Post 2nd baby journey - 1 month later

One month ago I wrote about my struggle after having 2 kiddos.  So I thought I'd let you know the progress after just one month.  I discovered Fit2B.us and 1 month ago I started doing their workout videos.  Fit2B.us is a fitness website dedicated to workouts that are safe for those of us with diastasis recti (when your tummy muscles have separated).  

So here are my before and after measurements: (Again I don't do pictures for the world wide web...I'm not THAT out there).
February 22, 2015: core not engaged: 32 inches
                        core engaged: 30.5 inches

March 23, 2015:  core not engaged: 30.5 inches
                            core engaged: 28.5 inches
* All measurements were taken at the belly button

Now you may be wondering what in the world I mean by 'core not engadged' vs 'core engadged'...
Well, this is how I think of it from what I've learned from Fit2B.  A core that is not engaged is just that, not engaged, just hanging out.  Your loose, limp and there isn't any muscle tightening happening.  When your core is engaged your muscles are engaged, your not sucking in your simply activating your core.  I imagine bringing my belly button to my spine while I'm breathing out.

I still have diastisis recti.  That hasn't gone away (yet).  But it has gotten better in just 4 weeks.  I have gone from a 1-2.5-1 to a tight 1-tight 2-tight 1.   With the help of fit2b I am confident that it will heal with time and exercise (besides it didn't rip apart overnight, so it isn't going to heal overnight)
This is the video I followed when I checked my DR:  http://fit2b.us/how-to-check-for-diastasis-hd/

To say I was skeptic of this website, of how their exercises could help me is a HUGE understatement.  I hemmed and hawed about trying it for 2 weeks.  I emailed them asking questions and always got a friendly and prompt reply and decided to join for just 1 month.  I thought, hey, what's 9.99 to see if it works for one month.  Well, folks it does.  For real.  And no, I'm not being paid to say this, no one is giving me anything to have this opinion.  And yes, I bought a year membership the minute my monthly membership was up.  I've been doing 1-2 of the foundational 5 exercises a day and 1-2 other workout videos a day 6x a week.  I usually give myself Sunday off.  I'm also walking more and eating somewhat clean (except for the occasional brownie or binge on m&ms).

Here is a blog post by Bethany, the owner of Fit2b that gave me hope and made me sign up after I read it.   http://fit2b.us/2011/07/22/how-to-have-a-flat-stomach/

In short, I'm now more comfortable in t-shirts and most of my clothes.  Which is good since it's getting warmer and I will have to put my wonderful collection of hoodies back in hibernation for the summer. HA!

In another month my goal is to be .5 inches down when my core is engaged and unengaged.

My First Stitch Fix

I discovered this beautiful, wonderful, fun thing called Stitch Fix (thanks to my friend Amy)!

In short, Stitch Fix is basically having a stylist pick out some clothes for you based on a questionnaire you fill out and then you get a cute little box (shipping is free) with 5 items in it for you to try on in your own home.  If you like the selections you keep them, if not you return them in a prepaid envelope.  The only time you have to leave you house is to walk to your mailbox (if you return something).  All you pay is $20 (styling fee) and whatever selections you keep the $20 goes towards.  The only way you lose the $20 is if you don't keep any of the selections.  That's it.  It's simple, it's fun and it's awesome!
 

I'm not very fashion forward; especially after having 2 kids and being completely out of the fashion loop.  My fashion go tos are hoodies, t-shirts, leggings, jeans, and yoga pants.  That's basically what I live in.  And then there are times I have to go out to a fundraiser or dinner with Drew and I need something that doesn't resemble casual clothing.  My go to place is White House Black Market. The reason is that I am a size smaller in their clothes than any where else.  I love their clothes, they last, they are classy and I can get a lot of wear out of them.  But I needed something different, something I wouldn't pick out for myself.  Also, I haven't been shopping for myself in a LONG time for anything other than leggings.  So, I turned to stitch fix.

Here is my first fix:

#1

Queensland Dolman Jersey Top - Dark Purple 48.00

KEPT IT!  Loved it!  It was perfect

#2

Liverpool Mira Skinny Jean   78.00

Verdict:   KEPT IT!!  They fit like they were made for me.  And the best part is: angels sang when I put them on.

#3

Market and Spruce   Chambers Cowl Neck Knit Top   48.00

Verdict:  RETURNED IT.  

When I saw it in the box, I loved it but seeing it on, not so much.  It just hung on me and the neck was way to big.  Also, I have A LOT of grey in my closet.

#4

Daniel Rainn   Luigi Lace Insert Printed Blouse   48.00

Verdict:  RETURNED IT   

I did not like this one at all.  The black v in the middle was lace and way to low for my conservative self and in general the top was way to big, especially under the arms.  

#5

Pink MArtini  Augustina Lace Back Open Cardigan   68.00

Verdict:  RETURNED IT.

YEah, lesson learned.  I should have put on the detailed questionnaire that I loathe cardigans on me.  They look cute on other people but not me.  Also, 68.00 for this cardigan is CRAZY.

My advice is be detailed in your responses on your questionnaire and then on your returns.  It is only going to help them pick the clothes you will love!  Also, each category has a price range, I picked the mid range. 

All in all I ended up with one awesome outfit!  And those jeans that I hear angels when I put them on.  Seriously.  Totally worth it.  Also, those two items are less than what I normally would spend at white house black market.  So, really I'm saving us money.  HA!

I will be doing it again before summer for a new summery fix!

Also, they should have this for men, so I can sign Drew up.  He loves nice clothes but loathes leaving the house to shop for them. 

Here is the link to sign up.  If you use this link to sign up I get 25.00 towards a new fix!  And then when you refer friends (after your first shipment)... you get 25 bucks towards your next fix!  So do it...you won't regret it!

