I Lost Belly Fat & 17 Pounds With These 6 Simple Hacks

Simple, consistent habits can yield amazing results—just ask @WeightLossWithTarn, a TikTok influencer who detailed her fat-burning journey online. Tarn didn’t need any special shakes, or detoxes, or even expensive equipment. Instead, she focused on six hacks that pretty much anyone can do—all you need is a pair of sneakers and you too can take those first steps towards transforming your body, fitness, health, and happiness. It really couldn’t be more straightforward—read on to find out how Tarn did it.

1,500 Calories a Day

Tarn calculated how many calories she needed a day for her height and weight, and adjusted her portions to make sure they stayed within that range. Not sure how to figure that out? The Mayo Clinic has you covered with this free online calculator to take all the guesswork out. “Eating enough helps maintain glycogen stores in your muscles, which are crucial for endurance and peak performance,” says celebrity personal trainer Kollins Ezekh.

Lots of Protein

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Protein is essential for building muscle and staying satiated, so naturally Tarn made sure those 1500 calories a day included plenty of quality protein. “If you’re doing strength training or intense workouts, your body needs protein and other nutrients to build and repair muscle tissue,” Ezekh says. Vegans and vegetarians can get protein from tofu, lentils, and beans. Whole grains and nuts are also great sources of plant-based protein.

Related: Alexia Clark Flaunts Chiseled Midsection and Reveals 3 Ab Mistakes You Are Making

Three Workouts a Week

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Tarn consistently did three at-home strength training workouts a week to torch the fat and build muscle. This is right in line with recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), which advises 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three times a week. “Researchers have done studies that say it’s sometimes even better if you’re able to do higher-intensity workouts for short periods of time,” Anne Marie Chicorelli, DO, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “If you were to jog three times a day for seven to 10 minutes, you get more overall health benefits from it versus walking for 30 minutes.”

Salads For Lunch

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Tarn’s lunches consisted of big, beautiful salads with plenty of protein. “Food is your body’s primary source of energy,” Ezekh advises. “Consuming adequate calories and nutrients ensures you have enough energy to perform and enjoy your workouts. Proper nutrition supports overall health, which is essential for consistent and effective exercise.”

10K Steps a Day

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Tarn walked 6-10K steps every day, which is an excellent way of burning fat while lifting your mood. Experts recommend walking as something almost anyone can do—just get your shoes on and get moving! “If you add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine, you could burn about 150 more calories a day,” Katherine Zeratsky, RD, LD, tells the Mayo Clinic.

Related: 15 Foods That Fight Fat

2 Liters of Water a Day

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Last but by no means least—Tarn drank lots of water to stay hydrated and help with satiety. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger, so drinking healthy liquids can help you stick to your fitness regimen. "You may be able to decrease appetite by drinking water if you are, in fact, low in water not calories," Melina Jampolis, an internist and board-certified physician nutrition specialist, tells Johns Hopkins.

💪🔥Body Booster: Weight loss does NOT need to be complicated or expensive. Small changes yield big results, so start walking!

DeAsia Green (@deasiagreenn) is a weight loss warrior and influencer who has amassed a TikTok following of over half a million people. She regularly shares videos revealing all of her tips and tricks on losing weight and burning fat. In one viral video she opens up about a few of the habits that enabled her to get a flat tummy. “4 things I did to lose stomach fat,” she writes in the clip.

Cardio

Exercise is the first habit that helped DeAsia blast belly fat. She specifies that “Cardio, especially sprint intervals,” were helpful. According to research, sprint intervals burn 40 percent more fat than HIIT workouts in 60 percent less time. Similar to HIIT, it involves running at a high speed for a period of time, followed by a brief rest, and then another sprint, and so on.

She Made Major Changes to Her Diet

DeAsia also made some major changes to her diet. “Stopped eating out every day and started eating whole foods,” she writes in the clip. She eliminated junk food, processed food, and sugar. Studies have found that the more meals you eat at restaurants, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death. And, one study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found meal planning was associated with a healthier diet and less obesity.

Related: #1 Habit That Ruined My Hormonal Health, According to Nutritionist

Gym Workouts

Weight and strength training were also impactful in her fat loss. “Creating a gym routine structured around my goals and sticking to it,” she writes. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage your weight
• Enhance your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Sharpen your thinking skills.

Gut Health

She also prioritized digestion. “Started working to improve my overall gut health,” she concluded. There is actual research backing up that certain types of gut bacteria make it harder to lose weight.

Related: I’m a Transformation Coach and This Is How to Lose 22 Pounds in 12 Weeks

One Final Tip? Sleep

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The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, adds one final tip. “I would also add getting 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep,” she suggests. “When you’re sleep deprived your hunger can be more intense and you turn to comfort food when you’re tired.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Sprint interval training is significantly more effective in terms of fat loss than HIIT or other types of exercise. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.