Can Water Flatten My Stomach?

Email from Anonymous:

I've heard that water can flatten your stomach. Is this fact or fiction?

Lisa's Response:

If your stomach is out of shape, probably most of it is fat but a good percentage of it can be from bloating. Bloating comes from big meals, eating fatty foods and other digestion disorders.

Water aids the digestion process and helps break down foods much easier thus decreasing the size of your stomach.

Of course, a good diet and exercise is the best way to get that stomach flat, but water is an excellent companion to weight loss and tummy flattening.

Diet - An Ugly 4-Letter Word

Email from Anonymous:

What do you think of the Atkins diet and can you recommend an effective diet plan for me?

Lisa's Response:

I would never recommend any of those fad diets because too many doctors have proven there are serious flaws in most of them. The key is not to go on any temporary diet, but to change your eating habits permanently.

Read this article on dieting.

Soda and Flattening the Stomach

Email from Anonymous:

Do I have to cut out soda completely if I want to keep my stomach flat?

Lisa's Response:

I have never been a fan of cutting out the foods/drinks you love completely. When you stop rewarding yourself all together, you run the risk of getting bored with your eating habits. Next, the cravings for the foods you miss start to set in and you may pick up your old habits again.

The key is moderation. You can still treat yourself from time to time. If you normally drink 4 cans of soda a day, try cutting it down to 1 can. Drink water and low sugar fruit juices instead.

I Eat Healthy But My Stomach's Big

Email from Anonymous

I'm a vegetarian. I also eat a lot of fruits and I watch my fat intake. I also have stopped eating late at night but I still have a very protruding stomach I don't exercise like I should (maybe once/month) but my diet is good. How do I get my stomach flatter?

Lisa's Response:

Eating healthy is great but it's only half the battle. You still need to help your body burn fat through exercise in order to get rid of that unwanted fat. You should be exercising (cardio) at least three times per week for 30 minutes or longer.

Also incorporate some abdominal crunches into your routine to tone up your mid section. Just remember, flattening your stomach is a TOTAL body fitness program.

Also be careful with your fruit intake. A lot of people think they can eat as much as they want and it won't harm them, but fruits contain tons of sugar (carbs). Yes, it's natural sugar but it can still cause weight gain or prevent weight loss if you eat too much of it.

Can Bread Cause Stomach Fat?

Email from Anonymous:

I am very thin but I have excessive weight in my stomach and butt area. I eat well, exercise but my one weaknesses is white bread and rolls. Is this part of my problem?

Lisa's Response:

White bread can play havoc with the mid section. It is one of those "bad carbs" that is known for hanging around the middle...especially when you consume a lot of it. If you are a bread fan, try switching to whole grain. It has vitamins, minerals and no trans fat.

Change the Shape of My Hips

Email from Anonymous

My hips are very round and curve outward quite a bit. How can I make them more slim so they aren't as curvy?

Lisa's Response

The shape of your hips are part of your body's natural frame? If you have excess fat in the hip area then you can trim this down by exercising and watching what you eat. However, you cannot change the shape of your body's frame. Just like the stomach, you can't spot tone your hips, but you can slim them down by burning off unwanted fat.

How Much Weight Will I Lose?

Email from Anonymous:

If I follow a proper protien diet chart with a good work out everyday... how long will it take me to lose wieght? I am 23 yrs of age, my hieght is 5'3 and I am 57 kgs (125 pounds).

Lisa's Response:

First of all, the amount of weight you lose will depend on how well you stick to your diet and more importantly your body's metabolism. A younger person with a faster metabolism may be able to drop the weight faster than an older person with a slower metabolism.

It's impossible for anyone to predict how fast you will lose weight due to body type, diet plan and so many other factors.

The best advice I can give is to stick with your low fat, high protein diet plan and exercise 3-4 times per week and you WILL see results.

How to Lose Weight FAST!

I get emails all the time from people wanting to know how to lose a large amount of their stomach fat in a short amount of time (one or two weeks). I want to stress that the only way you can lose considerable amounts of weight quickly is to do it the unhealthy way - i.e. starve yourself.

