Published By: Ipsita Jha

5 Effective exercises to lose belly fat

Striving for a fitter and healthy body? Check out these exercises to get rid of that extra layer of fat from your belly.

Losing stubborn belly fat is a daunting task for many to achieve flat tummy and toned body. Poor lifestyle practices and lack of physical activity allow your body to store fat around your belly.

Fat stored around your tummy also makes it difficult for internal organs to function properly, leading to ailments like diabetes, heart diseases and many other harmful diseases.

Walking and jogging, when combined with your exercise routine, will help you to burn those extra calories for a fitter and healthier body.

Here are some of the best exercises that you can do to reduce the belly fat.

#Abdominal Crunches

This ab exercise is an excellent way to reduce belly fat and to strengthen your lower back.

Lie down on your back with your knees bent, hip-width apart. Put your hands behind your head with your elbows wide open. Take a deep breath and lift your torso, including the shoulders without pulling your neck. Keep your head back while lifting.

Abdominal crunches help to engage the core muscles in the upper and lower abdomen. Perform 15-20 repetitions.

#Bicycle Exercise

The bicycle exercise works best for strengthening abdominal muscles and reducing belly fat when combined with crunches and other cardio exercises.

You need to lie down on your back with hands behind your head. Bring your knees towards your chest, lifting head and shoulders off the ground. Bring your right elbow to the left knee and straighten your right leg. Continue switching sides to perform the bicycle peddling motion. Keep your breathing relaxed. Perform 20 repetitions- 10 on each side.

#Mountain Climbers

This moving plank exercise works on your core and other body muscles.

Get into a high plank position and keep your wrists under your shoulders. While doing this exercise, keep your core muscles tight and draw your belly button in toward your spine. Bring your right knee toward your chest and then bring it back to plank position. Then, repeat the same with your left leg. Continue on alternate sides to perform at least 10-15 repetition on each side.

#Burpees

This exercise works on your core, as well as your chest, shoulders and triceps.

To perform burpees, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body in a squat position. Place your hands outside your feet and hop your feet back, touching your chest to the floor. Lift your body in a plank position by pushing your hands, and jump your feet outside of your hand. With your weight on heels, jump into the air with your arms overhead. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

#Planks

Plank is a best abdominal exercise to strengthen the core abdominal muscles and to reduce the belly fat.

To do this exercise, turn over on your front and ensure that your elbows touch the ground placed underneath your shoulders.  Move your feet hip-width apart and lift your body, so it is parallel to the floor.  Make sure that your back is straight with head and neck in a neutral position. Hold this position for 60 seconds.

To achieve flat tummy and toned abdominal muscles, you need to follow a protein-rich diet, never skip meals, drink water throughout the day, avoid processed food and limit your caffeine intake.  Schedule your workout, walk or run every day and perform these exercises to burn stomach fat for a fit and fab body!