1. Include a MUFA at every meal
Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs for short) come from the health oils found in plant foods such as olives, nuts and avocado. MUFAs have been linked to overall weight loss in studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition, which found that a MUFA-rich diet helped lose small amounts of weight and body fat without changing their calorie intake. Another report found that a breakfast high in MUFas could boost calorie burn for 5 hours after the meal, particularly in people with higher amounts of belly fat.
However, it’s the additional health benefits that make this type of dietary fat so unique. Not only can it prevent and control type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk or heart disease ( by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and boosting the good HDL), but a Italian study found that diets high in MUFAs from nuts and olive oil also helped reduce markers for inflammation, a known trigger for aging and disease.
2. Have a Clear Calorie Goal
Consume four 400-calorie meals a day (at the same time each day). Significant weight loss requires calorie control and consistency. For the average woman 1600 calories per day is ideal because it’s low enough to create weight loss while maintaining energy and preserving calorie-burning muscle.
3. Eat Often
Have a meal every 4- 5 hours to help control your blood sugar and hunger and keep your metabolism in high gear
4. Understand The Right Way to Think
What you put in your mouth is only half the equation. The other is your attitude toward food and eating. Put these tips into practice.
5. Manage Stress
This emotion causes a spike in the hunger-stimulation hormone cortisol, sending you straight for the sweets. And when cortisol is high, extra calories are deposited directly as belly fat.
6. Ask For Help
Among people who have lost weight and kept it off, 70 % reported having strong social support, compared with only 38% of those who lost and regained weight. Recruit others to join you (or encourage you).
7. Beat Emotional Eating
Keep a food diary, but don’t just record what and how much you eat. Journaling about your feelings can help you identify what triggers you to eat and why, so you can break unhealthy habits for good. The saying goes a flat stomach is made in the kitchen not the gym!
Exercising to Burn Belly Fat
While calorie intake is the main cause of stomach fat, it’s only half the equation of the solution. The other half is exercise to lose stomach fat.
Most people are familiar with crunches and sit-up exercises that specifically target your midsection. The downside is these exercises don’t directly help you lose belly fat. They build up your abdominals underneath the fat.
You’ll want to concentrate on exercises that will burn belly fat, and build lean muscle. Building muscle at the same time you’re burning fat is a true “secret” to losing belly fat. Routines such as circuit training, aerobics and other combo body workouts will do this for you.