Do you ever feel bloated? Do you have that six pack, that looks a bit blurry because of a layer of fat on top?

Well…you need to examine two things: your sodium intake and your bodies reaction to carbohydrates.

Being in college and eating processed foods is a very common way of racking up the mg’s of sodium.  Hot pockets, microwaveable dinners, and other frozen foods can contain anywhere from 35-60% of the RDA sodium intake.  Another misleading tactic is the serving size; for instance there are two hot pockets in the box, the label says 35% sodium per one hot pocket…so if you eat both then your looking at 70% of your RDA sodium intake.  You might be saying, so what if my sodium intake is high?  Aside from potentially increasing blood pressure, sodium causes water retention.  Thus monitoring your sodium intake, along with your diet and cardio will enhance the shredding of your abs.

Most people react differently to nutrients.  I myself have a hard time coping with carbohydrates, as they tend to make me bloat.  Others have also noticed this problem and have created two similar diets: “the Palumbo Diet” and “the Anabolic Diet.”  If you are feeling bloated or have that small layer of fat, try to increase protein and healthy fat intake, while decreasing carbohydrates.  Save the carbs for right before and right after a workout. 

I suggest trying each of these schemes for one month to potentially see results.