How to Burn Belly Fat Faster

As a person's metabolism slows down with age, even those who were skinny in their 20s often have a hard time avoiding belly fat. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are especially prone to an increase in belly fat as they age. Belly fat can make you feel uncomfortable and unattractive, but there are serious health reasons for tightening your tummy: excessive belly fat can contribute to diabetes, breast cancer, heart disease and may exacerbate hormone imbalances. Lots of fad diets and exercise gadgets promise to burn belly fat fast, but you can get results without buying anything -- they key is to be consistent.

Tips For You

1. Adjust your diet. After a certain age, you don't necessarily have to overeat to gain belly fat, but it's increasingly important to avoid a high-fat diet. Cut out trans fats and keep saturated fats to a minimum. Increase fiber and calcium intake. Eat more complex carbohydrates like vegetables and fewer simple carbohydrates like white bread. Drink lots of water; if you don't get enough fluids, your body can retain it in your midsection. If you drink alcohol, cut back. Each glass of wine or light beer contains 100 calories.
2. Walk at least 20-30 minutes a day. Adding a walk to your daily routine boosts your metabolism, which will make it easier to burn off belly fat when you do targeted exercises. Regular walking can also be a mood booster, which can keep you from grabbing a sugary snack for a lift in the afternoon.
3. Work out your lower abdominal muscles with pelvic exercises. On a yoga mat or carpet, lie on you back and bend your knees. Lift your pelvis off the floor and hold while tightening your abdominal muscles and hold for 10 seconds. Start with five repetitions day and gradually increase to 20.
4. Exercise your deeper abdominal muscles by drawing in a deep breath that fills your belly. Hold for a couple of seconds and exhale slowly, then pull your bellybutton in toward your spine. Hold for 10 seconds. Start with a comfortable number of repetitions and gradually increase to ten. If you have difficulty doing this standing at first, start by doing it on your hands and knees. Once mastered, this exercise can be done anywhere and is more effective on belly fat than doing sit-ups.