7 golden rules to melt belly fat forever, reveals fitness coach

Who doesn’t dream of washboard abs? While there is nothing wrong with your belly looking the way it is, as far as you are healthy, a flat and toned tummy is a goal many seek. From people who are building muscles to those trying to lose fat, one area that seldom sees results is the belly. People often find it tough to shed belly fat, regardless of how hard they try. So, what’s the secret code to melting stubborn fat? Fitness coach Dan Go, who has over 740K followers on Instagram, has revealed the best and foolproof way to get rid of belly fat forever.

The fitness coach has shared seven golden rules to cut belly fat, and it is tried and tested, according to him. “These rules have helped thousands of clients and many others drop the belly fat and become the best versions of themselves,” he said in a post shared on X.

No level of alcohol is safe, according to WHO. Drinking alcohol only adds up the health burden, and it is no good for fat loss either. “Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol affects hormones that control appetite, hunger, and stress. It's also high in empty calories, making it more likely to increase your abdominal fat. Want a slim belly? Live a sober life,” Dan Go says.

People often tend to cut back on carbs when they start their weight loss journey. But this isn’t doing any good for your weight loss. Dan Go recommends matching your carbohydrate intake based on your activity levels. “Carbs are fuel for performance. If you're largely sedentary, then eat less of them. If you're an active person, then eat more of them. Carbs are a tool for energy. Match them to fit your lifestyle,” he notes.

There is no debate about the fact that water is essential for your overall health and well-being. Water also plays a pivotal role in your weight loss regime. The coach says to drink water in a rather unique way. “Drink water upon waking,” he says. Drinking water first thing in the morning is proven to kickstart your system and have a positive effect on your metabolism. Dan Go also advises drinking water before and after meals, instead of with the meals. “Drink water between meals instead of snacking. This helps you stay fuller throughout the day, which prevents you from eating,” he says.

Dan Go stresses the importance of a ‘protein-rich, single-ingredient, nutrient-dense’ diet. “Eat 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Aim to get 90% of your calories from whole, unprocessed sources,” he says. Unprocessed food is linked with many health benefits, including maintaining blood sugar and aiding better digestion. “Protein is satiating & whole foods contain more fiber, which will help you feel fuller longer,” he says, stressing the importance of proteins.

The fitness coach recommends going to the gym to gain muscles. He stresses that cardio isn’t effective in burning as many calories as we hope. Instead, he suggests incorporating weight training to build muscle and increase metabolic rate, which in turn helps to burn fat. “Instead of jumping on a cardio machine to burn fat, use weights for that job,” he shares. Weight training is also linked with lowering the risk of chronic disease, risk of injury, and falls.

Stress is indeed the biggest villain for any kind of fitness journey. The more you stress, the more your body will resist changes. “When you live a high-stress life, your body produces more cortisol. This increases the accumulation of fat around your belly by increasing your appetite, causing you to eat more,” the coach says. Well, how do you manage stress, especially in today’s times? Dan Go suggests going on walks and spending time in nature, “In short, recover.”

Sleep is a crucial process that most of us tend to put on the back burner. Dan Go notes that this isn’t good. He suggests to proritize quality sleep. “Lack of sleep increases your appetite, ruins your energy levels & increases hunger,” he states. The coach also points to studies that show people who sleep 5.5 hours or less a night eat an extra 385 calories or more a day. “Want a smaller belly? Get better sleep,” he concludes.