This is NOT good for your body. Not only will your body lack the nutrition it needs, but you can severely screw up your metabolism, making it harder for your body to burn fat and calories in the long run.

If you want to learn to lose weight the right way...whether it be stomach fat or overall fat, you need to learn how to eat properly and exercise. As mentioned on my site www.flat-stomach-exercises.com, you actually should eat MORE to lose weight because digestion of foods with protein actually helps speed up your metabolism.

Now when I say eat more, I mean foods that are high in protein and fiber and low in fat (fish, nuts, whole grains, oatmeal, vegetables, etc.)

For healthy eating tips, see my fat burning foods page.

Just remember, the best weight loss plan is one that involves a combination of good eating and exercise. Crash diets and starvation are not good for your body and could end up causing you to gain even more weight in the long run due to the negative effects they have on your metabolism.

Flat Stomach After Pregnancy

Email from Anonymous:

I have a big stomach left from having a cesaerian delivery of my baby. Many people still think that I am still pregnant. I exercise often, doing ab crunches, leg lifts, oblique crunches and twist. I do cardio workouts about 3 times a week. I workout on my Total Gym Machine. I drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. I've positively changed most (90%) of my eating habits, but I'm still not really able to lose my stomach. I feel like an egg with legs. Do you have any ideas of new things to try.

Lisa's Response:

Hi

If your "deep" abdominal muscles are weak and stretched from childbirth your stomach can bulge even if you do not have much abdominal body fat.

The key to flattening your stomach is strengthening these "deep" muscles. The most important of these are the Transverse Abdominis and your Internal Obliques. They hold your internal organs and stabilize your body for movement. When you exercise these muscles, they increase their tone and help pull your stomach in.

View this article for exercises that work these parts of the body.

Can Walking Tone Your Stomach?

Email from Anonymous:

Just wondering how to get a toner stomach that does not involve too much tonal exercise as I walk 6 miles every morning but still need to get stomach toned, especially lower stomach.

Lisa's Response:

In order to get a toned stomach you must do some kind of strength training exercises. You can slim your stomach fat down by walking and doing cardio, but if you want that toned look you must do the following types of exercises:

- Forward flexion exercises (ab crunches)

- Side flexion exercises (side bends, side crunches, etc.)

- Rotational exercises (standing trunk twists)

That's the only way to get that "toned" look. Cardio exercise alone won't do it.

Stomach Crunches Are Not Enough

Email from Anonymous:

I have had three kids and contribute my huge stomach to just that. But I would not mind it so much if the bottom of my stomach as big instead of the top. But both the bottom and top and always bulging out no matter what I wear. I try to hold it in as much as I could but that is normally uncomfortable. I am 5ft 3 and 170 pounds. I always thought crunches alone would do the trick. Should I work first on toning dowm the top part first and both?

Lisa's Response:

If you're doing crunches alone without changing your diet then your stomach
will get bigger. That's what happened to me.

This is because you are building muscle with the crunches but you're not
losing any body fat. Losing your stomach means losing weight ALL OVER. You can't just spot tone and slim your stomach by itself.

So you need to start eating lots of protein (fish, eggs, nuts) and cutting
down on sugars and fatty foods. Also not eating late at night is another
big thing because a lot of people have more of a bloating problem than they
realize.

You can't choose what part of your stomach to lose. It all goes together
and it won't start reducing until you exercise (full body not just crunches)
and lower your fat intake.

If you remember nothing else, just remember that a flatter stomach comes
with an overall weight loss program, not just crunching.

Hope that helps!

Lose Weight With Grapefruit?

Email from Anonymous:

Does grapefruit make you lose weight?

Lisa's Response:

I think you're referring to the "grapefruit diet fad" that was started some years ago.

It's not the grapefruit that causes you to lose weight, it's the fact you're only consuming 800 calories per day (according to this particular diet plan). With that kind of caloric intake you'd lose weight no matter if it was grapefruit, apples, oranges, or pears.

Any kind of fab diet where they instruct you to lower your caloric intake down to an extremely low number is nutritionally deficient and not healthy. The best way to lose weight is to eat a wide variety of protein-rich, high-fiber and lower fat foods regularly and exercise 3-4 times per week.

