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7 Walking Tips That Reduce Belly Fat Fast

Just 30 minutes can make a big difference.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

Walking is a truly underrated method of fat burning. Low impact, sustainable, and suitable for essentially any fitness level, walking has benefits beyond just physical. “Research has shown that walking at a brisk pace at least 150 minutes a week can help you think better, feel better and sleep better,” says the American Heart Association. “If 150 minutes sounds like a lot, remember that even short activity sessions can be added up over the week to reach this goal. And it’s easy to fit in a few minutes of walking several times a day. This could be 10 minutes of brisk walking after breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Here are seven ways to burn belly fat through simply taking a walk.


Use a Weight Vest

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Using a weight vest can give your walks a little challenge—studies show it can help burn more calories. “So doing something as simple as wearing a weighted vest on your daily dog walk could have a big benefit to your physical health – including your cardiovascular health and metabolism,” says Christopher Gaffney, senior lecturer in Integrative Physiology, Lancaster University, via The Conversation.

Take a Hike

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Hiking is another great way to burn extra belly fat, by walking at an incline. “Incline walking is simply walking on a gradient, and it mimics hiking but poses little risk like that found on rugged terrain,” says Chance Ruggeroli, a personal trainer on the staff at Texas Health Fitness Center in Burleson. “My best recommendation is to pace yourself and leave room to grow. Walk, don’t run. Pun fully intended.”

Bring a Friend

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Walking with a friend not only makes the exercise more fun, but you’re more likely to actually do it. “Going for a brisk walk with one or more friends is a form of socializing, which is essential for good health,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Socializing helps stave off isolation and loneliness, which are associated with heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, chronic stress, and premature death.”

Related: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Use a Treadmill

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Bad weather keeping you inside and away from your favorite walking spots? The treadmill is your friend. "The treadmill has a predictable surface that is much easier to negotiate than sidewalks, curbs or trails and the risk of tripping is reduced," according to Spine Health. "Users can do other things while on the treadmill, such as watch television or read, which for many can help keep the exercise interesting."

Wear the Right Shoes

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Wearing the correct shoes for your walks is very important. “Doing so will help keep your feet healthy, make your physical activity easier, and help keep your body safe from injury,” according to DHS.gov. “If your shoes are too tight, too loose, or insufficiently supportive, your physical activity may place stress on your feet, ankles, lower legs, and other joints. This ongoing pressure can contribute to pain and injuries. You will be more comfortable being active if you choose a supportive shoe that fits you well and suits your activity.”

Walk For 30 Minutes

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Try to walk for at least 30 minutes to get the most out of your exercise. “If you walk briskly (at a pace of 4 miles per hour) for 30 minutes on five out of seven days, you'll log 10 miles a week,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “That means it would take three-and-a-half weeks to lose one pound if the number of calories you consume stays the same.”

RELATED: I Lost 50 Pounds While Eating These Foods Every Day

Make it Fun!

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Make your walks fun—if it’s actually enjoyable, you’re more likely to stick with a good fitness regimen. Walk with friends and family, compete with coworkers by doing step challenges, listen to music or catch up with podcasts, spend time with a beloved dog… all of these things make walking better.

💪🔥Body Booster: Start off gently, build up endurance, and make sure you have good walking shoes.

More For You

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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Struggling with stubborn belly fat can feel like an endless battle. You try cutting calories, exhausting yourself with workouts, and still that midsection won't budge. Health coachMei knows this frustration firsthand. After years of trial and error, she developed what she calls the "belly fat breakthrough pyramid" – a step-by-step approach that addresses the real causes of stubborn weight. Follow these nine proven steps to finally see results without extreme diets or grueling exercise routines.

Step 1: Boost Your Fiber Intake

Fiber is your most powerful ally against the blood sugar spikes that lead to fat storage. When you eat high-carb foods without fiber, your insulin levels surge and your body immediately stores that excess as belly fat.

