Fitness HEALTH Women's Health October 23, 2025 0 Comments

Unlock Denise Austin’s Secret 6 Moves That Melt Stubborn Belly Fat After 50—You Won’t Believe #4!

Ever wonder why that stubborn belly fat seems to cling on no matter what you do? Well, it might just have a sneaky accomplice—chronic inflammation. Yep, that low-grade fire simmering inside your body can be a real game changer, not only for your health but also for that ever-elusive midsection trim. But here’s the kicker: regular physical activity isn’t just about burning calories or tightening muscles—it’s a solid weapon against inflammation too. I’m talking about easy, effective moves that can help you whittle your waistline and calm that internal chaos. Enter Denise Austin, the fitness icon who’s mastered the art of blending simple workouts with anti-inflammatory power, especially crafted for those of us over 50 who want to feel vibrant, energetic, and confident again. Ready to find out how moving your body the right way can help banish belly fat and put out the inflammatory fires? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many health conditions—including excess belly fat that just won’t budge. Fortunately, regular physical activity can help keep it in check and make it easier to lose weight around your midsection. Here, fitness icon Denise Austin shares the best easy workouts to lose belly fat and tame inflammation naturally. These moves (and lots more!) are available in her magazine Fit Over 50: Your Anti-Inflammation Guide, which is on newsstands and online now.

How inflammation contributes to belly fat

While acute inflammation—which helps the body recover from injury and illness—is usually short-lived and beneficial, chronic inflammation can affect your health (and waistline). It can stem from lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress and lack of physical activity. Over time, this low-grade inflammation can cause everything from fatigue to heart disease to stubborn belly fat. (Check out Denise’s anti-inflammatory diet here.)

The good news? One of the most powerful, evidence-based tools for managing chronic inflammation is also one of the most accessible: regular exercise. These workouts put together by Denise are designed to reduce lingering inflammation and help you lose belly fat in the process. And the best part is how quick and effective they are for women over 50.

How often do you exercise?

Denise Austin’s 6 top workouts to lose belly fat

“It’s never too late to start on the path to a healthier body!” Denise says. So whether your goal is to feel confident when wearing a body-hugging dress, to firm up and gain more energy or to fend off inflammation—all super important as we age—Denise’s beginner-friendly workouts to lose belly fat can help.

Tip: When performing these exercises, lift the weights in a slow, controlled manner using proper form, Denise advises. Move your muscles through a full range of motion and squeeze your target muscle as you do each move. If you focus your thoughts on the muscle you’re working, you’ll get better results, Denise adds.

What you’ll need: A small pair of hand weights (or even soup cans!)—about 3 to 5 pounds is a great place to start. If you’re a beginner or recovering from an injury, consider doing these moves using just your body weight at first. As you build strength and start to notice fat loss around your midsection, you can gradually work your way up to heavier weights.

Standing crunch

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a weight in each hand at shoulder height
Engage the core and lift your right knee toward the chest as you bring elbows down in front of you, crunching through your abs
Return to starting position, then repeat on your left side, controlling your movements throughout
Do two sets of 8 to 12 reps per side, resting in between, for a total of one minute

Ab and torso trimmer

Denise Austin's torso trimmer to lose belly fat — courtesy of Denise Austin

Stand holding a weight in each hand
Slowly bring weight to your right side while bringing your right knee up at the same time
Then move your right leg to the back while slowly moving the weight to your left side, shifting your body weight to your left leg
Keep the hand weight at eye level
Repeat all reps on one side, then switch
Do two sets of 8 to 12 reps per side, resting in between, for a total of one minute

Ab cross crunch

Denise Austin's cross crunch to lose belly fat — courtesy of Denise Austin

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a weight with both hands at chest height
Engage the core and lift your right knee across your body as you twist your torso to bring the weight toward your knee
Return to standing position, then repeat on the left side
Keep the movement controlled and focus on using your oblique muscle groups with each twist
Do two sets of 8 to 12 reps per side, resting in between, for a total of one minute

Standing side crunch

Denise Austin's side crunch — courtesy of Denise Austin

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a weight in your right hand above your head
Keep your core engaged and your back tall as you slowly bring your right knee up while you lower your right arm to your raised knee
Return to center, then repeat
Do two sets of 8 to 12 reps per side, resting in between, for a total of one minute

Standing side bend

Denise Austin's side bench to lose belly fat — courtesy of Denise Austin

Stand with your feet together, holding a weight in both hands above your head
Keep your core engaged and your back tall as you slowly lean to the side, focusing on the side of the waistline
Return to center, then repeat on the other side
Continue alternating with control
Do two sets of 8 to 12 reps per side, resting in between, for a total of one minute

Criss-cross

Lie down, pull your knees into your chest and pull your chin forward
Rest your head in your hands
Lift your upper body (head, neck and shoulders) off the floor
Extend your left leg out while twisting your left elbow toward your right knee
Return to center and switch, extending your right leg out and twisting with your right elbow toward your left knee
Alternate legs 12 times total (six on each side) and complete two sets

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.