Read this article: http://www.surebaby.com/grapefruitdiet.php.

How Long to Tone My Stomach?

Email from Anonymous:

I would like to know how long it would take (approx) to tone up my stomach, I feel I eat quite well.

I have about 2-3 glasses of red wine a week and anjoy a good chocolate bar or 2 once a week. and for the last 10 months, I have notice that I have cellulite on my stomach...I find this digusting, and I always bloat and feel 4 months pregnant after I eat a solid meal...was just looking up stomach exercises on the internet and found this site. Any information would be great.

Lisa's Response:

First of all your stomach won't be toned until you go back to the size you were when your stomach was its flattest. It's impossible to tone the stomach without losing weight all over and doing some strength training. You have to do lower back exercises, side bends, side crunches etc. in order to tone up your middle section. Crunches alone won't get it.

You want to go on a low fat diet and add lots of protein (egg whites, baked fish, almonds, lean meats, chicken) and cut out bad starches and carbs such as white breads, potatoes, white rice, etc.

Exercising is another important factor. Jogg/walk at least 4 times a week.

I can't tell you how long it will take to lose your stomach because it depends on your body's metabolism, your current weight, how well you stick to your diet/exercise, etc. There are soooooo many factors that it would be impossible for me to even predict a time for you.

For bloating, drink water - 8 glasses per day. That helps a lot because water aids digestion. You also may want to take a fiber supplement like Metamucil in case you're not regular. Irregularity and indigestion are two things that also cause your stomach to swell a lot!

Breakfast and Lunch Ideas

Email from Anonymous:

I've put to practice some of your suggestions already. But I am having a little trouble with the whole breakfast and lunch deal. So do you have any suggestions on what is a good lunchtime meal? To be honest, I'm getting a little tired of tuna fish and salad. :-)

Lisa's Response:

Tell me about it! lol Remember to treat yourself a couple of times a week. Unless you are extremely overweight and are on a strict diet you don't want to wear yourself out because you'll run the risk of returning to your bad habits.

Even if you have to cheat just try to stay away from starches/carbs like pasta, white bread, white rice. I know that's hard 'cause those are very popular lunch time foods.

You could do stir fry with brown rice, grilled chicken (lots of protein there), vegetable soups and stews with lean cuts of meat. And if you crave a burger, just take the bun off. The meat isn't as bad for you as the bun....contrary to popular beliefs.

I have a hard time with lunch too because I am used to eating grilled cheese, french fries, burgers, etc. lol Those are fine every once and a while, just remember MODERATION.

Breakfast is easier than lunch in my opinion because there are a lot of stomach friendly options. It also may be because I'm just a breakfast person. Here are some options: egg whites (make a sandwich with whole wheat bread), bowl of oatmeal (add honey and raisins/fruit for flavor), 15/handful almonds (that's almost 300 calories alone and could be used as an entire meal if you want) Drink water with your almonds and you'll fill up and it will last! That's a very good thing to do if you're in a hurry. I keep a can of almonds for those mornings I don't have time to make breakfast. Fruits, low fat yogurt, whole grain cereals with skim milk are also good choices.

Hope that gives you some more options. :)

Raising Metabolism is KEY!

Email from Anonymous:

Hi!

My name is **** and I have recently found that your site is very encouraging and informative. I have recently decided to lose weight and tone up my body. For about two weeks now I have followed the routine of running, weight lifting, and watching my diet. I am 6'2" and weigh about 183lbs.

I'm not overweight by any means but I would like to cut so-called "baby-fat" around my abdominal. In my workouts I usually run for aout 30 min., weight lift for about 1hr and a half three times a week and I'm on a 6-meal high protein diet.

My question is through these efforts will my metabolism rise and will I begin to see toning of my abs, because I know a full blown 6-pack is almost 100% genetic?

Lisa's Response:

First of all, congrats on your workout routine! You're on your way. While six packs may come easier to some, I believe they are attainable for most people if they trim the fat around the middle.

But you MUST do this first. I read somewhere that you need to get your entire body fat percentage down to less than 10% before you six pack starts showing. So if you still have a considerable amount of weight around your mid section, you probably won't begin to see any results until most of the fat is gone.

