Good morning beautiful ladies! I just got back from Cabo after being there for a few days for my husband’s brother’s wedding. We had such a blast, the weather was perfect, and if I’m being honest I didn’t want to come home! I posted most of these photos on my Instagram feed and I got a ton of questions from the first photo in my swimsuit on how I have such a flat stomach so I thought I would do a dedicated blog post on this very topic. Below I’m sharing 8 tips to a flat tummy, plus don’t forget to scroll all the way down to shop each of the 5 looks I wore in Cabo.
SHOP LOOK 1: MY CHIC COVER-UP SOLD OUT IN THE WHITE BUT IS AVAILABLE IN BLACK
8 TIPS TO A FLAT TUMMY:
1.) DRINK WATER 95% OF THE TIME:
I drink water all day every day, I don’t drink sodas or tea or anything else during the day with the exception of one black cup of coffee in the mornings and the occasion almond milk latte. I used to drink cokes when I was a child and a teenager and gave them up when I was a junior in high school and not only did I lose like 7 pounds in a week but my stomach seemed more toned! If you drink soft drinks or any juices from concentrate I would try giving these up and only drinking water for a few weeks, I bet you’ll not only lose some weight but your tummy will become slimmer!
I try and drink at least 72 ounces of water every day, this is the recommended amount for women over 19 years of age. Drinking this much water will not only help aid in a flatter stomach but it makes you feel fuller which means you will eat less which is also another factor affecting how flat your stomach is.
2.) GO GLUTEN FREE AND DAIRY FREE:
A ton of people are allergic to gluten and don’t even know it. Cutting gluten out of your diet entirely and cutting dairy out can cut down on bloating not to mention that diets high in dairy are more cancer prone. I’ve been mostly gluten free and dairy free for years and I can definitely tell a difference.
3.) CUT BACK ON THE CARBS:
I did a post a few weeks ago titled: WHAT I EAT AND WHAT I DO TO STAY FIT and I talked a ton about this. I try and really watch my carb intake. My diet is mostly made up of vegetables, fruits, and lean meats such as chicken and fish and yes dessert every once in a while, lol! When I eat sushi I get riceless roles, when I go to Italian restaurants I never get pasta but opt for fish and a delicious salad instead.
When I go eat Mexican food I try and only have like 2-3 chips and I’ll order a salad with chicken or shrimp on it and the dressing on the side. I don’t eat like this every once in a while – this is the way I eat all the time and it has become my lifestyle. If you try and eat this way and think of it as a lifestyle change not a diet, you’ll have a much better chance of sticking to it.
4.) EAT MORE PINEAPPLE:
I’ve had surgery a few times in my lifetime and what the doctors have always told to eat after my surgery for a faster recovery and to get the swelling to go down is pineapple and lots of it! Pineapple is one of the best foods to reduce inflammation in the body including the stomach area. The good news: pineapple tastes so good so think of it as a healthy snack or even a dessert!
5.) DRINK THIS PROTEIN SHAKE FOR BREAKFAST:
In my most recent post titled: WHAT I EAT AND WHAT I DO TO STAY FIT I mentioned that I drink this protein shake every morning for breakfast and have for like 10 years! It’s so tasty and extremely healthy packed with tons of vitamins and minerals and will keep you full all morning long. It’s gluten free and dairy free so I promise if you replace what you’re eating now for breakfast with this delicious shake you will start to see a flatter stomach! Scroll all the way down for the complete recipe.
6.) AVOID ALCOHOL:
I know this is extremely hard for some people and it’s not a whole lot of fun either, but if you cut back on your alcohol intake I promise you will start to see results. Alcohol is full of sugar and it not only makes you feel bad the next day if you’re drinking too much of it but it prompts you make poor eating choices, at least it does for me. That’s why I only drink maybe 1-2 glasses of wine every 2 weeks.
7.) EAT MORE FIBER:
Eating more fiber will not only banish bloating but it reduces inflammation as well. Eating a diet with plenty of fiber will ensure your digestion is on track and working properly. Foods I love to eat that are high in fiber are almonds (I snack on these all day). Also, broccoli, chia seeds, and blackberries just to name a few.
8.) DO DAILY SIT-UPS:
I put this tip last on purpose because I think the size you are is 90% of what you eat, period. Yes, I think exercise is extremely important ( I work out 6 days a week) but not because of what it makes me look like but because it makes me feel good mentally. Yes, exercise can most definitely get you a more toned body but it won’t get you a slimmer body. Only healthy eating can do that. I do 200 crunches or sit-ups 6 days a week, usually during hot yoga class or in my work out classes at the YMCA. Doing crunches or plank exercises can and will tone and shape your abs so I highly recommend making sit-ups and crunches part of your daily work out routine.
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Thank you so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate all of you!
XOXO, Heather
SCROLL DOWN TO SHOP EACH LOOK UNDER EACH PHOTO + MY PROTEIN SHAKE RECIPE IS ALL THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM
SHOP LOOK 2: ( I’m wearing an XS in this dress for reference)
SHOP LOOK 3:
SHOP LOOK 4: (I’M WEARING A SIZE 2 IN THIS DRESS)
SHOP LOOK 5: (I’M WEARING A SIZE 2 IN THIS JUMPSUIT) JUMPSUIT IS ON SALE AT SHOPBOP WITH CODE GOBIG19
Recipe for my DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY SHAKE I DRINK EVERY MORNING FOR BREAKFAST: ( It’s dairy free, soy free, and gluten free)
1 scoop of Vega protein powder – order yours here: VEGA PROTEIN POWDER
1/3 banana
1/4 cup of mixed frozen organic berries
1/2 cup of frozen organic spinach
3 ice cubes
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon – this keeps your blood sugar level
1/2 teaspoon of ginger – this strengthens your immune system among many other benefits
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
1 1/2 – 2 cups of coconut water – hands down the best form of hydration
1/2 tablespoon of organic peanut butter. This gives good taste and texture to the smoothie and it has protein which helps you stay full
Combine all of these ingredients in the blender and mix on high for 60 seconds. Enjoy!:))
