7 Easy Ways to Debloat before an Event ...

1. Ditch the Sodium

Okay, so it is near impossible to ditch sodium altogether. However, many of us inadvertently add a truck load more than is necessary to our diets. This results in our bodies clinging to water, which makes us bloated. So pay attention to your salt intake and modify accordingly. This is probably one of the more challenging easy ways to debloat before an event (conflicting info there, I know), as it involves checking packets before eating stuff.

2. Drink Lots of Water

I am terrible when it comes to drinking water. I do drink all day, but it is mainly caffeine, soda, etc. Your body clings onto water when your osmoreceptors detect that you aren't getting enough. This then makes you look bloated! Drink loads, pee loads, and then feel the lovely de-bloatedness that comes with the process.

3. Kiss Goodbye to Carbonates

This always makes me sad. I am like a diet coke addict, so kissing goodbye to carbonated drinks 24-48 hours before an event makes me feel a little lost. However, it is a necessary debloating process. With less gas, you are less bloated around your midriff, and you feel and look thinner. Switch up your fizzy drinks for herbal teas instead.

4. Cut down Portions

Many of us overeat, myself included. I've been a lot better with my portion control lately, but it took me a few attempts at reading motivational healthy eating books to realise I am not actually hungry half the time--I am bored. Start cutting down portions by eating a quarter less than usual. Every time you want to eat, consider whether it is a craving or hunger. Eat slowly, and you should feel full faster. This is all common sense, but so easy to overlook at the same time.

5. Keep It Lean

Fat is so, so difficult for the body to break down. On the other hand, protein (versus fat and glucose) is the easiest to break down. Limit fats significantly before an event. It is especially important to cut down on animal fats, which are 'stickier' than vegetable fats. To make this simpler, I sometimes use vegetarian substitutes. To me, they're usually tastier anyway!

6. Yoga Twists

Ten-minutes or so of yoga that focuses on the abdominal area can shift gas along. There is also some evidence to say that it removes the toxins that can encourage bloating. The secondary benefits of using yoga to debloat need a little praise too! You'll feel more energized, you can stretch out niggling aches, and you will look leaner. Consider adding ten-minutes to your daily workout too, because it really can make all the difference to your mood.

7. Avoid Alcohol

I love wine more than most women. More than all of them, in fact. I like to draw inspiration from the lovely French across the channel and add it to meals in the evening. Anyway, it is dehydrating and it causes indigestion. All alcohol does. That is a double whammy of bloat right there, so save the alcohol for the event night!

All of these steps combined are great for battling the bloat. Ideally, you will give them a whirl 48-72 hours before. However, you can still see benefits 24-hours before the event, or even 12 at a push. If you have any debloating secrets, please share them here for us all to enjoy!