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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.

How to Eat to Lose Belly Fat in 3 Simple Stages

Follow this plan from a kinesiologist and lose fat for good.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Jeremy Ethier
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

Do you want to lose belly fat? Jeremy Ethier is a kinesiologist fitness influencer with over 6.1 million YouTube followers and one million Instagram followers who uses his science-backed training to help people lose weight and get into great shape. In a recent viral video, he tackles belly fat. “Belly fat is really easy to gain but seems almost impossible to lose. Now, you're probably aware that your diet is the key to losing fat from this area, but you likely have no idea where to start, let alone how to keep fat loss going for long enough to get rid of the most stubborn areas,” he says. “Today, I'll show you step by step in three stages how to eat to start losing fat and how to keep that going until you successfully lose all of your belly fat and for good.”


You Are Likely Between 15 and 25 Percent Body Fat

Fat belly. Man with overweight abdomen. Weight loss concept.Shutterstock

“Before we dive into the three stages, let me explain what these stages mean and why you need them in the first place,” says Ethier. “So you're likely somewhere between a body fat of 15% and 25% or maybe even higher. Regardless of where you are right now, you need to lose enough fat from other areas of your body before your body starts prioritizing burning off your belly fat for energy.”

The Magic Starts Happening Around 15 Percent Body Fat

For most people, this starts to really happen around 15% body fat, he maintains. “By the time you reach around 12% or 10% body fat, your belly fat will be almost completely gone.” He notes that while your diet is key to achieving this, “the diet you use to get you from let's say 25% to 15% most often won't be enough to take you down to the next level of 12%. The same is true for going from 12% down to even 10%,” he says. “As you get leaner and leaner, there's certain things you need to be aware of and certain changes you should make with your diet to prevent you from getting stuck and to prevent you from losing muscle.”

Stage One: Kickstarting the Fat Loss Process

Male athlete measuring Body Composition with ScaleShutterstock

He starts with stage one. “The first stage is designed to kickstart the fat loss process and keep it going until you get to about 15% body fat. Throughout this stage, your hunger levels will be low.

Your risk of muscle loss will also be low, and physiologically it will be the easiest stage to get through,” he explains.

Start by Consuming Fewer Calories Than You Burn

Man choosing food from refrigerator in kitchen at night. Bad habitShutterstock

“The stage is actually quite simple. There's only two factors you need to focus on: calories and protein,” he says. “Let's first talk about calories. You don't need to completely cut out carbs, sugar, or any of your favorite foods. All you need to do is create what's known as an energy deficit to start forcing your body to burn body fat for energy. You create this deficit by consuming fewer calories than your body burns every day.”

Here’s How to Find Energy Deficit

Gray pencil, calculator and opened account bookShutterstock

“Now, to find the appropriate energy deficit for your body, take your body weight in pounds and multiply that by anywhere from 11 to 13. If you're a taller individual, younger, or more active, go with the higher end. If you're a shorter individual, older, or less active, go with the lower end. The number you get will be a rough estimate of the amount of calories you should eat every day, but to hit your goal calorie intake, some foods are better than others,” he says.

Stick to Low-Calorie Density Foods

Women housewife with cart shopping in supermarketShutterstock

“What I recommend is focusing on what's known as low calorie density foods. These are foods that for the amount of space they take up in your stomach will only add a relatively low amount of calories to your daily total,” he says. For example, you can eat a lot more strawberries or carrots than Oreos for 200 calories. “Not only that, but since low calorie density foods tend to be unprocessed, they also tend to require more calories to burn and digest the more processed foods,” he says.

This Can Make a Big Difference in Terms of Fat Loss

Unhealthy products. food bad for figure, skin, heart and teeth. Assortment of fast carbohydrates food.Shutterstock

“Now, as for how much of a difference this can make for fat loss, a recent 2019 paper took 20 adults and first ran them through a diet consisting of only high calorie density processed foods. For two weeks afterwards, they switched them to a diet of low calorie density unprocessed foods for two weeks. In both conditions, they were allowed to eat as much food as they wanted. The result, the processed foods diet led to almost two pounds of weight gain. Once they switched the unprocessed diet, however, their daily calorie intake dropped by over 500 calories and they ended up losing over two pounds,” he reveals.

Protein Will Help You Lose Fat Versus Muscle

High protein food for body builders as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, bean, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed. Top view.Shutterstock

Eating fewer calories will help you lose weight, but “you want as much of that weight loss to be from fat rather than muscle,” Ethier says. “This is where protein comes in. You need to start eating more of it. In fact, in studies in which subjects go on the same diet and lose the same amount of weight, the ones who eat more protein end up losing more fat and less muscle.”

Here’s How Much Protein You Should Eat

Steak of salmon fish in a black plate on digital scale displaying 200 gram.Shutterstock

He recommends eating one gram per centimeter of your height, “so if you're 175 centimeters tall (5.74 feet), try to eat around 175 grams (6.17 ounces.) of protein per day with the rest of your calories coming from carbs and fats. Whereas if you're a relatively lighter individual or closer to 15% body fat, then you'll want to multiply your body weight and pounds by 0.8 and, at a minimum, eat that many grams of protein per day. Now, this might sound like a lot at first, but as you'll see, it's pretty easy to do if you choose the right protein sources,” he says.

After You Get Down to 1%, You Are Ready for the Next Stage

Bodybuilder woman lifting curl bar barbell in modern gym. Front view. Muscles woman showing sixpack abs.Shutterstock

“So focus only on calories and protein every day, and if you're consistent, you'll be able to get your body fat all the way down to 15%, but at this point is when you'll likely need to refine your approach to continue getting results,” he says.m

Stage Two: Get More Precise with Your Approach

Slim attractive young man using fat caliper to measure bodyfat on waist line.Shutterstock

“This is where stage two comes in, which evolves going from 15% down to 12% body fat. By this point, you'll be hungrier, your fat loss will slow down, and you'll be at a slightly greater risk of muscle loss. This is where most people get stuck,” says Ethier. “There are two things that will help you overcome this. First, you need to get more precise with your approach from stage one, as your body loses more and more fat, your metabolism will decrease and you'll start burning fewer calories per day. This is your body's way of protecting its remaining fat source. This means the energy deficit you used in stage one to get down to 15% body fat may no longer be enough to get you down to 12% body fat.”

