Although diet and exercise are key in getting rid of belly fat, there are other lifestyle factors that play a role, too — mainly, getting plenty of sleep and managing stress.
Rob Arthur, NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), said combating stress, such as through meditation, is one of the key ways to slim down your belly. He also recommends getting enough hours of quality sleep: set a bedtime and stick to it, avoid bright lights before bed, and wind down before bed by reading a book and dimming the lights. You should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night.