It’s the start of the weekend and if you’ve got plans, I know you really want to look good when are out and about. I mean let’s be honest, that’s one of the main reasons you endeavor to live a healthy fit lifestyle right? But what can you do to look better tomorrow?
While I will never be the one to promote quick fixes and fad methods when it comes to your fitness and fat loss problems, there are a few legitimate reasons that your tummy may be bigger than you like and some action steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Now I’m not talking about fat loss here, I’m taking about other factors that bloat your belly and make you feel less confident in clothes.
Here are a few reasons you may be carrying around an extra inch or two and simple ways to nix those inches fast (yes, even as fast as tomorrow).
1. Excess sodium. Did you know that is it recommended that adults stay within 1,400 mg of sodium a day? If you are in the practice of grabbing food on the run or eating lots of processed food (things that come in cans and boxes) then you are most likely WAY over that number and your body is holding on to excess water because of it.
Action Step: Your body will let go of that water pretty quickly if cut your sodium down to the recommended levels and drink plenty of water. I’ve had clients see a difference in as little as 24 hours. Bonus: Excess sodium causes you to bloat all over your body so you may notice slimmer looking ankles, arms or thighs when you flush all that extra sodium out.
2. Chewing gum! –Believe it, chewing gum may actually cause you to swallow air that can get trapped inside your belly. Plus since most gum is sugar-free these days you should know that artificial sweeteners have been shown to cause bloating in the stomach.
Action step: Chill out on the gum chewing. If you are doing it just to freshen your breath, try mints instead. If you want to keep your mouth busy, try chewing on some super low-cal veggies. As a bonus, you’ll get more fiber too.
3. Drinking lot’s of fizzy beverages –Sodas (even diet and see the point above about sweeteners), mineral waters and seltzer waters can all be very refreshing but all that bubbly may also cause your belly to bubble up….not cute. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but if you are in the habit of consuming carbonated drinks daily and you seem to have a bloat that won’t go away, it may be the culprit.
Action step: Switch to flat water and add a twist of lemon or lime to give it some pizzazz. As soon as you cut down to just a bottle or two here and there, you will see your belly start to un-puff. It happens pretty quick so if you have a party tomorrow, no more carbonated drinks starting now!
The absolute best thing you can do to look better by tomorrow is look in the mirror, find at least one good thing you like about yourself and focus on and accentuate that. You’re working on the rest and that’s all you can ask of yourself.