Track Your Daily Calorie Intake

CALORIE counting counter application Medical eating healthy Diet conceptShutterstock

“To overcome this, if you haven't yet been doing so, you should start tracking your daily calorie intake and doing so more carefully,” Ethier continues, noting that research has shown the average person will think they eat about 429 fewer calories per day on average than they actually do. “So even if just temporarily measure out your food to see how many calories you're actually consuming and ensure you're in an energy deficit,” he says.

RELATED:The Number 1 Diet to Lose Body Fat, According to an Expert

Also, Start Looking at Your Carb and Fat Intake

Healthy Food: Best Sources of Carbs on a wooden table. Top viewShutterstock

During this stage, you'll also want to start addressing your carb and fat intake. “Take a look at this list of carbs and fats. Although healthy fats are needed in your diet on a gram-per-gram basis, fats contain more than twice as many calories as carbs do. Because of this, an effective approach is to keep your protein intake high as is but lower your daily fat intake to the lower end of what's recommended for general health. This is about 20 to 25% of your daily calorie intake,” he says.

Now You Can Intro More Carbs Into Your Diet

Portrait of proud bodybuilder boasting his arm muscles taking selfie in gym mirror flexing biceps after working outShutterstock

As a result, you'll now have room to introduce more carbs into your diet. “These extra carbs can not only help you better manage your hunger levels, but they'll also provide you with a boost in energy to support your daily activities and performance in the gym, helping you burn more calories every day and better maintain your muscle mass. Make these two weeks, and if you're consistent, you'll be able to get down to around 12% of body fat,” he claims.

Stage Three: Discipline and Sacrifice

,pan,pot,stove,kitchen,Cooking,Lunch,Preparing,Shutterstock

This is where stage three comes in. “This is the most difficult stage,” Ethier maintains. “While consistency with what we mentioned earlier will be the key to progressing through the stage, it's going to require more discipline and sacrifice.”

You Will Need to Be Eating High Volume Foods

Beautiful young couple having fun in the kitchen while cooking.Shutterstock

“First off, not only will you very likely have to be accurately tracking your calories every day, you'll also want to ensure your daily meals are making the best use of the limited calories you have. At this point, your hunger levels will be the highest they've been, so most of your meals throughout the day will need to come from high-volume foods that will help you stay full for fewer calories,” says Ethier.

RELATED:5 Exercise Mistakes to Avoid During Menopause (and 5 Things to Do Instead)

You Will Need to Make Better Choices Eating Out and Might Want to Consider Quitting Drinking

Multiracial happy friends cheering and drinking mojitos at beach party - Focus on left hand holding cocktailShutterstock

“You don't have to eliminate it completely, but you will have to make wise choices when you're out and make sure that you plan in advance for big meals out or for alcohol, both of which can drastically increase your calorie intake without you even realizing,” he says.

He Recommends Sticking to a Body Fat of 12 to 15%

A woman using a body fat scale at the gymShutterstock

“Lastly, ask yourself if the sacrifices are worth it. In my opinion, for most natural lifters, a body fat of around 12 to 15% is the most sustainable physique,” Ethier states. “It's practical to maintain. You get the health benefits of being leaner, and you'll still look great, especially if you have a good amount of muscle on you and well-developed abs from training them while getting leaner than this. Yes, it's going to provide a bit more definition than cuts. It not only requires a lot more sacrifice, but for many people, that's when daily energy levels will start to be negatively effective.”

You Can Get Down to 10% If You Really Want

Mechanical weight scale, body mass control concept : Bathroom scale, personal accurate body fat tester / skin fold caliper measurement tool for stomach / belly and measuring tape on blue backgroundShutterstock

“So while you definitely can get to 10% body fat by pushing through with what you've learned, at least consider hanging around at a higher level of body fat first and be proud of how far you've come and realize that the extra push just may not be worth it, especially if you can't maintain it overall, guys, the strategy when it comes to your nutrition is actually quite simple,” he says.

RELATED:These Ultra-processed Foods May Be Shortening Your Life, According to New Study

Be Consistent

Young muscular smiling couple celebrating after successful hard workout at the garage.Shutterstock

The hard part? “Staying consistent with it,” Ethier concludes. “You have to be clear about what your goals are and then find what you personally enjoy and can stick to consistently in the long run.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

More For You

Portrait of a happy young sportswoman doing stretching exercises at the gym
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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

Muscular man exercising doing sit up exercise. Athlete with six pack, white male, no shirtShutterstock

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

calorie counting app on smartphone screen. Counting calories on a diet. Weight lossShutterstock

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

Woman training in gym room ready for fitness biceps exercisesShutterstock

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

Woman walking in the park with bottle water in summer health care concept.Shutterstock

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

Woman,Scales,,Measuring,weight,loss,gain,feet,dietShutterstock

“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.

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.

Do you want to lose belly fat? Jeremy Ethier is a kinesiologist fitness influencer with over 6.1 million YouTube followers and one million Instagram followers who uses his science-backed training to help people lose weight and get into great shape. In a recent viral video, he tackles belly fat. “Belly fat is really easy to gain but seems almost impossible to lose. Now, you're probably aware that your diet is the key to losing fat from this area, but you likely have no idea where to start, let alone how to keep fat loss going for long enough to get rid of the most stubborn areas,” he says. “Today, I'll show you step by step in three stages how to eat to start losing fat and how to keep that going until you successfully lose all of your belly fat and for good.”


You Are Likely Between 15 and 25 Percent Body Fat

Fat belly. Man with overweight abdomen. Weight loss concept.Shutterstock

“Before we dive into the three stages, let me explain what these stages mean and why you need them in the first place,” says Ethier. “So you're likely somewhere between a body fat of 15% and 25% or maybe even higher. Regardless of where you are right now, you need to lose enough fat from other areas of your body before your body starts prioritizing burning off your belly fat for energy.”

The Magic Starts Happening Around 15 Percent Body Fat

For most people, this starts to really happen around 15% body fat, he maintains. “By the time you reach around 12% or 10% body fat, your belly fat will be almost completely gone.” He notes that while your diet is key to achieving this, “the diet you use to get you from let's say 25% to 15% most often won't be enough to take you down to the next level of 12%. The same is true for going from 12% down to even 10%,” he says. “As you get leaner and leaner, there's certain things you need to be aware of and certain changes you should make with your diet to prevent you from getting stuck and to prevent you from losing muscle.”

Stage One: Kickstarting the Fat Loss Process

Male athlete measuring Body Composition with ScaleShutterstock

He starts with stage one. “The first stage is designed to kickstart the fat loss process and keep it going until you get to about 15% body fat. Throughout this stage, your hunger levels will be low.

