So you want to tone down that belly fat? Time to hit the floor for thousands of crunches, right? Not so fast.
 
Doing ab crunchs alone won’t get you very far in your quest for a flat stomach. There are little known secrets to getting toned abs that include fun activities such as gardening, basketball, and dancing with some ab specific movements in between for definition. Many of today’s most respected weight loss and fitness experts suggest the above fun activities combinded with simple lifestyle changes will provide you with the most comprehensive belly fat burning program.

So before you drop down and give me 20 crunches, examine the following 6 lifestyle habits to make sure your blasting your belly from inside and outside.

1. Relax!

Too much stress can contribute to a potbelly. Stress increases levels of cortisol, a hormone that seems to direct fat to our middle, says Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist and Personal Training, and contributing author to Muscle & Fitness Magazine and Oxygen Magazine. To keep levels low, try this 5-10 minute stress reducer: Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Next, take several slow, deep breaths to help clear your mind. Continue breathing deeply and repeat the word “one” to yourself as you exhale. (If you get distracted, just bring your focus back to the word “one.”) Practice this for 5 to 10 minutes once or twice a day.

2. Skip happy hour

Yes, even consider cutting back on your Sunday football beers with your pals. That glass of wine with dinner may also be part of the reason your jeans are too tight. Alcohol also tends to raise cortisol levels, sending fat to your belly, says Vince DelMonte contributor to Men’s Fitness Magazine, and Advisory Team Member for Maximum Fitness Magazine.

3. Stop smoking!

It’s shocking to see this but stat how many north americans still smoke. this still needs to be mentioned  “It keeps me thin,” is a remark all to common by smokers but the truth is that smokers tend to have more abdominal fat than nonsmokers, says Mike Geary. (The stress hormone cortisol seems to be the culprit here too.) “When people stop smoking, the amount of abdominal fat actually decreases,” he says.

4. Eat more fiber

Not only is fiber great for overall weight loss (it fills*link to appettite control switch you up so you don’t eat as much), it also prevents constipation, which can cause your tummy to bulge, says Vince DelMonte. To stay regular, aim for 25 to 35 g of fiber a day by eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; or try a fiber supplement such as Metamucil.

5. Keep bones strong

Osteoporosis can lead to fractured bones in your spine, causing you to slump. That shortens your abdominal cavity, giving your belly no place to go but out, says Jon Benson Transformational Life Coach, and author of best selling book Fit Over 40. If you’re age 50 or over, be sure to get 1,500 mg of calcium every day from the foods you eat and/or from supplements. (If you’re younger than 50, 1,000 mg a day is the ticket.)

6. Raise your heart rate

All the ab exercises in the world won’t do a thing unless you get rid of the fat hiding your abdominal muscles. The best way is interval training for 30-45 minutes, three times a week.

Mike Geary’s book The Truth About Six Pack Abs is currently the top selling abs program on the entire internet. But his nutrition guidelines and strategies is what sets him apart. Check out our review of this massive fat loss resource of eating habits, food choices, and so much more!