Home exercise program/moms, check your abs!!!
So funny, I missed this post but I just saw a whole thing (ok, a FB post) where dr oz has someone say how the compression garments can actually hurt your inner organs. I wear one on occasion for my lower back/hip and notice a difference right away.
I'll be wearing a Bikini in a month...
I'll be wearing a Bikini in a month...
So, I was just diagnosed with diastasis recti yesterday. Am thinking of trying the physical therapist in Summit and also getting the Squeem. It's been a month or so since anyone has posted their progress...For those that have the Squeem, would you still recommend it? Some other type? Also--if anyone has been going to the PT in Summit, can you comment as to your experience? Thanks!
I have the Squeem and I saw the PT in Summit. FANTASTIC results all around!
I "graduated" from the PT after only 8 or 10 weeks but I was religious about doing my excercises - I even set alarms on my cell phone so as not to forget. Without sounding syrupy, I have a new connection to my abdominal muscles and it is good all around. The PT is a great, no-nonsense kinda gal.
One note, the PT will try and sell you a "Tupler Technique" belt and maybe even a DVD. I bought both and used the belt for maybe 2 days and never opened the DVD. (Perhaps I should sell them on MOL!)
I much preferred the Squeem. It is great because it is long-line and flexible.
Also, the PT was just about to give birth! She may be on maternity leave either now or in the near future.
I "graduated" from the PT after only 8 or 10 weeks but I was religious about doing my excercises - I even set alarms on my cell phone so as not to forget. Without sounding syrupy, I have a new connection to my abdominal muscles and it is good all around. The PT is a great, no-nonsense kinda gal.
One note, the PT will try and sell you a "Tupler Technique" belt and maybe even a DVD. I bought both and used the belt for maybe 2 days and never opened the DVD. (Perhaps I should sell them on MOL!)
I much preferred the Squeem. It is great because it is long-line and flexible.
Also, the PT was just about to give birth! She may be on maternity leave either now or in the near future.
Thanks kmk. I just left a message. For the Squeem, any suggestions on size? I am a 2-4 so am thinking the Small.
@meihua, call and ask them about size. I think mine was a medium and I am an 8-10.
You might need an extra-small.
You might need an extra-small.
I have a small and an extra small Squeem. I'm definitely done with the small if you'd like it. I'm also around a 2-4, and the small just didn't feel like it was doing anything any more, but I'd been wearing it for awhile. If you want to try both to see how the sizes are you're welcome to come try them out, just let me know (and you are welcome to have the small size if you want it, I don't know what else to do with it!).
As far as my progress I'm at about a 2 finger-width separation....does anyone know when you're "allowed" to do regular abdominal work? I've been doing exercises on my own, not with a PT, so I don't know when I've graduated!
As far as my progress I'm at about a 2 finger-width separation....does anyone know when you're "allowed" to do regular abdominal work? I've been doing exercises on my own, not with a PT, so I don't know when I've graduated!
afa said:
I have a small and an extra small Squeem. I'm definitely done with the small if you'd like it. I'm also around a 2-4, and the small just didn't feel like it was doing anything any more, but I'd been wearing it for awhile. If you want to try both to see how the sizes are you're welcome to come try them out, just let me know (and you are welcome to have the small size if you want it, I don't know what else to do with it!).
As far as my progress I'm at about a 2 finger-width separation....does anyone know when you're "allowed" to do regular abdominal work? I've been doing exercises on my own, not with a PT, so I don't know when I've graduated!
Do you still have the opening or have you noticed that it is closing? I would slowly start to add additional exercises but would still wear a splint to prevent the abs from bulging and causing more damage than good.
My gap closed from the bottom up. I let the PT gauge how large the opening is/was. I suspect that the upper part is still a bit open but I ALWAYS wear the splint when exercising and I am now hyper-focused on "locking everything in" before attempting an excercise that might strain my abs.
afa--I'd love to try the small to see if it fits size wise. I am away this weekend but could maybe meet up after work today or tomorrow or Tuesday afternoon. Can you PM me with a time and your address. THANKS!
@meihua, check your pm's! I totally forgot to wash the Squeem last night and I don't want you going out of your way to pick it up tonight bc it won't be out there! 
The only separation I can still feel is right around my belly button, about 2 fingers. Everything else feels pretty closed up but I still feel like I have a huge belly in comparison to the rest of me. I feel like more ab work would help but I'm just so scared to open it up if I do more intense exercises! Maybe a few more weeks of the basic diastasis recti exercises and then I'll see what happens.
