Table of Contents
If you still feel like you look pregnant, even long after pregnancy, you are not alone.
Many women are told this is just something they have to accept. But sometimes the reason your belly still sticks out is not just weight gain or "weak abs." A commonly missed cause is diastasis recti.
Why This Happens
Diastasis recti is a separation of the abdominal muscles. When the connective tissue between the muscles becomes stretched, the abdominal wall may not hold the belly in as effectively.
That can create:
- a belly that bulges forward
- doming or coning
- a waist that feels wider
- an outie belly button
- lower back discomfort
- a stomach shape that still looks pregnant
It Is Not Just About Appearance
While the visual change is often what women notice first, diastasis recti can also affect the way the body feels and functions.
You may notice:
- your core feels weak
- exercise does not seem to help the way you expected
- your belly pushes out when you sit up
- your posture feels off
- your clothes fit differently around the waist
Why Typical "Ab Work" May Not Fix It
Many women assume the answer is to do more ab exercises.
But if the abdominal muscles are separated and the connective tissue is stretched, the goal is not simply to "work the abs harder." The goal is to help the muscles and connective tissue get into a better position and train the abdominal wall safely.
That is why Julie Tupler's method uses a 4-step approach rather than relying on exercise alone.
What the Tupler Technique® Includes
Julie Tupler, RN, has spent more than 30 years treating diastasis recti. Her program includes:
- checking the diastasis
- splinting the separated muscles
- posture and breathing work
- targeted exercises
- diastasis-safe movement
- ongoing support through live weekly webinars and replays
Julie emphasizes that the splint alone is not what closes the diastasis. It helps position the muscles and connective tissue while the exercises and daily habits do their work.
Tracking Progress Helps Motivation
One of Julie's strongest recommendations is to document the starting point clearly.
Before beginning, clients are encouraged to:
- take before belly photos from the front and side
- measure body circumference:
- under the breasts
- at the waist
- over the belly button
- record the distance of the diastasis
- note the condition of the connective tissue in the guidebook
This helps people see real changes over time.
There Is Evidence Behind the Method
Julie's statistics from 372 clients showed that doing all 4 steps of the Tupler Technique® made the diastasis 55% smaller in just 6 weeks.
That is one reason so many women find hope in finally understanding what is happening in their belly.
You Are Not Stuck
If you still look pregnant and nothing seems to explain it, it may be time to look at your abdominal wall instead of blaming yourself.
Related Articles
Watch the free intro video to learn the 4 steps of the Tupler Technique® and see whether diastasis recti may be contributing to your belly shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I still look pregnant after giving birth?
One commonly missed cause is diastasis recti — a separation of the abdominal muscles. When the connective tissue becomes stretched, the abdominal wall may not hold the belly in as effectively, creating a belly that still looks pregnant even long after birth.
Will more ab exercises fix a postpartum belly?
Not if the underlying cause is diastasis recti. If the abdominal muscles are separated and the connective tissue is stretched, the goal is not simply to work the abs harder. The goal is to help the muscles and connective tissue get into a better position and train the abdominal wall safely.
What does the Tupler Technique® include?
The Tupler Technique® is a 4-step program that includes checking the diastasis, splinting the separated muscles, posture and breathing work, targeted exercises, diastasis-safe movement, and ongoing support through live weekly webinars and replays.
How does Julie Tupler recommend tracking progress?
Before beginning, clients are encouraged to take before belly photos from the front and side, measure body circumference under the breasts, at the waist, and over the belly button, record the distance of the diastasis, and note the condition of the connective tissue in the guidebook.
Is there evidence that the Tupler Technique® works?
Julie Tupler's statistics from 372 clients showed that doing all 4 steps of the Tupler Technique® made the diastasis 55% smaller in just 6 weeks.
