Model: Sonali Sehgal Outfit courtesy: La Lingerie Picture by Pabitra Das Location courtesy: Solace

I have always wondered — is it easier to flatten a mountain or our tummies? The trouble peaks in the summer when we want to splash about to beat the heat, but the bulge makes us think thrice before slipping into our swimsuits.

The stomach bulge is more than just a vanity concern. A flat stomach is also a fit and healthy stomach. If your belly isn’t flat, it may be because it’s suffering, or your abdominal muscles are not working hard enough. There are many reasons why your stomach could be out of gear:

• Malnourishment

• Improper digestion

• Hormonal imbalances

• Stress

• Adverse reaction to certain medications

• Unhealthy lifestyle

• Sleep problems

• Recurring infections.

Since none of us have the dynamite that can raze our stomach into flat ironing boards, we all have to work harder.

There is no magic way to get a flat stomach. Total body fat has to be reduced to trim the abdominal flab and most “spot reducing” techniques are ineffective. Here’s what you can do if you have a tendency to store fat around the belly:

Stand up straight: Good posture is essential if you do not want your tummy to protrude. It is not just about looking good — slouching does damage to your internal organs and spine. If you sit straight, you also make your stomach muscles work.

Eat better: Cut down on fat and sugar. A low-fat diet is also an intestinal-comfort diet as it is easy to digest and does not cause bloating, gas and acidity.

Less salt, more water: If water retention is the real culprit behind your protruding stomach, then cut the sodium content in your diet. Lower your intake of high-salt foods like achaar, papad, salty biscuits, ajinomoto, ready-made sauces and ketchups.

Banish alcohol: The most significant drawback of alcohol is that is very easily transformed into fat and stored in the tummy area. Do you really want a beer belly? Gradually increase the number of drink-free days a week.

Give up smoking: Smoking disrupts digestion and may cause bloating or flatulence. People generally feel that quitting smoking causes weight-gain, but fewer people realise that cigarettes are the enemy of a flat stomach.

Stop swallowing air: If your tummy is bloated, do not fill it up with more air. We swallow air when we talk too much, while eating, while sipping a drink which is too hot, while chewing gum or while drinking through a straw.

Stay calm: Stress can transform your stomach into a sort of hot-air balloon that stays swollen till you are feeling better. Recognise the signs and reasons for stress and use all means to fight it. Always be positive.

Exercise: Give your abdominal muscles a workout — weight lifting, dancing or 30 minutes of walking can be very beneficial. Tuck in your tummy when you walk. This should become a reflex.

Visit your gynaecologist: A large stomach can also be a result of gynaecological disorders such as fibroids, ovarian cysts or endometriosis. Rule out these conditions if you are not otherwise overweight and don’t have digestive problems.

Choose the right clothes: Choose outfits that hide your tummy. Do not wear clothes that make you look bigger or shorter than you actually are. Stay away from horizontal stripes, big flowers or large patterns.

A flat stomach should be desired not only for aesthetic reasons but also from a health perspective. Abdominal fat is the harmful fat that increases risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

Shoot your diet queries to t2@abpmail.com