This week we caught up with personal trainer extraordinaire and founder of Workshop Gymnasium, Lee Mullins to find out how to actually go about getting a flat tummy fast.
1) Please introduce yourself...
My name is Lee Mullins and I am the founder of WORKSHOP, a personal training gymnasium located at the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. I'm also a fitness writer, coffee lover and daddy to my dachsund, Teddy.
2) Why is it hard for even very fit and healthy girls to achieve a flat tummy?
A lot of people are active and eat healthy foods most of the time, but if you're digestive system isn't healthy (which is unfortunately very common now), it will always be a challenge to achieve a flat tummy, as most digestive issues tend to show in the tummy area, whether it's stubborn fat or by being bloated.
3) What foods are key to having a fit body and flat tummy?
Foods that are rich in probiotics will help to improve your digestive system, and the better your digestive system, the easier it is for your body to have a happy, flat tummy. Organic, raw foods such as sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, kimchi and kefir are all naturally high in probiotics.
4) Which food and drink should be avoided?
Eliminate all processed foods and drinks. Stick to whole, natural, fresh seasonal foods as much as possible and stick to drinks that are natural such as water, herbal teas, organic coffee and organic cold pressed vegetable juices. As a general rule, if you can't pronounce an ingredient contained in the food you are consuming, you probably shouldn't be eating or drinking it.
5) Are there any supplements that can help?
Yes, a good quality probiotic and fish oil will help boost the good bacteria in your tummy and also lower inflammation in the body.
6) Can stress and lack of sleep can cause weight gain to the stomach?
Yes, high levels of stress and poor sleep quality can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. If our cortisol levels are constantly high, it will make it very hard for the body to relax and recover. When the body is in this high-stress state, it has been shown to lead to increased fat stores around the tummy area.
7) In terms of working out how is it best to approach a flat tummy regime?
A balance and variety of Yin (calming) and Yang (energizing) exercises is the best. Short, high intensity interval training and resistance/bodyweight exercises will help raise your body's metabolism as well as release hormones which help to burn tummy fat. Calming workouts such as yoga, walks in the park and meditation will help to lower stress, which will in turn help shift stubborn tummy fat.
8) What are the three need-to-know exercises when it comes to a flat tum?
9) What kinds of sports and exercise are best for building core strength?
I’d recommend gymnastics, boxing and yoga
10) Anything we've missed out?!
If these tips don't help, look into getting a food intolerance test done. This will help to remove any guesswork in terms of which foods work for your body and which foods don't. A food intolerance is a stress on the body which can lead to bloating and stubborn tummy fat. Intolerances can develop even from healthy foods, which is why it's important to eat a variety of whole, fresh, local, seasonal foods most of the time.