Apron Belly: Why It Happens And What You Can Do
Certain changes in life bring physical changes to your body. For example, the apron belly? The what? Yeah, it’s a thing. When excessive tissue and skin hang down from the abdomen, it’s called an apron belly.
This happens especially after having a baby, making you wonder if it’s a normal part of postpartum. We are here to give you all the necessary answers to your apron belly queries.
What Is an Apron Belly?
Also called pannus stomach or menopause apron, it occurs when the fat around the belly expands due to pregnancy or weight gain, which results in added fat deposit in the omentum (it is the apron-like flap located under the abdominal muscles, in front of the intestines.)
An apron belly can vary, from hanging above the top of the pubic area and growing down to the upper thighs or even the knees.
Apron belly does not only happen to women or overweight people. People who lose a lot of weight can also have an apron belly.
What Causes Apron Belly?
Apron belly causes the stomach size to grow and have lots of fat around the tummy area. There are several reasons why this happens.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can often be the reason why an apron belly is caused. It’s something that causes extensive levels of stretch and strain on the abdomen and the muscles. Sometimes, the body does recover. While the body recovers after pregnancy, a significant level of stretching can also cause fat to accumulate around the tummy area.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during pregnancy also make fat build up around the body of a woman. Women often experience fluctuating levels of estrogen during this period, causing fat to redistribute and store around the stomach area.
Significant Weight Fluctuation Sometimes, rapid weight gain can cause the skin to stretch. On the other hand, if someone is losing fat rapidly, that build-up of skin doesn’t have enough fat to store. So, normally, it starts to hang down.
That is why if you are overweight and planning to lose some weight, the best process would be to do it gradually. If you want to preserve skin elasticity, it will be tested to do it steadily and gradually.
Genetic Factors
One of the major reasons for weight gain or belly fat build up lies in the genetics of a person. If someone in your bloodline has an apron belly, it increases the chance (genetically) of developing fat around their belly.
Age
When we age, the proteins called collagen and elastin (responsible for the firmness of our skin) drop by a significant level. So, if you are seeing fine lines and wrinkles appear on your body, then this is the reason why you are seeing this.
How To Get Rid Of Apron Belly?
You may want to lose the apron belly or reduce it at best, your options are several. But you must keep in mind that you have to keep your overall health in mind before you choose any exercise or diet, etc. Apron bellies cannot be spot treated. The options are overall weight reduction and surgical/non-surgical methods.
Losing Weight
Sometimes overall weight loss can help reduce body fat. This method also helps maintain overall health.
You are usually recommended to focus on stomach crunches and sit-ups. While they may help strengthen your abdominal muscles, they will help reduce the apron belly. This is so because our stomachs have two layers of fat. Having body fat around vital organs can save you from hurt, but it can also be pretty tough to lose.
Doing a sit-up means you are working up a particular abdominal muscle which can help develop the stomach muscles, but another layer of fat will still surround it.
Instead of stomach crunches, the best exercise would be to get into a maneuver that helps you move all over. Eat healthy food with low calories while involving yourself in different movements. This could help your apron belly come back to shape and protect your overall health.
Best Cardio to Lose Apron Belly
Want to put cardio in the practice to lose apron belly? If yes, that’s a good decision. You can finally post apron belly before and after exercise pictures on social media. However, it’s better to put your health as the motivation for doing all the hard work.
Here are some cardio exercises you can do to improve your apron belly –
Planks: Planks are the best exercises if you want to lose the overall belly fat. It doesn’t require any equipment and is a great body-weight exercise.
Russian Twists: here’s a workout routine that’s best for the obliques and the deeper abdominal muscles, helping improve the strength of your body while also losing apron belly.
Bicycle: bicycling also targets your obliques and helps improve the overall quality of your health, impacting quick loss of apron belly.
Read Also: Top 10 Belly Bands You Must Try
Surgical And Nonsurgical Treatments
Even if you exercise your way to an apron belly-less life, there will still be some fat left. No amount of diet or exercise can change this. Some have a lot of excess skin; others don’t. Certain surgical and non-surgical options are available to help you get through that.
Laser Or Coolsculpting can be an appealing option if you want to remove the apron belly without surgery. It can also help remove fat from other areas. This option will not be available if you are breastfeeding, obese, or have other medical conditions.
Panniculectomy will remove the pannus surgically. It does not tighten the abdominal muscles like a tummy tuck. Instead, it can give a more flat result. It can be combined, however, with a tummy tuck. It can be covered by health insurance as it is not considered cosmetic surgery.
To Conclude
If you have seen your apron belly flapping down your abdomen, you may have been scared, frustrated, and embarrassed. But you are not alone.
Your apron belly can be uncomfortable, giving a rash or causing chafing. We have told you what options you have to deal with it. You can also get help from your medical provider for help regarding your apron belly. You can then take the necessary steps to curb your apron belly.
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