Wondering how to get rid of stubborn belly fat after giving birth?

Losing the belly after pregnancy is a top priority for many new mothers, but it can be much harder to achieve quick results. So be patient. Pregnancy fats are known to be stubborn - even more so than regular belly fats.

But if you really want to get back in shape, these few tips can help tighten your belly in no time. You can quickly get in shape only weeks or months after birth. Losing weight is not difficult if you follow a few simple rules. Drastic diets are not an option because they can harm your health.

Why do I still look pregnant?

You may be surprised by the look of your stomach after birth. Even though thebirth is over and you are already cuddling your baby, your tummy will look smaller, but you will still feel like you are pregnant in the first months. Some women also experience a dark line down their abdomen. This is called linea nigra. You will probably also see stretch marks on the abdomen caused by extensive stretching of the skin during pregnancy.

Linea nigra is caused by pigmentation in the skin, where your abdominal muscles are stretched and slightly detached so that your baby's stomach can hold as he grows. This line of pigmentation usually fades within a few months after birth.

Imagine your belly as a balloon slowly inflating as your baby grows. The birth does not burst the balloon, but simply begins the slow release of air. Reducing the size of the abdomen may be slow, but it will be satisfactory.

Nine months of stretching is a long time. So it will take a long time for your body - especially your abdomen - to fully recover.

Childbirth causes hormonal changes that will cause the uterus to shrink to its normal size. But this process can take six to eight weeks.

The extra fluid that builds up in your body during pregnancy will gradually decrease, reducing swelling and puffiness. And any extra fat you put in to feed your baby will start to burn, especially if you are breastfeeding and exercising. But it takes at least a few weeks to notice noticeable results.

Types of belly fat

There are two different types of fat that accumulate in your abdomen - subcutaneous and visceral belly fat. Subcutaneous belly fat is what most people complain about when talking about their weight. This is a layer of stomach fat that is visible on your abdomen.

Visceral fat, on the other hand, is not visible from the outside. It is much deeper than subcutaneous fat and is designed to protect your internal organs.

Pregnant fats build both subcutaneous and visceral body fat. Getting completely healthy and getting a toned belly after pregnancy will require losing both.

What causes belly fat?

Much of the belly fat can be blamed for your recent pregnancy. But not everyone experiences pregnancy in the same way - and there may be other reasons why your belly may not shrink easily. Let's look at a few of them.

Genetics

Some people are naturally prone to carrying more belly fat than others. This is due to traits inherited. That's why confidence in your body and a sense of comfort in your own skin is key!

Hormones

Hormones are the main driving force for changes in your body during pregnancy. Some hormones have a greater impact on weight gain and the way you store fat.

In women in particular, rising estrogen levels during pregnancy can make you gain more weight on your abdomen, chest and thighs. This prepares the body for breastfeeding and keeps the baby safe during pregnancy.

Another way hormones can lead to weight gain is through stress. A stress-relieving hormone called cortisol is elevated during high blood pressure situations. Over time, this can make you store more fat.

Poor diet choices

Most of the time, body fat levels are determined in the kitchen.

When we have bad eating habits, such as eating too many refined carbohydrates or too much sugar, our bodies struggle to adapt.

After all, they store fat by default.

Drinking too much coffee can also increase cortisol levels. This greatly complicates the loss of fat that we have accumulated during pregnancy.

This article continues with important tips on how to tighten the abdomen after childbirth . See part two.