"When you eat something high in carbohydrates without fiber, like fries, your blood sugar spikes and your body stores that excess as belly fat," Mei explains in her post. "But if you eat something like carrots full of fiber, it slows down the absorption and keeps your fat storage hormone insulin low."

Make this practical by swapping refined carbs for fiber-rich alternatives whenever possible—choose whole fruits instead of juice, beans instead of white rice, and vegetables with every meal.

Step 2: Swap Bad Fats for Good Ones

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The type of fat you consume directly impacts whether your body stores or burns fat, particularly around your midsection.

"Inflammatory fats like canola, corn, soybean, sunflower oil are hidden in many packaged foods and they are like toxins," Mei warns. "And guess where your body stores the toxins? Right in your belly fat."

Replace these problematic oils with healthier alternatives like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee in your cooking and food preparation for better metabolic health.

Step 3: Time Your Meals Strategically

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When you eat matters almost as much as what you eat. By condensing your eating window, you can keep insulin levels lower throughout the day and enhance your body's natural fat-burning capabilities.

"You don't have to go extreme, just stay consistent," Mei advises. "If you are new to fasting, take it slow. Gradually expand your fasting window."

Start with a 12-hour overnight fast (e.g., 8 PM to 8 AM) and slowly work your way up as your body adjusts. Mei also recommends being careful with your first meal: "Be mindful when you break your fast, avoid sugary or processed meals to keep your hormones in balance."

Step 4: Upgrade Your Carbohydrate Choices

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Once you've mastered the first three steps, it's time to refine your carbohydrate intake. This doesn't mean eliminating carbs completely, just choosing better sources that work with your metabolism rather than against it.

"Swap out bread, swap out cookies for complex carbohydrates," Mei suggests. "Things like sweet potatoes, lentils, beans. And if you want to go lower, focus on berries, green apples. This keeps your blood sugar stable."

These carbohydrate sources provide sustainable energy without the dramatic blood sugar fluctuations that contribute to belly fat storage.

Step 5: Make Protein Your Priority

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Protein is the foundation of a lean physique because it supports muscle growth, and muscle tissue continuously burns calories even when you're completely at rest.

"Protein builds muscle and muscles burn more fat even when you rest," Mei emphasizes. "More muscles means high metabolism. Simple."

Include quality protein sources with every meal—eggs, lean meats, fish, legumes, or plant-based options like tempeh or tofu all help support muscle maintenance and growth.

Step 6: Eliminate Hidden Fat-Promoting Toxins

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Many people don't realize that certain environmental factors can directly interfere with weight management by disrupting hormone balance.

"Watch out for hidden toxins called obesogens," Mei cautions. "They hide in plastic, pesticides, and even personal care products. These toxins encourage fat storage, especially around your belly."

Make easy swaps like avoiding plastic food containers, buying organic when possible, and washing your produce thoroughly to minimize exposure to these fat-promoting compounds.

Step 7: Move to Manage Stress Hormones

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Stress hormones like cortisol direct fat specifically to your abdominal area, creating that stubborn belly pouch that's so resistant to traditional weight loss methods.

"Cortisol, your stress hormones, sends fat straight away to your belly when you're overwhelmed," Mei explains. "So you know what helps? Walk it off. Even 10 minutes walks after meals can do wonders."

She recommends simple movement breaks throughout your day: "Whenever stress hits you, get up and move. A simple walk around your house or office can lower cortisol and prevent it from turning into belly fat."

Step 8: Build Metabolically Active Muscle

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While cardio has its place, strength training creates long-lasting metabolic benefits that transform your body's fat-burning potential 24 hours a day.

"Lifting weights or bodyweight exercise build lean muscles, making you more efficient at burning fat all day long," Mei points out to those who focus too much on the scale.

Even just two 30-minute strength sessions per week can make a significant difference in your body composition and metabolic rate.

Step 9: Practice Mindfulness for Hormonal Balance

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The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in weight management, particularly when it comes to stress-related belly fat.