Your risk of muscle loss will also be low, and physiologically it will be the easiest stage to get through,” he explains.

Start by Consuming Fewer Calories Than You Burn

Man choosing food from refrigerator in kitchen at night. Bad habitShutterstock

“The stage is actually quite simple. There's only two factors you need to focus on: calories and protein,” he says. “Let's first talk about calories. You don't need to completely cut out carbs, sugar, or any of your favorite foods. All you need to do is create what's known as an energy deficit to start forcing your body to burn body fat for energy. You create this deficit by consuming fewer calories than your body burns every day.”

Here’s How to Find Energy Deficit

Gray pencil, calculator and opened account bookShutterstock

“Now, to find the appropriate energy deficit for your body, take your body weight in pounds and multiply that by anywhere from 11 to 13. If you're a taller individual, younger, or more active, go with the higher end. If you're a shorter individual, older, or less active, go with the lower end. The number you get will be a rough estimate of the amount of calories you should eat every day, but to hit your goal calorie intake, some foods are better than others,” he says.

Stick to Low-Calorie Density Foods

Women housewife with cart shopping in supermarketShutterstock

“What I recommend is focusing on what's known as low calorie density foods. These are foods that for the amount of space they take up in your stomach will only add a relatively low amount of calories to your daily total,” he says. For example, you can eat a lot more strawberries or carrots than Oreos for 200 calories. “Not only that, but since low calorie density foods tend to be unprocessed, they also tend to require more calories to burn and digest the more processed foods,” he says.

This Can Make a Big Difference in Terms of Fat Loss

Unhealthy products. food bad for figure, skin, heart and teeth. Assortment of fast carbohydrates food.Shutterstock

“Now, as for how much of a difference this can make for fat loss, a recent 2019 paper took 20 adults and first ran them through a diet consisting of only high calorie density processed foods. For two weeks afterwards, they switched them to a diet of low calorie density unprocessed foods for two weeks. In both conditions, they were allowed to eat as much food as they wanted. The result, the processed foods diet led to almost two pounds of weight gain. Once they switched the unprocessed diet, however, their daily calorie intake dropped by over 500 calories and they ended up losing over two pounds,” he reveals.

Protein Will Help You Lose Fat Versus Muscle

High protein food for body builders as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, bean, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed. Top view.Shutterstock

Eating fewer calories will help you lose weight, but “you want as much of that weight loss to be from fat rather than muscle,” Ethier says. “This is where protein comes in. You need to start eating more of it. In fact, in studies in which subjects go on the same diet and lose the same amount of weight, the ones who eat more protein end up losing more fat and less muscle.”

Here’s How Much Protein You Should Eat

Steak of salmon fish in a black plate on digital scale displaying 200 gram.Shutterstock

He recommends eating one gram per centimeter of your height, “so if you're 175 centimeters tall (5.74 feet), try to eat around 175 grams (6.17 ounces.) of protein per day with the rest of your calories coming from carbs and fats. Whereas if you're a relatively lighter individual or closer to 15% body fat, then you'll want to multiply your body weight and pounds by 0.8 and, at a minimum, eat that many grams of protein per day. Now, this might sound like a lot at first, but as you'll see, it's pretty easy to do if you choose the right protein sources,” he says.

After You Get Down to 1%, You Are Ready for the Next Stage

Bodybuilder woman lifting curl bar barbell in modern gym. Front view. Muscles woman showing sixpack abs.Shutterstock

“So focus only on calories and protein every day, and if you're consistent, you'll be able to get your body fat all the way down to 15%, but at this point is when you'll likely need to refine your approach to continue getting results,” he says.m

Stage Two: Get More Precise with Your Approach

Slim attractive young man using fat caliper to measure bodyfat on waist line.Shutterstock

“This is where stage two comes in, which evolves going from 15% down to 12% body fat. By this point, you'll be hungrier, your fat loss will slow down, and you'll be at a slightly greater risk of muscle loss. This is where most people get stuck,” says Ethier. “There are two things that will help you overcome this. First, you need to get more precise with your approach from stage one, as your body loses more and more fat, your metabolism will decrease and you'll start burning fewer calories per day. This is your body's way of protecting its remaining fat source. This means the energy deficit you used in stage one to get down to 15% body fat may no longer be enough to get you down to 12% body fat.”

Track Your Daily Calorie Intake

CALORIE counting counter application Medical eating healthy Diet conceptShutterstock

“To overcome this, if you haven't yet been doing so, you should start tracking your daily calorie intake and doing so more carefully,” Ethier continues, noting that research has shown the average person will think they eat about 429 fewer calories per day on average than they actually do. “So even if just temporarily measure out your food to see how many calories you're actually consuming and ensure you're in an energy deficit,” he says.

RELATED:The Number 1 Diet to Lose Body Fat, According to an Expert

Also, Start Looking at Your Carb and Fat Intake

Healthy Food: Best Sources of Carbs on a wooden table. Top viewShutterstock

During this stage, you'll also want to start addressing your carb and fat intake. “Take a look at this list of carbs and fats. Although healthy fats are needed in your diet on a gram-per-gram basis, fats contain more than twice as many calories as carbs do. Because of this, an effective approach is to keep your protein intake high as is but lower your daily fat intake to the lower end of what's recommended for general health. This is about 20 to 25% of your daily calorie intake,” he says.

Now You Can Intro More Carbs Into Your Diet

Portrait of proud bodybuilder boasting his arm muscles taking selfie in gym mirror flexing biceps after working outShutterstock

As a result, you'll now have room to introduce more carbs into your diet. “These extra carbs can not only help you better manage your hunger levels, but they'll also provide you with a boost in energy to support your daily activities and performance in the gym, helping you burn more calories every day and better maintain your muscle mass. Make these two weeks, and if you're consistent, you'll be able to get down to around 12% of body fat,” he claims.

Stage Three: Discipline and Sacrifice

,pan,pot,stove,kitchen,Cooking,Lunch,Preparing,Shutterstock

This is where stage three comes in. “This is the most difficult stage,” Ethier maintains. “While consistency with what we mentioned earlier will be the key to progressing through the stage, it's going to require more discipline and sacrifice.”

You Will Need to Be Eating High Volume Foods

Beautiful young couple having fun in the kitchen while cooking.Shutterstock

“First off, not only will you very likely have to be accurately tracking your calories every day, you'll also want to ensure your daily meals are making the best use of the limited calories you have. At this point, your hunger levels will be the highest they've been, so most of your meals throughout the day will need to come from high-volume foods that will help you stay full for fewer calories,” says Ethier.

