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Ask the FBMs: Coping With Diastisis Recti

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Credit: Daquella manera

Today we’re introducing a new feature: Ask the FBMs! This feature allows readers like you to ask the FBMs for advice on health and parenting topics. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll do our best to find out! Send your undying questions to me at AsktheFBMs@fitbottomedmamas.com. You just might see them posted on the site in the future!

Dear FBM,

Help! My ob just told me today that I have diastasis recti, and I’ve since learned that all of the hard work I’ve been putting in at the gym has only been making my abs worse. No wonder I still have a belly pouch (my youngest is 3)! She gave me info on the Tupler technique, which I plan to start following, but I’m also hoping that you ladies might have advice about how to keep going to my regular classes at the gym (two of which include ab work) without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Thanks,

Kristen D.

Hi Kristen,
What a bummer that all of your hard work has only been aggravating the issue! I’m sure that’s frustrating. It sounds like your doctor gave you an action plan and your question really is how to continue taking classes without drawing attention to the fact that you’re not following along. I think your best bet would be to talk to the class instructor beforehand. If he/she knows the issues, she may be able to let you know modifications that would work for you or give you other exercises to do while others are working abs. Did your doctor say it was okay to do any ab exercises while using a towel as a splint? That could be an option if it’s doctor-approved. Mostly, don’t be embarrassed if you can’t do what the rest of the class is doing at that moment. After all, you wouldn’t think twice about modifying lunges if you had a knee injury, so just do what your doctor has approved for your abs and no more. You can always check out postpartum workout DVDs as well if you find your class isn’t working for your particular problem.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Erin

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