HOW TO GET A FLATTER STOMACH (It's Not Crunches)

It's a new month, so let's clear up one of the most common misconceptions in fitness.

I got two questions recently. A new client asked, "What foods should I eat for a flatter stomach?" A longtime client asked, "What exercises should I do to lose my belly fat?"

If you know me by now, you can probably guess my answer to both.

Squats and deadlifts. ;)

CRUNCHES DON'T BURN BELLY FAT

Doing endless situps and crunches is not going to burn belly fat. It's just going to make your belly sore. Consistent strength training, especially multi-joint moves like squats and deadlifts, burns a ton of calories and adds lean mass to your frame, which increases your ability to burn fat.

NEITHER DOES A MAGIC FOOD

Eating a certain type of food isn't going to melt belly fat either, no matter how many people on the internet want to sell you that nonsense. Eating whole, minimally processed foods while staying in an appropriate calorie deficit is what makes stubborn belly fat disappear.

Keep it simple and do the basics consistently. That's the whole secret to a flatter stomach.

So as we start a new month, that's the myth I wanted to bust. Squats, deadlifts, real food, a small deficit. Done.