That's why I stress on my site, Flat-Stomach-Exercises.com, that an ab workout is really a full body workout (which is what you're doing). You can't just trim 30% of your regular weight but expect to lose 90% of your stomach fat.

Yes, your metabolism will definitely begin rising as a result of the cardio workouts (running, walking) In other words your body will burn fat a lot faster and more efficiently. Hopefully that makes sense. Good luck and keep on truckin!

Stomach Hanging After Surgery

Email from Anonymous:

Hello, I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, and now I have this flab that hangs. Could you please help me to get rid of this. I hate my body since the operation. I didn't have the flab before the operation. I am desparate.

Lisa's Response:

Keep in mind that I'm not a doctor, but some people's only resort after a hysterectomy is surgery because it sounds like you may have more excess, sagging skin than actual fat.

BUT if abdominal fat is the problem, you can still firm that area up by doing some double leg lifts. That's where you lay on your back, head off the ground, arms behind your head. Raise and lower your legs (keeping them as straight as possible). Try to get your legs as close to the floor as possible and lift them up. You'll feel your lower abdominals working.

Have you asked your doctor about it?

Your body's make-up will depend on what will work best for you. If it's fat you're dealing with then you'll need to load up on proteins: almonds, egg whites, fish, beans and those kinds of foods but it sounds like to me your body was morphed by the surgery. Exercising will help but it won't eliminate all excess skin. Age also plays an important factor since skin tends to sag the older we get.

You really need to talk to your physician about what will work best.

Good luck to you!

Thin With Stomach Flab

Email from Anonymous:

I'm 27 yrs old and only recently have I been at war with abdominal fat. I, like you, am naturally thin, 5'2" 112 lbs. Yet, it's all in my stomach! I don't want to be 100lbs again! Yet, I do need to get rid of this stomach. I'm going to utilize all of your advice and I truly believe this time I will succeed.

Lisa's Response:

Good for you! As I've been going thru this process, I've learned that a lot of my problem is not fat....it's bloating. So I've been cutting out bad carbs like white breads and french fries and I've been eating more protein and fiber (almonds, eggs, fish, etc.)

I haven't loss but about 3 pounds but my stomach is a LOT fatter. So perhaps that is your problem too. I've learned you don't necessarily have to lose all your weight...especially if your problem is bloating.

Also remember to drink 8 glasses of water a day. That helps sooooo much!Fennel or Pepperment tea is also great for keeping out the bloat.

Motivation Comes FIRST

Email from Anonymous:

I am a young obses woman at risk for many health risks if I don't already have them. I have tried dieting before even going as far as hiring a personal trainer, but it all seemed so expensive. I am having trouble getting over that mental hump that comes with trying to lose weight. I have read many statistics and I am quite intelligent but for some reason would rather sit on couch instaed of exercising. Do you have any starter exercises that one could do before doing an all out routine?

Lisa's Response:

I'm no psychologist but it sounds like to me your issue is more mental than physical. You said yourself you're having trouble getting over the mental hump that comes with trying to lose weight. You have to work on that first.

I could give you every exercise in the book but they won't give you the motivation. Until you mentally decide this is something you want to stick to then it will be difficult. I have the same issue sometimes. I'm not overweight but I know I should workout for health reasons. Many days I just can't make myself do it. It's not that I can't do it physically but I have to mentally remind myself that I care about my physical well being enough to make my butt get up and exercise. :)

As far as starter exercises. Make it simple. Go buy a simple jump rope and jump for 10 minutes per day. Or walk around your neighborhood. A simple walk is one of the best exercises you can perform and it's something you can always do. A lot of my friends go to the mall and power walk. That's another good place to go because you can people watch. If you don't want to do that get a treadmill and walk in your home.

You don't have to have an all out routine to lose weight, you just need some consistent heart-moving exercises that you perform 3-4 times a week. AND you have to convince yourself mentally that you want to do this. Don't do it for anyone but yourself.Most people don't realize it, but losing weight is much more a mental process than physical. Sure you have to physically move to do the exercises BUT your mind has to decide FIRST that you want to do this.

Good luck to you, girl! You can do it!!