Mom of 4 Reveals Fat-Blasting Hacks That Helped Her Avoid Tummy Tuck Surgery
Are you debating getting a tummy tuck? Before you go under the knife, you should try following a few fat-blasting tips from an expert. Breeana Cox is a fitness and nutrition coach who specializes in "relatable fitness coaching to help busy moms get in shape while raising their babies," she writes in her Instagram bio. In a new video, she reveals what she did right after having a baby to get rid of her belly. "I remember recording this 3 weeks postpartum thinking I would need a tummy tuck," she says. "Turns out all I had to do was this."
She Didn't Need a Tummy Tuck – She Needed to Build Muscle
"If I were to do it all over again, this is what I would do," she writes in the post. "I thought for sure I would need a tummy tuck after my 4th baby because I had so much 'loose skin.' It turns out all I needed to do was replace body fat with muscle, and it all tightened up! I was shocked at how my stomach leaned out, and the skin got tighter as well. Some women do need surgery because of extra skin or loose tissue from severe Diastasis Recti, and there is no shame in a tummy tuck. I just want to help as many mamas as I can to avoid surgery when possible."
1. Focus on Building Muscle
She goes on to reveal her "4 tips to tighten and tone your stomach after a baby," starting with strength training. "Instead of focusing on losing weight, I would focus on building muscle. I would do muscle splits and focus on progressive overload instead of random full-body workouts," she writes.
Why Is Strength Training a Good Workout?
According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
2. Track Your Macros
"I would track my macros (fat, carbs, and protein) so I wasn't guessing," she says. "And my body would respond quicker and more efficiently because I would be getting enough protein." In order to calculate your macros, you should check out a free macro calculator, like this one from MyFitnessPal.
What Is the Connection Between Protein and Weight Loss?
Does protein help you lose weight? According to clinical trials, yes. They found that consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW) but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.
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3. Stay Clear of Victim Mentality
Number three? "I would stay clear of victim mentality, and instead of feeling "stuck" or having no control because my environment is chaotic… I would pick one thing I CAN do to progress towards my goals and get rid of the all-or-nothing mentality. Something is better than nothing," she says.
4. "Balance and Moderation" with Diet
And the fourth tip has to do with diet. "Instead of doing super restricted diets that never last and you just end up feeling like a failure, I would learn balance and moderation and incorporate my favorite foods so it's a more enjoyable process and I can stay consistent for longer," she says.
Make Sure to Track Macros Accurately
In another post, she reveals three macro mistakes to avoid making. "Are you a busy mom trying to track macros but not seeing the results you want? If you're doing all the right things but still struggling, you might make one of these common mistakes," she says. The first one? "Not tracking accurately," she reveals. "It's easy to guesstimate your portions when you're on the go, but even small miscalculations can add up over time. Using a food scale and measuring cups, especially in the beginning, can make a huge difference in hitting your macro goals."
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Don't Neglect Protein
Neglecting protein is another mistake that some people make. "Most busy moms prioritize carbs and fats because they're easier to grab on the run. But if you're not getting enough protein, you're missing out on the key macro that keeps you full, supports muscle, and boosts metabolism. Aim to include protein in every meal and snack, like eggs, chicken, or Greek yogurt," she says.
Avoid Inconsistency
And avoid inconsistency. "Life is chaotic, and sometimes tracking every meal feels impossible. But skipping days or eyeballing portions during busy times can slow your progress. Even on your busiest days, try to log something—consistency is the key to results!" she writes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.