RELATED:5 Exercise Mistakes to Avoid During Menopause (and 5 Things to Do Instead)

You Will Need to Make Better Choices Eating Out and Might Want to Consider Quitting Drinking

Multiracial happy friends cheering and drinking mojitos at beach party - Focus on left hand holding cocktailShutterstock

“You don't have to eliminate it completely, but you will have to make wise choices when you're out and make sure that you plan in advance for big meals out or for alcohol, both of which can drastically increase your calorie intake without you even realizing,” he says.

He Recommends Sticking to a Body Fat of 12 to 15%

A woman using a body fat scale at the gymShutterstock

“Lastly, ask yourself if the sacrifices are worth it. In my opinion, for most natural lifters, a body fat of around 12 to 15% is the most sustainable physique,” Ethier states. “It's practical to maintain. You get the health benefits of being leaner, and you'll still look great, especially if you have a good amount of muscle on you and well-developed abs from training them while getting leaner than this. Yes, it's going to provide a bit more definition than cuts. It not only requires a lot more sacrifice, but for many people, that's when daily energy levels will start to be negatively effective.”

You Can Get Down to 10% If You Really Want

Mechanical weight scale, body mass control concept : Bathroom scale, personal accurate body fat tester / skin fold caliper measurement tool for stomach / belly and measuring tape on blue backgroundShutterstock

“So while you definitely can get to 10% body fat by pushing through with what you've learned, at least consider hanging around at a higher level of body fat first and be proud of how far you've come and realize that the extra push just may not be worth it, especially if you can't maintain it overall, guys, the strategy when it comes to your nutrition is actually quite simple,” he says.

RELATED:These Ultra-processed Foods May Be Shortening Your Life, According to New Study

Be Consistent

Young muscular smiling couple celebrating after successful hard workout at the garage.Shutterstock

The hard part? “Staying consistent with it,” Ethier concludes. “You have to be clear about what your goals are and then find what you personally enjoy and can stick to consistently in the long run.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

FACT CHECKED BY Alek Korab
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.

What are my proven tips for achieving a dream body? As a Precision Nutrition certified coach and CrossFit L1 certified trainer, this is a question that I often see asked in online forums, and it engenders responses that run the whole gamut—from eating a vegan diet to going full carnivore. I’ll give you my top 3 tips that, if followed, will not only help anyone to lose weight but will also create a body that looks fit, strong, and healthy. The best part is, they are easily actionable with some guidance and a little motivation.


1. Reduce Calorie Intake

Calorie,Counting,Calculator.,Diet,.Shutterstock

First, we have to look at reducing calorie intake. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but bear with me here. Everyone knows this, but it’s a proven fact that the vast majority of people who are trying to lose weight cannot maintain a caloric deficit followed by maintenance. So how are we going to do that? It’s not as simple as just telling people to “eat less.” We need to make sure that the food we’re eating keeps us feeling satisfied for a longer period of time so that we can reduce or eliminate snacking, which is one of the primary drivers of weight gain. To address this, start each day with a protein-dense meal. It doesn’t have to be a big, complicated breakfast. It could be something as simple as a couple of eggs, boiled or scrambled. “But I’m a breakfast skipper” I hear you say. Then make a simple protein shake in the morning. Take your time drinking it. It can even be taken with you on your commute. Twenty five to thirty grams of protein in the morning will keep you feeling satiated so that mid-morning snacking is reduced or eliminated. And your body needs more protein if you want to sculpt that dream body. Protein is the magic bullet for losing weight and sparing muscle.

Related: #1 Dumbest Thing You Can Do to Lost Weight, According to Nutrition Expert (He Did It Too)

2. Don't Eat Four Hours Before Going to Sleep

Sleeping,sleep,snooze,bed,asleep,night,dreamShutterstock

Next tip. We then address post-6pm eating. By getting adequate protein early on in the day, we’re set up to have our next 1 or 2 meals (lunch or dinner, or both) without feeling ravenous and without the between-meal snacks that I mentioned as being one of the obstacles to weight loss. So try to finish your last meal of the day at least 4 hours before you go to sleep for the night. This ensures that you have restful sleep (which in itself has been proven by numerous studies to increase weight loss success) without the sleep disturbances that come with going to bed right after eating.

Related: Woman Wows After Losing 30 Pounds in 3 Months By Eating Lunchables

3. Move Some Weight

Woman,Walking,In,The,Park,,Outdoors.,exerciseShutterstock

Last tip: Move some weight. I know, I know, we’ve all heard that you can go for an evening stroll or run 5k a day to lose weight. But sculpting a strong, healthy physique? Muscle mass has to be at least preserved, or better yet, increased. No, moving some weights in the gym is not going to give you a body like Arnold, ladies. That’s like saying going to the library 3 times a week is going to turn you into Albert Einstein. But putting in 3 one-hour sessions moving some weights, with a little HIIT (high-intensity interval training) thrown into the mix is going to burn fat, build muscle, and give you a body that the typical runner can be envious of. If you enjoyed this article don't miss I’ve Tried Nearly Every Diet and This is the #1 Best for Weight Loss For Me.

💪🔥Body Booster: Start each day with a protein-dense meal. It could be something as simple as a couple of eggs, boiled or scrambled

Mark Edwards is a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coach, CrossFit Mobility Trainer & L2 at Minimalist Nutrition + Fitness

Miranda Forrest corporatestronggirl
Copyright corporatestronggirl/Instagram

Are you struggling to blast your belly fat? One expert claims to know the secret to getting rid of it. Miranda Forrest is a fitness coach for corporate women. “I help corporate women own their fitness journey w/o sacrificing their career, wine nights, or fav foods,” she writes in her Instagram bio. In a new social media post, she reveals her tactics for getting rid of a flabby midsection as soon as possible. “If I were to wake up tomorrow and gain 20 pounds of belly fat…here’s what I would do to lose it in 4 months as a busy corporate girl,” she writes.

You Don’t Have to Go to Extremes

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You don’t have to go to extremes to blast belly fat. “It can seem super confusing and frustrating trying to lose weight, but it doesn’t have to be. 5 years ago I would have tried low carb, HIIT classes, running, and maybe it would have worked for a bit, but the progress always stopped,” Miranda writes.

These Science-Backed Methods Will Keep Your Body From “Adapting to the Stimulus”

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“My body was adapting to the stimulus I was giving it. Here’s how to avoid that adaptation and how I would lose those 20lbs after learning the science behind losing body fat and toning,” she continues.

