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Holiday meals filled with carbs, salty snacks and bubbly cocktails are tasty going down, but often leave us feeling bloated.
Bloating can be frustrating and uncomfortable. While the discomfort likely leaves you wanting to lie on the couch, movement is actually one of the best ways to find relief.
Walking can help. But if you can’t imagine lacing up your sneakers, you’ll be happy to hear that gentle, slow stretching is an effective way to debloat. Twisting motions in particular help improve circulation, helping your body release tension and excess gas. So if you’re feeling bloated, performing Pilates-inspired moves with gentle twists is the way to go.
Even as a health expert who closely watches my diet, I still get bloated sometimes. Often the last thing I want to do is move, but once I get down on the ground and start stretching, my stomach feels less like a balloon and I am able to move around much more comfortably.
So after that big holiday meal, try this easy three-move sequence. The stretches are simple, yet effective, and can be completed in just a few minutes. Remember to take it slow, twisting your body gently before releasing.
Seated twist and reach
Begin in a seated position with your back upright and your legs straight out in front of you. Open your feet as wide as the mat. Straighten your arms out to your sides so that they are parallel to the floor and in line with the shoulders. Inhale before moving, and then exhale as you twist your torso toward the left while keeping your hips square. After twisting as far as you can, count to three and pulse the right arm toward the outside of the left foot. Then move back to the starting position and alternate sides. Repeat 10 times, remembering to move slowly throughout.
Tick tock
This is another Pilates move that involves twisting your torso, making it a perfect exercise for…
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