Femme Fatale Guide: Tips To Relieve Everyday Bloating
As someone who has dealt with chronic bloating for a lot of my life, here are some of my thoughts, observations, and recommendations. HUGE disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on this, a medical professional, nutritionist, or anything of the sort.
Especially for women, bloating can be a sign of gynecological issues (endometriosis, PCOS, hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance, and even a warning sign of ovarian cancer). So, if you experience constant bloating that doesn't get better with improved digestion, schedule an OB/GYN appointment ASAP to ensure that everything is okay on the women's health front.
Everyone's triggers are different, but for me, these are some of the common causes of bloating that I've noticed:
Lack of sleep
Stress
Eating too quickly or while stressed
Lack of movement/walking
Not drinking enough water
High-fat meals
Chewing gum
Carbonated drinks/alcohol
Here are some of my best tips, habits, and product recommendations to manage & minimize bloating:
Engage in a 1-minute diaphragmatic aka deep-belly breathing exercise in bed right after waking up and right before going to sleep (place one hand on the middle of your chest and the other in the central "hollow" area right below your rib cage)
Get at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night
Have a bowl of oatmeal (made with plain oats and water) with cinnamon and fruit every morning
Drink water before any coffee in the morning; Only having at most 16oz or one large mug of coffee before breakfast in the morning
Chew my food slowly, taking time between bites
Drink at least 8 large glasses of water daily
Take my Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D supplement daily (I love the Deva brand!)
Have avocados/use avocado oil as my primary fat source (I love nuts/nut butter, but they really bloat me, so find your trigger foods!); I've found a large salad with a romaine lettuce base, some veggies, avocado, and an ACV-based dressing works wonders to settle my stomach or steamed spinach with roasted root vegetables/potatoes
Use digestive enzymes when necessary (These digestive enzymes are my favorites!)
Take at least 30 minutes to walk/move around daily (Pilates, yoga, or bodyweight exercises also work)
Drink ginger tea or some herbal-based tea nightly (my long-time favorite is Bigelow Benefits Calm Stomach Ginger Peach Herbal Tea!)
Don't eat anything for at least 3 hours before bed
For trapped gas: Try lying on your stomach, engaging in the downward dog yoga position or fetal position on the left side, or doing an abdominal massage (rubbing in a circular motion from the right side of your pelvis up through your rib cage down and around the left side) all work well!
This exercise is a Pilates classic. It takes strength, flexibility, balance, and control to perform it. And it’s not an exercise you want to miss out on if you’re in the business of performing Pilates for core strength. So, how do you do it?
Start by lying on your back.
Perform a simple ab curl. At the same time, lift your head up and off the ground.
Also, at the same time (this is where coordination and balance come into play), bring your knees slightly back, so they bend over the top of your hips.
As your upper body rises, straighten your legs at a 45-degree angle.
Reach your arms straight up toward your feet.
It should look like a ‘V’ shape at this point.
Aim to hold this shape for about 5 breaths.
Then, slowly roll back into the starting position.
2.Criss-Cross
Want to engage almost all your core muscles in one Pilates move? The criss-cross beats out all exercises! When it comes to Pilates for core strength. It’s a tough one! And if you’re new to Pilates or exercise in general, it may pay to hold off on this one – at least until you gain a bit more core strength. How do you do it?
Lie face up on a mat or a comfortable surface.
Place both hands behind your head with your elbows wide.
Curl your head slightly up.
Bend your right leg and bring your left elbow almost to touch your right knee.
At the same time, extend your left leg.
Then, switch sides – bringing your right elbow to your left knee while extending your right leg straight.
Continue to alternate sides for 10-20 repetitions.
There are many more exercises in Pilates for core strength.
3.Plank Leg Lift
This core exercise targets your abdominals and your glutes. It also requires the use of stabilizer muscles throughout the back and the shoulders. It’s your basic plank with a twist. Here’s how you do it:
Begin in a high plank. Your hands should be right below your shoulders and your body should form a straight line from your head to your toes.
Make sure your hips don’t sag! Keep your abdominals engaged.
Squeeze your glutes, and lift one leg straight back.
Lower your leg and alternate sides.
Perform about 10-20 reps.
All exercises listed above, are easy to do in the comfort of your own home. You can watch this youtube video, for further guidance.
A good article reminding everyone to eat healthy to protect your microbiome. There are foods everyone should eat to make your microbiome much healthier.
Eating enough fiber per day is the best prevention against digestive & gut issues (IBS, SIBO, Crohn's, colon cancer, constipation, painful bloating, etc). Fiber is one of the major nutrients which people today are undernourished in. In fact, it's estimated that the average Westerner eats about 80% less fiber than early hunter-gatherers did. When we're spoiled for affordable & accessible choices in this day & age, it's very weird.