Lift Weights

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Lifting weights is the first thing you need to do. “Start resistance training,” she recommends. “None of this light weight lifting, though. Heavy weights with continued reps and weight increases to avoid adaptation.”

Track Macros

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You also need to stay accountable when it comes to your diet. “Start tracking macros,” she says. “Ensure you’re eating the right foods to lose body fat and maintain lean muscle.”

Start a Calorie Deficit

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To lose weight you need to be in a calorie deficit. “Start a calorie deficit - I’d make sure I’m in a calorie deficit of 500+ calories per day to lose around 1lb per week,” she writes.

Do Low Intensity Cardio

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And, do some cardio. “Start low intensity cardio - I’d increase my steps and add in low intensity cardio to help ensure I was in a calorie deficit for the day,” she says.

She Eats 2300 Calories Per Day

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In another post she reveals details about her own routine. “Instead of avoiding carbs, cake and running for hours and hours each week, here’s exactly what I’m doing to maintain 19% body fat and stay lean this winter,” she said. “I eat 2300 calories daily, 150g protein, 255g carbs, 80g fats. I never skip my bagel in the morning and ensure I can have a sweet treat before bed.”

She Walks and Lifts Weights

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She also makes sure to get her steps in. “I aim for 10k daily steps to ensure I’m getting activity in (my desk treadmill is the only way I make this possible),” she writes. “I lift 3 times per week (non of those “strength training” classes bc that’s a waste of time imo) and get 1-2 days of 30-45 min of cardio for heart health.”

She Meditates and Journals

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She also gets her zen on. “I take the first 30 minutes of my day to meditate, journal and stay off my phone (way more important than you’d think for the mental),” she says.

She Gets Rest and Takes Time for Self-Care

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And, she allows her body the chance to regenerate. “I start my bedtime routine around 7:30pm so I can be in bed reading by 8pm and lights out at 9pm,” she says. “I also make time for self care and socialization — we NEED to spend time with the girls in order to be our best selves.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

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.

Frustrated with love handles that just won't budge? If you've tried everything from endless side crunches to restrictive diets with no success, you're not alone. "It would be amazing if we could do a particular exercise that targeted love handle fat only, but there is no known way currently to spot reduce fat," says Jenna Collins, a certified personal trainer who's helped thousands transform their bodies. With over 400,000 YouTube subscribers and 25 years of fitness expertise, Collins has developed a science-backed approach that delivers real results. Here's her proven system that actually works for eliminating those stubborn love handles.


Why Love Handles Are So Stubborn

"Love handles don't appear overnight," Jenna explains in her post. "They develop over the years through excess calorie consumption and various factors like stress, medication, and genetics." She notes that women, especially after menopause, are more prone to storing fat in this area due to decreased estrogen levels.

"They don't appear because you went on vacation for a week and ate too much food," Jenna emphasizes. "This happens over a long period of time. Often, in the years, we've become so used to our bad habits that the problem can go undetected or, more likely, ignored."

RELATED:She Could Have Lost Weight Faster If She Had Known These 5 Fat Loss Tricks

Step 1: The Nutrition Strategy That Makes the Difference

The foundation of losing love handles starts with smart eating. "You need to be in a calorie deficit to lose fat," Jenna emphasizes. "This means consuming fewer calories than you burn daily." She recommends reducing your daily caloric intake by no more than 500 calories to lose fat at a sustainable pace.

"Definitely don't jump in and reduce your calories to the bare minimum in the hopes of speeding up fat loss," Jenna warns. "This will always result in gaining the weight back very fast. The truth is you're looking at many months and possibly even years, depending on how much fat you need to lose."

The Protein Rule That Protects Your Muscles While Burning Fat

Protein intake is crucial to maintaining muscle while losing fat. "If you're not getting adequate protein in your diet, you can start to lose muscle, especially while in a calorie deficit," Jenna explains. She recommends consuming 0.7-1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.

Step 2: The Exercise Approach That Really Works

Surprisingly, the most effective exercise isn't what most people expect. "If I had to choose one exercise for all people and all fitness levels, walking is your best exercise to lose fat," Jenna reveals. She notes that "walking for 45 minutes at a steady pace can burn as many calories as a 15-minute HIIT workout."

For optimal results, combine walking with strength training. "Resistance training will help you to tone and build muscle, and the more lean muscle mass you have, the more calories your body will burn at rest. Yes, that's right. At rest, doing nothing."

Start Here: Your Simple 3-Day Workout Plan for Results

For beginners, Jenna recommends "a full body workout three times per week. Two could be shorter HIIT workouts with or without equipment, and one could be lower intensity weights." As you progress, you can advance to more specialized routines.

RELATED:10 Warning Signs Your Calories Are Dangerously Low

Step 3: The Missing Link - Sustainable Consistency

"If you can't put the first two steps into practice consistently and make it a lifestyle change rather than seeing it as a challenge, then those steps are pointless," Jenna states firmly. "You don't need to jump in with both feet and make drastic changes overnight. For some, this might work, but for most people, this won't work."

Work With Your Body Type, Not Against It

She highlights working with your unique body type: "We really just need to accept that we all have different body shapes. You can't go comparing your body shape to someone else's. Work with your own body and don't try to shape it the way somebody else is built."

Breaking Through Plateaus

When progress stalls, Jenna shares her proven solution: the refeed day. "After some time being in a calorie deficit, your body will reduce the amount of calories it burns. This is your body's way of going into survival mode," she explains. By strategically increasing carbohydrates for one day, "you're signaling to your body that you are getting enough calories, and there's no need to lower your metabolism."

RELATED:She Tried the 75 Soft Challenge and "Actually Craves Healthy Food Now"

Your Blueprint for Success

"Combine the science and a lifestyle change that works for you, meaning something that is sustainable and enjoyable for you long-term," Jenna concludes. The key to success lies in the combination of proper nutrition, strategic exercise, and unwavering consistency. While the journey requires patience, following these science-backed steps will lead to real, lasting results. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

10 Foods That Secretly Burn Fat After 40
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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.

Let's face it—hitting 40 comes with some unwelcome surprises for most of us. Suddenly, those extra pounds seem to appear out of nowhere, and the weight loss strategies that worked in your 30s just don't cut it anymore. But before you throw in the towel, here's some good news: certain foods can actually help kick your metabolism back into gear.

We've dug into the latest research from top medical institutions and talked to leading experts to uncover the foods that can help you burn fat after 40. No fad diets or miracle pills—just real, science-backed nutrition that works.