"Practice mindfulness to calm your cortisol," Mei advises. "Breath work, meditation, yoga or even just saying no to things that overwhelm you. These simple tools help manage your stress and keep belly fat in check."

Taking even five minutes daily for focused breathing can trigger your body's relaxation response and help prevent stress-induced fat storage.

Remember, sustainable weight loss isn't about obsessive restriction. "It is not about obsessing over what to cut out of your diet," Mei reminds her clients. "It is about listening to your body, feel it with the right foods, feel the difference in your energy and appreciate how body responds with nourishments."

She always ends her coaching sessions with a reminder about gratitude: "Let's not forget my favorite vitamin G, gratitude. Every meal, every movement, give thanks to your body. When you appreciate the journeys, the results follows naturally." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

You might think that the secret to losing belly fat is doing endless crunches a day. However, according to fitness experts, this is just a myth. Soraya (@project.s.lifestyle) is a certified macro nutrition and fat loss coach and TikTok influencer. Her goal is to help people get their “dream body” without “ditching” their favorite foods and bust myths surrounding weight loss. In one of her viral videos she reveals the three things that will help you lose stubborn belly fat.


1. You Don’t Have to Go to Extremes to Lose Belly Fat

@project.s.lifestyle

How to lose stubborn lower belly fat #weightlosscoach #weightlossforwomen #weightlosstips

“Here's how you lose that stubborn lower belly fat that just hangs there when you pull your pants down,” she says in the clip. “Number one 60 sets a day right before bed. Number two, cut out all white carbs, white potatoes, white bread, pasta, things like that. Number three, one hour of cardio every single day,” she continues. “Now, these are things I see a lot of people doing to lose belly fat and lose fat in general, but it's not the most efficient and sustainable way to lose it.”

2. But, It Takes More Than Lots of Ab Work

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She continues to tell her followers what will actually help you blast belly fat. “Weight loss essentially comes from being in a calorie deficit. So you can do all the crunches, all the ab workouts you want to do, but if your nutrition is not on point, you'll not see any results in your stomach at all,” she says.

Related: I Lost 54 Pounds in 47 Days By Following These 10 Rules

3. 1. Be in a Calorie Deficit

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The first thing you need to do to lose lower belly fat “is to be in a healthy calorie deficit, unique to you,” she says. Chris McMahon, a nutrition and fitness coach agrees that the “best way to actually shrink your stomach” would be to be in a consistent calorie deficit. “There's no way around it. People say that diets don't work. That's not true,” he adds.

4. 2. Strength Training

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Her second recommendation? “Focus on strength training,” she says. Several studies have found a link between resistance training and reduced weight circumference, aka, belly fat. Some good weight training exercises to tone your midsection include bicep curls, squats, lunges, and tricep kickbacks.

5. 3. 30 Minutes of Walking Per Day

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And finally, she recommends “30 minutes of walking per day,” instead of 60. “Light movement doesn't have to be anything crazy,” she adds. If you don’t have time for a 30-minute walk, McMahon suggests taking 10 minute walks throughout the day. “A 10 minute walk is equal to a thousand steps. So if you think of it that way, it's like, “Oh, okay, I can take short little walk breaks.”

Related: I Lost Weight Without Trying by Stopping These 7 Things

6. Finally, Have Patience

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“Now, if you do this, you will see results, but for a lot of women, their stomach is the slower thing to go,” she says. “So you just have to be patient and trust the process.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Contrary to popular belief, you can’t flatten your abs by doing a lot of crunches. In order to lose belly fat, you have to be in a caloric deficit.

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Belly fat is not only uncomfortable but dangerous and linked to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. "The issue is health, not cosmetics," bariatric surgeon Dr. Garth Davis tells Houston Methodist. "The presence of visceral fat is a good predictor of the development of chronic metabolic disease, whether it's hypertension, heart disease or diabetes." If belly fat is bothering you, there are things you can do to help get rid of it. Here are ten proven ways to get rid of abdominal fat at home.


