Diet Changes to Get Rid of Stomach Fat

In my journey to get rid of stomach fat and fat in general, the one biggest difference maker was a better diet. I enjoy working out for the most part, so that was never an issue. The issue was that I enjoyed food more than working out!

It's easy to get into the mentality of "I worked out today, I can have this <insert favorite unhealthy food here>". Doing that once in a while isn't that bad, doing it several times a week is.

I looked at the reason why I was craving these foods and many times it was that the healthy food I was eating was bland and boring. I was so used to getting flavor from things like butter, cheese and frying in oil that the food I made without these ingredients was just bad.

It was at that point that I had to learn how to cook again, this time with healthy ingredients. It was apparent that I would need to make some bold and long-lasting diet changes to get rid of stomach fat.

I thought big to start out. What changes to how I approach eating can I make to get myself going? Here are the biggest first steps I made. Start with these and we'll take it from there!

1. Set a goal! Maybe it's a dress or suit you used to fit in but its bursting at the seams now. Or maybe it's a goal weight. Or maybe it's just to feel healthier. It doesn't matter as long as it's not too easy to achieve. If you have something you're working towards then it's much easier to stay motivated. 
2. Count Calories! Count every single thing that you put in your mouth. Thankfully, the Internet and smart phones have made this easier than ever. There are a number of sites and apps that will make this as easy as clicking the food you ate. Don't forget to add drinks as well! These can add up quick. Many apps will also tell you how many calories you need to eat to get to your goal weight. 
3. Eat Lean Protein. Chicken, fish and turkey are your best friends. They contain a ton of protein and not much fat. This means it's healthier and lower in calories. Protein is what your muscles use for fuel, and we want to lose stomach fat, not muscle. 
4. Reduce Carbohydrates. This was something I concentrated on because of what I've learned about my body over the years. I always looked and felt bloated when I ate too may carbs, so I cut down on them. 
5. Whole Grains. The last big change I focused on to start was to replace processed grains an replace them with whole grains. Basically, any carbohydrate source that as white or yellow was replaced with one that was brain. Whole grains contain more fiber and nutrients so there are less wasted calories.