I'm kind of looking into one of those super high waisted bikini bottoms with the tummy control to wear with a tankini top this summer. I also feel like I'm much more aware of my belly than I ever was before, so it might not be as bad as I think it is. Trying not to obsess....
The only separation I can still feel is right around my belly button, about 2 fingers. Everything else feels pretty closed up but I still feel like I have a huge belly in comparison to the rest of me. I feel like more ab work would help but I'm just so scared to open it up if I do more intense exercises! Maybe a few more weeks of the basic diastasis recti exercises and then I'll see what happens.
I'm kind of looking into one of those super high waisted bikini bottoms with the tummy control to wear with a tankini top this summer. I also feel like I'm much more aware of my belly than I ever was before, so it might not be as bad as I think it is. Trying not to obsess....
@afa, how long is the squeem? And do you have the vest type like this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Squeem-Compression-Miracle-Shapewear-Black/dp/B000QWA2SM/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1428609997&sr=1-2&keywords=squeem
Or the corset?
I want to get one of these "vest" types since I feel I get some stuff poking out of the back between the cincher and the bra, but I want to make sure it goes down below by belly button. I will need XS. Some of the reviews stated that the XS is much shorter.
http://www.amazon.com/Squeem-Compression-Miracle-Shapewear-Black/dp/B000QWA2SM/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1428609997&sr=1-2&keywords=squeem
Or the corset?
I want to get one of these "vest" types since I feel I get some stuff poking out of the back between the cincher and the bra, but I want to make sure it goes down below by belly button. I will need XS. Some of the reviews stated that the XS is much shorter.
afa said:
@meihua, check your pm's! I totally forgot to wash the Squeem last night and I don't want you going out of your way to pick it up tonight bc it won't be out there!
The only separation I can still feel is right around my belly button, about 2 fingers. Everything else feels pretty closed up but I still feel like I have a huge belly in comparison to the rest of me. I feel like more ab work would help but I'm just so scared to open it up if I do more intense exercises! Maybe a few more weeks of the basic diastasis recti exercises and then I'll see what happens.
I'm kind of looking into one of those super high waisted bikini bottoms with the tummy control to wear with a tankini top this summer. I also feel like I'm much more aware of my belly than I ever was before, so it might not be as bad as I think it is. Trying not to obsess....
I think you can start doing some exercises as long as you are wearing something for support that prevents you from "poking" your belly out which may cause more harm than good. I would probably avoid leg raises and planks for now, but you may want to start doing crunches and other similar exercises.
pmartinezv said:
@afa, how long is the squeem? And do you have the vest type like this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Squeem-Compression-Miracle-Shapewear-Black/dp/B000QWA2SM/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1428609997&sr=1-2&keywords=squeem
Or the corset?
I want to get one of these "vest" types since I feel I get some stuff poking out of the back between the cincher and the bra, but I want to make sure it goes down below by belly button. I will need XS. Some of the reviews stated that the XS is much shorter.
I have the corset ones and didn't notice any length difference between the small and extra small (I no longer have the small so I can't compare them though). I have a fairly long torso and haven't had an issue with the length of the extra small, but I can see how if the straps on the vest style aren't too adjustable it could be an issue...
Hi ladies. I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a Pilates instructor and Master Trainer for The Center For Women's Fitness and certified in The Center Method for Diastasis Repair. I've healed my own diastasis and many, many others over the years that I've been doing this work. I work with clients at my studio in Millburn, Align Wellness Studio. Please feel free to reach out to me! I'd be happy to work with you one-on-one or create a group class. mindy@align-wellness-studio.com
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Now that it's getting warm, I know I'm not going to want to be wearing the Squeem much longer so I'm really trying to be diligent with my exercises. I moved down a size in the Squeem, which was a good decision, I think.... and I got the Lindsay Brin postnatal workout DVD, which I really like: http://amzn.to/1GFhXdW The exercises are pretty mellow (so if you are looking for intense workouts this is not it) and short, so I can do it during the baby's nap. I really like that she has someone doing modifications for diastasis recti, so I'm not worried about doing an exercise that I'm not ready for. I'm down to a two finger-width gap so I'm hoping pretty soon I can move on to her next core workouts for once the diastasis recti is healed....though I'm not sure how to tell when I'm really in the clear!
I don't think I'll make it back into a bikini (though it does seem like high waisted is in this year....), but as long as I don't look like I did when I was 4 months pregnant anymore, I'll be really happy. Are other people seeing progress?