What’s causing your belly bulge?

For most of my adult life I could exercise and cut calories to lose/maintain my weight. Yes, I’ve been blessed with a fast metabolism. I even managed to get through the worst part of the pandemic without gaining a pound.

But this past year my weight started creeping up like it did when I was on the pill in my 20s. By the end of the summer my belly started to look like I was a few months pregnant. Why the weight gain, especially around my middle?

Belly Bulge Culprits
A belly bulge can have multiple causes. Knowing what’s contributing to yours is the first step in fixing it:

Overeating/Drinking - eating and drinking more calories than you burn. Have your heard of wine belly?

Chronic Stress - especially over a long period of time (hello pandemic!) can increase cravings and belly fat

Bloating - gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation can make your belly swell

Food Sensitivity/Intolerance - different from allergies, sensitivity to foods like dairy and gluten can cause bloating as well as skin problems.

Postnatal Belly/Diastatis Recti - you’ve had babies and never restored your wholecore muscles

Menopause - decrease in estrogen, increase in insulin resistance, loss of muscle mass and poor sleep in this phase all contribute to increases in belly fat.

My 3 main causes: menopause, stress, food intolerance
To battle the bulge I’ve increased my weight in strength training, added more cardio, restarted my meditation practice, and temporarily eliminated dairy and gluten. It takes a multi-faceted approach!

Are you trying to flatten your tummy? I hope this information helps you figure out the root cause of your belly bulge. And if you need guidance on managing your stress, restoring your core function, or navigating the changes of perimenopause/menopause, drop me a note. I’d be happy to chat.