Why Your Body Changes After 40 (And What to Do About It)

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"It doesn't matter what you've always done before—that doesn't fly anymore," saysDr. Monica Christmas, who runs the menopause program at University of Chicago Medicine. She's seen countless patients struggle with the same story. "When your hormone levels drop, your body starts losing muscle, and that means you're burning fewer calories even at rest."

Dr. Robert Creel from Cleveland Clinic puts it bluntly: "Your muscles are like engines that burn fuel. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn just sitting on your couch." After 40, maintaining that engine becomes job number one.

Ready to refuel your body's fat-burning potential? Let's dive into the foods that can help.

RELATED:8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat

1. Lean Proteins

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Think of protein as your body's ultimate fat-fighting fuel. Chicken, fish, lean beef, tofu—they all help preserve precious muscle mass that naturally diminishes after 40.

Here's something fascinating from Harvard researchers: your body burns 15-30% of protein calories during digestion, compared to just 5-10% for carbs and a measly 0-3% for fats. That extra calorie burn happens automatically, just by choosing protein-rich foods.

Dr. Roger Blumenthal from Johns Hopkins Medicine loves to remind his patients: "Your muscles are literally the engines that burn calories in your body. Feed them right, and they'll work for you around the clock."

How to enjoy it: Start your day with eggs and veggies, grab a grilled chicken salad for lunch, or try a palm-sized portion of wild salmon for dinner. Aim for 25-30 grams of protein at each meal to keep your metabolism humming.

2. Greek Yogurt

Serving of Yogurt with Whole Fresh Blueberries and Oatmeal on Old Rustic Wooden Table. Closeup Detail.

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That creamy container of Greek yogurt in your fridge? It's actually a secret weapon against stubborn fat. With double the protein of regular yogurt and a healthy dose of probiotics, it's a one-two punch for your metabolism.

Dietitians at the Cleveland Clinic have found that the probiotics in yogurt help balance gut bacteria—which might be even more important after 40, when digestive efficiency naturally declines. Plus, the calcium in Greek yogurt has been linked to lower levels of belly fat, which becomes more of an issue with age.

How to enjoy it: Skip the sugary flavored versions and go for plain. Add a drizzle of honey and berries for a satisfying snack, use it as a sour cream replacement, or blend it into smoothies for a protein boost.

RELATED:20 Foods You Didn’t Know Were Ultra-Processed

3. Fatty Fish

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Salmon, mackerel, and sardines aren't just delicious—they're packed with omega-3 fatty acids that fight the inflammation that often increases after 40.

Scientists at the NIH discovered something remarkable: omega-3s can increase your resting metabolic rate by up to 14% and boost fat burning during exercise by a whopping 27%. Talk about a winning combination.

"When we look at heart health after 40, fatty fish really shines," says a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine. "The same omega-3s that protect your heart are also helping reduce that internal inflammation that makes weight loss so difficult in midlife."

How to enjoy it: Aim for two servings of fatty fish weekly. Try simple grilled salmon with lemon or sardines on whole-grain toast for lunch, or add mackerel to your favorite salad.

4. Whole Grains

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Forget what you've heard about cutting all carbs. Your body after 40 still needs them—just the right kind.

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found something surprising when they studied whole grains in people under 50: those eating whole grains instead of refined ones had three times better blood pressure readings. That's huge for metabolic health, which directly impacts how well you burn fat.

"Whole grains provide steady energy without the crashes," explains a nutrition researcher at Cleveland Clinic. "After 40, those energy crashes can trigger stress hormones that promote fat storage, especially around the middle."

How to enjoy them: Start your day with steel-cut oats, swap white rice for brown or quinoa, and choose whole grain bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per slice.

5. Eggs

Avocado toast with poached egg on a wooden board. Breakfast concept.​Don’t Skip BreakfastShutterstock

Eggs have made a major comeback in nutrition circles, and for good reason. They're nature's perfect little package of high-quality protein, vitamin D, and choline—a nutrient that helps your body burn fat and is often lacking in our diets.

Research from the University of Connecticut found something interesting: people who eat eggs for breakfast naturally eat fewer calories throughout the day. The protein and healthy fats keep hunger hormones in check—a major win when battling age-related weight gain.

How to enjoy them: A two-egg breakfast with veggies and a slice of whole-grain toast makes a perfect metabolism-boosting morning meal. Hard-boiled eggs also make great portable snacks when you need something satisfying on the go.

RELATED:I'm a Nutritionist and These are the Best Banana Recipes For Weight Loss

6. Legumes

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Lentils, black beans, and chickpeas might not be the sexiest foods in your kitchen, but they pack a one-two punch against age-related weight gain: fiber and protein.

Harvard researchers have found that this combination helps stabilize blood sugar—crucial after 40 when insulin resistance becomes more common. When your blood sugar stays steady, you avoid the energy crashes that lead to cravings and overeating.

How to enjoy them: Toss chickpeas into your salad, add lentils to soups, try bean-based pasta, or whip up a quick lunch of black bean and avocado wrap.

7. Green Tea

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Green tea isn't just a soothing ritual—it's loaded with compounds that give your metabolism a gentle nudge in the right direction.

NIH research shows that the catechins and caffeine in green tea work together to boost metabolism beyond what caffeine alone can do. While no single food or drink works miracles, green tea drinkers consistently show better results in weight management studies.

How to enjoy it: Replace your afternoon coffee with green tea, or start your morning with a cup. For maximum benefits, brew your own rather than buying bottled versions with added sugar.

8. Nuts and Seeds

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"They're calorie-dense, but that doesn't mean you should avoid them," says Harvard Health about nuts and seeds. In fact, people who regularly eat nuts tend to be leaner than those who don't—seemingly contradicting their high calorie count.

The protein, fiber, and healthy fats in almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds create the perfect satisfied feeling that helps prevent overeating. Plus, they require more energy to digest than many other snacks.

How to enjoy them: Stick to about 1/4 cup (a small handful) daily. Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to your morning smoothie, sprinkle chopped walnuts on your salad, or grab a small handful of almonds for an afternoon snack

RELATED:20 Superfoods for People Over 50

9. Leafy Greens

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You've heard it your whole life: eat your greens. After 40, this advice becomes even more crucial.

"When we look at the most successful weight managers after midlife, high vegetable intake is always a common factor," notes a dietitian at Mayo Clinic. "The fiber fills you up, the nutrients support metabolism, and the volume satisfies hunger cues—all with minimal calories."