1. Eat More Fiber

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Eating more soluble fiber from vegetables, fruit, and beans can help get rid of belly fat, researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center discovered. "There is mounting evidence that eating more soluble fiber and increasing exercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don't know how it works," says Kristen Hairston, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead researcher on the study. "Although the fiber-obesity relationship has been extensively studied, the relationship between fiber and specific fat deposits has not.”

2. Avoid Added Sugars

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Added sugars, such as those in soda, can encourage belly fat accumulation. Switch to water or tea instead. “When the body experiences inflammation and stress, the preferred storage site for fat is in and around the belly,” Brenda Rea, MD, DrPH, PT, RD, tells Loma Linda University Health.

3. Cardio For 30 Minutes

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Try to get at least 30 minutes of brisk cardio a day. “Decreasing belly fat requires cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and a healthy diet,” Deborah Kurzrock, RD, tells Sutter Health.

“Experts recommend that individuals exercise for at least 30 minutes a day; reduce portion sizes and caloric intake; and strengthen and tone muscles to increase metabolic functioning.”

RELATED: 15 Ways to Lose 3 Pounds Per Week by Walking

4. Watch the Carbs

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Avoid ultra-processed foods, which tend to be high in refined carbohydrates. “The combination of both fat and sugar intake can really be problematic,” endocrinologist Samantha Harris, MD, tells Scripps Health. “Focusing on whole and unprocessed foods with limited added sugars and adding more produce can be helpful. Carbs should be eaten in moderation and, for some, considered mostly as a garnish or dessert.”

5. Get Off the Couch

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Studies show people who sit all day tend to accumulate fat around their middle. “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns,” Edward R. Laskowski, MD, tells the Mayo Clinic. “They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.”

6. Eat More Protein

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“Eating lean protein with meals and snacks is a good way to increase satiety and decrease total caloric intake,” Kurzrock says. “Studies show that people who eat protein with breakfast will eat fewer calories throughout the day than those who do not consume protein with their breakfast.”

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

7. Manage Stress

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Stress can, unfortunately, lead to belly fat accumulation. “Reduce your stress. When we’re stressed, our adrenal glands produce cortisol, a stress hormone,” says Kaiser Permanente. “Cortisol stimulates our fight or flight response, which in turn stimulates our appetite to fuel our bodies to combat the stress. This leads to higher insulin levels in our bodies and a craving for sugary, fatty foods.”

8. Lift Weights

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Experts say that lifting weights can also help blast belly fat. “To really lose weight, aim for 300 minutes of aerobic exercise per week,” says Kaiser Permanente. “Low-intensity activities, such as walking, biking, swimming or jogging, can lead to great results. Weightlifting builds muscle, and muscles burn more calories than fat.”

9. Get Good Sleep

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Get at least 7 hours of good quality sleep every night. “Getting the right amount of shut-eye helps,” according to Houston Methodist. “In one study, people who got 6 to 7 hours of sleep per night gained less visceral fat over 5 years compared to those who slept 5 or fewer hours per night or 8 or more hours per night.”

RELATED: How I Lost 40 Pounds in 3 Months by Making These Simple Dietary Changes

10. Make Sustainable Changes

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Don’t look for a “quick fix”—the best way to lose belly fat and keep it off is to make long-term healthy habits a part of your lifestyle. “If anything that’s done to help someone lose weight, whether it’s an eating plan, an exercise program or a medication, is stopped or taken away, the weight almost always comes back,” Dr. Harris tells Scripps Health.

💪🔥Body Booster: Eat more fiber from fruit and vegetables to help blast belly fat. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to burn fat without having to make major changes to your life? According to experts, there are a few simple things you can do to majorly amplify fat loss. Mike Diamonds, MD, founder of Sculpt by Science, is social media famous for sharing helpful hacks on how to get into shape and lose weight. In a recent clip, he reveals some little-known tips for burning belly fat. “These are five fat loss cheat codes. I wish I knew when I started,” he says at the start of the YouTube Shorts clip. We also asked our Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, to weigh in.


