Struggling To Shed Stubborn Belly Fat Chiropractor Shares The Best And Simplest Exercise For A Flatter Stomach

It can be incredibly frustrating when all your hard work doesn't seem to translate into a flatter stomach. But the missing piece of the puzzle may not be another ab workout or longer gym sessions – instead, it could come down to a much simpler change in your routine.

According to Dr Berg, the best exercise for achieving a flat stomach is neither crunches, sit-ups, nor planks. Instead, he says the most effective exercise doesn't target the abdominal muscles at all. Rather than focusing on the stomach directly, Dr Berg suggests that a different form of movement can have a greater impact on reducing belly fat and helping the midsection appear flatter.

He highlights, “The absolute best exercise for a flat stomach is not crunches, it's not sit-ups, and it's not planks. The best exercise for a flat stomach doesn't even target your abs at all. And once you understand this, you're going to avoid a lot of extra time at the gym doing all these crunches because most of those crunches don't do jack.”

Dr Berg explains that exercise accounts for only about 20 percent of fat loss, while the remaining 80 percent is largely influenced by your diet. This, he says, is why spending hours at the gym without addressing your eating habits is unlikely to deliver the results you're after. According to the chiropractor, effective fat burning also depends on balanced hormones, particularly insulin. When insulin levels remain elevated, the body shifts into fat-storage mode, making it much harder to burn stored fat.

The chiropractor notes, “80 percent of fat loss, especially in your midsection, comes from your diet, and only 15 percent of it comes from your exercise. That means you can't out-exercise your belly. The most important thing you need to know about burning fat is you must keep certain hormones very low, specifically insulin, because the minute insulin goes higher, fat loss gets locked up.”

According to Dr Berg, the most effective exercise for losing belly fat is one that keeps insulin levels low while encouraging the body to burn stored fat. He recommends walking in a fasted state, explaining that fasting is the key component. When you walk before eating, your body becomes more insulin-sensitive and is more likely to tap into stored fat for energy instead of relying on recently consumed carbohydrates.

He emphasises, “The single best way to drop insulin and burn belly fat is the exact same exercise: walking in a fasted state. This means that you definitely need to do fasting because when you're walking in a fasted state, you are not just improving insulin, you are using your stored fat at the same time. And you will see more weight loss, especially in your midsection.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More