• Published on: Jan 20, 2023
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Secondmedic Expert

Flatten Your Stomach: The Best Exercises For Belly Fat Reduction

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Belly fat can be a stubborn and unsightly problem for many people, but the good news is that there are exercises that can help target and reduce it. In this blog post, we will discuss the top exercises for belly fat that you can add to your fitness routine to help achieve a flatter stomach.

  1. Crunches: Crunches are a classic exercise for targeting the abdominal muscles. They work by contracting the rectus abdominis, which is the muscle that runs down the front of your stomach. To perform a crunch, lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands behind your head. Slowly lift your shoulders off the floor, then lower them back down. Repeat this movement for several reps.

  2. Planks: Planks are another effective exercise for targeting the abdominal muscles. They work by engaging the transverse abdominis, which is the muscle that wraps around your waist and helps to pull in your stomach. To perform a plank, start in a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line from head to toe. Hold this position for 30 seconds to a minute, then rest and repeat.

  3. Russian Twists: Russian twists are a great exercise for working the obliques, which are the muscles that run along the sides of your waist. To perform a Russian twist, sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Lean back slightly and lift your feet off the floor. Hold a weight or a medicine ball with both hands, and twist your torso to the right, then to the left. Repeat this movement for several reps.

  4. Cardio: Cardio exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming, are great for burning calories and reducing overall body fat. This will help to burn fat from the belly area as well.

  5. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a type of cardio that alternates short bursts of intense activity with short periods of rest or low-intensity activity. This type of cardio can be especially effective for burning belly fat.

In addition to these exercises, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and get enough sleep. It is also important to note that spot reduction is not possible, meaning that you can not target a specific area of your body to lose weight, but by following a healthy diet and doing regular exercise you will lose weight all over your body, including belly fat.

In conclusion, belly fat can be a frustrating problem, but there are exercises that can help target and reduce it. Incorporating crunches, planks, Russian twists, cardio, and HIIT into your fitness routine can help you achieve a flatter stomach. Remember to also maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and consult a doctor or a personal trainer before starting any exercise program.

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  1. Bicycle Crunches: Bicycle crunches are a variation of the classic crunch that also works the obliques. To perform a bicycle crunch, lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands behind your head. Bring your right elbow towards your left knee as you straighten your right leg. Then, switch sides and bring your left elbow towards your right knee as you straighten your left leg. Repeat this movement for several reps.

  2. Leg Raises: Leg raises are an effective exercise for targeting the lower abdominal muscles. To perform a leg raise, lie on your back with your hands at your sides. Slowly lift your legs off the floor and raise them towards the ceiling. Lower your legs back down and repeat for several reps.

  3. Burpees: Burpees are a full-body exercise that can also be effective for burning belly fat. To perform a burpee, start in a standing position, then drop down into a squat and place your hands on the ground. Kick your feet back into a push-up position, then jump your feet back up to the squat position. Stand up and repeat for several reps.

  4. Side Planks: Side planks are a variation of the traditional plank that targets the obliques. To perform a side plank, start in a plank position on your right side, with your right elbow directly under your shoulder and your feet stacked. Hold this position for 30 seconds to a minute, then switch sides.

  5. Jumping Jacks: Jumping jacks are a classic cardio exercise that can be effective for burning belly fat. To perform a jumping jack, stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Jump and spread your feet out to the sides as you raise your arms above your head. Jump back to the starting position and repeat for several reps.

It is important to remember that in order to see results, consistency is key. Stick to a regular exercise routine and combine it with a healthy diet and enough sleep, this will help you lose belly fat over time. Additionally, it's recommended to consult a doctor or a personal trainer for guidance and to make sure your exercise routine is safe and appropriate for you.

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Telemedicine Policy Updates in India

Telemedicine Policy Updates in India 2025: What changed and why it matters

Telemedicine went from “nice to have” to essential during COVID-19. India’s first clear move  -  the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (March 2020)  -  established how registered medical practitioners (RMPs) could consult remotely. Five years later (2025), the legal foundation remains the same, but the policy conversation has matured: the emphasis has shifted from emergency enablement to quality, scale and trustworthy digital-health integration. esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in

Here’s what’s changed in practice during 2024–25 and what clinicians, health platforms, hospitals and patients need to know.