Walk for Cardio

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“Number one, walking should be your main form of cardio,” says Diamonds, citing research that has shown that it burns the most fat. “I’m not sure it actually burns the most fat, but low to moderate intensity cardio is great, especially for beginners,” says Collingood. “Walking is simple—it doesn't take any equipment other than a good pair of shoes,” she adds. It can also be social. “Meet friends or family or take the dog with you for a nice brisk walk.”

RELATED:5 Best Exercises for “Bra Bulge” After 50

High Protein Diet

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Next, “the formula to being able to build muscle and lose fat is a high protein diet,” claims Diamonds. “30 to 50 grams per meal multiplied by a caloric deficit and weightlifting.” Collingwood agrees that you “definitely want protein to maintain and build muscle,” adding that it also keeps you satisfied.

Seven to Eight Hours of Sleep

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“Three, sleep a minimum of seven to eight hours,” says Diamonds. “Sleeping any less will feel like playing Call of Duty or FIFA in hard mode.” Collingwood agrees that sleep is “absolutely necessary,” recommending 7 to 9 hours “to recover the body and help with hormone regulation.”

Morning Workouts and Exercise in Afternoon

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“Train in the morning and eat in the afternoon. Myself and my clients find the most productive formula is to train in the morning and then break your fast after midday,” claims Diamonds. “Morning is great for training but if you wait several hours to eat you are leaving yourself open to poor recovery,” notes Collingwood. “It is better to eat something within an hour after training, especially if training is intense or long.”

RELATED:3 Best Practices for Walking, by a Podiatrist

Eat the Same Food Every Day for a Week

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And his last tip, “track your diet for one day and then eat the same food every day for a week. This will make your journey so much easier,” he says. “Tracking what you eat can be very eye opening, but it’s not necessary to eat the same thing every day,” says Collingwood. “Variety is better for the gut microbiome and to keep you from getting bored or feeling deprived.”

💪🔥Body Booster: In order to maximize belly fat, start by taking a look at your diet and making sure you are meeting the protein recommendations for your height, weight, and gender.

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Weight loss coach Soraya (@project.s.lifestyle) is a diet and fitness influencer with well over 300K followers on TikTok, and she has plenty to say about healthy—and in this case, not so healthy—ways to lose weight. Clearly frustrated by the massive amount of bad fitness information floating around online, Soraya put together a video debunking some of the silliest and most dangerous weight loss myths that could be derailing your wellness routine. Here are 7 weight loss myths Soraya wants you to never follow. Read on to find out!


1. Detoxing Works

@project.s.lifestyle

Common weight loss tips I hear that don’t work and actually make things a lot worse ❌❌ Head to the 🔗 in my profile for personalized coaching 📲 #weightlosscoach #fatlosscoach #weightlosstips

Soraya emphasizes the point that the human body is perfectly capable of detoxing itself without the need for expensive supplements or juices. “This is a complete waste of your time,” she says, advising that the best “detox” is simply to get back into a good routine as soon as possible. "Detoxing, as commonly marketed in the form of diets, supplements, or procedures, is often based on the premise that your body needs help getting rid of toxins," says celebrity personal trainer Kollins Ezekh. "However, the human body is already equipped with its own highly efficient detoxification systems. Organs like the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs are constantly working to process and eliminate toxins. These natural systems are usually very effective, provided they are healthy and functioning properly."

2. Everyone Needs the Same Calories

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This is important! Soraya reminds followers calorie requirements change from person to person, depending on weight and lifestyle factors. Limiting calories too much can backfire and negatively impact workouts. “The amount of calories that you need to be eating is going to be customized based on your height, weight, goals, activity, a lot of different factors,” she says.

