‘I have lost weight but my tummy fat is still there – how can I get rid of it?’
How many of us can relate to this? Whether you had a flat stomach to begin with or not, after having children it can be very tough to get the stomach that you had (or wished for).
Many of us are impatient and just want to get back into shape fast without putting in the hard yards of eating well and moving more. But wishing to lose the ‘mummy tummy’ won’t get rid of it – you have to do something about it! Here are 8 top tips!
And check out Lina’s amazing results below (you can read her story here)
8 ways you can do something about your mummy tummy
1. Healthy diet and exercise
Hopefully, you’ve taken the first step to getting rid of tummy fat by taking part in the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.
Our weight loss plans involve very little processed foods, lots of lean proteins, plenty of fruit and veg, healthy snacks such as nuts and yoghurt, and our vitamin and mineral-packed Healthy Mummy Smoothies.
The plan also includes regular exercise done in short bursts throughout the day (this is the HIIT training on your 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge).
Just by focusing on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, you will be well on your way to a leaner stomach. But if you are impatient (anyone?) and want to give your body the best chance to get better results, there are some other ideas that you can also try.
2. Have a Tummy Smoothie
It’s important to have a healthy gut, as not only does it keep you going to the bathroom regularly but it can help support your immune system.
Plus, consuming food that contains probiotics, or ‘good’ bacteria, may help reduce belly bloat and also aid digestion.
And now there’s no need to have to take a separate probiotic, as our new Healthy Mummy Tummy Smoothie contains a heap of amazing new ingredients including probiotics to help you lose weight, support your gut health and feel fuller for longer!
3. Reduce alcohol
Alcohol, especially sweet fizzy-based drinks and beer make it nearly impossible to lose stomach fat and puts extra stress on your liver to clear out the toxins. This extra pressure on your liver can make it very hard to build muscle which is key to losing belly fat.
4. Probiotics
You can try a probiotic as this is a supplement that will assist with digestion, especially if it is sluggish. A probiotic can help flatten your stomach and get rid of body fat (P.S The Healthy Mummy Smoothies have probiotics in).
5. Fibre
Increase the amount of fibre in your diet as this is a great way to improve digestion. Think fruit and veg as your first port of call, plus nuts, legumes and wholegrain bread.
Try our delicious Baked Stuffed Sweet Potato and fill it with any veggies you fancy for a fibre-rich meal!
6. Fish oil
Taking fish oil tablets is another tool to speed up fat loss. Fish oil can positively influence metabolism, meaning that you’ll digest your food more quickly. It will activate enzymes in your body that are responsible for burning fat, which also means that your body burns fat more easily, and also helps to reduce insulin resistance.
Studies have shown that taking fish oil supplements in conjunction with doing regular aerobic exercise can help you to burn off up to 26% more calories per day and more body fat than if you didn’t take any fish oil supplements.
7. Food intolerances or allergies
Many people are living with food intolerances or allergies that negatively affect their digestion. As you are constantly exposed to the food that your body can’t handle well, it can cause inflammation and digestion issues. Result? Stomach bloating, fluid retention, nausea, and gas.
If you suspect an intolerance or allergy why not try cutting out that food for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference? You can also do blood tests or skin prick tests if you are unable to determine the source of the issue.
If you have issues with dairy or gluten you’ll be pleased to know that our Healthy Mummy Smoothies are gluten-free and we have dairy-free versions too
8. Nutrition deficiency
Being pregnant or having had children can also deplete women of various nutrients such as iron and iodine, so it may be worth getting a blood test or complete thyroid panel to rule out any deficiencies if you are getting stuck with your weight loss efforts.
A great natural medicine practitioner can also check for genetic irregularities that your GP may not test for, such as the modern day ‘Fat Gene’. It is a simple and affordable DNA test which can greatly help in difficult cases.