1) From permission to performance: measurable quality & assessment

Early telemedicine policy focused on what was allowed (who can practice, consent, prescribing). In 2024–25 the focus broadened to how well telemedicine is delivered. New research and tools  -  for example the Indian Telemedicine Assessment Scale (I-TASC)  -  provide standardized ways to assess usability, safety, and clinical appropriateness of teleconsult platforms and assisted telemedicine workflows. That matters because regulators and procurement bodies increasingly ask for documented quality metrics before contracting services. Lippincott Journals

Practical takeaway: platforms should prepare for periodic quality audits, implement clinician workflow checklists, and collect user-experience and outcome metrics.

2) eSanjeevani & national program learnings: operational standards

eSanjeevani remains India’s flagship public tele-OPD platform; recent program reports and the NHSRC telemedicine final report capture real-world lessons on scale, workforce training, connectivity limits, and SOPs needed for long-term operations. Those operational standards are being shared as best practices for state health departments and private providers. If you run tele-OPDs, expect guidance on staffing ratios, digital triage, documentation norms and escalation protocols. National Health Systems Resource Centre+1

Practical takeaway: align your tele-OPD SOPs with eSanjeevani/ NHMSC templates to improve interoperability and eligibility for public-private collaborations.

3) Data governance, consent & NDHE alignment

A major 2024–25 theme is better alignment between telemedicine practice and the National Digital Health Ecosystem (NDHE)/ABDM constructs. While the 2020 guidelines mentioned documentation and privacy, recent policy work is spelling out expectations for consent capture, audit trails, and reasonable security practices under the IT Act and NDHM frameworks. Independent telemedicine reviews and telehealth regulation reports have recommended clearer platform accountability for data handling and logging. Intelehealth+1

Practical takeaway: ensure digital consent flows are auditable, integrate ABHA (health ID) where available, and document security measures in vendor contracts.

4) Clinical scope, prescribing and hybrid care models

Clinical scope guidance remains  -  some scenarios still require in-person exams  -  but 2025 policy nudges encourage hybrid models: tele-triage + local diagnostics + in-person escalation when needed. Clinicians are expected to document limitations of remote exams and use remote monitoring or local tests to support decision-making. These pragmatic, workflow-level updates reduce risk and improve patient outcomes. esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in

Practical takeaway: adopt tele-triage protocols, use home/lab testing partnerships, and always document reasoned clinical judgment when physical exam is limited.

5) Workforce readiness & clinician adoption

Post-2020 the conversation often cited clinician reluctance as a barrier. In 2024–25, training programs, CME modules, and professional society toolkits have increased clinician readiness  -  and studies show greater comfort among doctors using telemedicine for follow-ups and chronic disease management. Telemedicine adoption is now less about permission and more about clinical workflow redesign. ScienceDirect

Practical takeaway: doctors should complete recommended telemedicine training modules and keep teleconsult records tidy  -  these are fast becoming minimum professional expectations.

6) Equity & rural access remain central

Policy updates also stress that telemedicine shouldn’t widen disparities. Program reports emphasise assisted telemedicine (health-worker facilitated consults), low-bandwidth solutions, and mobile outreach to bring telemedicine to rural clinics and railway hospitals  -  practical steps already piloted in several states. The Times of India+1

Practical takeaway: design low-bandwidth workflows and options for caregiver-assisted consultations to reach underserved populations.

 

Conclusion  -  what this means for you

By 2025 India’s telemedicine policy picture is no longer just “can you do it?” but “do it well, safely and equitably.” Keep following the 2020 Guidelines for the legal baseline; prepare for platform audits and quality assessment (I-TASC), align records and consent with NDHE/ABHA expectations, and embed hybrid care pathways that combine remote consults with local diagnostics and clear escalation rules. These steps will improve safety, trust and sustainability for telemedicine across India. esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in+2Lippincott Journals+2

Useful Links & Reports (official / high-quality)

Telemedicine regulation & practice reviews (InteleHealth/Global reports)  -  data governance & code of practice recommendations. Intelehealth

 

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