Aah, those little love handles and cellulite around the stomach and hips… So many of us dream of a flatter stomach! Unfortunately, this area is often one of the most stubborn. Yet there are several approaches accessible to everyone that can easily fit into everyday life: lifestyle habits, diet, physical activity, targeted treatments and massage. We explain everything in this article.
Build healthy lifestyle habits
Relax
The more you stress, the more easily good habits get disrupted: snacking, skipped meals, nights that are too short… Taking time to relax is also a way of looking after yourself and your figure.
Sleep better
Too little sleep tires the body and makes it harder to stick to your good intentions. The urge to snack often goes straight up. Try to get enough sleep, going to bed at regular times.
Drink enough water
It’s easy to forget to drink throughout the day, without even realising it. Yet staying well hydrated is part of good everyday habits. The only solution: drink before you feel thirsty, and at least 1.5L per day.
Eat regularly
It might seem surprising to recommend eating regularly… Yet by spreading your intake throughout the day, you avoid arriving at meals ravenous and therefore feel less tempted to snack between meals.
The ideal approach is to have regular meals and eat dinner fairly early, around 8pm.
Apply targeted treatments
Targeted treatments designed to help you care for the stomach do exist. That’s the case with the Cellublue belly night cream and the belly cryo gel. Applied with a massage on the stomach and love handles, they are easy to use locally and fit into your routine.
The evening treatment with Ginger & Slimsize® for the belly and hips
- Targeted night treatment for belly & hips, to massage in every evening before bed
- Ginger & Slimsize®, with a patented active ingredient at the heart of the formula
- Helps smooth and firm the skin
The cooling gel that leaves the skin on your stomach firmer
- Arctic Algae, Prosveltyl® & Menthol, combined in a formula designed for the stomach and hips
- Sorbet texture: it absorbs faster and makes the fresh sensation last longer
- 🍃 98.3% natural-origin ingredients
Cut back on alcohol
Alcohol is often packed with sugar, so if you do drink, save it for special occasions and keep quantities small. And no more than one or two glasses, twice a week at most! It’s a good habit to adopt for your wellbeing.
Eat better, without depriving yourself
More fruit and vegetables
Make the most of their vitamins and fibre. Vegetables in all their forms are the foundation of a balanced diet, and have their place at every meal.
Eat more fat and more protein!
Yes, but be careful — the good kind of fat! Fat rich in Omegas -3 and other essential fatty acids! Think eggs, white fish, avocados, tofu, olive oil, and so on.
These foods fit easily into varied, delicious meals.
Choose unrefined foods
In other words, forget anything that comes straight out of a factory and generally contains everything you don’t need: refined sugars, hydrogenated oil, preservatives, salt, etc.
Want cookies? Make them yourself! For a start, you’ll eat fewer of them, because you won’t have a ready-made packet within arm’s reach; plus, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of homemade baking, you’ll know exactly what you’re putting into your body and you’ll be in control of the quantities of each ingredient.
What about food supplements?
Green tea, guarana, cherry stalks, seaweed… To fit them into your day without having to think about it, you can also find them as food supplements, such as our dietary supplement and our capsules. They are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or good everyday habits.
In summary, to support a routine focused on the stomach, it’s helpful to adopt a balanced diet. Note that we’re not talking about a low-calorie diet here, but a genuine nutritional rebalance!
Day to day, keep in mind that you should:
- Favour wholegrain starchy foods
- Limit refined sugar and its derivatives
- Choose lean proteins
- Stay well hydrated
- Avoid snacking between meals
- Steer clear of ready meals and processed products
- Give up fizzy drinks and alcohol
- If you wish, add food supplements
Also read: 10 foods to add to your menu to look after your stomach
And of course, get moving!
The more you move, the more you make it a habit, and the better! It’s simple, straightforward and accessible. So whenever you can, forget escalators and lifts: climb the stairs using your own leg strength!
The ideal approach is to combine cardio and strength training. Cardio will get your whole body working, while strength training will help you work on your silhouette.
For cardio, opt for sports like skipping rope or running.
For strength training, choose targeted exercises that engage your waist and stomach.
The essential move: the plank
If you could only choose one exercise to help you work your stomach, it would be the plank. Every muscle in your body will be engaged, especially the oblique abdominals. It’s a simple exercise you can do anywhere, with no equipment.
How to do it?
Lie face down, then prop yourself up on your forearms and the tips of your toes. The aim is to lift your hips so that your heels, glutes and shoulders are aligned. Don’t arch your back and don’t lift your hips too high. Engage your core to help you hold the position.
To build this exercise into your routine, hold the position for 1 minute and repeat the movement 3 times, every day.
Anti-cellulite massage for the stomach
To look after the skin on the stomach, try anti-cellulite massage. The best-known technique is the pinch-and-roll. For ease of use, we recommend using the Cellublue cups, which replicate the pinch-and-roll motion. They fit into a massage ritual for the stomach and love handles.
The first step to a successful anti-cellulite massage is to apply the Massage Oil. This will allow the cups to glide smoothly over your stomach.
Next, take your Cup, squeeze the sides to release the air. Always start with light pressure.
To control the suction of the cup on your skin, press the sides to release more or less air.
⏱1 minute
Divide the stomach into two sections — right and left. Place the Cup in the centre, at the bottom of the stomach, and work in diagonal strokes towards the love handles. Repeat.
⏱1 minute
Continue with circular movements, diagonally, on each side of the stomach. Repeat.
⏱1 minute
Follow with circular movements over the love handles, working upwards. Repeat.
Flat stomach: our verdict
No single step is enough on its own when it comes to your stomach. What makes the difference is consistency: a little movement every day, balanced meals at regular times, enough sleep and a few minutes of massage to look after your skin. There’s no need to change everything overnight: start with two or three habits that feel easy to stick to, then add more as the weeks go by. And if you have any concerns about your stomach (pain, persistent bloating, unexplained weight gain), speak to your GP.
Frequently asked questions
How do you massage your stomach with a cupping cup?
First apply the massage oil so the cup glides smoothly, start with light pressure, then work through the three one-minute movements described in the ‘Anti-cellulite massage for the stomach’ section.
Which exercise should I choose to work my stomach?
The plank can be part of a stomach-focused routine. Lie face down, prop yourself up on your forearms and the tips of your toes, then keep your hips in line with your shoulders and heels while engaging your abs.
Which foods are best for a flat stomach?
Focus on fruit, vegetables, wholegrain starchy foods and protein sources such as eggs, white fish or tofu. Minimally processed foods also make it easier to control what goes into your meals and how much you eat.
Related articles
- 5 Best Sports to Slim Your Waist
- Love handles: causes, diet tips and targeted exercises
- Yoga for a flat stomach and cellulite: a 15-minute routine
Useful categories: Belly cellulite.
