If you feel like you’ve tried every trick in the book, and you still haven’t been able to lose that stubborn abdominal fat, you may wish to consider these 5 unconventional tips for a flat stomach. In this article, I’ll explain how these uncommon tips may help you finally achieve the stomach that you’ve been working for.

Stop Dieting – Counting calories has NEVER worked for me. Instead of counting calories, pay attention to the QUALITY of the calories you consume. At least 80% of your total caloric consumption should come from local and organic whole foods that you prepare yourself. Limit intake of processed foods to 20% of your daily calories and try not to stress about consuming a certain number of calories per day. Refrain from eating diet foods as well. Chemical sweeteners found in diet foods, such as aspartame, are incredibly dangerous and actually cause the body to store even more fat.

Take Probiotics – When your digestive system is lacking beneficial bacteria, digestion slows down significantly leading to bloating and other digestive issues. Taking a probiotic supplement, especially those that are soil-based, can decrease bloating which will make your stomach look significantly flatter.

Stretch Your Hips – Tight hip flexors can lead to an overdramatic lumbar curve. This lumbar curve pushes your stomach outward making it appear more round than it actually is. The hip abductor machine can be a great way to stretch these muscles, just be careful not to overdo it. A simple yoga class or session with a physical therapist, chiropractor, or personal trainer will provide more great tips for stretching your tight hips.

Start Strength Training – Many people believe that the secret to toning and weight loss is cardio. Simply put, many people are wrong. In order to tone and build lean muscle, you must incorporate strength training such as weight lifting into your workout schedule. Strength training will help create the flat stomach you are looking for by building and toning lean abdominal muscles. Strength training not only builds lean muscle, it also increases your metabolism leading to overall weight loss.

Eat More Fatty Foods – I’m not talking about greasy fast food, people. The healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, and fermented cod liver oil can help to increase the body’s natural ability to burn fat as energy. Healthy fats such as those listed above can be especially helpful in decreasing body fat around the midsection.