Do you want to drop your BMI and gain a slim waist? Of course you do! Who doesn’t?! This guide is for you if you’re looking to tone your tummy and flatten your midsection in a healthy way. Forget those infomercials you see on television. In this guide we’ll talk about:
- How to get a slimmer waist with minimal effort
- The best foods and exercises for a slim and trim waist
- How to use weight loss pills to help you lower your BMI and trim your belly
Let’s get started! Here’s how you can get a healthier BMI and a slim waist in as little time as possible.
1. Weight loss pills
You’ve seen them in stores, online and on television, but how much do you really know about weight loss pills? Well, when you take the right pills in a healthy way, you can get a slim waist and drop your BMI more easily than just with diet and exercise.
There are lots of types of weight loss supplements out there, including fat burners, metabolic boosters, appetite suppressants and fat blockers. Talk to your doctor about which is right for you before you begin taking any sort of supplement, as some supplements may interfere with your medication.
We love the studies that show that green tea can be effective in burning belly fat, so if you’re not sensitive to caffeine, that’s a good one to begin the conversation with your doctor about! No matter what you choose, take your weight loss pills as directed and report any strange side effects to your doctor.
- Weight loss pills can work with your diet and exercise to reduce your BMI more quickly
- Green tea, in particular, has been shown to contribute to a slim waist
- Talk to your doctor before you begin any weight loss pills as some may interfere with medication
2. Eat more fiber
Fiber is nature’s one true superfood, and it can help you get a slim waist and drop your BMI. There are several ways fiber can help you. First of all, it expands in your belly and makes you feel more full. In this way, you’re not going to eat as much, and will have almost guaranteed weight loss.
Secondly, fiber helps improve your digestion. Eating soluble fiber can help you improve your gut health and that’s been linked to a lower instance of belly fat.
For some reason, fiber seems to help reduce belly fat in boys and men more so than in girls and women. But if you’re female, don’t worry! You can still improve your health and lose weight with fiber. Get your daily intake of fiber either with a supplement or through the foods you eat.
- Fiber works in several ways to help you lower your body fat and reduce your BMI
- You can get fiber through foods, but supplements are available as well
- Men and women alike can benefit from a fiber supplement, but men’s success seems to be a bit higher
3. Drink water
You’ve heard it before – water is critical to weight loss, and you can’t lower your BMI and get a slim waist without drinking ample water. Not sure how much you should drink? Plan to sip on half an ounce of water for each pound you weigh. So, if you’re 180 pounds, you should probably be drinking almost a gallon of water each day!
If that sounds like a lot, it’s really not too bad. All you’ll need to do is drink an 8 ounce glass of water when you get up in the morning, then one more 30 minutes before lunch and dinner. That will leave you with just 66 ounces of water, which you can easily get by carrying around a water bottle. Choose something that’s stainless steel or BPA free plastic, and sip periodically as you go about your day.
Drinking water 30 minutes before each meal will help you feel full, and will also help aid your digestion. Water is imperative to your weight loss and your overall health, so be sure you’re sipping on water all day, every day! You’ll feel better, get a slim waist and lower your BMI.
- Water is essential to your health, and to weight loss
- You should plan to drink around a half ounce of water for every pound you weigh
- Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day to make drinking water easier
4. Exercise your core
You don’t have to do a trillion situps each week to get a slim waist and lower your BMI. But you are going to have to put a little work in and get some exercise. Focusing on your core strength will naturally slim your waist and give you the defined look you want, so hit the gym and start working out.
Core strength exercises are difficult when you first begin them, but they’ll get easier to master! Work on planking, use a stability ball, practice yoga or Pilates, or just go for a jog! You’ll find that your belly fat is melting away, and your waistline is become more and more defined.
Please remember that weight loss can’t be “targeted.” In other words, you can’t choose to spot reduce the fat in your belly – you’re going to have to do some work to get the waistline you want! Ignore those ads on television that sell weird exercise equipment and just get out there and take a walk. Reducing your overall weight is the best way to a slim waist.
- Core strength exercises are a great way to create a defined waistline
- You can’t “target” your weight loss, so be prepared to do some exercise!
