Why Your “Lower Belly Pooch” Isn’t About Fat (And What Actually Fixes It)

Jan 20

If you’ve been trying to “lose the pooch” with more ab workouts, more cardio, or stricter nutrition and nothing is changing, this might be a relief to hear:

That lower belly isn’t about laziness or lack of discipline.
And it’s often not about fat at all.

For many moms, especially postpartum, that stubborn lower belly is a core pressure and connection issue, not a calorie problem.

During pregnancy and postpartum, your deep core system changes. The diaphragm, pelvic floor, deep abdominals, posture, and breath mechanics all shift. When those systems aren’t working together well, your body compensates. Pressure pushes forward and down, and the belly becomes the “holder” of that pressure.

So you can be strong.
You can work out consistently.
You can eat well.
And still feel stuck.

Because the foundation was never rebuilt.

Crunches, planks, and “burning your abs” don’t fix this. In fact, they often make it worse by increasing pressure without support.

What actually helps is learning how to:

Breathe in a way that supports your core
Reconnect to your deep abdominal muscles
Manage pressure before adding intensity
Build strength from the inside out

This is exactly why I teach breath-first, deep core work before traditional strength training.

When your core system is functioning properly, everything changes. Your belly responds. Your posture improves. Your workouts feel better. And your body starts working with you instead of against you.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and learn how to truly support your core, start with Breathe For Your Core. It teaches you how to change your core one breath at a time and build a foundation that actually works for your life.

Or for a totally customized approach with accountability that will ensure your success, guidance that will meet you where you’re at each day and a coach in your corner book a FREE CORE CLARITY CALL to see if coaching is the best step for you.