Reblog to remind your followers to get a delicious plant-based dish/snack in -- whether that's in the form of a curry, smoothie, soup, fruit salad, buddha bowl, even veggies & hummus
Having a healthy gut is important because it plays a central role in the overall functioning of your body. The state of a healthy or unhealthy gut affects all of these things:
Digestion and Nutrient Absorption: The gut's main role is to break down food and absorb important nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. When the gut is healthy, it digests food effectively and maximizes nutrient absorption. When it is not, it can result in digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, as well as nutrient deficiencies.
Immune System Support: About 70% of our immune cells are located in the gut. A balanced gut supports a strong immune response, helping the body fend off illnesses and reduce the risk of infections.
Emotions and Mood: The gut and brain are intricately connected through the gut-brain axis. The gut produces many neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which regulates your mood. An imbalanced gut can influence mental health, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, and even cognitive impairments.
Hormonal Balance: The gut plays a role in the production and modulation of certain hormones. This can impact various bodily functions, from stress responses to reproductive health.
Weight Management: The gut microbiome can influence metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. An imbalanced gut can lead to weight gain and metabolic disorders.
Protection Against Chronic Diseases: Poor gut health has been linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.
Detoxification: The gut plays a role in eliminating waste products and toxins from the body.
Inflammation Regulation: A healthy gut can help regulate inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation, often resulting from an imbalanced gut is a root cause of many diseases.
Skin Health: There's a connection between gut health and skin conditions. Issues like acne, eczema, and rosacea can be influenced by the state of the gut. An unhealthy gut can lead to inflammation, which may manifest as skin issues.
Barrier Function: The gut lining acts as a barrier, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. A compromised gut lining, often referred to as "leaky gut," can allow toxins and pathogens to enter the bloodstream leading to various health issues.
Production of Vital Compounds: Your gut produces essential compounds, like short-chain fatty acids, which has a lot of positive effects on health from reducing inflammation to supporting brain function.
Sleep Function: The gut produces neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin. An unhealthy gut can disrupt sleep patterns.
Set your day up right! I have been enjoying these breakfasts by EatingWell, with my own twist on them. I hope they inspire you to try something new. If you're bored with what you eat, it's time to switch it up! What does your breakfast look like?
Hello! Love your account. Any thoughts on gut health, bacteria, and bloating? I feel like it’s really relevant but not talked about much, especially when it comes to women’s health. I’ve been dealing with it recently.
Hi love! Thank you so much <3
As someone who has dealt with chronic bloating for a lot of my life (sorry that you're going through this now – it can be truly uncomfortable and distressing!), here are some of my thoughts, observations, and recommendations. HUGE disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on this, a medical professional, nutritionist, or anything of the sort.
Especially for women, bloating can be a sign of gynecological issues (endometriosis, PCOS, hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance, and even a warning sign of ovarian cancer). So, if you experience constant bloating that doesn't get better with improved digestion, schedule an OB/GYN appointment ASAP to ensure that everything is okay on the women's health front.
Everyone's triggers are different, but for me, these are some of the common causes of bloating that I've noticed:
Lack of sleep
Stress
Eating too quickly or while stressed
Lack of movement/walking
Not drinking enough water
High-fat meals
Chewing gum
Carbonated drinks/alcohol
Here are some of my best tips, habits, and product recommendations to manage & minimize bloating:
Engage in a 1-minute diaphragmatic aka deep-belly breathing exercise in bed right after waking up and right before going to sleep (place one hand on the middle of your chest and the other in the central "hollow" area right below your rib cage)
Get at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night
Have a bowl of oatmeal (made with plain oats and water) with cinnamon and fruit every morning
Drinking water before any coffee in the morning; Only having at most 16oz or one large mug of coffee before breakfast in the morning
Chewing my food slowly, taking time between bites
Drinking at least 8 large glasses of water daily
Taking my Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D supplement daily (I love the Deva brand!)
Have avocados/use avocado oil as my primary fat source (I love nuts/nut butter, but they really bloat me, so find your trigger foods!); I've found a large salad with a romaine lettuce base, some veggies, avocado, and an ACV-based dressing works wonders to settle my stomach or steamed spinach with roasted root vegetables/potatoes
Using digestive enzymes when necessary (These digestive enzymes are my favorites!)
Taking at least 30 minutes to walk/move around daily (Pilates, yoga, or bodyweight exercises also work)
Drinking ginger tea or some herbal-based tea nightly
Not eating anything for at least 3 hours before bed
For trapped gas: Try lying on your stomach, engaging in the downward dog yoga position or fetal position on the left side or doing an abdominal massage (rubbing in a circular motion from the right side of your pelvis up through your rib cage down and around the left side) all work well!