Can Exercise Alone Banish Belly Fat?

When you start gaining weight, your belly is usually the first place to get affected. When you’re losing weight, it’s one of the most stubborn spots and seems to hold on forever. The dream of getting a flat stomach free of excess fat seems impossible for many people. When trying to get rid of belly fat, many people buy a gym membership and start working out by doing plenty of stomach-focused exercises. Can exercise alone banish belly fat?

What causes belly fat?

When you gain weight, the excess fat will store in your belly more easily if you have a lot of stress in your life. A lot of people gain weight in the first place due to stress-eating, and the overproduction of cortisol in the body encourages the fat to be stored around the belly rather than being evenly spread out around the whole body. This isn’t to say that stress is the only reason for the presence of belly fat – in many cases it is because of overeating, a lack of exercise or health issues such as hypothyroidism which can cause rapid weight gain.

Can belly exercises target the fat?

People believe that hundreds of crunches each day will be able to get rid of their belly fat in a matter of weeks, however, this is certainly not the case. You cannot do targeted exercises and expect the fat to drop off that particular part of your body. This is why people become discouraged when they have been doing stomach exercises for weeks but haven’t noticed a significant difference in their belly size. As you exercise, you will be toning certain parts of your body, but the muscles will become toned underneath the layer of fat. Only once this fat has been shed will you see the results of your intense stomach workouts!

Will exercise alone banish belly fat?

It’s very rare for exercise alone to get rid of any type of excess fat. Your diet plays a massive part in how much weight you gain or lose, so you should be first thinking about changing your habits in the kitchen before trying to create a new regime in the gym. Cut down on carbohydrates and fill your plate with vegetables. Drink plenty of water and aim to get your five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Don’t throw your hat in with those who think exercise along can banish belly fat. Lifestyle changes combined with exercise will get you closer to your goals.