Weight loss is a goal many people strive for, and cardio is often one of the first strategies they turn to. While cardio exercises like running or cycling are excellent for burning calories and improving heart health, they’re not always the most effective standalone solution for weight loss.
Many people find that despite consistent cardio sessions, the scale doesn’t budge.
Believe it or not, there are easier ways to shed fat, especially belly fat, than relying solely on cardio. Fitness coach Eric recently shared why cardio doesn’t always work when it comes to fat loss and two simple ways you can easily lose stubborn fat. Read on to get all his insights.
Why Cardio Won’t Always Work for Fat Loss
“Spending all your time focusing on cardio for weight loss is the reason why you still have a big stomach,” Eric says.
This doesn’t mean that cardio is a waste of time for weight loss; he says, in fact, “You should be doing some form of light cardio” daily for overall health.
“Torturing yourself on the stair master every day trying to burn 500 calories is not going to be sustainable long term,” he reveals. As for belly fat, your body doesn’t lose fat in one specific spot, weight loss happens all over.
One reason it’s not always sustainable is because over time, the body adapts to repetitive cardio workouts, leading to reduced calorie burn for the same effort. Sometimes cardio can even increase hunger, leading to overeating and negating the calorie deficit needed for fat loss.
Instead, he suggests you simply remove 500 calories from your diet instead of tiring yourself with cardio. This is a lot easier “rather than trying to motivate yourself to do 50 minutes of stair master” to burn calories.
Simple Ways to Lose Belly Fat
"In order for you to lose stubborn belly fat, you got to create a calorie deficit doing these two things," Eric says.
His first tip is as simple as skipping the bag of potato chips. Weight loss starts with a healthy, balanced diet, and cutting out empty calories from snacks like chips is an effective way to reduce your daily calorie intake.
The second tip is to find a cardio routine that's actually sustainable for you long term.
When you choose an activity you enjoy—whether it's walking, dancing, cycling, or swimming—you’re more likely to stick with it, making it easier to create a calorie deficit over time. Doing this will also prevent burnout or lack of motivation to keep going.
In general, weight loss involves more than just cardio and burning calories. Strength training, a balanced diet, and proper recovery are all key ways to shed unwanted belly fat and transform your body.
