Did you know that nearly one in every three people with too big of a stomach is not even aware of that fact? Studies show that 10% of the people who have been diagnosed as overweight do not consider themselves as having a weight problem.
People with a "healthy weight" (based on their BMI Index that measures the relation between weight and body length) but who carry around a big belly are also at a higher health risk. Being overweight increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. Having a big belly means you are running that same risk.
So it is time do something about it!
A flat stomach
A flat, flexible stomach... That is what we all want. There is no reason to panic: some minor, simple advice will suffice to show you how to get a flat stomach:
Eat healthy and chew your food slowly.
Eat fibre and cut down on your salt intake.
Ideally, besides proper diet you should consider some physical exercise (walking, swimming, riding your bike...).
Spring is in the air, right? Take advantage of the improving weather to spend more time outdoors, go play with your kids, take the dog out for a walk, or even a run, meet up with some friends and throw a football or a Frisbee in the park, go out and shoot some hoops... There are tons of things you can do that will keep you moving. Trust me, losing weight does not have to be boring or strenuous....
Make a habit of exercising now and you'll continue to do so even when the cold of winter forces you to spend more time inside. You can still go for a walk or a run of course, but you can also consider racket ball, squash, indoor tennis, soccer, basketball.
As for that flat stomach we mentioned earlier, give it time and you will see the difference. Do not weigh yourself every day, do not think the pounds are just going to start flying off simply because you were more active today than you have been in a long time...
Give your body time to adjust to your new rhythm, do not be discouraged if it takes longer to lose weight than you thought it might... You are bound to lose weight and get that flat stomach if you just stick to it
Cramps
In case you suffer from belly cramps or aches, here are a few healthy points that may help you get rid of them.
Spray hot water (as hot as you can bear) on your belly for about ten to twenty minutes until it starts to look red. Towel dry and your cramps or aches should be ancient history.
Herbal tea can also help you to get rid of cramps. One other remedy is to eat a couple of peppermints. Chew them and swallow them in relatively large chunks and you stand a very good chance of seeing those cramps and aches disappear.
Sleep
You may be surprised to find out that certain studies indicate that sleeping on your stomach may not be all that good for you. The reason is that in doing so you arch your back and place a lot of strain on your neck and your back. Obviously, it is not always easy or even possible to prevent this from happening, but just being conscious of the fact and trying to avoid may already be a step in the right direction. You could for example lie down on your back or your side when you are about to fall asleep.
So these are some simple ideas on how to get a flat stomach. I hope they help you as much as they have helped me.
Please visit the Vital and Fit blog at [http://www.vitalnfit.com] for healthy living tips and information on how to get and stay in shape, take care of your body, live a healthier and happier life and become the person you aspire to be!
You can also follow @VitalnFit on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vitalnfit
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