Five steps, seven days: Losing that belly fat is a snap!

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

New Delhi: Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations are over and this is the time when post-party realization hits. The flat tummy has slowly become a paunch and regular gym-goers are suddenly realizing how many days they skipped the workout because of the holiday cheer.

The cookies are finished, cakes have been devoured, sweets and chocolates galore have been relished. But what about the bunch of weddings lined up that you have to attend?

Not feeling very cheerful now, are we?

You want to wear your favourite sari or figure-hugging dress but are worried about your flabby stomach bulging out. Well, you still have a last option.

You can reduce that belly fat within just seven days! And you don't even have to do much, simply follow these five steps!

1. Circuit training:

If you want to build muscle and burn fat at the same time, you have to perform circuit training for three days every week.  Full body exercises like lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups, for one set of 15 repetitions are essential. Make it a routine to follow every exercise with one minute of jumping rope. Through this, you should be able to burn around 500 to 600 calories per workout.

2. Abdominal muscles workout:

Thrice a week, crunches and leg raises for three sets of 20 repetitions should be done. Secondly, planks by holding your body in a push-up position on your elbows for 30 to 60 seconds for four sets will be highly beneficial.

3. Food:

Yes, for those of you who were worried about not getting to eat, don't worry because you definitely do! The kind of food you will eat in this period is vital in bringing about the change you need to see. Natural foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas, chicken, beef, fish and low fat dairy should replace processed foods that are full of sugar.

4. Avoid water retention:

Avoiding water retention means avoiding or reducing your salt intake. You can flavour your food with other herbs and spices instead.

5. Calm down:

Stressing and anxiety can cause the over-production of a certain hormone called cortisol, which encourages weight gain about the belly area. So try and maintain your temperament.