Trying to lose belly fat [1] can feel like an impossible task at times. The fat around your abdomen is, after all, notoriously difficult to lose [2]. Le sigh. But, with the right combination of diet and exercise, a flatter stomach is totally attainable. POPSUGAR spoke to Betina Gozo [3], Nike Master Trainer, and Dionne Del Carlo, founder of StarCycle [4], to get their favourite belly-fat-blasting exercises.

Keep in mind, you can't lose belly fat by core moves alone. Gozo said to make sure you're doing anaerobic exercises as well. "[These] will spike your heart rate up to keep you burning calories the rest of the day!" Think: HIIT or other kinds of interval training, which studies have shown are more effective at getting rid of fat [5] than straight-up cardio (aka aerobic) exercises.

"I truly believe that a huge part of our physical (as well as mental) health is connecting the mind and the body," Del Carlo said. In other words: unplug, and take some time to centre yourself. Stress, unfortunately, can actually cause you to gain fat [6].

Lastly, a huge component of losing belly fat [7] is dialing in your nutrition. (There's a reason they say abs are made in the kitchen.) General rule of thumb: avoid processed foods [8] and fill your plate with whole foods such as leafy greens, healthy fats, and quality protein.

Now, onto the moves that will help in your quest to get rid of belly fat. Gozo recommended doing abs-specific moves, like the ones that follow, three to four times a week.

Reverse Burpee

"I love this move because you get your heart rate up while working your abs," said Garzo. "You have no choice to breathe, which really gets into those transverse abdominals."

• "While laying on your back, kick your legs up to the ceiling getting your hips off the ground, then use your core to roll yourself up."
• Repeat for 15-20 reps.

Oblique Work

"Engageing your inner and outer obliques not only gives you that sexy definition in your core, it also supports spinal mobility and fluidity in the body," said Del Carlo. Below, she explains how to do her favourite oblique-torching move.

• Start lying on the ground with a flat back. Bend your knees, and keep your feet flat on the ground, hip distance apart.
• Interlace your fingers at the base of your neck and twist opposite elbow to opposite knee on each exhale. Lower on each inhale.
• For a more advanced version, lift your knees to a tabletop position, bringing your opposite knee into your opposite elbow.
• Keep moving for two minutes.

Twisted Root Leg Lift

This move is a spin on the the double leg lower and will fire up your abdominals.

• Lay on your back, and put your legs in the air like you're going to do a double leg lower. Then, plot twist (literally): "Twist one leg over the other really trying to squeeze them together as if you were trying to squeeze a piece of paper between your shins," Garzo explained.
• "Put your arms out to a "T," then slowly lower your legs to the lowest point you can while keeping your spine neutral. (If you're not sure, just lower the the lowest point you can feel it in your abs. Feeling it in your lower back is not good!)"
• Repeat going the opposite way.
• Do 15-20 reps.

Seated Low to High

If you want more of a challenge, do this exercise with a dumbbell or medicine ball — you'll definitely feel the burn.

• "Start by sitting on your butt and leaning back until you feel your abs engage. (Important: keep your feet pinned to the ground! This will help make sure your core is engaged," Garzo explained.)
• "Reach down to one side with both hands (or weight, if you're using one) then rotate up to the opposite side as if you were drawing a diagonal line from your hip to the sky," she said.
• Do 15-20 reps on each side.

Side Plank

"While we love targeting the core specifically to work belly fat, no one part of the body truly works alone. So many muscles in the back body weave into the core, like the lats and the serratus in your back body," explained Del Carlo. Work all those muscles at the same time with a side plank.

• Start in a traditional plank position. Using your right arm as a base, spin your heels to the right, lift your left arm up. ("Really root down through your right arm to engage your back body and your side waist to bump your hips higher towards the sky," she explained.)
• Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.