How to lose stomach weight

The stomach is a vital component of the digestive system and it can be affected by the slightest digestion problem. Fermentation, fizzy drinks, air swallowed when eating, constipation, stress and emotions can all make your stomach painful and bloated.

Take your time eating

Eating on the go makes you ingest air and slows down digestion. Eat in a calm, quiet setting, sitting at a table, and spend at least thirty minutes eating and chewing every mouthful well.

Get enough fibre

You need twenty-five to thirty grams per day (in whole cereals, fruit and vegetables) for good bowel movements. However, more than this can irritate the intestines and cause bloating.

Eat the right fruits and vegetables

Eat fruit and vegetables which are easy to digest, helps the body to eliminate toxins. Go easy on ‘floury’ vegetables which are not the best for fragile stomachs and intestines (dried fruit and potatoes).

Be a carnivore but eat less meat

Meat, fish and eggs provide you with loads of energy and protein without fermenting or increasing stomach volume. Choose lean versions of meat and have a couple of days meat-free to give your digestion a break. Choose fish, eggs or vegetables instead on those days.

Eat cooked food

Cooking changes the structure of food and helps chewing, digestion and breakdown.

Go easy on the salt

Excessive salt use can lead to water retention around the stomach. Taste your food before automatically sprinkling it with salt, and cut down on processed food which is often full of added salt.

Treat your digestive system

If you're having digestion problems, take a course of probiotic supplements (recommended by your doctor or pharmacist). If you're suffering from constipation, eat figs and prunes in the morning for a few days to help things along. 

Breathe properly

Breathing deeply from your stomach rather than from your chest helps eliminate toxins from the body. Lie on your back, place one hand flat on your stomach, inhale into your shoulders, down your shoulder blades, into your rib cage and diaphragm, then exhale the other way. 

Eliminate fat 

When we eat too much of the wrong foods, fat easily builds up around the middle. Here's how to get rid of spare tyres:

1. Exercise

To get rid of fat around the waist you need to use up your reserves by exercising. Do endurance exercise three times a week. This can be power walking, running, swimming, cycling, aerobics, etc., and you should keep it up for at least thirty minutes per session. 

2. Go easy on the sugar

Quick sugars (cakes, sweets, fizzy drinks, etc.) and refined carbohydrates cause peaks in blood sugar and make you store their calories as fat on your waist. Opt for non-processed, whole, complex carbohydrates (whole cereals, rice and pasta). 

3. Look at your calorie intake

When we consume more calories than we burn off, they have to go somewhere! Some people store fat on their bum and thighs; others store it around their middle (it all depends on your body shape and genes). If you want to lose weight it's a simple matter of burning more calories than you eat. 

4. Tone up your stomach

Slack stomachs are often caused by a lack of exercise and bad posture. When we sit we often sag our stomachs and bend. This leads to abdominal slackening, moving the pelvis forward and weakening the muscles, giving you a slack, prominent stomach and even back pain.

5. Hold yourself straight

The stomach is linked to the back, shoulder blades, sternum, collar bone (scapular belt) and pelvis. As often as possible, tighten your abs and straighten up. 

6. Do exercise that slims your waist

Climbing, gym, martial arts, dancing, and rowing are all good.

 

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