Belly bloat isn’t easy to beat. You try to diet, exercise, and wear different clothes. You try supplements, pills, and shakes. Yet, the bloat won’t disappear.
Fortunately, it’s possible to get rid of the large midsection that bothers you!
Before you give up and resign to living with a large stomach, try these ideas to defeat belly bloat:
1. Avoid chewing gum. Chewing gum forces you to swallow air. The excess air ends up in your stomach and can make bloating worse.
2. Reduce carbohydrates in the evening. Research shows that eating too many carbohydrates in the evening can make belly bloat worse in the morning.
Feel free to eat carbohydrates during the day. However, if it’s close to your bedtime, avoid covering your plate with them. Your body needs time to digest them, and it’s easier to do this if you’re active during the day instead of in bed.
The reason why potassium works to fight bloating is because it controls fluid intake in your body and cells. By eating more of these foods, you’ll have better fluid control on a cellular level.
5. Avoid fake sugars. You may think you’re helping your diet by eating artificial sugars. However, you’re actually making your bloating worse.
Artificial sugars are hard for your body to digest. They can often lead to unnecessary and annoying bloating. In addition, in large amounts, fake sugars can lead to cramping and stomach aches.
To avoid artificial sugars, read package labels carefully. Artificial sugars can be in candy, cookies, baked goods, and other items. If the label has “sugar-free, “low calorie,” or similar wording, that food is likely to have artificial sugar in it.
6. Add more probiotics. Whether you turn to more yogurt or kimchi, filling your diet with more probiotics will help you get rid of belly bloat.
Probiotics can greatly benefit your digestive system. They can help you balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut. They’re an important part of defeating bloating too.
You can find probiotics in yogurt, fermented dairy products, kimchi,sauerkraut, and other foods. The key is to find some probiotic foods that you love and will enjoy eating every day, or at least several times a week.
So here I was, sitting in a condo on the beach on the fourth day of vacation, feeling like I might be able to compete with the whales in the ocean. You see, thanks to a couple of changes in my routines, here I was, so bloated my usually comfortable jeans were cutting into my stomach–and the kids were begging me to join them and head out to the beach.
Needless to say, I was not looking forward to donning anything resembling a swimsuit with that vacay bloat poofing out my tummy and making me look and feel 10 pounds heavier!
So what could I do? How could I instantly relieve bloating and get my stomach back on track? My jeans were feeling so tight they were cutting into my tummy. Admittedly, I had eaten a little differently than usual and I had consumed a few more alcoholic beverages–it was vacation, after all. But I wanted to reduce that bloat RIGHT NOW in order to feel more comfortable, both physically and mentally (who wants a bloated tummy in a bikini?).
Here are the best tips I’ve learned over the years to quickly and even instantly relieve bloating in your stomach.
Try these DIY remedies to instantly relieve bloating in your tummy and abdominal area!
Drink plenty of water–I know it might seem counter-intuitive, but when you feel bloated, drinking extra water can actually help reduce the bloat. You see, bloating is sometimes caused by dehydration. Your body thinks you won’t give it the water it needs, so it holds on to the water it’s got. Give it enough, and it’ll release the salt and toxins that are causing you to bloat.
Wrap it up–If you’ve got the time, a 45-minute body wrap can also do the trick. I tend to wear these under my clothes with a pair of Spanx if I’m just bumming around the house. You can lose inches in hours, and you see a bigger effect by the third day. I don’t know how much permanent change these things can make, but I know they definitely tighten my skin and make it appear more toned. I especially appreciate this in regard to the lower section of my tummy (thanks to three c-sections, it’s not beautiful, but these things help!) and on my breasts (they look 10 years younger when I wrap them–and that’s after nursing three babies!). On a sort of unrelated note, I also LOOOOVE the facials and skincare stuff!! They make my face look literally 10 years younger! No joke.
Take simethicone capsules–Gas X, Phazyme, Mylicon or literally any store brand will work. This is the same stuff that they give to newborns who have gas, so you know it’s fairly safe. I have had a ton of success with reducing bloat pretty quickly with these low-cost OTC gel capsules. They usually work within an hour or so, but you might need to take another dose within a few hours. I have bought the store brand for as cheap as $3 for 20 capsules–and it works just as well as any other brand for me.
Try a cleanse–I’m not going to advocate cleanses for everyone, because this can be dangerous for people with certain health concerns–so as with all other tips and advice on this site, you should always, always consult a medical professional before trying this at home. With that being said, I’m really loving the new My BFF formula from MTM Body (I was given a preview of the product as a networking partner). Stay tuned for a full review, but trust me when I tell you you’ll love this stuff! In the meantime, or to save some money, there’s always the very effective and reasonably priced Walgreens Colon Cleanse. It’s the generic form of a name brand I can’t remember right now, but it’s half the price and it’s totally worth it. Just be prepared to poop a lot! 🙂
Doctor’s advice for your body— Everyone’s body is different, and Depending on who you are and who you ask, there are hundreds of home remedies to instantly relieve bloating in your stomach. But whether you try one of Dr. Oz‘s many suggestions (among them, dandelion tea, water and magnesium) or you decide to go to your personal doctor to find the solution that is right for you, try asking your doctor or other healthcare practitioner if nothing else is working for you.