Related: Kim Kardashian’s Trainer Shows Her “Perfect Body” and Reveals How She Overcame YoYo Dieting

3. Blast Your Belly Fat

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No one exercise is going to blast any body part, let alone belly fat. A decent diet and workout routine will help with a sensible calorie deficit, which will lead to fat loss everywhere. “You can't spot reduce fat,” Soraya insists. “Spot exercises, such as sit-ups, can tighten abdominal muscles but won't get at visceral fat,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Exercise can also help keep fat from coming back.”

4. Exercise More To Cover Diet

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There is no need to go crazy over-exercising because you ate more calories than intended over the weekend. Simply return to your normal health and fitness routine without trying to “make up” for the extra food. “I used to be guilty of this working out more because you ate more,” Soraya admits.

RELATED:5 Signs You Are Burning Fat While Exercising

5. Waist Trainers

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Soraya is blunt about the uselessness of waist trainers for weight loss. “Save your money,” she says. Waist trainers might force you to eat less, but this is not a long-term solution. In fact, wearing a waist trainer could be downright dangerous. “There is a lot of damage on the organs because they’re shifting, stretching the vessels around,” hepatologist Jamile Wakim-Fleming, MD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “This causes people to report more gas because gas is retained, which causes bloating.”

6. Grilled Chicken Is Best

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Grilled chicken is a stereotypical high-protein meal option, but don’t feel trapped in a chicken rut. There are so many other options! “Tempeh, tofu, ground turkey, Greek yogurt, eggs. There's a bunch of really yummy protein snacks,” Soraya advises.

Related: 12 Best Foods For Men to Build Muscle

7. Slow and Steady Wins the Race

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It’s boring but true—if you want to lose weight, and more importantly, keep it off, good lifestyle habits will take you there. Detoxing and waist trainers will not! “That's exactly what to help my clients do inside my coaching program,” Soraya says. “Proper nutrition supports overall health, which is essential for consistent and effective exercise,” Ezekh says.

💪🔥Body Booster: Nothing is more effective for weight loss than a consistent, sensible diet and workout routine. There are no shortcuts! Take it one day at a time.

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20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Ozempic can be highly effective for weight loss, but there are definitely some unpleasant side effects to contend with, as the makers of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warn about. Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain are common, but avoiding certain foods and behaviors can make a difference. Here are 20 things to avoid while on Ozempic, to make the most of the medication and encourage healthy weight loss.

Too Much Sugar

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Added sugars, and sugary sodas, can spike blood sugar. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that people avoid sugary foods while on the drug. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.”

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Ultra-processed foods can make side effects of Ozempic worse. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich. “Someone may not see the results they're looking for either.”

High-Fat Foods

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Foods high in saturated and trans fats can make side effects of Ozempic worse. Some people complain of diarrhea and stomach pains. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

Sitting All Day

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Staying active is important while on Ozempic. Regular exercise is not only important for health, it can prevent muscle loss. The goal should be fat loss, and getting strong.

Not Hydrating

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Don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated. Drinking water can help with side effects of Ozempic, especially nausea. Ozempic.com recommends drinking clear or ice-cold drinks to combat any nausea and discomfort.

Too Much Alcohol

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Avoid alcohol on Ozempic, experts advice. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

Be Mindful of Portions

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Ozempic keeps food in the stomach longer, so bigger portions can cause discomfort. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake.”

Be Mindful of Coffee

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“Overall, coffee is perfectly fine to consume, but for some individuals can lead to stomach irritation,” says Dr. McGowan. “Therefore, I recommend drinking coffee in moderation, such as one to two cups a day. Patients should also be mindful of calorie-dense additives, like cream and sugar.”

Don’t Skip Meals

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It’s easy to skip meals when on Ozempic, but make sure you’re getting enough nutrition. Some people have even become malnourished as a result of not eating. “It’s never healthy to not eat,” Dr. Hwang said. Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, the division chief of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine tells the New York Times.

Don’t Consider It a Quick Fix

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Ozempic should be part of a long-term health plan. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.”

