The Real Reasons Why Your Stomach Isn't Flat
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone wants a flat stomach and toned abs. It’s part of the dream body. To get it, we work out like mad men, crunch ourselves to death, and plank until we fall over. And yet, we still don’t have that flat stomach. What gives? If you’re working toward the washboard abs, and you can’t quite make it happen, take a look at these two reasons your stomach isn’t flat followed by what you can do about it.
You Haven’t Fixed Your Diet
Abs are made in the kitchen. But seriously … abs are really, really made in the kitchen. Almost everyone has some kind of nice looking ab muscles. It’s just that most people’s are hidden beneath layers of fat. If your stomach isn’t flat, it might be because you have too many layers of fat on top. How can this be remedied? Focus on your diet. Eat as clean as possible. Consume healthy fats, lean proteins, and plenty of veggies. Avoid processed foods as much as possible. Once you fix your diet, the fat will melt away, and your stomach will likely be flatter than it’s been in years.
You Have Terrible Posture
Posture is a really big deal. When posture is poor, it rounds the shoulders, turns the hips at a strange angle, and pooches out the stomach. If you suspect that this is a reason that your stomach isn’t as flat as it should be, experiment in the mirror. Turn to the side, pick your shoulders up, pull your belly button toward your spine, and lift your chest. Is your stomach flatter? Chances are good that the answer is yes! Practice good posture as much as possible until it’s a habit, and you’ll gain a flatter stomach with very little in the way of physical effort.
A flat stomach is definitely part of the fitness dream. No love handles, no pooch, no jiggly parts. Yes, please! But if you don’t go about it the right way, you’ll never have the abs you’ve been working so hard to get. Re-evaluate your life and health habits, and determine if these two problems are keeping your from developing the perfect abs. With some hard work and the right knowledge, you can flatten your stomach and be proud of your hard earned body in no time.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.