How to enjoy them: Start meals with a simple salad, add spinach to smoothies (you won't taste it), wrap sandwich fillings in large lettuce leaves instead of bread, or roast kale with a little olive oil for a crunchy snack.

10. Water

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It sounds too simple to be true, but researchers at the University of Utah discovered that properly hydrated people burn more calories than those who are even slightly dehydrated. In fact, dehydration can slow metabolism by as much as 3%—and many of us walk around mildly dehydrated without even realizing it.

After 40, our thirst signals often become less reliable, making conscious hydration even more important.

How to enjoy it: Start the day with a full glass of water, keep a refillable bottle with you, add fruit slices or herbs for natural flavor, and eat water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, and strawberries.

Putting It All Together: Your After-40 Eating Strategy

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Here's what Dr. M. Regina Castro from Mayo Clinic tells her patients who are struggling with midlife weight changes: "You need to reset your body's metabolic expectations through consistent, gradual changes. Your meals should feature lean proteins alongside fruits and vegetables—this combination supports your changing metabolism."

Cleveland Clinic experts have another crucial tip: when you eat matters too. "Your body processes the exact same food differently depending on the time of day," they explain. "After 40, eating earlier in the day tends to work better for metabolism than late-night meals."

Dr. Christmas cuts right to the chase with her patients: "You can't exercise your way out of a bad diet, and you can't eat your way out of being inactive. After 40, you need both pieces working together."

The Bottom Line

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These 10 foods aren't magical—they work by supporting your body's changing needs after 40. They help maintain muscle mass, reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, and keep your energy levels steady—all crucial factors in maintaining a healthy weight in midlife and beyond.

The best news? They're delicious, accessible, and can easily become part of your everyday eating. No extreme diets or bizarre superfoods required—just real, wholesome nutrition that works with your body, not against it.

It’s important to remember that weight management after 40 is about more than just food. Regular strength training, quality sleep, stress management, and staying hydrated all work together with good nutrition to keep your metabolism running at its best. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Laura Try lauratryuk
Copyright Laura Try/YouTube/Instagram
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.

We spend hours hunched over desks and slouched on couches, rarely challenging our bodies to move the way they naturally should. Digital coachLaura Try, with over 170,000 YouTube subscribers, invites us to reclaim a fundamental human position that many of us have lost: the deep squat. "Modern-day living and this chair-filled life is causing some of us to move less and with less range of motion," Laura explains. Try this simple test to discover where your mobility stands—you might be surprised at what you learn about your body.

What Is the Deep Squat Test?

The deep squat test challenges you to hold a deep squat position for as long as possible, ideally reaching the full 10 minutes. "The deep squat, otherwise known as the Asian or primal squat, is meant to be a resting position," Laura says. The challenge requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. It's not just about holding the position but assessing how your body responds to this natural human posture.

RELATED:5-Minute Walking Workouts for Women Over 40 to Burn Fat at Home

The Lost Resting Position

What we now consider an exercise was once a normal resting position. Babies naturally squat with ease, and people of all ages in many cultures around the world use this position daily. It's not about age or special abilities—it's about regular practice. Laura points out, "They do it all the time and perhaps we should too." Being able to get into a deep squat is an indicator of total body mobility.

Why We Struggle With Squatting

Modern living has dramatically reduced our need to get low to the ground. "Once upon a time we'd have crouched down to light a fire, prepare our meals or investigate an edible plant growing on the ground. Now we have most things that we need at a convenient height," Laura notes. Our chair-dependent lifestyle has created what fitness expert Kelly Starrett calls "an imbalance between the environment and organism"—the way we live doesn't match what our bodies are designed to do.

Benefits Beyond Flexibility

The deep squat offers more than just improved mobility. "This concertina effect, even though our body is folded over, it kind of untangles the body by unlocking the ankles, hips and back," Laura explains. Regular practice can help with total body alignment, potentially reducing lower back pain and other issues. The position creates a full-body stretching and strengthening effect that counters the tightness from sedentary living.

RELATED:Tone Sagging Arms in 2 Weeks With These 5 Exercises

Making the Squat Accessible

Not everyone can immediately drop into a perfect deep squat—and that's perfectly okay. "Practicing this doesn't require you to be miserable; it can be enjoyable," Laura reassures. She suggests several modifications: placing something under your heels, using the wall for support, or even sitting on a low block. The goal isn't perfection but spending time in a version of the position that works for your body.

Laura's Personal Journey

Even fitness professionals struggle with this fundamental movement. "Believe me when I say six or seven years ago I could not get into a deep squat let alone stay here," Laura admits. Her ankles were tight, her shins would burn, and her hips and lower back would scream in protest. The position felt completely unnatural to her at first, defying the idea that it could ever be restful. Yet with consistent practice, her body adapted.

The "Use It or Lose It" Principle

Our bodies adapt to the demands we place on them—or don't place on them. "If we don't use our bodies and joints to their full range of motion what happens? They tighten up, use it or lose it," Laura emphasizes. By regularly practicing the deep squat, we signal to our body that this range of motion is important, helping to maintain or restore natural mobility that many people lose over time.

RELATED:I Got My Best Body After 50 and Here’s How You Can, Too

Beyond Static Holding

The deep squat isn't just about getting down and staying down. "The thing about doing this is it isn't just about getting down here and staying down here but having the ability to get up from this position too which requires leg strength," Laura explains. This functional movement builds both mobility and strength, supporting everyday movements and potentially reducing injury risk as we age.

Making It Part of Daily Life

You don't need to set aside special time for deep squat practice. "Do a bit of weeding in your garden in this position, do some playtime with your children or grandchildren in this position, watch some TV in this position," Laura suggests. Even short periods throughout the day add up. The key is consistency, not duration—even 10 seconds at a time can help restore this natural movement pattern.

RELATED:20 Superfoods for People Over 50

The Routine That Worked for Laura

Consistent practice yields results, even if progress seems impossible at first. "The routine that really helped me get better at my deep squat over the years is the Ido Portal squat routine," Laura shares. She incorporated a shortened version into her warm-up routine for years, not realizing how much she had improved until suddenly the position felt comfortable. The transformation happened gradually through consistent practice over nine years.

A Test of Mental Resilience

The squat test challenges your mind as much as your body. "I can't say it's particularly comfortable; my hips feel really tight, my lower back is stretched, and my shins are burning a little bit," Laura admits at the nine-minute mark of her demonstration. Yet she persists, showing that mental fortitude is part of the process. The test builds not just physical capacity but also the ability to sit with discomfort.