Same Unhealthy Lifestyle

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Don’t continue an unhealthy diet and assume it’s ok because of Ozempic. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

Protect Your Health

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Some doctors warn that taking Ozempic can make people complacent about their health. “It is important to remember that obesity is heterogenous, chronic and complex,” Vijaya Surampudi, MD, physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO), tells UCLA Health. “There is no cure for obesity. It requires lifelong treatment that’s not one size fits all.”

Carbonated Beverages

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Ozempic slows down digestion, keeping food in your stomach for longer. This causes a feeling of fullness and some unpleasant side effects for some people like belching. Stick to still water as carbonated beverages can make stomach issues worse.

Long-Term Goals

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If you plan on only taking Ozempic or Wegovy for a short while, it’s likely your weight will come back on. “In one trial of Wegovy, people regained about two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping the drug,” Dr. Siegel explains. “Lifestyle changes can help maintain weight loss, but it’s unusual to maintain all weight loss once you stop any weight loss medication.”

Refined Carbohydrates

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Refined carbohydrates tend to spike blood sugar, which is exactly what Ozempic is meant to treat. You don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, but be aware it makes it harder for Ozempic to do its job. “Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, or even cereals may seem like better choices than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body,” Christine Fallabel, MPH, tells Diabetes Strong.

Watch Out For High Fiber

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While many green vegetables are low GI, be careful about the fiber. “If you’re not used to eating a lot of vegetables, you may experience side effects such as bloating and gas, until your body has acclimated to eating a more fiber-filled diet,” Fallabel says.

Junk Food

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Junk food—which you should be avoiding either way for weight loss purposes—often contains high levels of sodium. “Ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, which contribute to a range of health problems,” Elizabeth Ko, MD, and Eve Glazier, MD, tell UCLA Health. These include an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered immune response, certain cancers, dementia and early death.”

Spicy Foods

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Ozempic can cause acid reflux due to slow digestion. Spicy foods can make acid reflux worse, experts warn. However, if acid reflux is not an issue, people can probably enjoy spicy foods if they wish.

Always See a Medical Professional

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Ozempic should only be prescribed by a medical professional. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

Fried Foods

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Fried, greasy foods can make Ozempic stomach issues worse. “Foods high in fat can make digestive side effects worse. Since food hangs around longer in the stomach, it has more time to cause problems,” Sarah Bullard, MS, RD, LD, tells Signos. “Some studies have shown that consuming too much fat can increase symptoms of fullness, nausea, and bloating in individuals with digestive issues and heartburn. Reducing fat intake resolved symptoms.”

💪🔥Body Booster: A whole foods Mediterranean diet is ideal while taking Ozempic.

Sophie van Oostenbrugg gainsbybrains
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to get your glutes sculpted for summer? Sophie van Oostenbrugg is a fitness trainer and the founder of the Gains with Brains app. She regularly shares workouts with her 2.4 million Instagram followers on how to burn fat and build muscle. “I grew up hearing that women should be as small as possible. That’s why I loved being able to share my bulking journey on social. I’ve done 2 bulks so far.. and I was thinking about starting and sharing a 3rd one,” she wrote in a recent post. She also revealed her “medium leg day” workout, which will help you tone up fast.

She Does Multiple Leg Days a Week

“I have good news today..it’s a medium leg day!!!🫣🤭sooo I split my leg workouts & currently have lighter, medium and heavier days. this helps me with recovery, train through a variety of rep ranges and make it more enjoyable,” she explains in the post.

She Does 8 to 12 Reps of Each Exercise

In the video she explains that she has “multiple leg days per week.” She goes onto reveal all of the exercises she does with “rep ranges from 8 to 12.”

RDLS

“I started with RDLs, four sets of eight,” Sophie reveals. To do Romanian deadlifts, start with both legs pressed evenly on the floor. “Slightly bend knees while bending over,” says The Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian. “Keep your arms pointing down toward the floor and lower with you almost touching the floor. Keep hips and shoulders square facing forward throughout the exercise. Return to standing.” She suggests repeating 10 to 12 times with the right leg and repeating on the left side. “Progression includes holding a weight in the arm pointing toward the floor,” she adds.

