Every summer, people frantically hit the search engines in hopes of discovering a magical solution to the problem of excess belly fat.  I can tell you right now that no such thing exists, and anyone who recommends a product, herbal concoction, or the complete disowning of an entire food group is one graham cracker short of a Smore.  The best thing you can do to get rid of fat, not just in one spot, but all over, is to move a little more and eat a little less — or rather, eat the same amount of food you are used to, but just make healthier choices.  Some people find they can eat more food and still lose weight by making replacements.

Today, though, since you’re all focused on belly fat, I’d like to talk about some of the real reasons your stomach may not be flat.  Sure, fat plays into this, but I want to talk about a few things you can do to immediately cut down the appearance of your belly area, without actually losing any fat.

When you are feeling especially round, that experience you are having in your stomach might be more bloat than fat.  You could be having simple digestive problems which, once alleviated, could drastically reduce that tight feeling in your waistline, and help flatten the appearance of your stomach.  If you’re thinking that only women get bloated, you’re wrong!  There are plenty of reasons people of both sexes experience bloat. 

If your bloating is due to gas bubbles trapped in your body, yoga or a brisk 10 minute walk will go a long way to help you.  The movement helps get those gas bubbles moving out of trouble regions, and you’ll feel better almost immediately. Basically, stop exploring tv options in my area, and start moving!

Primary lactose intolerance affects between 30 and 50 million adults in the United States.  Many people may have lactose intolerance and not even realize it.  Symptoms include bloating and gas, and general digestive discomfort.  It can come on suddenly, even in people who have never been intolerant to lactose.  If you think this might be the case, try experimenting with your dairy consumption for a few days;  reduce the amount of dairy you eat, and see if that helps.  If it does, you will want to follow up with your doctor.

Finally, fiber could be the culprit.  If your cart at the grocery store is typically filled with foods containing the word “fiber” in their names, or advertised as high fiber foods, you may be overdoing that in a big way.  Too much added fiber in the diet can cause seriously unpleasant intestinal side effects, one of which is bloating.  Cut back on foods that are branded as being higher in fiber than natural foods.

So, until you finally shed those solid pounds, these tips can help you look and feel better while you’re waiting.