My Kids are the Reason Pt.1

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My Kids are the reason I workout, the reason I'm active, the reason I've searched for the answers..they are not an excuse.  Kids are like sponges, lead by example!

I have been dealing with major core issues since my last 2 babies (especially the last).  The extent of it was that I couldn’t suck my stomach in no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t feel any ab exercises in my stomach, I had a lot of back pain, I couldn’t activate any ab muscles while doing a simple squat, I felt helpless, and the worst part I had / have the dreaded “mummy tummy”! 

You’d think that working in the fitness industry and even taking pre post natal fitness training courses I’d have all the answers and I’d be able to “get my body back”…well here I am 18 months since my last little guy was born and I’m finally able to exercise (for the most part) as I used to with the exception of my core.  I still have weight to lose, toning & strengthening to work on.  There are very few people around that are knowledgeable ENOUGH in the pre post natal world when it comes to fitness and getting your body in good shape after.  In my opinion most Personal Trainers, Fitness Instructors, Pilates Instructors, etc have great intentions but may be doing more harm then good with the pre post natal population…I myself may have been in this category a while back. 

I believe:

•  It took 9 months to create this tiny amazing baby and our body goes through ridiculous changes, its gong to take most women 2 years to FULLY recover externally, internally, & emotionally.  There are women who a week after giving birth look like they never had a baby but that doesn’t mean that everything is back to normal. 
• There is enormous pressure put on moms / new moms when it comes to “getting their body back”…well your body will never be the exact same again
•  New Moms are under a crazy amount of stress from all the changes that go with having a new baby at home
•  Forward flexion movements (crunches, situps, etc) are not effective at core training for anyone but especially new moms who have stretched those muscles so much for 9 months.
•  Many Moms have and have had diastasis recti (separation) and either have no idea they have it or have no idea what exercises to do to repair it
•  Many moms pee just a tiny bit (or more) when they cough, sneeze, jump, etc…this is NOT normal and CAN be fixed
•  It’s going to take work to get your body functioning back to normal, and feeling good, strong, and toned
• Many fitness professionals think they know how to accurately check someone for diastasis rectibut actually don’t have any idea what it means, or how to do it properly AND even if someone tells you they can fit 3 fingers between your abs…what does that mean?  Do you know what to do with that? Do you need surgery?
• Every mom should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist after having a bab