Sumo Squat with Kettlebell

“Then I moved on to a sumo squat with kettlebell. You know the deal, form over everything, so go slow and control the weight,” she says. Sumo squats are similar to regular squats, only you point your toes outward.

Glute Bridges

“Then I did glute bridges,” Sophie continues. You can do glute bridges with or without weights.

Cable Step Up

Next up? Cable step ups, using an exercise block. “These are great as they help with balance and therefore they're easier to overload,” she says.

Seated Leg Curl

She sits down at a machine. “Then I did a seated leg curl,” she says.

Core Exercise

“I finished with some core exercises,” Sophie concludes. “I want to get my core as strong as humanly possible so I can keep recording more intense ab workouts.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Try splitting up your workouts into light, medium, and intense days to allow your body ample time needed to recover.

Joyy Maria joyymaria
Copyright joyymaria/Instagram/Shutterstock
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to accelerate your weight loss? Go on a hot girl walk. Joy Maria (@therealjoyymaria/video) is a weight loss influencer and mother who lost 70 pounds in less than 11 months. One of her secret weight loss weapons? “Hot girl walks,” she reveals in a video. “Walking is a thousand percent, the most underrated way to lose weight,” she adds, “and one of my favorite things to do is walk.” Here is everything you need to know about how she lost weight, including some great walking tips.

She Recommends Walking After a Workout to “Cool Down

“I love walking after training because it's low impact, and my trainer's pretty intense. So it's just kind of like my cool down. I can listen to podcasts, I can answer emails, I can talk on the phone, scroll on TikTok, whatever. So get to walking, sis,” she says.

Calorie Deficit

In another video she details “exactly” how she went from 230 pounds to 160 pounds in 10 to 11 months. “If somebody is telling you that you can lose weight without being in a calorie deficit run because they're lying,” she continues, calling it “the most important step” to losing weight. “I know you guys have heard the saying, you cannot outrun a bad diet, and it's so true. Google, TDEE calculator. From there, put in your information. I'm gonna tell you exactly how many calories you need to eat. I ate about 1600 to 1800 calories daily, just depending on my activity level for the day. If I did two workouts that day, I would eat closer to 1800. If I had a more sedentary day, I would eat closer to 1500 to 1600.”

Meal Plan

Next she recommends a meal plan. “I have a seven day meal plan available at the top of my profile. It just makes it really easy when you're going to a grocery shop, when you're first starting out, when things are structured, it's gonna make it a lot easier to follow and just to stay consistent, not skipping breakfast, especially if we're exercising.”

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Her favorite breakfast is “avocado toast on sourdough bread, one hard boiled egg,” which she seasons, adding truffle hot sauce, two pieces of bacon, and one piece of sausage. “High protein, good, healthy fat, and a healthy balance of carbs,” she says. “This can also be a breakfast or a lunch because it is super filling.” Another favorite is yogurt bowls made with Dannon Light and Fit Greek yogurt with granola blackberries and blueberries. She also likes tunacado sandwiches with sourdough bread, cheese, tomato, avocado, and pesto basil spread. For dinner she might have a small bowl of Turkey chili.

Hydration

She also drinks “a ton” of water, “like a gallon of water a day,” she says. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids. Why is hydration so important? Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues, according to Mayo Clinic.

Working Out

Working out is the “second most important part,” she says. “I was taking group classes when it first started. They were high intensity bootcamp. From there, I got a trainer at the same gym. I also work out on my own. If the gym intimidates you, I strongly recommend you guys try some group fitness classes. They're a really great way to hold yourself accountable because you're in a group setting and the people around you can motivate you,” she adds. “I incorporated Pilates about nine to 10 months into my fitness journey, and I wish I would've done it sooner.”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are working out but not seeing the weight loss results you desire, add walking to your routine every day.