Belly fat.

   Those two simple words carry enormous frustration for many. I have had more people ask me how to get rid of belly fat than any other part of the body. From women with their “baby pooch” to men with their self-proclaimed “beer belly,” the belly fat doesn’t discriminate.

   I watched a commercial the other day about a green tea extract. It claimed that if you took the pill, you would lose all your belly fat. It even showed a before-and-after picture. This gal went from obese to almost anorexic looking. Those advertisements make me so angry because I know someone out there is just desperate enough to try it. Please remember: If it looks too good to be true, or too easy, it is. Losing weight takes hard work and commitment.

   Here are tips on how to lose belly fat:

   – Cardio. This is the first thing we should do. We must rid the belly of fat before we can show off our six pack! Walking, running, elliptical trainer, bike riding and aerobics are all great cardio workouts. You should try to reach a goal of working out at least three to four days a week for 30 to 40 minutes. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy doing. The rest will come easy!

   – Eat clean. You need to take a good look at your diet. What you’re putting in your mouth will change the size of your waist faster than anything else. Stop eating processed food. Cut back on sodium. Try to eat foods that are natural and don’t have more than five ingredients. Cut the sugar from your diet. Eat fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats. Eat regularly — three meals and two snacks.

   – Sleep. Sleep is not overrated. We need sleep to allow our bodies to regenerate. Certain hormones are released when we are asleep that aid in weight loss. We also overeat when tired. Staying up for that late-night talk show is not worth it.

   – Limit alcohol intake. It’s not called a beer belly for nothing. Cut out the alcohol, or at least cut back. One glass of wine is acceptable.

   – Strength training. Those traditional sit-ups are good, but there are so many other effective ways to work the waistline. Pilates and yoga are awesome programs for the abdominals. Working the core of the body works the entire abdominal region and the back.

Belly fat doesn't care if you're female or male -- if you're not careful, it will find you.

   – Reduce stress. Stress plays a big role in belly fat. When stressed, we release cortisol, a hormone that leads to belly fat. Try taking a yoga class to learn how to de-stress. Take time for yourself. You ARE worth it!

   – Consistency. This is the best advice I can give you. Be consistent and you will not be disappointed. As your waistline shrinks, your health will improve immensely!

JANET NEVILLS owns Ladies Fitness Zone in LaPorte,　where she teaches Jazzercise, Pilates and Yoga.　She is　also a Certified Personal Trainer.