Not only is your lower abdomen messy, but are you also bothered by a protruding stomach? My approach to weight loss is to "find the cause of your weight gain" and find a way to eliminate it! Therefore, to get rid of a protruding stomach, let's first understand "why does a protruding stomach occur?"

　　Why does the stomach protrude?

　　There are roughly three types: One is eating until you are completely full, unknowingly stretching your stomach and causing it to bulge out! The solution is to eat until you are 70-80% full, because it takes about 15-20 minutes for the brain to receive the message that you are full. Therefore, when you feel full, your stomach has actually been stuffed with too much food!

　　The second type is eating quickly and taking big bites! Eating big bites can cause you to swallow a lot of air without realizing it, which can cause bloating. Eating too quickly can also cause food to accumulate and compress, which can lead to a protruding stomach in the long run! The solution is to chew slowly and force yourself to chew each bite 10 to 15 times before swallowing.

　　The third type involves individuals who don't usually eat large meals and eat slowly, yet still experience a protruding stomach. This is primarily due to weak core muscles and low muscle tone, causing food to be easily pushed out of the stomach, resulting in a noticeable protrusion of the abdomen and stomach.

　　#Action 1: Kneeling and exhaling

　　This yoga pose can soothe abdominal muscles and promote stomach motility! Kneel down with your knees and arms shoulder-width apart and your back straight; inhale as you arch your back downwards and hold for 5-10 seconds; exhale as you arch your back upwards and hold for the same amount of time. Do 10 sets in total. The slower your inhalation and exhalation, the better the effect!

　　#Action 2: Press the "Zhongwan" acupoint

　　Press down about six finger-widths above your navel (directly above your stomach) for 5 seconds, rest for 2 seconds, and repeat 3 times. It is recommended to do this before bed or after showering and applying lotion. Make sure your stomach and intestines have digested the food first before doing this!

　　#Action 3: Tapping the Stomach Meridian

　　Here's a little-known fact: in Traditional Chinese Medicine, if someone has a protruding stomach, the area around the groin on the front of their thigh will often also protrude, or even the entire front of the thigh! From the side, the lower body can appear several inches thicker! Therefore, you can tap along the "Stomach Meridian" located at the groin to expel waste and clear blockages!

　　#Movement 4: Plank Pose

　　Finally, if you want to see results in reducing your protruding stomach and slimming your lower abdomen, then try a core exercise you can do at home—the plank pose. Place your hands in front of your chest, straighten your back, and look directly at the floor. Then, use your core strength to lift your entire body up, hold for at least 8 seconds, rest for 3 seconds, and do at least 5 sets!