The belly is an area of the body where fat tends to accumulate. Abdominal fat therefore settles in progressively over the years and as we become more sedentary. However, it’s really after 60, when our basal metabolism slows down and the body naturally burns fewer calories, that we tend to develop belly fat and have a soft, bloated stomach with rolls that are much more pronounced than before. And for good reason: as we lose muscle mass and strength, not only do we eliminate less belly fat, but we also become more sedentary.
To regain a flat stomach after 60, we often think that only the most effective ab exercises for those over 60 and exercises that burn the most belly fat while being accessible at sixty are useful. However, as fitness coach Nathanaël Blume explains to Santé Magazine, a little-known breathing exercise is remarkably effective for losing belly fat at 60: “diaphragmatic breathing.”
Forget Crunches—”Diaphragmatic Breathing” Is the Most Effective Exercise for Losing Belly Fat After 60
At an age when doing multiple crunches from the floor becomes really complicated, the fitness coach reminds us that gentle methods for working the abdominal belt can prove just as effective for slimming the belly at 60. Instead of risking pulling your back and injuring yourself by forcing it, he recommends an accessible movement that everyone can do and that can radically transform the belly: diaphragmatic breathing with abdominal contraction.
According to the physical activity expert, this is a perfect flat-stomach exercise after 60 because it gently strengthens the abs and helps melt belly fat in a much more relaxed way than cardio-boosting workout sessions. Indeed, it’s also a movement that eradicates abdominal fat while being a relaxation technique that limits the production of cortisol, the stress hormone that we neglect even though it’s often responsible for fat storage in the belly area.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: The Ultra-Effective Exercise for Eradicating Abdominal Fat After 60
Ideal for combining work on your overall well-being and strengthening the abdominal muscles responsible for your stomach’s loose or toned appearance, diaphragmatic breathing with abdominal contraction is a very simple movement to reproduce.
Simply lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor to work your abs. To do this, we recommend placing one of your hands on your belly to really feel your breathing, then inhaling deeply before exhaling while making sure to contract your abs. The idea is to take advantage of this slow breathing to bring your belly as close as possible to your spine. If you have difficulty performing the exercise on the floor due to reduced mobility, you can also do it sitting in a chair, following the same principles.
Losing Belly Fat After 60: Eliminate Your Stress to Melt Away Abdominal Fat
As you’ll have understood, to easily lose belly fat after 60, it’s essential to limit your stress. Easier said than done during this period of life marked by changes that make it emotionally charged! However, by monitoring a few key points daily, you can succeed. Deep breathing like diaphragmatic breathing is one step, but relaxation techniques are also an asset.
Meditation, for example, can drastically reduce your daily stress level. Also, it’s very important not to neglect one of the most common factors of chronic stress that promotes belly weight gain after 60: lack of sleep. Therefore, make sure to sleep between 7 to 8 hours per night minimum to help your body better eliminate belly fat on its own, without particular effort.
This article first appeared on aufeminin.com – Author: Elodie Le Gall
