By Hayley Townsend |
Trim your waistline with these easy and effective moves that are designed to target this common problem area.
Carrying too much weight around your middle isn’t just a vanity issue. Belly fat can also have an unwelcome impact on your health, increasing your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer, according to Harvard University.
There are two different types of belly fat, and one of them is significantly more dangerous than the other. Subcutaneous fat is the kind that you can pinch. You may not want it there, but it isn’t causing much harm. The problematic type is called visceral fat, and you may not even know you have it. It surrounds your organs inside your abdominal cavity, which is why it can lead to chronic illness as it accumulates.
Before you start worrying too much, it is possible to lose belly fat — even after 65. Healthy eating is always a smart strategy, but consistent activity is also crucial to get rid of it. The best exercises to help you shed your belly fat also build strength and muscle mass in your core that can give you a big assist in the activities of daily living.
Stay active, have fun, get fit — with SilverSneakers! Classes and events are happening right now at participating gyms, online through SilverSneakers LIVE, and at community centers near you. Activate your free online account to get started.
How to Use These Exercises to Lose Belly Fat
Try incorporating these five exercises into your exercise routine to help you lose that stubborn belly fat. SilverSneakers National Trainer Andi Kwapien will show you how to do them with proper form.
Try to do each exercise for 30 seconds, resting between them. These moves can work for all skill levels, and we’ve also included an option of how to make them more difficult if you want them to be. For a longer workout, more intense workout, repeat these five exercises 2 or 3 times.
As always, safety is key. If you have a chronic condition (including osteoporosis), an injury, or balance issues, talk to your doctor about how you can exercise safely.
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