Question: I work out at least five times per week, and I still have a "pooch"!

I work out at least five times per week. My plan includes cardio, weights and stretches. I’m gaining some great definition, but I still have a “pooch” around my stomach area. It looks like I have a baby bump some days! Any ideas why this might be happening? And what can I do to help flatten out my mid-section?

There are several things that may be causing this "pooch" in your abdomen.
1. You may not be drinking enough water. Being in a state of dehydration will cause your body to hold onto the fluid that it currently has, causing a bloated stomach and/or a puffy body. This is a survival mechanism that has existed since the beginning of time. Our bodies require water to function. If you are not getting enough of it, the body will retain the water it does have access to until more water becomes available again.
Solution: Drinking more water. Your body will remain properly hydrated and will function optimally – allowing excess water to be eliminated – which will flatten out your tummy within a few short days.
2. You could be consuming too much salt. An excess of salt in your body will cause water retention (similar to how the body will hold onto water when it’s dehydrated) and you’ll quickly get a bloated midsection (aka the “pooch”).
Solution:Read your labels. Salt is hidden in so many foods that we often don’t know we’re consuming it. Even sports drinks contain sodium, so be aware of what you’re putting into your body. Prepare meals yourself as often as possible to control the salt content and order low-sodium foods when dining out. This small change will give the phrase “pass the salt” a whole new meaning.
3. You may have a food allergy that you are unaware of. Many people suffer from a gluten allergy and many more a gluten sensitivity. Keep a food diary and note when your "baby bump" makes an appearance (for example, is it after you eat bread or pasta?). You may start to notice a trend and you may even want to consider going for allergy testing or seeking out the professional advice of a dietician.
Solution:Get to know your body. Whether it’s investing in a food specialist, like a dietician or nutritionist, or being diligent with your food journal, make the decision to figure out the origin of your pooch. More often than not it’s a problem that can be solved with some simple dietary adjustments.
4. Stress = pooch. When you’re stressed out, the body produces an influx of cortisol – the hormone that will give fat deposits the “thumbs up” to sit in your stomach. Take a serious look at how much stress you have in your life. It may be time to end a friendship with a high maintenance pal; maybe the relationship with your partner needs some work; or perhaps your career goals need some reassessing. To help pinpoint your “triggers,” you might even want to pull out that journal and log times in the day when you feel stressed.
Solution:Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, but it can also cause stress if you are not giving your body enough time to recover between workouts. To help alleviate stress, ensure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Consider meditation or yoga as a way of coping with your busy mind or make an appointment to get a massage. Taking time out for something that brings you happiness is often the best way to curb stress and, ultimately, give that pooch a rest too.