Sure, walking around in a bikini with a flat stomach is great, but the real benefit to losing belly fat has nothing to do with swimsuit season.

For years, doctors have warned against expanding waistlines, noting that excess stomach fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

In the video above by Spry Living, trainer Natalie Jill shares five exercises that will firm up a soft stomach. Using a combination of planks, twists and crunches, these moves do more than flatten your belly, they also help to carve that sexy hourglass shape you've always dreamed of having. And the best part is, there's no equipment required — and it's completely safe for beginners!

While toning exercises are great for improving your strength and body confidence, there's a reason people say abs are made in the kitchen. If you work out but still follow a poor diet, you won't be burning enough calories to lose weight. So check out our list of ab-flattening foods in addition to doing the workout above, and you'll start seeing results in no time.

Not only do coconut wraps keep you from feeling bloated, but they serve as ahealthier low-carb alternative to bread or tortillas.

Coconut is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals and the same goes for coconut wraps. Although some nutrients are lost in the dehydration process to make them, they are still healthier than traditional flour wraps.

Coconut wraps can be made at home fairly easily by placing coconut meat and sea salt into a food processor until it becomes mush, then adding coconut water until it becomes spreadable. Spread the coconut batter on parchment and place into a dehydrator until the wrap is dry but still pliable.

Since the wraps are made mainly from coconuts and with a bit of sea salt, they don't carry the same additives as regular wraps, with some brands having a shelf life of up to nine months.

Of the top five Canadian New Year's resolutions, living a healthier lifestyle is in the number one spot, according to Global Newsa.

Have you been sticking to your resolutions? If not, that's okay — every day is another opportunity to start making healthier decisions.

In fact, most Canadians don't follow through on their first try.

Three out of 10 Canadians have resolutions every year, but of that number 73 per cent eventually end up breaking them, according to an Ipsos poll.

But thanks to a video from ModaMob, there are 10 simple life hacks that will help you reach your health goals.

Watch the video above to find out more.

Most people will run on a treadmill for 30 minutes to an hour, which can be daunting for beginners and those with busy schedules (which is, of course, everyone). But the truth is, you can do more for your body on a treadmill, and in less time.

Thanks to David Siik from the SELF channel series "Burn 100," we can learn how to get a full body workout in 10 minutes — and still have time for a healthy breakfast before work.

The key? Intensify your run into different intervals during the workout.

Watch the video to find out how.

There are two reasons why people start practicing yoga, according to urban wellness expert Charlotte Singmin: health and spirituality.

Yoga is known for increasing a person's flexibility, balance and muscle strength, among many other health benefits, but there's another draw — the practice of being mindful and building focus.

During a yoga session, you will be asked to set an intention

You might be tempted to dive into the latest diet trends or try a new workout regimen in an effort to lose weight, but the secret to weight loss could just be found in different countries around the world.

Thanks to a recent video from Eye Opener TV we can learn from weight-loss customs found in Thailand, Japan, Russia, France, England, Germany and Mexico.

In England, for example, restaurants generally serve smaller portion sizes than we're used to in Canada, while in Japan, it's not uncommon to leave food on your plate after you've "finished" your meal.