It's healthy and normal to have some belly fat, which may be a natural, healthy part of your shape. If you have excess belly fat, however, the same general strategies you use to lose weight apply to losing belly fat. Additionally, if you strengthen the muscles below your belly fat pouch and promote healthy, elastic skin, you can further flatten your tummy.
Change your diet to one that promotes healthy weight loss. Replace high-calorie, high-fat foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Adjust your calorie consumption until the calorie change, combined with exercise, yields a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, according to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center.
Burn excess calories and body fat through at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise per week. Exercise to promote weight loss over your entire body, recommends the American Council on Exercise, because it's not possible to lose weight in just one area of your body.
Perform strength training exercises that target each major muscle group, including the abdominal muscles. Tight abdominal muscles can improve the look of loose skin. Increased muscle mass also helps you burn more calories. Strength train a minimum of two to three times per week.
Increase your fluid intake as you increase your physical activity. Proper hydration, along with increased nutrition from a healthy diet, helps keep your skin healthy. Healthy skin bounces back easier from weight loss, which helps you get a flatter stomach, according to iFitandHealthy.com