We are bombarded everyday with the next great, super quick fix to getting rid of belly fat and obtaining that washboard stomach.
 They all sound great and are certainly appealing to say the least.
 We are humans; we all want the easy way out when possible.
 I wish as I write this that I could point somebody in the right direction to find that quick fix to an age old problem.
 The sad truth is the quick fixes will not work.
 The truth is it can be done; it just takes some understanding, persistence and patience.
Now let me make myself clear when I say that these quick fixes do not work.
 These super ab exercisers may indeed work in obtaining more muscle or muscle definition.
 Truthfully I have yet to see one work as they claim, but they may work with enough time put in daily.
 However, obtaining the muscle does not accomplish the goal if it is covered up by a layer of belly fat.
 That is where the rub comes in; this must be addressed for any ab program to work.
There are two primary factors in achieving this goal.
 The first is working on the body as a whole to obtain more lean muscle.
 Second is changing your diet and eating right to give your body the fuel it needs and burn the fat properly.
Working on the entire body to obtain more lean muscle does not mean hitting the weights to bulk up.
 What it means is working the body through a combination of weights, high repetitions, resistance work and cardio exercises at variable intensity levels.
 This type of plan provides more lean muscle mass and triggers a better metabolic response and increases the fat burning hormone levels in the body.
 This means you target your body to become a fat burning machine throughout the day.
 You can actually be burning stored fat during your everyday routine.
While you work on building the fat burning machine that is your body, it is important to provide the right fuel so it can work at optimal levels throughout the day and night.
 In short, processed foods have become a major problem in our fast paced society.
 They are quick and easy and extremely tempting.
 However, the processing of our foods strips them of many vital nutrients while adding so many unhealthy components.
 Stick with as many natural, whole foods as possible.
 Focus on good quality protein.
 This is a major building block in lean muscle in the body and helps stimulate and control metabolism.
 Fiber is also very important which is where fruits, vegetables and unrefined grains come into the picture.
 It is perfectly O.
K.
to eat fat.
 Your body needs fat; just make sure it is the right fat from a health source.
 This means less refined sugars and more nuts, seeds, olive oil and eggs.
 Learn the difference in the good and bad fat and you will be surprised at how diverse a good diet can be.
 Try to work in a snack in between meals to keep metabolism working at all times.
 This also helps limit the overindulgence at our main meals.
 We have all felt the body shutting down mid afternoon after the oversized lunch.
 Avoiding the overeating and more importantly putting the right fuel in the body will give your body the energy it needs to function properly and burn fat throughout the day.
  Focus on and understand these two important factors in reducing belly fat.
It is important to understand that to lose fat you have to focus on the whole body.
 Although ab exercises do play a role in reducing the belly fat, it is more important to focus on making changes in lean muscle throughout the body.
 It is also important to understand that this is not an overnight process.
 Real change and real long lasting effects will take some time.
 Have patience and understand that this is a lifestyle change to change your life.
 Not only will you look and feel better, but the health benefits can payoff forever.