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4758731

My post 2nd baby challenge

This is obviously a problem that isn't really high on the scale of problems in this world.  But it's something I have been struggling with and after much thinking, I've decided to share.  Mainly, I'm sharing because I can't possibly be the only one out there struggling with this very thing.

Here's the background: I've had 2 kids. (Aren't they adorable:)

  The first baby girl was huge, 9lbs 3oz and in turn I was huge.  That first pregnancy I ate whatever I wanted (which included at least a bag of sour patch kid gummy things per week), and gained 35 lbs. I bounced back to my prebaby shape in about 8 weeks.  Then comes the 2nd baby girl 2 years later.  I watched what I ate, and tried to keep my indulgences to a minimum.  But in the last trimester cherry berry frozen yogurt was a weekly event.  I gained 30 lbs and baby girl weighed 8lbs 3oz.  8 weeks after baby girl #2 I was back in 1 pair of my prebaby jeans.  And I was depressed.  So, I took a break from all things sweet for 2.5 months and watched what I ate.  Now here I am 6 months later after baby #2. I've lost all the baby weight plus about 9 lbs.

And now your asking what the problem is.

Well, I still look preggo.  I have this mummy tummy as some call it.  In fact my breaking point was when Belle (my ever honest 3 year old) came up to me, poked my belly and asked kindly "mommy, is there another baby in there?"
Um NO!     I cried. And cried some more.
I'm being completely honest when I say I've been depressed about what I look like, about what these babes that I adore have done to my body.  Everywhere (it seems) I see women who have had babes and boom they are back to this great flat stomach.  Meanwhile, I sit here looking preggo all over again, even though I weigh less then I've weighed in a LONG time.  

Long story short this is what conclusion I came too:  I know that God still loves me, that Drew and the girls still love me.  But I didn't love myself.

So I did the only thing a reasonable person does.  I googled my tummy problem.

Come to find out I have diastasis recti.  Which is basically where your ab muscles are split, they are no longer together as they once were.  Because there were babes in there pulling them apart.  Here's how I finally came to the conclusion that that was what was wrong with me.  Do this simple self test and see what it shows. Here's the link to the video I used from Fit2B.

http://fit2b.us/how-to-check-for-diastasis-hd/

There are actually 2 videos when you type in that link.  The 2nd one is more detailed then the first and much more helpful in truly understanding the problem.

I have a 2 almost 2.5 finger gap at my belly button.  Which is not too bad; when from what I've read many women have a much bigger gap than that (think 3-5 finger gap).  But now the real problem starts; how to fix it and feel comfortable with myself again.

So I googled and googled and googled...did I mention I googled it?

And I came to a couple of different programs: 
(These are strictly my opinions about these programs...I encourage you to check each one out for yourself)

The Tuplar method:  In short you wear a splint at all times except in the shower to bind your abs back together and also do special exercises to help strengthen your core.     Yeah, you can imagine that I did not take this one to seriously for myself.  Wearing a binder does not come under my description as fun.  It may work for some people but it wasn't going to work for me.

The MuTu program:  An online program or DVDs that you purchase. It has A LOT of positive reviews.  I debated about this one for  a while  but couldn't bring myself to pay 120$ for DVDs that I didn't really know if they worked...

Postnatal Slimdown/Moms into Fitness: Basically, a workout program that includes 2 phases to get you back into shape after baby.  Also, includes special exercises for DR (diastasis recti) and the routines are modified for those with DR.  I actually started this workout DVD.  Stuck to it for 6 weeks.  I lost about .5 inches from my tummy and about 1.5 inches from my hips.  It's a good DVD.  But I saw very little improvement with my DR.  I still looked preggo, and I felt like my tummy muscles (what was left of them) weren't being challenged. So, I went back to my old friend google.  (I will probably incorporate the moms into fitness workouts again once I heal my DR).

And I came across Fit2B.us   It's basically workout videos made by a fellow momma in her own home.  Don't worry she's not just some random momma, shes actually trained in all things fitness and healing DR.  
I e-mailed the company and got a quick response with some answers to my questions and decided to take a chance.  I signed up a couple days ago and I have to say I am impressed.  I am not a person that has ever worked out before (except when I used to tag along with Drew to the gym before kids).  But these videos are great.  And I can already feel the burn, so to speak.  Also, she does exercises for DR like none I have seen or done before.  I'm optimistic about this program.  It's also pretty cool that she has workout videos that you can do with your kiddos.  It's 9.99 a month and you can cancel at any time.  (oh and I should mention, no one is paying for my opinion about this...its just my unpaid for opinion)

I don't have time to go to a gym.  I don't have a nanny on call, or family around me, I don't do gyms with childcare and I have a hubs that works 12+ hour days. So this works for me...because, I hate germs and because putting 2 kids in the car is usually ridiculous.  So, this working out at home works for me.  Maybe it doesn't for you (which is a-ok, do what you can/are able to).  Its better than the alternative of sitting on the couch being depressed and eating yet another bag of m&m's.

The other (possibly selfish) reason I write this blog is to keep myself accountable.  If someone else knows (even if I don't know them) that I'm doing this, I feel this weird motivation to keep doing it, to actually choose a lifestyle change and dive head first into getting into shape.  

I'm nothing if not honest.  And this is my honest struggle right now.  

Also, you might be wondering what the 'before' pics look like....yeah, I'm not THAT honest folks.  Also, I don't put myself out there THAT much.  :)

I will say that my measurement at my belly button is 32 inches.  My goal for now is 31.  One inch at a time.

I'm hopeful that I can close this DR and be comfortable with myself once again.