From booze bulge to stress stomach – what your belly fat means and how to blast it

) which is designed to knit together your deeper core muscles after giving birth.

'DANGEROUS TIME TO DIET'

TRY: Pelvic-bridge exercises.

Lie on your back with knees bent.

Squeeze in your abs then tilt your pelvis upward and lift your hips off the floor into a bridge position.

Hold at the top then slowly lower down to starting position.

Repeat five to ten times.

EAT TO BEAT IT: Rhiannon says: “It takes nine months to grow a baby – and your tummy can’t go back overnight.

"But immediately after giving birth is a dangerous time to diet as your body needs energy for breastfeeding and coping with sleepless nights caused by your waking baby.

“If it’s been a year since you gave birth, a calorie deficit with a balanced diet is the best advice.”

4. Bloated belly

FROM the belly-button down, this bulge sits lower and protrudes out, rather than around your sides.

THE CAUSE: While some lower-belly fat is down to weight gain, bloating is often caused by hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle.

It affects most of us, even celebs like Lucy Mecklenburgh, who shared a snap of her bloated tum recently, are not immune.

About a week before your period, progesterone levels fall to allow the uterus to shed its lining.

This also causes the body to retain more water, making the tummy feel heavier and appear bigger.

MOVE TO BEAT IT: Yoga is great for water retention, as it improves blood circulation by stretching the muscles and nerves.

Search for home yoga videos on YouTube or try this move, Upward Facing Dog, to get started.

WATCH HOW YOU EAT

TRY: Lying face down on the floor, place the palms under the shoulders then push down until the hips lift slightly.

Stretch out the tummy by pushing the chest forward and slowly dropping the head backwards.

EAT TO BEAT IT: While you cannot help the time of the month, you can ease a bloated belly.

Cut down on salty, processed foods to tackle water retention, and try potassium-rich foods like bananas and spinach to counter the bloat.

And watch how you eat. Rhiannon says: “Chewing food correctly, without distraction, can minimise bloating.

"And limit your intake of gas-producing foods like beans and pulses, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, and stop chewing sugar-free mints or gum.”

5. Junk belly

ROLLS of belly fat that tend to sit just above the belly button and also just underneath your boobs.

THE CAUSE: Carrying excess weight higher up can be a sign your gut health is not all it should be and the specific foods you are eating could be to blame.

Too much salt and processed foods can upset the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in your stomach, resulting in weight gain.

Upper-belly fat can also be a sign you are not eating enough fibre.

MOVE TO BEAT IT: To get your digestive system ticking, take a brisk 30-minute walk or bike ride.

It helps raise your heart rate and boosts your metabolism.

You can also try some yoga stretches – they help to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn helps to increase intestinal activity.

TRY: Lying on your back with legs stretched out in front of you, bring in your left knee and squeeze it close to your body with both hands.

BOOST GUT HEALTH

Slowly take your left arm off and stretch it out to the side while your right hand pulls the knee the opposite direction, taking you into a lying twist. Repeat on the other side.

EAT TO BEAT IT: Rhiannon says: “Eat a new vegetable every week to boost gut health and diversity of the gut microbiota.

"Your gut bacteria eat an incredible ten per cent of your overall food intake every day.

“Ensuring you have regular bowel movements is important. Try increasing the amount of fibre in your diet by incorporating wholegrains, vegetables and fruit.

"Higher fibre intake also helps with sustainable fat loss over time.”

6. Stress belly

SIMILAR to the corona belly, this is characterised by a few extra pounds at the front of your tummy.

THE CAUSE: If you are not a heavy drinker but still have this tummy shape, chances are it is down to stress.

Long-term chronic stress causes higher levels of the hormone cortisol, which in turn increases your level of insulin – the fat-storage hormone.

So even if you are eating healthily, your body will hold on to fat.

MOVES TO BEAT IT: Breathe correctly.

You can start to blitz this type of belly without moving from your sofa – the NHS suggests breathing exercises to help take the edge off a stressful day.       

Combine them with regular brisk walks or bike rides for maximum gain.

TRY: Lie down and take a deep breath, into your belly then chest, breathing in through your nose and exhaling through the mouth.     

Breathe in for five counts, and out for five.

Repeat for five minutes.

EAT TO BEAT IT: Rhiannon says: “Your stomach is your second brain, constantly sending signals and interacting with your body.