muscle into energy, in conjunction with healthy exercise. By eating every three hours, the body won't starve and you will feel satisfied. Some tips include:
Eat proteins, vegetables/fruits with every meal
Eat carbohydrates after workouts only
3. Drink more water
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day is not only good for cleansing out the body and the detoxification process, but it may be the solution for what the mind believes to be hunger. Sometimes the body is dehydrated rather than hungry. Drinking a glass of water before and after each meal helps reduce overeating and allows for better digestion.
4. Boost up cardio and get stronger
Cardio helps to burn fat quicker, while weightlifting strengthens the muscles and increases fat loss. Ever since I began lifting weights, I've noticed a drastic change in the definition of my body and my ability to eat more (which is a plus for me because I love food)! If you aren't sure what to do, start small by walking or jogging for 30 minutes per day and lifting for 30-45 minutes. Slowly begin to increase the cardio time and reps.
5. Try a skin toning solution
Lately, I've been applying the
Bliss Fat Girl Slim Six Pack tummy-toning gel to my stomach for more definition in my abs. After having a baby, the skin on my lower abs isn't as firm. Therefore, the Fat Girl Slim Six Pack gel has been helping me to tighten and tone to prepare for bikini season. Obviously this is no magic solution where it's applied to the stomach and magically a six-pack appears the next day. It requires a combination of a healthy diet, exercise and the tummy-toning gel. The treatment contains 6 active ingredients: caffeine plus amino acids, creatine, oat kernel extract, latex-rich manikara tree extract, menthol and a special botanical extract. I apply it post-workout and massage it into the skin for about 20-30 seconds with the massaging applicator.
*Sponsored by Bliss
