"Menopause Belly" Explained + Diastasis Recti | Listener Q&A

In this listener Q&A episode of Fit After 40, we answer two of the most common questions women ask about fitness in postpartum and menopause.

First, I respond to a mom getting back into exercise who’s wondering whether walking counts as a rest day and how to safely incorporate diastasis recti rehab exercises into her routine. We talk about recovery, rebuilding consistency, and how to support your core without overtraining.

Then we talk honestly about menopause belly — what it is, why it happens, and why it’s not a failure or lack of willpower. I walk through a gentle but effective four-step approach to addressing it through strength, metabolism, and consistency. I also share why talking about weight loss is personally complicated for me, and how we can hold space for both self-respect and the desire to feel good in our bodies.