12 Common Workout Mistakes That Are Keeping You From Losing Belly Fat
Just can't lose belly fat, no matter how hard you try? These exercise blunders may be to blame.
Let’s get this tummy truth out of the way immediately: There are no specific exercises proven to spot-reduce belly fat.
“The best way to burn belly fat is to burn fat throughout the whole body. Where you gain—or hold onto—excess body fat is largely dependent on genetics. Some people see more in the midsection, while others hold more in the hips and thighs,” says Mackenzie Banta, an ACE-certified health coach and personal trainer on the app Trainiac.
Any lifestyle changes that include exercise, in general, can target belly fat, adds David Chesworth, a certified personal trainer and the fitness director at Hilton Head Health in South Carolina.
Still, it’s crucial to keep tabs on your waistline. More visceral fat, or fat surrounding your midsection and the internal organs that reside there, can increase your risk for chronic health conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Recent research also shows that carrying extra belly fat might shrink your brain.
Moreover, losing visceral fat appears to be linked to interleukin-6, a molecule that helps control inflammation in the body, according to a 2018 study published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Here are workout mistakes that might be causing you to hang on to the excess inches—plus better ways to sweat and snack.
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness (or tries to, at least!). She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.
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