So, the good news is, you can stop doing all those leg lifts and crunches. These are fine for toning your abdominal muscles, but won’t do a thing to remove the belly fat that is blocking your toned abs. Lets start with the fat removal first, okay? One myth that many people still believe is that you can target specific areas to remove fat, but that is not the case. Doing ab exercises that target the mid section are fine but should be part of an overall multi-joint exercise routine that works the large muscle groups such as the legs, back, and chest.

Focusing on multi-joint full body resistance training increases your metabolism both during the workout and also for 24 to 48 hours afterwards. This increases fat burning hormones in your body that simply does not happen by doing repetitive ab exercises. Grab a barbell or a set of dumbbells and do some squats, lunges, deadlifts, stepups, and chest and back exercises. Focus on the intensity of the workout and minimize the rest period in between.

Apart from full body exercises, eating well balanced, nutritional meals is very important to burning fat. One reason that many fad diets do not work is that they interfere with your body’s hormonal balance. Plus, if the diet is difficient in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes, this can work against you by reducing lean muscle tissue and lowering your metabolism. Your body was designed to run on protein, carbs, and yes, even fat. Eating natural foods with the right nutrients is what gives your body the tools it needs to burn fat and maintain proper functioning such as blood sugar, insulin, glycogen, and more.

So what foods should you eat to turn your body into a well oiled fat burning machine? If you want a good example of what not to eat, just take a look in your own kitchen. Refined processed junk food that is full of sugar and artificial ingredients is what you will likely see. Maybe some sodas in the refrigerator. If you are serious about losing stomach fat, you will have to make some healthy adjustments. This doesn’t mean you have to eat algae and spinach the rest of your life. Natural food can be just as tasty as junk food and it won’t clog your system. The fact of the matter is that once you get used to eating natural food, the processed stuff will taste like the chemical waste that it really is.

In many instances, you can simply make some minor adjustments, such as eating dark chocolate (70-75% cocoa content only) instead of milk chocolate. How about grilled chicken strips with veggies on the side instead of deep fried chicken. Think “nutrient dense”. This includes foods like veggies, sweet potatoes, and a variety of berries and whole fruits (not juice). Eat the most nutrient part of grains such as bran. Get healthy fats from avocados, guacamole, nuts, seeds, & nut butters.

This article just touches the surface of what is waiting for you to discover, so head on over to Truth About Abs to find out more, or download Mike’s free ebook in the sidebar for 27 metabolism boosting secrets.