Doing Crunches Is Actually Making Your Waist Larger! Here’s What To Do Instead.

If you’re looking to shrink and tone your belly, there’s a better way to do it than trying to do crunches. In fact, research has shown that doing abdominal exercises alone—even when performed five days a week for six weeks—has no effect at all on subcutaneous fat stores and abdominal circumference.

In an op-ed piece for Forbes Magazine, Jennifer Cohen, leading fitness authority, in her article suggests using strategies that burn up cortisol instead. Cortisol is a hormone in your body that depletes lean muscle and holds on to fat in the abdominal region. One of the most important ways to help this process is to reduce stress in your life, because stress causes cortisol levels to spike. Cohen also delves into a number of other strategies that help reduce your cortisol levels, such as the following.

THE KEY STRATEGY FOR REDUCING BELLY FAT

1. Get Enough Sleep
Getting sufficient amounts of sleep, for example, not only helps normalize cortisol levels, it’s also important in order to optimize your circadian clock, which can have a profound impact on your metabolism and weight.

As an example, a couple of years ago researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who slept for 8.5 hours lost 55 percent more body fat over the course of two weeks than dieters who only got 5.5 hours of sleep a night.

2. Abs Diet.
Here is the secret to losing weight and having a flat belly: ABS DIET. The Abs Diet revolves around a dozen delicious, convenient foods called the Abs Diet Powerfoods. All you need to do is eat the acronym:

A – Almonds and other nuts (with skins intact)
Superpowers : Builds muscle, reduces cravings
Fights Obesity, heart disease, muscle loss, wrinkles, cancer, high blood pressure

B – Beans and legumes
Superpowers : Builds muscle, helps burn fat, regulates digestion
Fights Obesity, colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure

S – Spinach and other green vegetables
Superpowers : Neutralizes free radicals, molecules that accelerate the aging process
Fights Cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis

D – Dairy products (fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese)
Superpowers : Builds strong bones, fires up weight loss
Fights Osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer

I – Instant oatmeal (unsweetened, unflavored)
Superpowers : Boosts energy, reduces cholesterol, maintains blood sugar levels
Fights Heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, obesity

E – Eggs
Superpowers : Builds muscle, burns fat
Fights Obesity

T – Turkey and other lean meats
Superpowers : Builds muscle, strengthens immune system
Fights Obesity, various diseases

The superfoods listed are rich in protein and fiber as well as very vital nutrients that will aid your weight loss desire.

Eat these foods in your favourite meals but make sure to follow these steps;

• Eat any of these foods as a snack and make sure to include at least two of any of these foods to your meals.
• You can combine these foods to get maximum supplies of carbs, protein and healthy fats.
• Make sure to add a little protein to all your snacks.

3. Reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet 
Fructose, primarily in the form of high-fructose corn syrup hidden in processed foods and beverages, is the primary contributing factor to widespread and seemingly out-of-control obesity. The top offenders in this category include:

• Grain-based desserts (cakes, cookies, donuts, pies, crisps, cobblers, and granola bars)

• Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks

• Breads

• Juice drinks and fruit punches

• Breakfast cereals

• Fast food and pre-packaged dinners

• Prepackaged, processed lunches

• Coffee drinks

Good sleep, dieting and regular exercises are key to losing weight.