Trust me, I completely understand when a woman tells me she feels like she looks five months pregnant most days because she bloats so bad! The tummy distension, the pain, and not to mention the gas!! All that comes with bloating is painful and downright embarrassing.
My Story
Growing up I thought having gas was normal…everyone did it right so it’s totally ok. As I got older, the gas turned into pain. My friends and I would call it “trapped gas”. Again, my friends had it too so it was totally normal. Then the bloating came. I was ok with the gas, but looking pregnant was NOT ok!
It wasn’t until after having kids that I would tackle the bloat once and for all. I was already self-conscious enough about my post-baby body, and then you tack on the bloat towards the end of the day and I looked pregnant again. Something had to give.
Being a dietitian, I started researching and came to some conclusions for myself. With changes, the bloat disappeared and so did the gas 🎉As my business built, I implemented the changes I had made for myself in my plans for my clients. And low and behold, it worked for them too!
Key Lifestyle Changes to Stop the Bloat
I know my story isn’t unique. Many women have similar embarrassing, painful and uncomfortable stories. If this is you, I hope you find these tips helpful and even pass them on to the friend that suffers with you. If you aren’t one of the chosen ones to feel this pain, pass this along to a friend that could really use the tips.
Smell, Pray, Chew
Your body is designed so uniquely complex, yet our Creator has given you the tools to run it smoothly. Placed on my heart several years ago, was to write “something” about how our bodies are designed and what our diets should look like. What came of that is a twenty day bible study I titled Smell, Pray, Chew.
I am excited to announce I’m creating the Smell, Pray, Chew bible study community. When you participate in the Smell, Pray, Chew bible study community, you will receive the bible study and learn how our bodies are designed and how to run it smoothly with the tools we are given. You’ll also be connected with like-minded ladies wanting to connect, share their experiences, and learn. I will be asking questions and joining in the community chats and once a month I will lead a Zoom call where you can share your thoughts and ask any questions to me or other members personally.
The best part about it is I’m only charging $6.97 per month!! But if you sign up in the month of February, you’ll only be charged $5 each month until you cancel when you use the code FEBRUARY5!!!
I would love for you (and friends) to join me!!! Don’t wait and click here to sign up today or send me a message to find out more!
Diet
Y’all know I’m a dietitian through and through so diet is the first place I will look every time when something isn’t quite right. The saying, “You are what you eat” holds a lot of truth. I mean, your love handles won’t actually turn into donuts, but close 😉 It’s more like, if you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. Most of us know what junk is…the fake colored, boxed “foodstuff” that has an ingredient list a mile long. Let me tell you right now, if you are bloating and eating those foods, there’s your problem. Stop eating that and eat real food.
You may be saying, “Valerie, I rarely eat processed junk food and I bloat daily!” Then it’s time to do an elimination diet. I start my clients on eliminating dairy, gluten and sugar (which eliminates processed food too). When done right, this can make dramatic changes in just a few days.
Nervous System
If your diet is “perfect” but you still bloat, your nervous system could be working against you.
When you are in the “fight or flight” mode of your nervous system, your body will put every effort into saving you. Therefore, the systems that aren’t used for immediate survival are put on the back burner…they run but not well. The digestive system is one that isn’t needed for immediate survival. Your nervous system thinks that burger you just devoured isn’t going to help you run from that lion trying to devour you. That’s why calming yourself down before you eat to switch yourself into the “rest and digest” mode of your nervous system is so important to stop the bloat.
There are a few key tools I use and teach others to use to make your nervous system work for you, not against you. These tools include positive affirmations, breathwork and specific prayers. Talk positively to yourself and speak truth!! Take deep belly breaths. Pray, and keep on praying.
Supplements
I recommend specific supplements to each individual person but there are a few I recommend to almost all including a digestive enzyme and a probiotic. You can click here to see my specific recommendations.
