It is common knowledge that for one to lose weight, reducing calorie intake and exercising are the basic formulas for success. While exercising makes you stronger and boosts metabolism, which makes you lose weight, your dietary habits will determine whether your weight loss plan works or not.

One piece of advice given to people looking to lose weight is to choose water over other drinks whenever possible. Water is said to be an effective component of any weight loss plan. Most people believe taking warm water yields better results. It is believed that one should drink warm water for flat tummy.

Warm Water to Reduce Flat Tummy: does It Work?

The Hot/Warm Water Myth 

Weight loss is not easy for anyone. Most people find it hard to balance their diet with exercise to reach their weight loss goal. For this reason, there have been numerous myths about how you can lose weight without putting in too much effort. One of the most common myths about losing weight is the warm water for a flat tummy narrative.

This myth claims that when you take hot water or warm water for a flat tummy, your body works to bring the temperature of the water to the required body temperature. For this to happen, the body has to involve the digestive system, which is believed to burn calories as it tries to balance the temperature.

The truth is, the human body uses very little energy to regulate the temperature and thus burns very few calories.

How Hot Water Helps in Weight Loss

While it may not work in the way most people think, hot water can help in weight loss. Compared to cold water, hot water stays in the tummy for longer. Cold water is absorbed faster and thus cause hunger pangs faster than hot water. Therefore, if you are trying to avoid snacking in between meals, taking hot water can be of help. Drinking warm water also improves the functioning of the kidneys and digestive tract thus making digestion and calorie-burning faster.

Another way to use water for weight loss is by drinking hot water before meal times. This ensures that you eat less and thus consume fewer calories. According to studies, people who drink water before meals lose weight faster than people who don’t.

To prepare warm water for flat tummy:

You will need drinking water, sliced cucumbers, sliced lemons, grated ginger, basil leaves, mint leaves and rock salt.

•    Fill a jug with clean drinking water

•    Add the ingredients above and stir well

•    Keep it refrigerated overnight

Drink the water at intervals throughout the day. Ensure you finish the water within a day. Prepare more for the next day and create a habit of it.

Other Reasons to Drink Warm Water on an Empty Stomach

Aside from taking warm water, there are other benefits associated with taking warm water on an empty stomach.

1. Improves Digestion   

When you take a glass or two of warm water on an empty stomach, you clear toxins and thus improve digestion. Water stimulates your digestive system, which makes it possible to digest foods better and eliminate buildup of toxins in the gut. It is highly recommended that you take a glass of warm water for a flat tummy after meals.

2. Helps to Prevent Constipation

Most of the foods consumed during the day take a long time to digest. This causes a slowdown in the digestive system, which leads to a buildup in the gut. When this happens, it becomes hard for the body to facilitate easy bowel movement. As a result, there is abdominal bloating and discomfort. When you drink warm water regularly, you help to ease digestion and this helps to prevent constipation.

3. Ideal for Body Aches and Pains   

Drinking warm water is sometimes helpful when you want to reduce aches and pains, especially for women. Warm water can help to relieve pain associated with menstrual cramps and is also ideal for relieving headaches. The heat in the water calms the body while improving circulation in the body. This helps to alleviate pain.

4. Improving Circulation

Taking hot or warm water helps in eliminating fat deposits from the body. Hot water also clears toxins from the body and relaxes the muscles. This causes better flow of blood and absorption of nutrients.

5. Helps to Maintain Healthy Skin     

Creating a habit of taking warm water on an empty stomach can go a long way in preventing premature aging. Water generally is ideal for healthy skin. However, warm water helps with detoxification. This repairs the skin’s cells and promotes elasticity.  

Exercising for Flat Tummy

When it comes to weight loss, you cannot ignore the role played by exercise in the process. Incorporating exercise into your warm water for flat tummy regimen will go a long way in helping you achieve the result and maintain the new look.

There are different exercises you can do targeting the tummy area. Exercising for half an hour every day will help you to lose belly fat faster.

Exercises you can take part in include:

• Sit-ups
• Pike and extend
• Standing side crunches
• Overhead press with knee up
• Twist and lunges

You can do 5 reps for each exercise every day or dedicate each day to a different exercise. Also, make sure to eat a balanced diet and drink your warm water for a flat tummy religiously. If you are consistent with your weight loss journey, you will start to enjoy the results after some time.  The secret is consistency.