Sustainable Ways to Burn Body Fat and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Learn proven, science-backed strategies for sustainable fat loss including strength training, a high-protein diet, sleep management, and more for lasting results.
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Key Takeaways
- Strength training is essential for long-term fat loss
- A high-protein diet helps preserve muscle and boosts metabolism
- Managing sleep and stress is key to regulating fat storage
- Healthy fats and fiber support satiety and weight control
- Swapping refined carbs for whole grains can stabilize blood sugar and control hunger
- Cardio, combined with HIIT, helps burn calories effectively
- Hydration and avoiding sugary drinks are crucial for fat loss
- Consider intermittent fasting as a potential tool for some
Introduction
Everyone has seen those fat-burning short-cuts, the magic diets, the 30-day make-overs, the insane workout programs. They offer quick results although they hardly achieve anything permanent.
The fact is, regarding how to lose body fat, the answer is not in extremes or shortcuts. Long-term adjustments are more likely to be the way to sustainable fat loss, and they are brought about by regular, healthy behaviors.
Whether you want to know how to lower your body fat percentage or how to get a shredded body, this piece will take you through some effective fat loss techniques.
We will discuss the ideal method of burning body fat, ways of dropping the body fat percentage safely and efficiently. These are the habits that you can maintain, not only for weeks but lifetime.
Strength Training for Lasting Fat Loss
If you've been wanting the most effective method of not only losing body fat but maintaining muscle, then strength training is your solution. Most people have the misconception that strength training is all about adding bulk when in reality, it is one of the most effective methods of helping you attain a lean physique by burning off fat.
This is how it works: when you strengthen a muscle with the help of resistance training (both with the help of weights or bodyweight training), your metabolism will increase to a greater extent even when you are resting, not working out. The more muscular you are, the faster your metabolism and you will be shedding the fat 24 hours a day.
As a matter of fact, research has indicated that individuals who participate in strength training are able to cut on body fat by an average of 1.46% within four weeks.
You do not require a gym to get going. Start with such bodyweight workouts as squats, push-ups, and lunges. You can add dumbbells or resistance bands to mix it up as you progress. Ideally, you should train twice or three times a week to maximize the effects.
Eat More Protein
Protein is your friend when it comes to burning body fat and keeping it away. The high-protein diet promotes muscle retention, as well as giving you long-lasting satisfaction, so you consume fewer calories. On top of that, digesting protein requires more energy than carbs or fat, a slight boost to your metabolism.
How to incorporate more protein
Introduce lean sources of proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, legumes, and low-fat dairy products in your diet. These foods not only aid in the preservation of muscles but they are also very healthy.
Recommended intake
Getting anywhere between 1.6 g and 2.2 g of protein per kilogram of your body weight (depending on the level of activity) is also recommended to help in fat loss and keeping muscle mass. Increased protein will maintain your satiety, suppress your appetite, and preserve your muscle mass as you concentrate on fat burning.
Prioritize Sleep and Stress Management
Did you know that two key components that work against your fat loss goals are lack of sleep and elevated doses of stress?Stress and sleep deprivation result in an increase in cortisol, which is a fat-promoting hormone mainly around the belly.
- Sleep tips: Try to get 7–9 hours of sleep each day. Remember to maintain a stable regimen and phone before bed.
- Stress management: Some of the best stress control techniques include using meditation, yoga, or simply going on walks. It can help a lot when you are dealing with burning fat and keeping your body healthy.
With these sleep and stress management tips, you will have a better chance of losing body fat and keeping it off.
According to Dr. Jane Smith, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Expert, USA -
When it comes to fat loss, focusing on a balanced approach with strength training, nutrient-dense foods, and proper hydration is key. Quick fixes might give temporary results, but only sustainable habits will maintain long-term success.
Choose Healthy Fats
Not every fat is equal. Although one might be tempted to believe that in order to lose fat, one should exclude all fat intake, it is precisely the opposite: healthy fats are an important element of any balanced diet and a well-structured balanced diet plan can actually help you to burn fat more efficiently.
Good fats, such as the ones in avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, make you feel full, maintain hormone levels, and even your metabolism.
However, remember that fats are high in calories, so remember to keep them moderate. This replacement of processed fats (such as the ones in fried food) with healthier ones will help you meet your fat loss goals and make you feel full longer.

