Belly fat in women: food, exercise, massage and breathing

In women, fat is naturally stored around the thighs, the buttocks… and the belly! That said, a little extra around the middle is far from inevitable. The right habits, kept up over time, often make all the difference. So if you want to take care of your belly, read on for our top tips.

Choose the right foods

A bloated belly can be linked to overly rich meals combined with poor digestion. No single food can target belly fat on its own: the best approach is to focus on a balanced plate, with foods that are simple to prepare. Among the foods to add to your plate: apple, oat bran, lemon, pineapple, lean proteins and aubergine. These foods have the advantage of being low in calories and easy to cook, and they have a place in any balanced diet.

As for other foods to consider, look for those rich in fibre. As well as having their place in a balanced diet, they’ll help you add variety to your plate! Great options include wholegrains, almonds, pears, green beans and hummus.

Get active

To say goodbye to that extra belly, exercise is a valuable ally! Focus on activities that combine strength training and cardio to burn energy and work the abdominal muscles. Great options include Nordic walking, skipping rope, swimming, pole dancing and Swedish gymnastics. Alongside these, don’t forget core-strengthening exercises, which work your deep abdominal muscles.

Choose targeted treatments

If you want to take care of your belly, using targeted body treatments is a brilliant idea! The right belly-focused products can help you in your daily routine and support your other good habits. Your goal: softer skin on your belly, thanks to a simple daily care ritual!

Ideally, combine a day treatment and a night treatment for round-the-clock action. For example, try our belly gel in the morning — ultra-refreshing and perfect for summer — and apply our night cream in the evening.

Drink plenty

Remember to drink enough throughout the day, too. Drinking water is still the basic step for good hydration; unsweetened herbal teas and tea are a nice way to add variety.

In summer, make yourself flavoured waters by infusing pieces of fruit in cold water — a good way to hit the recommended 1.5 litres a day more easily.

Massage yourself

Finally, pinch-and-roll massages are a pleasant way to care for the skin on your belly: they work the skin deeply and help it look smoother. For quick and easy massages, reach for your Cellublue Cup.

Practice deep breathing

The positive side of abdominal breathing? It’s a simple exercise you can practise anywhere, and it’s well worth trying. Breathing deeply, from the belly, helps to:

• Relax
• Better manage stress and everyday pressure
• Improve awareness of your posture and your abdominal muscles

What about its effect on the belly? Abdominal breathing engages the transverse abdominis — a deep muscle located beneath the rectus abdominis. This muscle acts as a natural corset, holding the digestive organs in place. Working it regularly helps to tone it. To go further, discover our yoga poses for the belly.

What’s more, abdominal breathing encourages you to stand tall, a posture that benefits the abdominal muscles. Practised regularly, alongside physical activity, it helps you look after your core.

Move more every day

Nothing comes without effort… And when it comes to small efforts, no excuses! If you want a firmer belly, look for ways to add more movement to your daily routine:

• Cycle to work on your bike instead of driving

• Take the stairs instead of the lift

• Go for a rollerblade session instead of a trip to the cinema

• Head out dancing with friends instead of staying on the sofa

• Get up regularly if you have a desk job — for example, take calls standing up

All these little things add up: that’s extra movement built into your day, far more easily than you might think! To find out more about belly fat, have a read of our dedicated article.

Plants: ask for advice

Curious about plants? No plant will shift belly fat on its own, and herbal remedies aren’t to be taken lightly: some plants can interact with medication or may not be suitable for your situation. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before taking any. And if you’d like to understand how the body uses its reserves, read our article on lipolysis.

By adopting these 8 tips to look after your belly day to day, you’re giving yourself every chance, ladies!

Frequently asked questions

How can I look after my belly day to day?

There’s no single solution: it’s the combination of good habits that counts. A fibre-rich diet, physical activity that mixes cardio and strength training, staying well hydrated and moving more throughout the day make a solid foundation. Massage and targeted body care can round off the routine.

What foods should I put on my plate?

There’s no such thing as a ‘fat-burning’ food: what matters is overall balance. Apples, oat bran, lemon, pineapple, lean proteins and aubergine are easy to cook with. Wholegrains, almonds, pears, green beans and hummus provide fibre.

What exercise is best for belly fat?

Opt for activities that combine cardio and strength training: Nordic walking, skipping rope, swimming, pole dancing or Swedish gymnastics. Add core-strengthening exercises to work your abdominal muscles, as well as deep breathing sessions, which engage the transverse abdominis.

How much water should I drink a day?

The recommended 1.5 litres a day is a good guide. Unsweetened herbal teas and tea add variety. In summer, infusing pieces of fruit in cold water makes staying hydrated more enjoyable.

Can I take herbal remedies for belly fat?

No plant will shift belly fat on its own. Before trying herbal remedies, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice: they can guide you based on your situation and any medication you may be taking.

Related articles

• 3 good habits for caring for your stomach
• 5 slimming tips for maximum results!
• 7 anti-cellulite and slimming resolutions!

Useful categories: Slimming the Belly.