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We all want to lose some inches around our tummies--but not everyone has the time to put in the necessary work at the gym to see results fast. Is it even possible to get results without diet and exercise? What are they?
Thanks to Good Houskeeping and Yahoo! Health, here are a few ways you can look thinner almost instantly with these quick tips!
1. Perfect your posture.
You might not be aware of it, but your posture has a lot to do with how flat your tummy looks. "Straighten up," advises The Biggest Loser trainer Kim Lyons, and your figure will look better. "When your posture is good, you’re automatically engaging and toning your stomach muscles." Not to mention, if you're constantly slouching with your shoulders forward, your tummy naturally pokes out a bit. The minute that you pull your shoulders back and have a straight spine, your tummy instantly flattens! If you need some helpful reminders, put some post-in notes in a few strategic places where you'll see them throughout the day.
2. Stay hydrated.
“Being dehydrated causes the body to hoard water,” says Lyons, "which can lead you to carry up to four excess pounds around your midsection." Try to aim for about six eight-ounce glasses of water (or tea) throughout the day.
3. Stay regular.
"Most women don’t want to talk about it, but you really have to set aside a specific time each day to use the bathroom," notes Judith Reichman, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "If you don’t, it’s too easy to give in to feeling rushed, and ignore the urge to go." If you accidentally miss the signals, you'll unintentionally set the stage for uncomfortable bloating.
4. Eat mindfully.
We've heard it all the time, but very few actually appreciate the wisdom of these words. “The body has to work overtime to break down food in the stomach and intestines, which can lead to major gas and indigestion,” Dr. Reichman says. "Plus, when you eat fast, you’re more prone to swallowing air, which can ratchet up your risk of developing a potbelly." Try to make a point to chew eat bite 10 times before swallowing.
5. Probiotics are your new best friend!
"Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that help your digestive system break down food, preventing the gastrointestinal issues that can keep you from having a flat stomach," explains nutritionist Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth. Bowden suggests that to keep things running smoothly, you should eat at least one probiotic-rich food (like yogurt) or take a supplement containing at least 50 milligrams of probiotics.
6. Walk everywhere.
"Try to squeeze in a 30-minute walk daily," says Lyons. "The simple boost in metabolism will help you burn waistline fat more efficiently." If you do want to work out, beware of the workout DVDs that promise spectacular abs in minutes. "A study from Kansas State University found most devices designed to target abs (think infomercials) don’t live up to their promises. You’ll see better results with traditional exercise," Lyons warns.
7. Put down the gum!
"Because chewing forces you to swallow more puff-producing air, it can also keep you from squeezing into your skinny jeans," explain researchers at the American College of Gastroenterology. If you need to get rid of that bitter coffee breath, opt for mints instead.
8. Start taking supplements.
"Consider adding calcium D-glucarate (1,000 milligrams) and B-complex supplements to your regular vitamin regime," recommends C.W. Randolph, M.D., author of From Belly Fat to Belly Flat. “Excess estrogen 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.”
9. Take extra time to relax.
"When you’re frazzled, your body increases its production of steroids and stress hormones, which negatively affect your digestive system, causing major constipation," says Dr. Reichman. When your body gets stressed, the production of cortisol is amped up which can lead to weight gain and bloating--specifically to your mid-section to protect vital organs. To minimize tension, Dr. Reichman advises, "take 20 minutes a day to do something that truly relaxes you."
10. Try this water recipe.
There are more to those pretty fruit-filled water recipes than meets the eye! There's one secret ingredient that helps get flush all the excess fat out of your system. To get the full benefits, just throw one extra ingredient, and drink about 4 liters of this special water a day.
What do you think of these tips? Which will you start trying? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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