Thread: Tips for a flatter stomach?

I have a pooch that likes to stick out a lot. doesn't really go well with my slender figure. ,f:: Like at all.

any tips?
I see both full figured and slender bellydancers with flat/ish stomachs.

Thanks!

I'd suggest finding a good Pilates teacher who really makes you "scoop" or "engage" through the whole class. You'll learn to work your transverse abdominals- which hold your tummy in.

You'll have to reduce your overall fat with cardio, because you can't spot reduce fat, and then strengthen your abdominal muscles with target exercises.

I also found that no matter how much I exercised, my stomach would not flatten. Then I did a colon cleanse and then it finally did. That said, I would do my research about colon cleansing first and talk to a professional before even THINKING about doing it. It is NOT a replacement for regular exercise and toning.

Great question, wondered the same thing..

Nandiqueen: just googled "the cleanse" very intrigued...

Whoa! That looks like it cleanses everything. Not just the colon. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone cleansing for the first time.

Cleansing for the first time usually starts with the colon. I've done some crazy ones, but I really like the psyllium/bentonite colon cleanses. They are alot more gentle. You can mix them up yourself. You must drink alot of water and put back the friendly bacteria by taking acidophilus. The acidophilus must be taken separately, hours after the p/b.

Some bodies just have flatter stomachs than others. It's partially dependent on your body's construction and its innate predisposition to where it likes to store fat. (It's not just a female thing--some men will never have great six-pack abs no matter how well they diet and how hard they work out.) Another factor is posture. If you have weak abdominal muscles and a tendency to sway back, it can make you look like you have more stomach than you actually do. The obvious issue is whether you've been pregnant. How much your stomach regains its pre-pregnancy flatness depends on a huge assortment of factors, not the least of which is genetic.

If you've really made your best effort at dieting and exercise, and you're still not happy with how "poochie" you are, one option is to talk to a plastic surgeon about liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. A consultation does not have to lead to surgery, but it may give you some helpful information about what your options are, and a good doctor will not steer you into the operating room if your unhappiness could be resolved with a new workout routine and a high-fiber diet.

Nandiqueen: I'm very intigued not just on the level of weightlose but on the whole of cleansing the body...which makes perfect sense in my daughter's situation. I have to get ready for work, I will pm you later!!!
Samira: sorry for stealing your thread!!!!

Originally Posted by NaimahJannah

Nandiqueen: I'm very intigued not just on the level of weightlose but on the whole of cleansing the body...which makes perfect sense in my daughter's situation. I have to get ready for work, I will pm you later!!!
Samira: sorry for stealing your thread!!!!

..g.: It's not MY thread- and it all relates to the same problem.
I have found that regularly taking acidophilus regularly (well, yogurt with live cultures) helps me immensely.

Instead of doing drastic cleanses, I'd start with diet and exercise. Pilates, as Samira suggested, is great for core strengthening. I'd also suggest laying off the bread and high glycemic carbs. Those tend to go straight to the belly (the "beer belly" effect).

Thanks so much ladies,
I haven't tried dieting and exercise. the obvious answer, but I did have a pooch even when I was quite skinny.
A colon cleanse is an interesting last resort. who gave you that idea nandiqueen?
T, I know it's part genetic, but I don't want to blame it too much on that. I've never been preggo, my posture is nothing to write home about and plastic surgery is something I will never ever do personally.

Pilates sounds good samira, I'll give that a try. Aubre does some on her dvd I think.
I'll also start my cardio today. I feel like I'll lose weight everywhere but my belly though and I don't really need to lose weight. we'll see

Originally Posted by nandiqueen

Cleansing for the first time usually starts with the colon. I've done some crazy ones, but I really like the psyllium/bentonite colon cleanses. They are alot more gentle. You can mix them up yourself. You must drink alot of water and put back the friendly bacteria by taking acidophilus. The acidophilus must be taken separately, hours after the p/b.

OK, now you have my curiousity stirred! ..l;, So I goggled psyllium/bentonite colon cleanse. Are you talking about the psyllium/bentonite colon cleanses shakes like the ones mentioned here?
Homemade Colon Cleanse Recipe
Holy Cow! I'm not sure I want to do several of these shakes a day! How long do you do this cleansing process? Not thrilled with the fact that it says it kills your good bacteria.

Yes, I'm talking about those and there is no need to do them 3-5 times a day! That is too excessive and will dry you out and make you sick!

It doesn't kill bacteria, it pushes it out, so you have to put it back in. Antibiotics kill bacteria.

You do this for a while, at least a month of at least one shake early in the morning. I started with one in the morning and one at night before bed, then reduced it to one in the morning. Any cleanse with shorter periods of time is too harsh on the body in my opinion, and requires supervision from a pro.

It's not the best tasting stuff plain, so adding fruit juice for flavor is highly recommended.

Sacrosanct, a friend of mine told me about it a long time ago when I complained about how my stomach was still poochie, even with my very active dance/exercise schedule.