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

6 WAYS TO SHRINK YOUR BELLY (AND 5 DON’T INCLUDE EXERCISE!)

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 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

Cohen certainly brings up some good points. 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.

But the master key really lies with your diet, followed closely by the type of exercise you engage in

For one approach to getting a flat stomach, check out what Women’s Health Mag has to offer.

GET A FLAT STOMACH: SECRET WEAPONS OF WEIGHT LOSS

The Abs Diet revolves around a dozen delicious, convenient foods called the Abs Diet Powerfoods. All you need to do is eat the acronym: Almonds and other nuts, Beans and other legumes, Spinach and other green vegetables, Dairy (low-fat), Instant oatmeal, Eggs, Turkey and other lean meats, Peanut butter, Olive oil, Whole-grain breads and cereals, Extra-protein (whey) powder, Raspberries and other berries.

Yup, you read that right: You get to eat healthy protein, healthy fats, healthy carbs—there’s hardly anything you need to give up on this program. Ice cream? Sure, have it. Grilled cheese sandwiches? Yup. They’re in.

These are among the best sources of protein, fiber, and all the other ingredients and nutrients that help fight fat. In fact, they’re so good for you that they’ll just about single-handedly exchange your fat for a toned, lean body and sexy abs. You can base entire meals and snacks around them, but you don’t have to. Just be sure to follow these simple rules.

* Incorporate two or three of these foods into each of your meals and at least one of them into each snack.

* Diversify your food at every meal to get a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

* Sneak a little protein into each snack.

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