- You don’t have to do situps and crunches to slim your waist, any exercise will help
5. Reduce your fat intake
When you eat fatty foods, you’re less likely to have the slim waist you want. Instead, cut down on saturated fats in foods that you eat and start to lower your BMI in a healthy way. If you’re not familiar with fats, there are actually “good” fats and “bad” fats. You’ll get good fats from:
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Whole eggs
- Fish, like salmon
- Chia seeds
- Olive oil
The bad fats you should only eat in moderation come from:
- Poultry skin
- Dark meat like beef (especially the fatty cuts)
- Coconut oil
- Butter and lard
- High fat dairy
If you have any confusion over which fats you should cut out for a slim waist, schedule an appointment with a nutritionist or talk to your doctor. Together you can work out which foods you should limit and which are okay for you to eat. Of course, all fat should be consumed in moderation, but it shouldn’t be eliminated entirely. It’s okay to splurge a little bit every now and then!
- There are good fats and bad fats, and limiting the bad fats can help you slim your waist and lower your BMI
- You don’t have to eliminate all fat, but everything is better in moderation!
- You can talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to learn which fats are okay and which should be limited
6. Cut back on processed foods
Processed foods can make you gain weight. But there’s another problem with refined sugars and starches: they can make you feel bloated! Cutting down on processed foods can help you get a slim waist and reduce your BMI.
Foods that are dense in carbohydrates are a huge culprit for a bloated belly. White pastas, refined sugars and white breads are among these. But don’t worry – you don’t have to skip the spaghetti! Choosing whole grain versions of your favorite foods can help increase your fiber intake and actually improve your health when they’re consumed in moderation.
As we’ve mentioned, you don’t have to entirely eliminate processed foods from your diet – though that would certainly be a healthier option. Instead, exercise some self control and only eat those starches, carbs and sugars once or twice per week for the best results and a slimmer waistline.
- Processed carbs and refined sugars can add to belly fat
- These foods may also make you feel – and look – bloated
- You don’t have to eliminate carbs from your diet, instead choose whole grain versions of your favorite foods
7. Quit drinking alcohol
It’s called a beer belly for a reason. Your alcohol consumption can absolutely affect the way your belly looks, but cutting our the alcohol can give you a slim waist and a lower BMI.
Alcohol is a huge contributor to belly fat, but it also slows your metabolism. That means that when you stop drinking, you’re going to notice a marked change in your shape and silhouette without doing much at all.
Of course, if you feel you’re addicted to alcohol it may be necessary for you to talk to a professional to quit drinking. Take care of yourself and find help for your addiction before you worry about what your belly looks like! You’re worth it!
- Quitting your alcohol consumption is a sure-fire way to lower your BMI and slim your waist
- Alcohol adds to belly fat but also slows your metabolism
- If you’re addicted to alcohol, please seek help for your addiction as soon as possible!
8. Cut out the salt
Finally, cutting out sodium (or cutting down on it) is a great way to lower your BMI and get a slim waist. Sodium will cause you to retain fluid, so you’ll almost immediately see a difference in your shape when you begin to cut down on your sodium intake. You’ll feel better, too, especially if you increase your water intake.
Sodium is everywhere. Pay close attention to how much salt you put on your food, but read your nutritional labels as well. Packaged foods contain a ton of salt, even if it’s disguised as a preservative. Canned foods are especially notorious for containing more sodium than you should consume, so choose fresh or frozen veggies instead.
In most cases, just a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper and a smattering of spices is all you need to season your food when you’re at home. Dining out? Go online and Google the nutritional contents of the foods you order and stay away from fast food! The average fast food cheeseburger (single patty) contains a third of your recommended sodium intake for the whole day!
- Sodium will increase your fluid retention and make you feel and look bloated
- Cut down on salt and watch your shape change almost right away!
- Stay away from canned foods and fast foods – these are huge culprits for containing high amounts of sodium
Conclusion
Trying to sculpt a slim waist and lower your BMI? Well, you can do it, and a lot of what you’ll need to do is simply common sense! Diet, exercise and a healthy routine that includes weight loss pills are a good way to start slimming down. You can absolutely have the waistline you want when you follow these 8 simple tips.