http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#7d2ebe1d-c3f8-4a67-9cb5-5e336a376002 If it's your first baby don't be to hard on yourself. Everyones body is different. Alot depends on your level of fitness before you got pregnant on how fast you will recover. :) Just have alittle patience and give your body the 6 weeks before pushing yourself to hard. :) But I thtink 6 months is a good healthy time frame to expect if your considering the skin has also been stretched and may need more time then the muscle. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:45:42 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#7d2ebe1d-c3f8-4a67-9cb5-5e336a376002 NeoHips & The Skin Beaters 2009-09-29T08:45:42Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#ee3b4e6f-798a-47fc-a8e1-3383facd85cd Dearest Indigo, Congratulations! Just remember everyone is different. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, just take time to heal and enjoy your little one. I will however recommend yoga when you are first getting up and around. This helped me a lot even with my c-section. It helped me regain my flexibility a that I needed. I did a lot of core yoga and balance excercises (on a ball), that helped me get a some of my strength back. (It also made me feel less awkward when I went back to class). I felt very awkward the first few weeks after I had the baby and it felt like I would never dance again! It took time. Not as fast as I had expected or wanted but dancing makes me happy and I wanted to share that with my baby, so it had to happen..... eventually. You have to remember, Belly Dance Has all kinds of healthy uses. A lot are in preparation for child birth and the healing after words. I am lucky enough to have a wise teacher who has danced and given birth herself several times and I went to her when I was feeling impatient or "not as great as I used to be"...She gave me some great advice. "Patience, listening to your body, and following DR., Mid-wife advice"...I would recommend you go to a loved teacher or a friend that has dances and have kids. They can help you feel much better! You will get your strength back if you want it. "Patience my child" Namste and good luck with the little one! Nicky Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:27:44 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#ee3b4e6f-798a-47fc-a8e1-3383facd85cd Nicky 2009-09-28T23:27:44Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#d46562c5-7fe8-4f77-8559-51ca3e1d2d74 It will take time and exercise. And time will not be very abundant during your baby's first years. Also recovery time will depend on how was your delivery. I had my daughter, Rebeca, when I was 36 years old. I danced almost all of my pregnancy, and I danced back two months after delivery (I had an unplanned C-Section due to some complications). You have to enjoy your new body. Some things won't be the same, but there will be some enhancements (at least for a while if you breastfeed). I was back on my pre-pregnancy weight a week after I delivered, but it took me at least six months to regain enough abs strenght to do floorwork and backbends. And even though, my belly is a little protuding from what it used to be. But as my husband said, I gave life and my belly was Rebeca's room for a while, so I learned to love the changes coming with motherhood. Take your own time, and don't press yourself too much. And also take time to dance with your little one. Sooner than later, you will feel sexy again, and you will be even more sexier. Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:35:23 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#d46562c5-7fe8-4f77-8559-51ca3e1d2d74 Ana 2009-02-21T03:35:23Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e8adac94-ff6d-464a-bd7e-ca7896d60004 It sounds like your diet hasn't been too bad though, so you'll be fine. Dang, I was having and responding to major Arby's cravings at 10p, the *purple* package of Skittles, pickles, ice cream (go figure), too many bad things. :D I gained 52lbs! The pics for that business card were taken 4 months after Ally was born while I was still breast feeding. Hence, the nice boobage that makes them so great! :D Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:20:56 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e8adac94-ff6d-464a-bd7e-ca7896d60004 Malia 2009-02-20T16:20:56Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#3c7a7734-34e5-4100-aea3-4a008c768d18 Yeah, it is crazy. I have finally lost the 70 lbs. I gained during pregnancy....so back to normal weight, but I tell ya....I look about 15 lbs. heavier than I did back then.... my stomach, although very strong again...hangs unless I am flexing & my boobs are seriously deflated..........and mind you I did breastfeed for almost a year. I had my boy, my first and only so far, at 27........& from what I hear.....bouncing back quickly usually occurs to those having their first between 19-23 years of age. That makes sense, of course, afterall...biologically speaking we are ready to have babies ~13-15 years old. And furthermore, the healing hormone Human Growth Hormone (HGH), that helps us bounce back...heal quickly, starts depleting rapidly at age 25........... Dilemma dilemma...have babies early...quicker body recovery, but loss of pre-baby freedoms early.....OR loss of pre-baby body, but enjoyment of early 20s without babies....................hahahaha.........life is about balance eh?! Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:16:39 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#3c7a7734-34e5-4100-aea3-4a008c768d18 LaRa 2009-02-15T21:16:39Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#da2d61db-0932-4123-bc14-576f9aa5837d I fully understand about the healthy eating issue w/ pregnancy..... Normally Salads are a Huge part of my dieat during first trimester I could not touch them.... in 2nd I gradually got back into salads... Even now I am cautious of how many veggies I eat.... A Great majmority of my puking has come from when I eat veggies....... Ironically ice cream and potato chips seem sto stay down much easier... Fruit has always been good to me to..... And at times I turn into a ravenous wolf and chow on 'organic free range lamb, buffalo or cow'...... And tho I was not a full blown vegeterian red meat maybe found it's way onto my plate once or twice a month before pregnancy..... Oh and my personaly favorite chili is off the menu due to acid reflux...... However you are correct LaRa..... Congrats to everyone...... It takes almost a year of being pregnant to create our little babies and then of course life is filled with this new baby and a year tho may seem long is a completely reasonable goal..... I asked the question only because I was curious..... I love doing stomach work w/ bellydance...... Even now at almost 42 weeks I can still roll my belly (been doing it lots to encourage Tehya to enter the world) ....... Anywhoo thanx to all for sharing your stories! It brings me encouragement...... Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:52:05 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#da2d61db-0932-4123-bc14-576f9aa5837d Indigo 2009-02-15T15:52:05Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#c25cd9b3-f4c7-485c-a847-d9d888c61c4c I think this varies so much with age, fitness, lifestyle, and especially (unfortunately) genetics... everything. I had my kids young, and got my body back fairly quickly---but like others said, it's never quite the same body, and I still had a separation in my abs 2 years after my first daughter was born (it finally closed up after my 2nd was born and I FINALLY started doing crunches again). (Okay, I say now I had my body back 'fairly quickly'... it was pretty good, fairly quickly. It didn't feel completely back for a solid year, and some of that was just getting used to how the 'new' body was). My issue is that now (I'm 28, and my youngest is 5) my skin is starting to age just a little bit, and sagginess that had disappeared within a year or so of the babies is showing up again... and I'm sure that if I were having babies now it would take me MUCH longer to lose the weight, and I might never lose the loose belly skin (my mother never did, after having baby #2 at 32). Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:31:14 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#c25cd9b3-f4c7-485c-a847-d9d888c61c4c Taran 2009-02-15T00:31:14Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#a1a72dc7-2938-448c-905f-57b84635f794 Wow...I'm impressed with all of you ladies. I had a c-section, after a pregnancy of mostly bed rest. I have gained 70 lbs., which probably made things harder on my body. But I couldn't excersise...and pretty much just ate to try to feel better. Anyhoo, it has been a year now....and I finally have lost all the weight & finally feel that my strength and flexibility are back. I worked my butt off ever since I had the go ahead for any activity...and started eating well once he was born (I know....I should've while pregnant but man I was miserable and all things natural, while pregnant, made me want to hurl...ironically normally I was a raw vegan). So, I think it depends on how your pregancy & delivery went.......your pre-pregancy health/strength, your age, activity level...you name it............everyone is different!!! But be patient..........I know it VERY CHALLENGING....but be kind to yourself!!!! Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:39:06 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#a1a72dc7-2938-448c-905f-57b84635f794 LaRa 2009-02-14T23:39:06Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#ce011942-f613-492f-87b2-8a3fced3fc23 You are killing me Malia! I have to admit I can't wait to be back in restaurants and Private parties;) and looking all Hot and Sexy like you and your business card! Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:29:34 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#ce011942-f613-492f-87b2-8a3fced3fc23 Indigo 2009-02-13T22:29:34Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e87a16c6-f399-4786-bb6d-0583fa6b1d1b I competed 2 months after Ally was born, albeit I didn't do well. It took those entire two months for my muscles to finally settle into their "normal" position and get rid of that funny bump down the center of my tummy (while muscles are overlapping). That being said, it took me a full 8 months before I finally felt like myself again. I'm naturally tall and thin and thought I'd go back to that right away but didn't. Be patient. It's difficult to imagine not doing something you love as much as belly dance for this long, but when that baby is in your arms you'll realize giving up dance for a while is a small price to pay. