Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy? No Worries!

A medical term that strikes terror in the hearts of many young women; this common occurrence is another reason why some decide not to enjoy the phenomenal experience of giving birth. 

I actually had some fun with it. While pregnant with number seven, Christina, I could literally get hold of her little foot. One reason is that the uterus wall gets thinner and more pliable after several pregnancies. That alone with the opening of the muscle in mid belly made it easy to touch her and play with her. 

Her siblings were able to enjoy her too.

Yes I still have the scourge. If I engage my abs I can easily feel the sort of, crack down the middle. Does it hurt? Am I self-conscious? Are there any physical ramifications whatsoever? I think you know my answer.

You know you can begin pilates exercise the same day your baby is born? That's right. Just stand or sit as tall as you can and engage your abs. Become aware of your body and breath completely as you stand tall and hold your precious baby.

One reason many are so concerned is that no one wants a big belly when they aren't pregnant. The topic that should draw real concern is insulin insensitivity. In Pilates for Weight Loss I explain the main reason for belly fat and the simple lifestyle changes that help my clients and myself keep that beautiful tapered waistline we all desire.

The medical community has to call it something, but don't let fear of this very common occurrence create confusion about the real belly fat culprit!

Did She Say "Free Pilates Exercises for Pregnancy?"

Sweating, breathing, squeezing your partner's hand; they finally tell you that it's time to push!

You have no choice but to dig in and wait for the next contraction. You feel that crazy powerful pressure coming on again, so you bear down and do as they tell you. It's unlike anything you've ever felt. It's awkward at first. You try again....

The clock ticks as everyone shouts at you like your running with a football. But you've had a bad back for months and you've spent most of your spare time resting. You've allowed your muscles to weaken in an attempt to avoid pain or injury. You're completely exhausted. You can't push anymore.

Pregnant with my first baby, I remember telling my OBGYN that I was sore after doing water aerobics. I was offended at first when he started laughing. He gently let me know that I don't need to be concerned about the normal aches that go along with a good workout. He let me know that it won't hurt the baby and that it would help make the birth easier!

As I had more children I saw that the more reasonably active I was during the first 36 weeks, the easier it was to get through the last four, and the quicker I recovered! My free local pilates sessions are uniquely designed to keep you strong and flexible and feeling great before and during your pregnancy.

When the baby comes and you are home-bound for a while, safe, online pilates for birth recovery classes are a convenient and affordable way to get your body back in the shortest time possible. And you can try it for two weeks free.

Why Pilates for Pregnancy?

• Safety. Pilates exercises are slow and controlled.
• Ease. You can start at any fitness level.
• Convenience. You can do them at home on the floor.
• Effectiveness. Women who do pilates are stronger and less prone to injury.
• Universalness. Physical therapists use many pilates exercises for their patients.

Real Women Have Babies

Remember before you had your second child? I'm not talking about those of you who can't get pregnant. You were concerned with things like your toenails and your clean counter tops. Now your thoughts go to "Will I sleep tonight?"and "Will I actually use that running stroller?"

I know you still care about details, but you've had to let go of some of them. The clutter around you and is something you my not have tolerated B.C. (before children). And that bathroom!

Well I'm here to congratulate you. As much as we try to fight the monkey on our back which says "look at your messy house! You need to get those weeds pulled! You haven't sent that card yet!" You, my dear, have likely become a more full, more accepting, and a more loving person.

When you delineate priorities and pull back; when you shelve, for a time, priorities number 3, 4, and for God's sake number 5, you put yourself on the level of the millionaire entrepreneur. Women who have to tackle the task of managing little ones and a home and a job of some sort, and learn to stay positive, are powerful beyond imagination.

Fine Points:

Every day we make choices concerning how we think and use our time. When we work on the very basic task of choosing thoughts that encourage ourselves, that cut us a break; when we choose to back off when we are getting irritated, to see the cuteness of our son when we gently take the paring knife out of his little hand, we move in a direction of amazing power.

What's so great about that? Moms of little ones have the gift of many opportunities to practice this power throughout the day. This is the reason motherhood is praised.

But We Have a Choice

The other side is that most of these opportunities happen when no one is looking. Our character test as moms, often feels like walking in unprepared for MCATs. The toilet overflows. Someone chooses to cry all the way home. Even something as significant as a difficult marriage.

But we do have one great advantage. We can begin again at any time! How? By doing something to help ourselves relax and feel good. Maybe we need to let things go and lye on the floor and let them play around us for a while. Maybe we can bite the bullet and let someone watch them so we can go for a walk, talk to God, or work out by ourselves. Whatever it takes to shift our mood back to feeling pretty good, liking ourselves, and thinking about things that keep us in that place.

