The proper exercise will certainly help get those abdominal muscles in better shape. Exercise alone will not lose the fat around your midsection. There are other variables to losing belly fat that need to be considered.

Recent studies have shown that fat in our abdominal region of the body responds differently than the fat in other areas. The abdominal area has more receptors for cortisol, a stress hormone.

Research provided by Yale University on 60 women backs this theory up. They discovered that the more stress the subjects were experiencing, the more fat was stored in the abdominal region.

Therefore, it is safe to say that constant stress increases the cortisol levels, attracting more fat deposit to the abdominal area. Reducing stress level certainly will aid in losing belly fat.

You may have associated certain foods you have eaten in the past as having a calming effect, such as cookies, ice cream, etc. These high calorie foods may produce a calming effect for the moment, but needs to be repeated for the effect to last. This cycle will only add more body fat, especially around your mid section.

Losing belly fat is a regimen that also includes a healthy weight loss diet to aid in reducing calorie intake. The proper diet is important not only to aid in losing weight, but also to maintain the fat loss once you have reached this goal.

The Mediterranean Diet has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that fights the effects of chronic stress over long periods of time. This could be called the perfect anti-stress diet, not only fighting off stress levels but also reducing the wrong types of fat that accumulate in the abdominal region.

This wholesome diet puts emphasis on nutritious foods that includes the healthy fats and limits saturated fats and processed foods. This healthy diet is ideal for eliminating belly fat.

Some of the foods in the Mediterranean Diet are fish, seeds, nuts, beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Healthy fats of the omega-3 fatty acids in moderate amounts is also recommended as part of this diet.

It is these healthy fats that actually aid in eliminating the flab around the body's midsection. The omega-3 fats also reduce the output of adrenaline in the body, another stress related chemical produced in the body.

These healthy fats can be found in some variety of fish, such as herring, mackerel, salmon and herring. These omega-3 type fats are also found in walnuts and flaxseed.

The key to losing belly fat is an exercise plan and the proper diet. You will not significantly lose that extra tire around the middle by doing one without the other.

As with any healthy diet a person undertakes, eating at set schedules in moderation and staying within set guidelines put forth is necessary in order to stay balanced and achieve the results you desire.