FitSugar

Bloated? These Foods May Be the Culprit

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:07 PST

The gift of a bloated belly isn't only reserved for women during that time of the month. Sometimes it's the foods we eat that can cause that full, gassy feeling. Here's a list of foods that may be contributing to your balloon-like belly, so you may want to think about limiting or avoiding them.

Dairy products: Lactose intolerance can range from mild to severe, but either way, gas is usually a symptom. Try limiting the amount of milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream you eat and see if that helps. If it does, you don't have to ditch dairy altogether. Drink lactose-free milk, or take Lactaid pills to help your body digest milk products.
Apples and pears: These fruits contain about four grams of fiber per serving, so they're an excellent source of soluble fiber, but they can also wreak havoc on sensitive tummies. Don't avoid them entirely though. Eating half or a quarter of these fruits along with other foods will allow you to enjoy their flavor without paying the price.
Beans: This magical fruit contains oligosaccharide, a type of sugar which is not normally digestible by our bodies. When this sugar reaches your large intestine, the bacteria go to town eating it up, and the gas you produce is an unfortunate byproduct.

To see what other foods may be causing your bloated tummy

7 Ways to a Flatter, Fitter Belly

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:00 PDT

No matter how many crunches you do, you cannot spot reduce your midsection. If you are battling with your belly check out these seven things you can do to make peace with your midriff.

Source

Fitness Motivation: You've Got Flat Abs!

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:45:00 PDT

If you've ever looked at someone with flat abs and thought, I'll never have that, it's time to stop the negative thinking.

Guess what? Most of us do have flat abs they just may be hidden under a pesky layer of fat. The good news, a few months (maybe more, maybe less) of cardio and strength training can help reveal that flat midsection of yours.

Fit's Tip: If you're a mom who's seen a major change in your abs after having a baby, and are still laughing at the above statement, don't count yourself out of the flat abs group yet. It just may take a little extra effort on your part, but some cardio and strength training, including serious core work, can really bring your abs back to flat.

Source

Move It: Full Sit Up with Bridge

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:30:00 PDT

In a recent poll, I asked you all if your summer fitness goal is to have flat abs or a toned tush. Now, while the majority voted for flat abs I thought I'd share this exercise with you all that works both areas of concern. It's a full sit-up/bridge combo and it works your backs side and your torso splendidly.

Start with a basic bridge.
On an exhale, push your pelvis up. Keep your back straight and in neutral spine - imagine your abs and back muscles sandwiching your spine.

You will feel your hamstrings and glutes work.
If you want to work your inner thighs a bit, place something between your knees (like a pillow) and hold it there for the duration of the series.
Lower your pelvis down to the ground as you inhale. As your pelvis lowers, bring your arms up.

Next, do a full sit up.

Exhale and roll all the way up to sitting with your hands behind your head. You put your hands behind so you can't jerk yourself up by swinging your arms up.

Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Focus on pulling your deep abs to your spine as your roll up. Work the abs not the hip flexors.

Roll down and onto your back.
Inhale generously into your back as you roll down, keeping the navel pulled to the spine.

Focus on hollowing out your abs even though you are moving quickly, move with control.
Get ready to bring your hands to your sides as bridge up again.

That completes one set.

Aim to to do 20 reps, but remember quality is more important than quality and speed. Do not fling your self up and down, use your abs and focus on control.

Fit's tip: If I were my trainer, I would definitely stick a small pillow between my knees. Work to keep your legs truly parallel through out this exercise, it is much better form.

Which is Your Goal This Summer: Toned Tush or Flat Abs?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:30:00 PDT

We've all got our goals for summer (like get over fear of sharks)... For many of us, especially if you're reading FitSugar right now, that goal is to be comfortable (and looking good) in a bikini but that can be different for everyone.

So which is your goal from your workout this summer: Toned tush or flat abs?

