A jelly belly is not only unattractive, but can also pose serious health risks. Research has found that individuals who carry large amounts of fat in their stomach are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes and other serious health conditions. In order to prevent or eliminate a jelly belly, be sure to participate in cardiovascular exercise, drink lots of water, and choose the right foods.

Walking is probably one of the best all-around exercises that you can do to to help eliminate a jelly belly. Walking is a form of cardiovascular exercise, which has found to be the best way to get rid of excess body fat. According to the US Surgeon General, in order to lose weight and keep it off, you must perform some type of cardiovascular exercise for at least 60 minutes most days a week. While finding 60 minutes of time in your busy schedule may seem intimidating, it is essential if you are serious about losing belly fat.

Remember that the 60 minutes don't all have to be done at one time. You can do 15 minutes in the morning and at lunch, and wrap your day up with a 30 minute walk in order to achieve your goal of a total of 60 minutes.

Belly dancing is another great, less traditional way to help cut off some of that unwanted belly fat. Belly dancing may be a great choice for you if you have already tried unsuccessfully to lose the weight through walking. While belly dancing is definitely a form of cardiovascular exercise, it also requires you to twist, turn and rotate your torso in unusual ways that you are not accustomed to. Adding these moves to your daily exercise routine may be just what the doctor ordered in your goal of losing stomach fat.

It is always important to remember to increase the amount of water that you drink when starting a new exercise routine. While water is essential to help keep you hydrated, it can also be important in flushing some of the toxins from your system that may be contributing to your weight gain and/or retention. Though the normal, healthy adult is counseled to consume at least 64 ounces of water per day in order to have the best health, those interested in weight loss should increase the intake to between 70 and 100 ounces.

Finally, be sure to eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Eating the right kinds of foods will not only make you feel better, but can play an important role in how your health is represented on your exterior. Research has found that eliminating high fat foods may also be effective in decreasing fat stores on your body. For best results, cut out the chips, candy and other foods that are high in fat and simple sugars.