What are your best tips to instantly relieve bloating in your tummy and midsection? Share your experiences with your fellow bliss-seekers in the comments section, below!
“When you look good, you feel good. Confidence with what you’re wearing is very important. If you feel good, you will always perform your best without worrying about anything.” ~Maria Sharapova
Did you know that you could instantly look thinner without actually losing any weight? While you’re waiting to see results from diet and exercise, there are ways to slim down instantly. Try these tips for your wardrobe, hair, face, body and mind.
Wardrobe Tips to Help You Look Thinner Instantly
Wear one color at a time. Wearing a single color or similar shades for your whole outfit will help you to look thinner and taller. Black is a practical choice, but other colors can achieve the same effect. Solids are usually more slimming than prints.
Ensure that your clothes fit properly. Wearing clothes that are too small makes you look bigger. Seek a comfortable fit and professional alterations if necessary. Get a personalized bra fitting at any department store periodically to keep up with any changes due to aging or weight fluctuations.
Use undergarments with comfortable shaping. Body shapers and other compression garments are more comfortable than ever before. Invest in some strategic undergarments that will make all your clothes look better. I love Spanx–and just FYI, the Target cheapie version works great if you want to save a few bucks.
Choose slimming pants. Look for pants with a flat front and minimal detail. Skip the pants with hidden zippers and no pockets. Pant legs with a slight flare can also help you to look trimmer (but to be fair, they’re currently on their way out!).
Select flattering tops. Pay attention to the length of your tops. A top that ends below the waist will deflect attention from a thick middle. Similarly, a wide collar will help balance broad hips.
Wear the right shoes. Chunky shoes can make your legs look thicker. Look for narrow pumps with a slightly pointed toe rather than square or rounded toes. Nude shoes are especially good because they make your legs look longer. Any heel can reduce your weight visually.
Liberate yourself from the fear of swimwear. Many women shrink from shopping for swimwear but there are bathing suits designed for every body type. High cut legs can make you look thinner. Lightweight compression can keep you feeling comfortable and sleek.
More Tips to Help You Look Thinner Instantly
Use makeup to make your face more angular. Iridescent powder can make your face look thinner instantly by creating contours. Brush it along your brow bones and the top of your cheekbones to bring out your bone structure.
Make your eyes stand out. If your eyes look bigger, the rest of your face will appear smaller. Curl your upper lashes and apply extra mascara to your top outer lashes. Keep your eyebrows slightly arched and well groomed.
Get a flattering haircut. If you want your face to look less full, try cutting your hair shorter. Instead of bangs, pull your hair away from your face to make your face look longer. Choose a hairstyle that adds a little height and fullness at the crown.
Practice good posture. Develop strong abdominal muscles and hold your stomach flat at all times. Pull your shoulders back. It’s good for your health and makes you look leaner.
If you must tan, get a safe tan. If you ask me, tanning is SO over. But if you think that tanning makes you look thinner, do it safely. Sunless tanning products have come a long way in recent years. Daily tanning moisturizers are one easy option to get a little color gradually without any increased risk of skin cancer or premature aging.
 I’d rather go with something like a moisturizer with a ‘glow.’
Project a positive attitude. No matter what your dress or pants size is, you’ll feel more attractive when you cultivate a healthy sense of self-esteem and a genuine affection for others. Focus on your most attractive features and qualities.
Looking thinner can help you feel more confident and give you the encouragement you need to stick with your fitness program. Simple adjustments to your wardrobe and beauty routine can have a huge impact on your appearance and your state of mind.
Do you use any of these tips already? Are there some you’ll try now? What do you do to look and feel your best? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section, below.
can greatly benefit your digestive system. They can help you balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut. They’re an important part of defeating bloating too.
in yogurt
, fermented dairy products, kimchi,
sauerkraut
, and other foods. The key is to find some probiotic foods
that you love and will enjoy eating every day, or at least several times a week.
may help your metabolism
and make it easier to burn fat in the body.
is an ancient home remedy
that is used to relieve digestive issues
and help the stomach. It has a calming effect. However, it can also get rid of annoying bloating after a big meal.
So here I was, sitting in a condo on the beach on the fourth day of vacation, feeling like I might be able to compete with the whales in the ocean. You see, thanks to a couple of changes in my routines, here I was, so bloated my usually comfortable jeans were cutting into my stomach–and the kids were begging me to join them and head out to the beach.