Foods That Can Make You Look Pregnant

Shape — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:29:06 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Over the weekend, I saw a photo of a female celebrity (who is in a relationship with a male celeb) leaving a café with the caption, "Baby bump?" and I had to refrain myself from shouting out loud, "Come on, can't a girl eat without the world thinking she's having a baby?!"

The truth is having a perfectly flat stomach all the time just isn't normal. After you eat or drink, food and liquids naturally expand your stomach and intestines, so at least a little "bump" is inevitable every single day. So if you regularly get stalked by paparazzi or you have family members who are anxiously awaiting news of a new addition, here's the lowdown on when you might get mistaken for being pregnant:

See which foods may make you look pregnant after the break!

Would You Have a Postbaby Boob Job?

Kate Stahl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:53 PST

When I had my C-section, my mom (who had two of her own) told me her only regret after having my brother was that she didn't request a tummy tuck after delivery, a somewhat shocking statement from my totally low-key, nonvain mother. Of course, back then, I was still operating under the illusion that my body would snap back to its prepregnancy state within a few months and my formally flat abs would return with little to no effort. Now, nine and a half months later, I'm still holding on to seven pounds of baby weight. Despite working out three to four times a week, I'm sporting stretch marks that, for some reason, only affected my left side, and I'm still trying to embrace my other pregnancy parting gifts: back fat, wider hips, and flattened chest - one side effect I totally didn't expect!

Considering I've always been very small-chested, I didn't think pregnancy and breastfeeding would take too big of a toll, but going from an A cup to a C+, then back again, has not been pretty, and suddenly, I'm thinking a boob job might not be a bad idea. Are you on the same page as me? Would you consider a postbaby breast lift or implants? Weigh in below!

5 Secrets to Flat Abs

Leta Shy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:06:18 PST

It may not be a secret that the best way to a six-pack is a healthy diet (even if it's no diet at all) and regular exercise, but there's a right way and wrong way to a flat belly. If you're trying to find the best combination to help banish belly fat and strengthen your torso, read on for five tips for getting flat abs.

Quick Tips: 5 Belly-Shrinking, De-Bloating Foods

Self — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:00:15 PST

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

We're not going to lie: transforming your body from head to toe isn't always the fastest process, because it takes time to burn fat and build muscle. However, there is an exception: With the right diet and workout, you can see a difference in your belly (and maybe even reveal an ab or two!) in just a couple of days. The secret? Beat bloat.

Generally, the best way to avoid bloat is to stay away from soda, alcohol and greasy, salty, fatty meals, which slow the stomach and the intestines from emptying, according to Timothy S. Harlan (a.k.a. Dr. Gourmet), M.D., medical director of Tulane University's School of Medicine.

Here are 5 of our favorite bloat-busting foods, and a few moves to add to your belly-shrinking workout routine.

Papaya: There's some research that says the enzyme in papaya may aid digestion. Try mixing diced papaya into plain organic yogurt for breakfast.
Oatmeal: According to Harlan, in a recent meta-analysis of a number of studies related to digestion, researchers found that oat bran can be particularly beneficial. Harlan recommends having oatmeal for breakfast. Warning: Avoid McDonald's new oatmeal, which has more sugar than a Snickers bar, according to this recent New York Times article. Yikes!

More foods to decrease the bloat, so keep reading.

How to Get Rihanna's Rock-Hard Abs

Shape — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:58 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Rihanna is one hot singing sensation. Having recently been named the best-selling digital artist of all time - thanks to a whopping 47.5 million downloads of her hits - the sexy songstress is also a top contender for album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.

But not only does the Barbadian beauty know how to rock a stage, she also rocks a bikini, too! No stranger to showin’ off some skin, getting that taut and tight tummy definitely takes work.

The Top 10 Best-Dressed Stars at the Golden Globes

That’s where inspirational fitness expert extraordinaire Ary Nuñez comes in; she’s been training the artist hard for almost four years. “We focus on the core muscles and we do a ton of repetitions,” Nuñez says.

See Rihanna's ab workout after the break.