Hellobee Boards

@pastemoo: I've been using this DVD for a couple of weeks: http://www.befitmom.com/bounce_back_fast_post_natal_core_conditioning_dvd.html. The exercises seem so light and easy, but they make a difference because I was definitely sore the next day. I was dealing with the same issue from my C-section and this is definitely helping. Even if I don't have time to do the video every day, since I know the basic exercises, I'll do them in bed before I fall asleep.

I used the Belly Bandit and I did yoga and pilates. At the gym, I also did a lot of:

**leg lifts - lay on the ground flat, legs straight out. Lift them up to vertical, then use your abs to lift your butt just off the ground. Repeat.

**scissor crunches. Lay flat on ground, legs straight out and 2 inches off the ground, and arms straight up. use your abs to lift into a crunch while simulteaneously spreading your legs. So dont lift your legs, they just open and close, and your back only comes off the ground just above your shoulder blades (either move your arms to the floor between your legs or out toward your shins. Works lower and upper abs.

**back curls - I did these at the gym, but you can do them off the edge of a couch if you have someone hold your ankles down. Lay with your hips right on the edge of the arm of the couch and bend 90 degrees so you are looking at the floor. Start with jsut crossed arms and slowly raise to just above horizontal. Hold it for 3 seconds, and slowly go back to starting position and repeat. As your lower back gets stronger, hold either dumbells or plates to your chest for more resistance.

**the more advanced one is to take a medicine ball or even just a regular ball and do crunches while passing it from your hands to between your knees and straightening your legs. Works lower abs.

@pastemoo: That is really interesting that you've found a range of your abs that aren't really working. Do you have coverage to go to see a physiotherapist or something like that? I don't think it's necessarily a 'normal' thing for PP but sounds like it would be directly linked to post-C. They had to cut through your muscles and now you have to be patient when growing them back, but a smart physiotherapist or kinesiologist could really get you on the right path. (I can relate to what you are going through in some ways, because when I was 16 I had major back surgery and it did take a while to get everything back to strong....but in the end, I ended up stronger than before because it was such a goal and focus for me). Good luck!