The following tips will work for any soiree - a high school reunion, an office holiday party, or your favorite niece's Bat Mitzvah. You deserve to look and feel your best at any special event. And hey, if you're paying big money for a great outfit, you'll want to bring your spectacular abs along to the party.
Stop fat talk
"Hey I look fat?" does nothing to make others think your abs are buff, nor does it help your self confidence. Turn off the negative tape in your head and tune into a more positive self-perception. If your girlfriends start in, change the subject fast so you all don't end up wallowing in a junk food self-pity party that will dash your efforts at getting a sexier stomach - not to mention maintaining your self- esteem.
Sweep your hair into a ponytail
What does your hairdo have to do with sexier abs? Plenty. The way you style your hair can make you look longer and leaner. Try an updated ponytail: Gently tease the crown using a comb, smooth your hair straight back with your hands (without a part), and secure a high ponytail at the middle of your head. Gently loosen the hair at the crown for a fuller look. Try teasing the tail below the elastic band for a perky ponytail. Or the curl the ends under with a single hot roller. Be sure to gently finger and separate the ponytail once it's curled for a more natural look.
Take an anti-gas tablet
Over-the-counter anti-gas medication helps relieve some stomach swelling caused by taking in too much air or eating belly-bloating foods. Follow package directions.
Visualize your beautiful body
Before you head to the refrigerator or eat another office party doughnut, close your eyes, let go of your breath, and imagine yourself choosing instead to have either a healthy snack or just a glass of water. If you're really hungry, visualize a healthy meal, such as soup or a salad and some fish. Keep breathing deeply and further visualize getting into exactly the kind of dress (or size jeans) that you would wear if you were at the weight you desire. Visualization has been shown to help people reach their goals.
There you glow
Shimmer body creams called highlighters help you to sparkle. Tiny light-reflecting particles give a subtle summery shine to make your totally-toned abs stand out. Liquid body lotion and cream forms work best for easy smoothing and effortless blending. Try accentuating your obliques by applying an extra coat with upward strokes to the exterior edge of the muscles when wearing body-bearing clothes. Hues range from soft, pearly shades for fair skin tones to deeper, coppery colors that make olive skin tones really shine. Pale, powdery pinks are best for ruddy skin tones.
Suck it in
Throughout the party, remember to engage your ab muscles. Think of pulling your belly button up and in as if you're zipping a pair of tight jeans. This will help you flatten your abs, maintain balance and control, and instantly get a longer, leaner, and more uplifted appearance.
Help minimize stomach swell by getting more calcium
Help minimize stomach swell by getting more calcium. A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a daily dose of 1,200 mg of calcium decreased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) discomforts.
Take a salt soak
Shake sea salt or Epsom salts into your bath water. Salt water reverses osmosis, drawing out water retention. While eating salt makes you retain water, soaking in the potassium, magnesium, and bromide in salt soaks helps draw out water retention, detoxifying the cells and banishing bloating.
Look five pounds thinner by changing your hairstyle
Wide hair can make you look wide all over. Ask for a style with pieces that are cut into your face. Use your blow drier to give a little height to the top of your hair, which makes you look longer and leaner. Stylists also recommend face-framing layers and long, fine bangs for a slimming effect. Steer clear of thick bangs that add bulk.
Hang over your bed
Heading out to a fabulous fiesta? Before you dress, lie on your bed with your upper back, shoulders, neck, and head all hanging over the side. Keep your pelvis tucked in neutral as you let gravity lengthen your spine. Hold this for a few minutes. You won't add any inches (officially), but the great stretch will certainly give you a long and leaner look for the evening's event.
More Fitness Fun Tips
Don't sit down!
On the phone? Keep walking, baby, even if it's just to pace your living room. Studies show that taking 10,000 to 15,000 steps every day is a step toward maintaining your proper weight. So, keep moving whenever possible - it will go a long way to helping the fat melt off your belly.
Belly Ball
Lie on your back, knees bent and feel flat on the floor. Hold a small basketball, volleyball, or medicine ball (no more than three to five pounds) to your chest, keeping your elbows bend and close to your sides. Tighten your abs, pulling your belly button in and up, and lift your upper body so your shoulder blades are off the floor. In this position, toss the ball up in the air. Catch it, then slowly lie back down - moving one vertebra at a time. Repeat. Do one set of 8 to 15 reps.
Showgirl kicks
Sit with your feet flat on the floor, knees bent and legs together. Lean back so that your toes just touch the floor, supporting your weight with your elbows behind you and palms flat on the floor. Drop your legs to the right, then left. Kick your lower legs upwards as high as you can. Draw your knees back in and drop your legs to the left, then right and back to the left, then kick up again. Do 8 to 15 times.
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