Start Where You Are

Everyone's squat journey begins at a different place. Laura encourages readers to try the test regardless of their current ability level. "If you're trying this then I'd love to know how you're doing and how it feels," she says, inviting community participation. Whether you can hold the position for 10 seconds or 10 minutes, the key is starting the process of reclaiming this fundamental movement pattern. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Melanie Abeyta harmony aesthetics
Copyright harmony_aesthetics/Instagram
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.

The bad news? There is no such thing as a fountain of youth. The good? There are foods you can eat to improve longevity. “Our skin reflects our overall health, and diet plays a massive role. The combination of the antioxidant effect manifests in improving the cell barrier, increased collagen production, and the enhancement of the natural oils in the skin, reflected in vibrant, youthful, and luminous skin and a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. When skin is unhealthy, these are much more visible,” explainsMelanie Abeyta, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, Longevity Coach, and Owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center. She recommends focusing on an anti-inflammatory-based diet with lots of fresh fruit, water, and probiotics, which can help balance your gut, affecting your skin. “Incorporating these foods into your diet should be easy, and a variety of at least four of these foods, if not more, should be eaten daily,” she says.

Almond Milk

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Almond milk is an excellent source of vitamin E, a known antioxidant. “Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by free radicals which can often cause irreversible damage to the skin because it contributes to collagen and elastin depletion,” says Abeyta. Collagen and elastin are essential substances that give the skin elasticity and firmness. “The collagen and elastin supply of the skin is depleted after prolonged exposure to free radicals. As you age, your body cannot replenish the depleted supply; this is the primary cause of wrinkles, fine lines, and other skin blemishes. Vitamin E, present in almond milk, protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals and this makes the skin healthy and younger-looking.”

RELATED:8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat

Avocado

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“Avocado is great because it contains Vitamins C and E and essential fatty acids that decrease inflammation and redness and improve fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains antioxidants that are important to prevent UV damage and help shed dead skin cells on the skin's surface,” she continues.

Blueberries

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Blueberries are high in Vitamins A and C, which have a high antioxidant content to help protect the skin from sun damage. “Vitamin A is a precursor to retinol and has a strong antioxidant and anti-aging effect,” says Abeyta.

Carrots

Harvesting carrots. Female hand with bunches of carrots with tops.​VegetablesShutterstock

Carrots are not only good for your eyes but are also excellent for smooth skin, says Abeyta. “Carotenoids, found in carrots, are your protection from everyday pollutants and will prevent wrinkles. The beta carotene in carrots is a skin-friendly nutrient converted to vitamin A inside the body and can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It also helps repair skin tissues while protecting the skin from harmful radiation,” she explains.

RELATED:20 Foods You Didn’t Know Were Ultra-Processed

Coconut

Glass with fresh coconut water and coconuts on the table.Shutterstock

“Coconut is not only highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but it also helps support the natural chemical balance of the skin to help prevent wrinkles and functions as a protective antioxidant,” says Abeyta. “It's also great for hydrating both skin and hair and helps prevent dehydration when taken by mouth, as it contains loads of electrolytes. Coconut also helps control dandruff.”

Cucumber

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Cucumber is a natural anti-inflammatory vegetable that can calm and soothe skin. “Plus, it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C and folic acid, which help reduce swelling and puffiness,” she adds. “Vitamin C helps stimulate new cell growth, and folic acid helps fight environmental toxins that can make your skin look tired or age prematurely. When combined, these help your skin look firmer and healthier. Cucumber can also help reduce breakouts as it can help cleanse the skin and tighten pores.”

Green Tea

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Green Tea is high in antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, and has anti-aging benefits that help fight free radicals to protect your skin from environmental stressors that can damage and age it. “It also contains Vitamin A, which is known to help improve the skin’s texture, and Vitamin B, which helps reduce redness. Plus, it has soothing properties and will help brighten the skin,” Abeyta explains.

RELATED:I'm a Nutritionist and These are the Best Banana Recipes For Weight Loss

Nuts

A variety of nuts in wooden bowls.​NutsShutterstock

Nuts such as walnuts and almonds not only help strengthen the skin cell barrier but also the natural oil barrier of the skin, which ultimately helps prevent sun damage. “Because they contain antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, they will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and skin pigmentation while improving the overall appearance of the skin,” she explains.

Olive Oil

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Olive oil contains four major antioxidants, which allow it to work as a cleanser and moisturizer. “Among these antioxidants are Vitamins A and E. Vitamin E has anti-aging benefits because it helps restore skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles,” Abeyta maintains.

Pumpkin

Cut fresh ripe pumpkin on grey backgroundShutterstock

Pumpkin is loaded with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. “This converts to Vitamin A which helps prevent wrinkles and keep your skin youthful and moisturized. This is the perfect food if you are experiencing dry skin. Pumpkin is also loaded with Vitamin C, another antioxidant that protects collagen and boosts our immune systems,” says the expert.

Spinach

Fresh spinach leaves in bowl on rustic wooden table. Top view.Shutterstock

Spinach is high in Vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production, and Vitamin A, which is vital for combatting inflammation and promoting cell turnover, which is essential for anti-aging. “Spinach is also rich in beta-carotene, which allows proper moisture retention in the skin to help fight wrinkles while removing dead skin cells for healthier, brighter skin,” Abeyta maintains.

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Sweet Potatoes

Organic Asian sweet potatoes holding by hand​Sweet PotatoesShutterstock

“Sweet potatoes contain 200% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A, which helps promote the growth of new skin cells and increases the rate at which this happens, leaving you with vibrant skin,” says Abeyta. Also, from one sweet potato, you’ll get three grams of fiber, which keeps your digestive tract healthy. “A functioning digestive tract can help keep breakouts to a minimum.”

Tomatoes

Orange,,Red,And,Yellow,Cherry,Tomatoes.,Mix,Colorful,Tomatoes,InShutterstock

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, B, C, K, alpha and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. “Lycopene is especially beneficial because it’s a carotenoid with a powerful anti-cancer effect. These are all great antioxidants that help the skin maintain healthy collagen and reduce the risk of skin damage,” she claims.

Turmeric

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“Turmeric has brightening and anti-inflammatory properties, which help with melasma and inflamed acne. It will also help soothe and even out the skin, boost collagen production, and help with hyperpigmentation. Because it contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant, it will help neutralize free radicals that damage skin cells and contribute to aging,” Abeyta tells us. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.