Using Exercise to Help Lose Belly Fat

According to doctors, you can lose belly fat by losing weight. 

A great way to lose weight is to combine exercise with a healthy diet.  If you have excess belly fat that you want to get rid of, it is time to consider an exercise routine that will work for you.

There are different types of exercises that achieve different types of results.  You hear talk about cardio and aerobic workouts.  There are also weight training, strength training and muscle toning workouts.  Which is right for you?

Getting an Aerobic Workout

There are many activities that you can do to get a good aerobic workout.  The objective is to get your heart rate up so that your body begins to burn away the fat.  As you burn away the fat you will also be reducing the amount of belly fat.

Running is a great way to get a good aerobic workout. 

It doesn’t matter whether you run on the treadmill at a health club, around the track at your local school, or on the streets where you live.  You can get your heart pumping and your lungs working in a matter of minutes.

If your body just isn’t cut out for running, brisk walking is another great way to get a good workout. 

In fact, many doctors recommend walking as a very effective form of aerobic exercise that is safe, easy to do, and generally well tolerated by most people.

The great thing about walking and running as forms of exercise is that they can be done just about any time in almost any location.  They don’t require a gym membership or a bunch of special equipment.  Get a good pair of shoes and you can be ready to exercise.  In fact, you really have no excuse not to exercise.

Other great forms of aerobic exercise include swimming, bicycling, tennis, dancing or a dance-based exercise class.  Or, if you prefer a group activity, join a basketball team to get a good workout.

Adding Variety to Your Workout

There is no doubt that exercise can become more of a chore than an enjoyment.  When it gets to that point it is not unusual for a person to lose interest in their exercise routine.  To avoid this situation you might want to mix up your exercise schedule.

This can be done in several ways.  The first is to choose a variety of activities for your aerobic exercise.  Instead of going running every day, mix in a day of biking, or a couple of sets of tennis for a given day’s workout.

If you are a dedicated runner, but still need some variety, you could always train for a half-marathon or some other race.  Or, you could find a running buddy to join you on occasion, just to make the run different.

Another option for both runners and walkers to add variety to their activity is to do some interval training.  This just means that you go all out, as hard as you can for a minute or two, followed by a slower period for recovery.  As you alternate these steps you are not only adding variety to your workout, but you are also building your endurance.

Don’t Forget Some Strength Training

Getting a good aerobic workout is important for your heart, your health and your belly fat reduction.  But, you need to get some strength training built into your routine as well.

It is generally recommended that you get an aerobic workout three to five days a week.  You then need to incorporate a strength workout into the schedule at least three days a week.

A strength workout can include working out with weights to build the muscle in your arms or legs.  It can also include exercises meant to firm and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.  These can be particularly helpful for someone working to lose belly fat.

The Key to Using Exercise to Lose Belly Fat

The important thing to remember when planning exercise to burn belly fat is that no single activity can achieve the fat loss you desire.  It takes a combination of a healthy diet and exercise to help you achieve your desired belly fat loss.