When it comes to fat loss, the neck is among the most difficult areas to target. It’s no wonder. As well as making one feel self-conscious, neck fat is detrimental to health. A common side effect is sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that makes it difficult to get a good night’s rest. Other areas of the body are usually the first places to accumulate fat. It is common for neck fat to be a sign of a more serious health problem. Being overweight or obese can cause neck fat, which is usually caused by poor eating habits and insufficient exercise. (2) While no single exercise is capable of eradicating fat from a specific area of the body, regular exercise does help to reduce body fat in general. In the long run, neck fat will also be reduced.
It is possible to speed up and tone up the process by incorporating exercises, posture techniques, and a healthy lifestyle. If you want to lose neck fat, here are some tips.
1. Reduce Calorie Intake
Obesity is the primary cause of neck fat, and the best way to combat obesity is to cut back on calories. Avoiding overeating will help you lose weight by reducing your calorie intake. There are a number of simple ways to cut calories, such as:
Substitute low-calorie, high-fiber foods for high-calorie ones (such as fatty meats and baked goods) (lean meats, veggies, fruits, legumes, etc.).
Sweet potatoes and whole grains are better sources of carbohydrates than refined grains like white rice and white bread.
Use low-calorie fats like olive oil instead of butter and lard in your cooking.
To avoid overeating, drink a lot of water during each of your waking hours.
Choose fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables as your go-to snacks when you’re in the middle of a meal.
Even if you only take an extra five minutes to eat your meal, the extra time can help you feel fuller.
Consume lean proteins to help you feel full longer.
2. Weight Train to Melt Body Fat
Weight training, in addition to a healthy diet, will help you lose weight. Because weight training usually focuses on large, compound movements that target multiple muscle groups at once, it burns more calories than other forms of exercise, such as running or swimming.
When it comes to losing fat, these workouts are better value for your money. Lifting weights will not only help you lose weight, but it will also make your neck appear slimmer.
Despite the fact that you can’t target specific areas of fat loss, you can burn fat as a whole. Neck fat can be lost over time by losing weight throughout the body.
Traditional free weight training isn’t the only option for weight training. Banded or machine movements can also produce the same results. The primary goal is to engage in some form of resistance training that challenges your muscles.
Do two or three 45-minute strength training sessions per week to burn and tone that extra flab.
3. Work Your Heart to Speed Up Fat Loss
When it comes to strengthening your heart and lungs, regular cardiovascular exercise is an excellent way to accomplish both goals at once.
To compensate for the loss of extra calories, your body turns to the adipose (fat) tissue it has stored as a source of energy. If you’ve got a little extra neck fat, regular cardio will do wonders for you.
Five times a week, do a 30-minute moderate-intensity workout. Here are a few creative options:
Take a brisk walk outside; if you can, do so up and down a hill.
Take a bike ride with a friend or family member and enjoy the experience together.
It’s time to take your pet for a walk.
Join a gym with a pool near you and get some laps in.
4. Perform Specific Neck Exercises
It’s important to stay on track with a healthy diet and exercise routine, but there are specific movements you can perform in order to improve the appearance of one’s neck.
a. Side resistance exercise
Using only your hands, the side resistance exercise is an excellent equipment-free workout. It helps to tone and shape the neck muscles by focusing on them. This exercise may also help alleviate headaches, migraines, and poor posture, among other things.
How to perform the exercise:
Place a hand on the side of your head while standing tall and straight.
Push the head toward the hand as the first step in the movement.
As you push your head toward your hand, use your hand to push back against your head (acting as resistance).
Get back to where you were before.
Two to three times a day, perform ten to twelve repetitions.
b. Neck rotation exercise
One of the best exercises for working the neck muscles is a neck rotation.
How to perform the exercise:
Maintain a straight and upright gait.
Next, bring your neck back to the centre.
Right-to-center rotation of the neck is required.
2 or 3 times daily, 10-12 reps on each side.
5. Practice Good Posture
Good posture can also aid in the reduction of excess neck fat.
When you force your neck into a forward jutting position while using the phone or watching TV, as many people do while leading a sedentary lifestyle, you run the risk of aggravating your neck pain.
Sitting tall without slouching can reduce neck strain and help build and shape the muscles that support the spine.
Additional Tips
You can increase your metabolic rate by drinking green tea because of the antioxidants and minerals it contains.
Drink plenty of water to stay healthy. Depending on your weight and activity level, you should drink 8–10 glasses of water per day.
Final Word
Calorie restriction aids in weight loss and, as a result, reduces the accumulation of fat around the neck. Train the entire body with strength training to increase calorie expenditure and improve body composition.
You can tone and shape your neck muscles with direct exercises, such as neck curls. Taking steps to improve your posture can relieve stress on your neck and strengthen your muscles at the same time.