Denise Austin's Top 3 Tips for Blasting Belly Fat
Let's be honest: We can always count on fitness icon Denise Austin to deliver top-notch workout and wellness tips. Whether it's sculpting lean legs or melting stubborn belly fat, Denise consistently comes to the rescue—because we all know how tricky those so-called "problem areas" can be. Denise takes a well-rounded approach through fitness and nutrition, because sustainable weight loss happens with a solid combination of the two. The best-selling author and creator of Fit Over 50 Magazine shared three ways to address stubborn belly fat on her website, and we're all ears.
"I get asked how to tackle belly fat—that stubborn area in our midsection that seems to creep in around the age of 50," Denise writes. "The good news is that you aren't alone if you have belly fat, as it is a common arrival when menopause begins to kick in, but even better news? You can lose belly fat!"
Let's explore her top three essentials for kicking belly fat to the curb.
1. Kick Up Your Cardio
If you want to burn belly fat and reclaim your waistline, it's time to rev up your cardio. Whether you head out on a walk, jog, or hike; recruit some buddies for pickleball; or take your bike out for a spin, Denise encourages you to incorporate cardio into your weekly regimen.
"[These activities] will all help you to maintain an overall healthy weight—and set you up to have the energy and drive to try some belly-blasting targeted workouts, too," she writes. "Aim for 30 minutes five days a week… stick with it and you will feel great!"
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2. Incorporate Targeted Moves Into Your Workouts
To really see results—and address visceral fat, the dangerous type of belly fat that surrounds your organs—you must optimize your workout regimen with targeted exercises. "Add core moves that both elongate and constrict the abdominal muscles," Denise writes.
She has many incredible workout clips to help you get started. In one of Denise's standing ab workout tutorials, the fitness pro demonstrates exercises like leg lifts, side-to-side bends, pelvic tilts, standing twists, and side-to-side reaches.
In another, Denise focuses on standing forward crunches with dumbbells. She captioned her post, "The #1 Question I get every day is "'how do I minimize my tummy' that menobelly… So, here's one of my favorites! This one move will help zero in on your lower belly.. which is truly the hardest area to target for us women. Pull your belly button in, tighten and contract your core muscles and aim for 1 minute on each leg … it's a 3-prong attack …Some cardio to burn fat, healthy eating and these strong ab exercises."
Denise also shared a 10-minute belly blasting workout, where she walks viewers through how to perform raised leg crunches, table top toe taps, single leg lifts, and side planks.
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3. Choose Foods That Nourish and Charge Your Metabolism
Last but not least, be mindful when it comes to your eating habits, making sure to include solid sources of protein and fiber.
"What you eat as you get older really matters, in both how you look and how you feel," Denise writes. "Making healthy, delicious choices should be your go-to! Foods that can help to rev up your metabolism typically also help you feel fuller, longer, so you are getting a belly fat win-win Eat more eggs, avocados and walnuts—all are high in protein and healthy fats—and add more cruciferous veggies to your diet, such as kale, cauliflower and broccoli… studies have shown that these vegetables are rich in antioxidants and can decrease inflammation."
