Fitness Boot Camp Austin TX

Flattening your tummy takes more than just doing crunches. While ab exercises may tone the muscles in your belly, how flat your tummy is really depends on how much belly fat you have… and that means you have to eat right to have a flat stomach.

Here are five simple eating tips for flattening your tummy that you can use to help you lose that stubborn belly fat:

1. Maintain a healthy body weight. It’s great to tone your stomach muscles, but they’ll remain hidden until you shed any fat that covers them. Remember, if you’re above your ideal weight you’ll need to burn more calories than you consume to lose those excess pounds.

2. Know your caloric needs. Multiply your body weight in pounds by 10 and that’s about the amount of calories you need to eat every day to maintain your current weight. To drop weight, you’ll want to either eat 300-500 fewer calories per day, or burn those calories off with intense daily exercise. A single Fighting Fit Boot Camp class burns about 500 calories, so exercise is a great option if you’re not good with counting calories.

3. Get plenty of fiber. A diet high in fiber will help prevent bloating, and fiber binds with fat so you’ll actually absorb less calories in your meals. Whole wheat and other grains also help you feel fuller faster, and most vegetables are low in calories. Start every lunch and dinner meal with a healthy salad – you’ll eat less calories and feel more full after your meal.

4. Cut down on sodium. Many people eat twice as much sodium as health experts recommend. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure as well as bloating. The biggest culprit is processed food, so read those nutrition labels and prepare your own dishes from fresh ingredients. Drinking plenty of water also helps to lower your sodium levels.

5. Eat smaller meals. If lavish dinners make your belly bulge, try switching to smaller and more frequent meals. Eat 5 to 6 times a day every 3-4 hours. You’ll be less likely to get hungry and overindulge.

It’s not just the quantity of foods you eat, but also the quality of foods you eat that makes a difference in your weight loss. If you need help with getting on a healthy eating plan, speak with Coach Massie about starting the Fighting Fit Basic Nutrition Program.

And remember, that belly fat won’t burn off by itself. It takes a consistent diet and hard work to lose inches off your waist and thighs. So, be sure to show up for a Fighting Fit Boot Camp or Kickboxing class at least three times a week.

I hope these tips for flattening your tummy help you reach your fitness goals. See you at the next Fighting Fit Boot Camp or Kickboxing class!