Toned, well-defined abs will take some time to achieve, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a flatter belly in just a few days simply by making some diet and lifestyle changes.
Remember: This is a temporary solution and should be taken as the jump start to a more permanent plan to keep your stomach flat and toned.
Step 1
Eliminate all foods and drinks that can cause bloating. These include carbonated beverages, foods high in fiber (such as beans) and salt. Also, avoid foods that are high in sodium, such as canned products, fast food and boxed dinners. If you are eating out, ask the cook to hold the salt, then season your dish at the table using spices and pepper.
Step 2
Eliminate all carbohydrates. Carbs can cause bloating and water retention. White flour, pastries, cereals and even fruits all contain sugars, which can work against flattening your stomach. While you can’t avoid carbs forever, eliminating them for a few days will accelerate the way to a flat tummy.
Step 3
Center your meals on lean protein, with fish, turkey and chicken leading the list. They will fill you up quicker, so you end up eating less, and they cause no bloating. In the long run, proteins can actually help melt belly fat and reduce overall weight.
Step 4
Drink lots of water. If you drink less than the minimum required eight glasses a day, your body will react by retaining as much liquid as possible to keep working properly. This will result in bloating, which shows up first on the face, ankles and belly. Drink enough water, and you will flush it out almost as quickly as it goes in.
Step 5
Consider taking a natural colon cleansing product. Sold at health food stores and pharmacies, these products, usually made up of herbs, accelerate digestion and help you eliminate accumulated feces, which often cause the appearance of an enlarged stomach. Do not take chemical laxatives or stimulant drugs to clean your digestive system without talking to your doctor, as this can lead to dehydration and serious medical complications.
TIPS:
- Eat breakfast! Eating breakfast can actually speed your metabolism up!
- Don`t eat too quickly. Eating slowly allows your digestive system to function properly. Besides, then you can savor the taste.
- Don’t weigh yourself every day; once a week should be enough.
- Try to become more active; even taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a start!
- Try eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals.
- There are no pills you can take, no medicine or special belts that will give you the results you want. The results you deserve are controlled by you, and you alone. You are the only one who can make a difference.
- After you’ve eaten, wait at least two hours before you go to bed in order to give yourself time to digest your food.
- Of course, it’s hard. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Never give up, no matter what.
- Drink water before and after every meal; it helps fill up your tummy and leaves just a little room for food.
- The harder you work, the better and faster results you’ll get.
- When you’re walking for cardio, make sure you’re holding your back straight and tightening your abs, this really helps in the long run.
- Don’t be put down if you don’t see results straight away. They will become visible eventually.
- Run for time instead of distance. When you work out your metabolism keeps running faster than normal, even after your workout. When you run for a half an hour, it works longer than if you just run a mile.
- Don’t let your insecurities get in the way. Not only is a flat stomach an amazing physical feature, but it helps your health too.
- All fruits are great to eat a lot, except, bananas. They stop your body from digesting carbs as fast as it normally would.
- Try drinking hot lemonade with honey.
- Try doing the exercise before work, it means you then have the rest of the day to relax and it’s easy to get into this routine.
- Keep trying no matter what the cost. Don’t put yourself down you will get there.
- Stop eating refined carbs such white bread and white rice. Instead, eat 100% wheat bread and brown rice. It’s much healthier anyway.
Warnings
Don’t starve yourself.
Don’t work too hard or put too much strain on your body.