The stomach — always the number one concern for women, who wish it were flatter and firmer. Unfortunately, this little belly goes through a lot. So much so that it can end up feeling quite soft. How do you put an end to a flabby stomach? Here are our top tips!
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Why do we get a soft stomach?
The main cause of a soft or flabby stomach is skin laxity. This loss of firmness, which also affects other areas of the body (bust, thighs, arms), is quite common among women. It can be triggered by a number of factors.
1- Menopause
The hormonal upheavals a woman experiences throughout her life take a toll on skin quality and the tone of the abdominal muscles. Oestrogen and progesterone are key to keeping skin well hydrated. But at menopause, the body’s natural production of these hormones comes to an abrupt halt, causing the skin to lose its resilience and elasticity. The result: slacker skin and a less firm stomach. Add to that a slower metabolism and increased abdominal fat storage, and the stomach becomes noticeably soft.
2- Age
As we age, the skin gradually deteriorates. Fibroblasts produce less collagen and elastin, naturally occurring substances such as hyaluronic acid become scarcer, and muscle mass tends to melt away. The result: a softer stomach and skin that looks increasingly slack and drooping.
3- Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman can gain between 12 and 18 kg. This extra weight, concentrated in the abdominal area, accounts for the foetus, placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid and uterus. It goes without saying that the skin of the stomach is put under enormous strain. After giving birth, it can bear the marks of this experience, including stretch marks, skin laxity, a soft feel and a sagging appearance.
4- Weight loss
Significant and rapid weight loss can have unwanted effects on the body, starting with excess skin or a loss of skin elasticity. The stomach is often affected: it loses all its tone and becomes particularly soft.
5- Oxidative stress
This refers to the oxidation of the body’s various components, including DNA, cells, tissues and organs. Oxidative stress is worsened by certain illnesses, alcohol consumption, smoking, pollution, anxiety and sun exposure. These sources of oxidation damage the skin: elastic fibres break down, nutrient absorption is impaired and microcirculation is compromised. The result is skin laxity, starting with the stomach.
6- Other causes: what if it’s more than just skin laxity?
While skin laxity is the most common explanation for a soft stomach, a lack of firmness can also be caused by:
- Excess abdominal fat: this can affect both slim and fuller figures alike, and is linked to an unbalanced diet high in sugar and saturated fats.
- Water retention: this typically settles in the lower body (thighs, knees, legs), but water retention can also manifest as a soft, bloated stomach. Tissues become waterlogged, with fluid that no longer circulates and becomes “trapped”.
- Poor muscle tone: a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise can, over time, lead to atrophy of the abdominal muscles. The stomach then becomes soft and loses all its definition.
What are the solutions for firming up your stomach?
To get rid of a soft stomach and restore a firm, toned midsection, you need to tackle several factors at once:
- Prevent the build-up of abdominal fat
- Help the skin regain its tone and firmness
- Strengthen the stomach through targeted abdominal work
1- A firm stomach, no muffin top: it starts with your diet
If you tend to have a soft stomach and suspect your eating habits may be partly to blame, it’s time to take things in hand.
- Cut back on sugar (and sugary foods), as it is metabolised directly by the liver and converted into abdominal fat. Sugar hides in virtually all processed foods. Cook from scratch rather than ordering fast food, and ditch the chocolate spread.
- Saturated fats are also stored by the body. Swap them for mono- and polyunsaturated fats, found in oily fish, avocado, cold-pressed oils and nuts.
- Eat lean proteins, as they support good muscle tone.
- Fruit and vegetables should make up the bulk of your meals. Choose them fresh, seasonal, and with an eye on their digestibility (insoluble fibres can sometimes be hard to digest… and cause bloating!).
- Don’t cut out carbohydrates, but consume them in moderation and choose wisely — opt for complex carbs with a low glycaemic index (root vegetables, wholegrains, banana…)
- Drink plenty of water, enjoy digestion-friendly herbal teas (such as our Detox Slimming Infusion), and avoid stimulants (alcohol, coffee) and calorie-laden drinks (fizzy drinks, shop-bought fruit juice, cordials)
Finally, you can enrich your diet with foods that are particularly beneficial for the skin, thanks to their vitamins and trace elements. Bring green vegetables, oily fish, offal, red berries, citrus fruits, seeds (pumpkin, flaxseed, chia), spices (cinnamon, anise, cumin, ginger) and seafood to your table.
2- Goodbye soft stomach, hello skincare and massage!
To get rid of that slightly flabby tummy, it’s important to:
- stimulate cell renewal
- care for your skin by keeping it properly hydrated
- encourage lipolysis
We have just the routine for you!
Every morning, start your day with a quick stomach massage using our Cryo Belly Slimming Gel. Its cooling effect (menthol) helps to reactivate microcirculation, leaving skin better nourished and oxygenated. Its natural fat-burning actives (lotus, Arctic algae, caffeine) also work to activate localised lipolysis, helping to break down stubborn fat deposits.
Every day, at any time that suits you, treat your stomach to an invigorating massage. Our Firming Device with percussion technology does all the work. It stimulates blood circulation and supports collagen production — essential for firming and toning the skin of the stomach.
Every evening, let your stomach benefit from our Firming Cream. Enriched with Kigeline®, a patented active ingredient known to stimulate collagen and elastin production — both essential for firm skin. Formulated with 96% natural ingredients, it hydrates and strengthens the skin’s structure, leaving it visibly firmer and more toned to the touch.
Follow this anti-soft-stomach routine for 21 days. You’ll see: the skin will regain its firmness and your stomach will undoubtedly feel more toned and defined.
3- Tone your abs and say goodbye to a soft stomach
To rebuild muscle tone in the abdominal area and get rid of a flabby stomach, there’s no magic shortcut — you’ll need to put in the effort. That said, you have plenty of options, as many sports engage the core: swimming, power walking, aqua aerobics, running and weight training are all great choices. Certain yoga and Pilates poses are also excellent for strengthening postural muscles such as the transverse abdominis — perfect for toning your stomach!
And if you prefer working out at home, that’s absolutely fine! It’s entirely possible to practise fitness at home with minimal equipment. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of video tutorials, dedicated websites, TV programmes… and our Fitness Resistance Band Kit ! A clever kit that includes a resistance band for strength training exercises, plus 3 coaching programmes — one of which is dedicated entirely to abs. Everything you need to put an end to your soft stomach!