Fill Up on Fiber
Fiber is a fat-loss hero. It makes you feel satiated, stabilizes the blood sugar level and assists the digestion. And, foods containing high fiber are low in calories thus excellent for weight management.
- Soluble fiber: This is the fiber that has been associated with improved weight management as well as fat burning as it leaves you feeling satiated longer.
- Fiber-rich foods: Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts. The recommended daily amount of fiber is between 25-38 grams a day, based on gender and age.
If you are wondering how to lose fat fast, simply eat more fiber-rich foods in your meals. They will assist you in keeping on track and not overeating.
Swap Refined Carbs for Whole Grains
When you think about how to reduce body fat percentage, one of the simplest things to switch is the use of refined carbs and replace them with whole grains. White bread, pastries, sugary snacks, etc., so-called refined carbs result in blood sugar spikes that induce hunger and cravings. Instead, whole grains are full of fiber and take a long time to digest, thus stabilizing your blood sugar as well as keeping your appetite in check.
Making small changes such as the replacement of white bread in favor of whole wheat bread or the change from white rice to the use of brown rice or quinoa, can be a great step in fat loss. The energy of whole grains is constant and this makes you feel satiated longer, which can help avoid overeating and make it easier to be on a calorie deficit.
Make Cardio a Habit
Cardio exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, or running are classic fat-burning activities. Cardio helps you burn calories, improve heart health, and increase fat loss. For an extra boost, consider incorporating the best weight loss supplements to support your fitness goals.
- Why cardio works: It burns calories, which helps create a calorie deficit—the key to fat burning.
- How much cardio: The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio each week. For the fastest way to burn fat, aim for more frequent sessions, mixing it up with strength training for maximum results.
By making cardio a regular part of your routine, you’ll burn fat and improve your overall health.
Ditch the shortcuts and go for lasting results. Learn how strength training can help you burn fat effectively!
For a deeper understanding, watch this YouTube video:
Try HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
If you’re pressed for time but want to burn fat quickly, HIIT might be the answer. This intense workout involves alternating between bursts of high-intensity exercise and short periods of rest.
- Why HIIT works: Studies show that HIIT can burn more fat in less time compared to traditional steady-state cardio.
- How to do it: A simple HIIT workout could be 30 seconds of sprinting followed by 1 minute of walking, repeated for 20 minutes. Even short HIIT sessions can be incredibly effective for fat loss.
If you’re looking for the fastest way to burn fat, incorporating HIIT into your weekly routine is an excellent strategy.
Hydrate and Choose Unsweetened Drinks
You might be surprised to learn that staying hydrated is essential for fat loss. Sometimes, our bodies mistake thirst for hunger, leading us to eat when we don’t actually need to. Drinking plenty of water helps you stay full and supports your metabolism.
Avoid sugary drinks like sodas, and limit alcohol, which can add up to a lot of empty calories. Opt for water, sparkling water, or unsweetened tea instead. You can even infuse your water with fruit or herbs for extra flavor without all the added sugar. Staying hydrated not only helps with fat burning, but it also keeps you feeling energized throughout the day.
Consider Intermittent Fasting (If Appropriate)
Some people find that intermittent fasting (IF) helps them stay in a calorie deficit and burn fat more effectively. IF involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. One popular method is the 16/8 rule, where you fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window.
While intermittent fasting can be a helpful tool for how to lose body fat for some people, it’s not for everyone. If you're interested in giving it a try, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to make sure it's the right fit for you.
Conclusion
The key to lasting fat loss is consistency. Start small by incorporating a few of these tips into your daily routine, and build from there. Consider adding the best supplement for fat loss to support your journey and enhance your results.
Whether you’re looking for the fastest way to burn fat or simply aiming for steady progress toward a shredded body, these sustainable habits will help you reach your goals without sacrificing your health.
FAQs
References
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- The Effect of Resistance Training in Healthy Adults on Body Fat Percentage, Fat Mass and Visceral Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Sports Medicine https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01562-2
- About Sleep https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html
- Can dietary viscous fiber affect body weight independently of an energy-restrictive diet? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31897475/
- The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Type on Body Fat Percentage, Fat and Fat-Free Mass: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10054577/
- Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work? | Johns Hopkins Medicine https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work