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One of the most common questions for weight loss is how to lose belly fat. Belly fat is actually the most dangerous type of fat - aside from aesthetics, large waistlines are indicators of disease.

It takes more than just abs to have a flat stomach! We start to gain weight in our midsection when cortisol levels rise. Stress is one of the main culprits for high levels of cortisol secretion.

When this happens, cortisol breaks down lean muscle (the type of tissue that burns calories most efficiently) and also maintains fat storage in the abdominal area.

This stress can even get worse with a bad diet; studies show that stress caused by dieting can increase cortisol levels, making no change in belly fat, even with calorie restriction. So how do you do it?

Incorporate the 6 things below and you will be on the right track!

1. Sleep

If you want to work late at night, think twice. When your biorhythms are off, you end up eating more.

When you are tired, you produce more ghrelin, which triggers cravings for sugar and other foods that will produce fat.

Having trouble sleeping can also alter your hormone production, affecting your cortisol levels which cause insulin sensitivity, the main reasons for belly fat!

Getting about 7 hours of sleep per night is one of the best things you can do for your body fitness goals.

2. Do short exercise sessions

1000 crunches a day can give you strong abdominal muscles, but with a full layer of fat you won't get the results you really want.

Instead of all those crunches, do exercises that engage multiple muscle groups and work your cardiovascular system.

Try the plank. Do 3 or 4 sets of hold for 30 seconds each. Getting up and moving throughout the day while taking a walk will also help.

3. Sugar is your enemy

Fighting Belly Fat is an 80% healthy diet. Cut down on calories by filling yourself up with protein, vegetables, whole grains, and replacing bad snacks with good ones.

For example, if you have a craving for sugar, replace your calorie-laden latte with light milk with a ton of protein to keep you full while destroying your craving for sugar!

Another great tip is a sprinkle of cinnamon in your morning coffee or oatmeal - this spice has been shown to be effective in helping stabilize blood sugar. It also slows down the rate at which food leaves your stomach, which helps you feel fuller for longer.

4. Vitamin C

When you are under extreme stress, you secrete more of the hormone cortisol. Vitamin C helps to balance the cortisol spikes that come to you during this stress.

As well as being a good cure for a cold, vitamin C is also essential for the manufacture of carnitine, a component used by the body to turn fat into fuel, making this vitamin your fat-burning friend.

If you are going through an emotional crisis, stress at work, or have a poor diet, increase your vitamin C intake - this will help counter the negative side effects.

Try peppers, kale or kiwi fruit. These have even more vitamin C than the famous orange!

5. Eat fat

Yeah, you heard me right! Fat is needed to burn fat.

As I said above, it's the sugar that makes you fat, not the fat.

Good fats include foods high in omega-3s, such as salmon, avocados, and nuts. These foods are packed with nutrients that help keep you full throughout the day.

6. Slow down your breathing

It is a very simple method that you can use even when you are doing other things. Whenever you notice that you feel tense and stiff, check and see how you are breathing.

Most people under stress alternate holding their breath with short breaths, or taking quick, shallow breaths.

After becoming aware of your own breathing, consciously relax your belly and slow down the breathing.

It works best if you focus on slowing the exhale rather than the inhalation. With each exhale, you may say to yourself “slow down”.

That's all there is to it. Simple, but surprisingly effective !!!

Hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any other tips to share, feel free to put them in the comments below.

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