Shrink Your Belly

Forget weeks of carrot sticks and stomach crunches to get your tummy in sexy shape. We’ve got quick, painless remedies that will do the trick in a matter of days. By Victoria Storr

It’s the holy grail of the diet industry: the pursuit of a flat stomach. Yet, no matter how many kilojoules we shave off or sit-ups we endure, there’s no guarantee we’ll take centimetres off the one place we want to $#151; our middle.

Why? Because a round belly is often not to do with bad diet or lack of exercise, but bloating. “Most people suffer a little bit of natural bloating every day through eating and digestion,” says Laura Sutherland from the Dietitians Association of Australia.

“However, some of us put up with more than others due to everything from the food we eat to how much we drink.”

Here we tell you how to deflate fast with eight tips that will do the trick.

Remember, you are what you eat

While it won’t surprise you to learn that the quicker you eat, the more air you swallow and the more you bloat, did you know that the naturally occurring sweeteners found in some sugar-free lollies and gum can also lead to discomfort and distension. Why? “This is because these compounds that cause them to be sweet don’t actually get broken down, which is why they can be classed as sugar-free,” says Sutherland. “Instead, they [the compounds] end up in our large bowel and cause bloating.”

Take it slow Check the label of any artificially sweetened products, suggests Sutherland. “If it has the disclaimer ‘excess use may have a laxative effect’ or something similar, then it’s one of the sweeteners that can cause bloating in some people,” she explains. Try to reduce your use of these products.

Hormonal?

Who’d have thought the key to a flat stomach would lie in a simple little pill? But, according to CW Randolph, MD and author of From Belly Fat to Belly Flat, adding calcium D-glucarate and B-complex supplements to your regular vitamin regimen could do the trick. “Excess oestrogen causes the body to retain fat around the waist, but both supplements have been shown to help you excrete the hormone, which can lead to a smaller middle.”

Supplement solution Randolph suggests taking a calcium D-glucarate supplement twice a day with meals. B-complex supplements should be taken at the same time every day and consumed after or during a meal to aid absorption. (Before taking either supplements consult your GP if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on any medication, including the Pill.)

Feeling stuck

While it may seem too obvious to mention, it’s important to set aside time to go to the bathroom every day. It’s all too easy to ignore the urge to empty your bowels, but once you’ve trained your brain to dismiss your body’s signals, you set the stage for bloat-inducing constipation.

Make time for the toilet Go when you feel the urge. Some people’s signals are not as strong as others, but as a guide most people need to empty their bowels about 20 minutes after eating a meal – particularly breakfast. And take your time. Give yourself at least several minutes to ensure proper emptying.

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