If you’re feeling frustrated with what you see in the mirror or discouraged by the number on the scale, you’re not alone—and it might be time to rethink some of your daily habits. While there’s no magic fix, making consistent, intentional changes to your routine can produce noticeable results—especially when it comes to stubborn belly fat.
The truth is, both your diet and activity level play a huge role in burning fat and revealing a flatter midsection. But the good news? You don’t need an extreme overhaul to see progress. With just a few simple, expert-approved changes to your daily habits, you can kickstart real, lasting weight loss.
Here are five effective habits you can start implementing today that will help melt away belly fat and support your weight loss journey. Stick with them consistently, and you’ll be amazed at the transformation—not just in how you look, but in how you feel.
1. Increase your protein intake at breakfast.
There are plenty of studies out there associating protein consumption with weight loss. For instance, research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that higher-protein diets have been praised for being successful ways to address obesity.
Needless to say, if you’re looking to lose a lot of weight, a small habit you can incorporate at the start of your day is increasing your protein at breakfast. “This one habit change can set you up for weight loss success all day. When you get enough protein first thing in the morning, it sets your metabolism up for the day and also helps to control your appetite. Doing this can lead to less overeating and cravings later in the day, naturally curbing your total calorie intake.”
2. Cut back on the amount of alcohol you consume.
Your favorite bottle of white wine or go-to fruity cocktail is, unfortunately, not your friend if you’re looking to lose weight. As a matter of fact, drinking alcohol is a surefire way to fill you up on empty calories!
Alcohol is packed with empty calories and sugar and can lead to bloat and unhealthy food choices. Cutting back on alcohol as much as possible will help you lose weight more quickly, lose belly fat, and feel so much lighter physically in the process.
3. Limit added sugar.
If you want to lose a lot of weight, another thing to nix is added sugar. Items like juice, soda, energy drinks, sweetened coffees, sweets, protein bars, flavored yogurts, and other packaged goods are chock-full of added sugars you should avoid.
Look for ‘added sugar’ on the label, and aim for less than 24 grams per day if you’re a woman and less than 36 grams for a man.
4. Hydrate—especially before meals.
According to Hub At Work, Johns Hopkins University, drinking sufficient water can speed up your metabolism, act as an appetite suppressant, and make your workout sessions more productive. These are all key factors that can aid in your weight loss efforts.
Drinking more water throughout the day promotes weight loss, especially when you drink a glass before your meals. Water helps improve digestion, gives you energy, and curbs your appetite. One research study showed that those who drank eight ounces of water before a meal ate less and felt more satisfied.
5. Track your fitness and diet habits.
Staying on top of your exercise and diet habits from the get-go helps you track what you’re doing and what you’re not doing. This can give you great insight into what to change right away so you can stop the key habits stalling your weight loss. For example, maybe you’re mindlessly snacking or overeating at dinner, and tracking your eating habits will help you to determine this sooner.