Genetics and gender can make you prone to belly fat, but you can fight back. In this Health Smarts video, fitness expert Mike Clark, DPT, explains how you have to burn calories to burn belly fat and shares the 4 best exercises for a flat stomach.
Read Transcript
Hi, I'm Dr. Clark. Trying to lose a little belly fat? Where you store fat is based on genetics and often gender. That means that everyone stores fat differently and in different spots. So if you're trying to trim extra pounds around your waist, first focus on losing fat all over. To do this you need to burn more calories than you consume.
So, to burn one pound of fat per week, you need to burn 3500 calories more than what you've consumed. That breaks down to a calorie deposit of 500 calories a day. You can do this by eating less or moving more. Burning more fat overall will help you slowly burn fat from key fat deposit areas including your belly, once you reduce the fat from your stomach you want to condition those muscles to achieve toned abs.
Some key exercises are planks, side planks, ball crunches and knee ups. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions of each exercise then you'll be well on your way to a tighter, flatter stomach. For more ways to slim down and shape up watch all our smart tips right here.
Mike Clark, DPT is CEO of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He is a noted lecturer, author and is entering his 11th season as physical therapist for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
33:37
