HOW DO I GET RID OF THAT BLOATED ABDOMINAL APPEARANCE?

Hi Gennaro,

I recently competed in a figure show for first time in Melbourne and loved it. I am hooked and after I have had a break I want to do it again later in the year. I have had 3 kids and my problem is with my stomach. I had a bloated appearance, although I did everything to treat it, it didn’t go away. So I don’t think that was the cause. I don’t know if my stomach has changed from 3 pregnancies but I cant seem to work out the cause. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jocelyn

Jocelyn,
I took a look at your NABBA photos and must say you have great shape and symmetry. Excellent calves leading all the way up to lean shapely legs and a ripped back! By bloated do you mean that your stomach is extended but lean or you simply need to lose more fat? On viewing your pics my take is that after having your children (which are beautiful by the way) your body structure changed slightly, which may have caused stomach extension. But personally I don’t think its that noticeable at all. Here are some strategies you can work on in order to ‘flatten out your mid-section’:
1. Adopt a wheat and gluten free nutrition plan.
2. Limit and or eliminate all dairy (ie foods containing lactose) from your diet.
3. Pose often in front of a mirror and work on drawing your stomach in by inhaling through your nose and filling your chest with air thereby lifting your chest and drawing your navel back towards your spine (creating a vacuum with your stomach but only within your limits!).
4. Conversely practice your ab and thigh compulsory poses by extending one leg out, placing hands behind head and expelling all the air out of your body through your mouth whilst leaning back and pressing/contracting down on you abdominal muscles. Aim to flatten out your abs as much as possible by exhaling fully and aiming for maximum waistline definition.
5. Cut back on foods containing added sodium.
6. Practice perfect posture throughout the day while walking and sitting by keeping your back straight and long, shoulders back, and being conscious of tightening your abdominal muscles.
7. Most importantly know that you will overcome this challenge by working on the above daily until your next competition.

Work on these strategies consistently and I’m sure they will help you.

Have a great day and keep me posted on your progress!

Gennaro