Trust yourself. Prioritize staying positive. Believe me, you are creating a great future by feeling good now!

Pop Pilates

Cheerful, energetic, sexy, and fun to watch. Short, specialized exercise videos by Cassie are powerful, with great titles and pop music.

But how many of us get out our mat and work out with those? Few people actually click to work out. Why not? These are good trainers. It looks like fun. 

I can think of a few reasons.

We already know that there are men and boys who watch pilates workouts for the thrill, but what about people looking for a workout routine? What about those who would like to begin changing their bodies.

That’s the tough part. Here’s the scenario: You look through a bunch of thumbnails and titles. You see one that you think you might like. It might target a certain area of the body like everyone’s favorite, the “butt” or “bum” in Europe. Don’t you feel objectified already?

You click. Watch a commercial. Then your instructor comes on and tries to fit several super duper butt exercises into a 10-15 minute video. You watch their cute body and start to think, “My god, she looks good. I could never look that good. My butt is so flabby and fat compared to hers.”

So you just sit and watch.

What if you are really determined that day?

You do your best and feel pretty good afterward. But wait a minute, where do I go from here? What about the rest of my body?...Let's see....maybe I can find one for flat abs. Oh, ok. “Lose the Muffin Top.”

You click and wait for the commercial. Then a different person comes on. “Wow! She sure is skinny. I wonder if those are real....Okay, let's go.”

This time you're not sure if it’s pilates or something else. You try and follow along and ten minutes later the video ends. You’ve just done crunches, pushups, and side planks. Your back feels achy and tight. What about the stretching and warm up in the beginning? What about the stretching and relaxation at the end? What about my neck, legs, and shoulders? 

Let’s find another one...

OK this looks like a pilates yoga combo. You watch the ad....Maybe I’ll get more stretching here. She looks nice. Very peaceful...OMG what is she doing? How do you get your foot over there?  ...A little advanced for me. 

On to another....

Whoa! the camera seems to really focus on her glutes and chest. Oh Brother. Now those can’t be real....Okay let's glance at the thumbnails on the right....hmmm...What the heck is that? They look like they are having fun....Is that the Loch Ness monster?...

That’s enough. I’m going back to Judy.

Postpartum Pilates - What Just Happened to My Body?

You're on facebook at 3:36 am wondering why nobody's on chat. You haven't had an intelligent conversation in months. You don't know why nothing feels happy. You wonder, "Will I ever ever enjoy sex again?"

No, you're not hospitalized in a psych unit.

Having a baby is without competition, the most out-of-control time in a woman's life. Yes, you may have learned some tricks that you've  kept in your hip pocket from the last one. There are always more books to read and online stuff to look at that is helpful.  But the reality is: We lose control of our body and often parts of our mind during this time.

This is not to say there is no joy. Humans can experience great love and joy no matter what their physical condition. This lack of control of our body is actually a fascinating ride as we touch with our hands the person who came from inside us, as we lie in bed right after the birth feeling like a rock star, and as we feel our milk come in. OMG.

What I'm saying here is that no matter how well you've prepared, there is a certain amount of letting go and trusting the process that you have to do when giving birth.

This can be downright terrifying if you've been one of those high achievers. You know, the organizer that has everything done and the event prepared down to snacks for the clean up crew. Or the one who manages ten people at work, goes to the gym five nights a week, and remembers to ecard everyone on their birthday.

I was one of those. I practically ran my college. I did not get all A's. I think they had to give me the Outstanding Senior plaque because the list of things I was in charge of, was twice as long as anyone in the class.

Yup, I just loved organizing things; the bigger the better. But having that itty-bitty baby was more challenging than any of the other stuff. I didn't fit into any clothes. I felt fat. And looking down at those giant boobs...Was that really me?

After about three babies I finally learned that I had to allow my body to go through its changes and let nature take the time it needed. I learned that my real job was to make myself feel as good as possible, so that I could give love, not just care, to my family.

After a C-setion with baby number seven, nothing I did could flatten my pooch. I think it was the control freak in me that found pilates back when the only one doing it was Mari Winsor. I said to myself, "This is it! Finally a way to flatten my belly. If I can just do some every day, I will fit into my clothes again!"

In my interactive video pilates workouts, it's all about control. I guess after going through so many pregnancies, I can't get enough of that fantastic feeling of a toned, fit pilates body. Call it an addiction if you like. I jokingly tell my students, "Pilates is great for codependants. It's all about control!"

But it's no joke when you don't know if you'll ever have your body back. When you know your partner loves you but you can tell he'd like it back too. My Pre and Postnatal Pilates series covers everything. Even pilates tips for a few days after the birth.

What was the challenging part of your recovery? Leave your comments. I really do read them and respond.