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:47:47 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e87a16c6-f399-4786-bb6d-0583fa6b1d1b Malia 2009-02-13T17:47:47Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#d9b3b714-4146-4ad6-85d7-35635058dda4 i read in a pregnancy book that your body is never the same after a baby. it can be a great body, maybe even better than before, but it will not be the SAME body. i took that thought to heart, so when my clothes fit oddly even though i weigh the same, i just shrug and go shopping. and i think i look better now than before my 2 boys arrived. and i'm 10 months postpartum on #2. starting dancing again about 8 weeks out. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:07:17 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#d9b3b714-4146-4ad6-85d7-35635058dda4 janya 2008-11-14T16:07:17Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#f8725c14-407e-43f3-9edd-67254e2107b4 oh, but back to original post (sorry) yes, I was dancing again & performing at 6 weeks after # 3, but it took longer with the other 2. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:20:43 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#f8725c14-407e-43f3-9edd-67254e2107b4 Lara 2008-11-13T16:20:43Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#5d977b2f-df44-4d99-8c6d-24a8abaae91b Great tips, Rachel- I didn't stabilize regarding weight & "perkiness" until about a year after nursing either, & I have to work a little harder to stay in shape for some reason, but yeah, I'm in better shape than ever. pay a little extra attention to back strengthening & realignment too- both pregnancy & baby handling can do a number on your back! Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:19:07 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#5d977b2f-df44-4d99-8c6d-24a8abaae91b Lara 2008-11-13T16:19:07Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#9bd01fef-f9e0-402d-b655-a55ed36bb354 I highly reccommend breastfeeding for as long as possible. It really helps get things together and can postpone your return to menstration (I never started my period again until my kids were one year old). Don't stop oiling your belly and boobs just because the baby is out ( my boobs didn't start to perk back up until my son was finished nursing for 2 yrs.) Eat lots of fat and protein - building blocks for a hot bod.. Take coconut oil, vit E and kelp. Have a good attitude about your now mature mama body. It is possible to look even better after childbirth (I'm living proof) it just takes more determined routes. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:55:00 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#9bd01fef-f9e0-402d-b655-a55ed36bb354 Rachel Jade 2008-11-13T15:55:00Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#b83c8b9b-38be-4949-a864-f7f71721fbf2 I'm about 5 months post partum, and I feel like my belly finally looks a little like it used to. I still have weight to lose, the first pounds came off easily, now its not so easy. Although I have to admit, a lot of things just aren't the same. My boobs fell down and can't get up. I have terrible stretch marks on both hips, and my pelvis is actually wider than it used to be, so my clothes all fit entirely different. My feet are wider. This baby just stretched me out. I still pee myself when I cough or sneeze. My hair is still falling out. PMS has been wicked, and I started getting pimples before my period again, that hasn't happened in a LONG time. Certain movements that require core muscles ache in a funny way that never did. Things are still mending. I've noticed a lot of my friends who have had kids, never look the same. You might have had an innie bellybutton, and pregnancy gives you an outtie...and it never goes back in. Skin rumples, wrinkles, stretches. Bellyrolls don't quite look the same as they used to. I don't know if our bodies ever get back to "normal", but my guess is sometime next year I'll know what my new normal will be. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:22:27 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#b83c8b9b-38be-4949-a864-f7f71721fbf2 Jessica 2008-11-12T23:22:27Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e98eb529-cd32-4aaa-9ca3-8a62539070f8 My babe is only three months old and my stomach muscles have been fine for weeks and weeks. Of course, it was my third. I was in the best shape of my life (just got back from 4 days with Suhaila and level 1 certification before getting prego). I danced stI rong the whole pregnancy still performing at seven and eight months. My problem now is that I don't have the time for taking classes and performing like I used to. I have two that I already homeschool and now an infant. It is my goal to get my lvl 2 by 11/2010. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:25:48 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#e98eb529-cd32-4aaa-9ca3-8a62539070f8 Rachel Jade 2008-11-10T20:25:48Z http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#6bdfe7e0-60b9-4e00-adb3-e8217acfadc8 I have to admit I'm missing all my gigs (and I'm only between 6-7 months now) My original hope was to have my body / full dance ability back within two months of giving birth... I've been dancing and doing yoga this whole time tho it is a much more subdued version of myself than before.... Last night a friend said to give myself 6 months.... But I can't handle the thought..... So I wonder How practical am I being..... How long did it take everyone else's stomach / muscles to go back to something resembling fairly normal or like before? Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:41:07 GMT http://bellydancingmamas.tribe.net/thread/f0762676-b9e6-407e-ab12-d9a612e58c19#6bdfe7e0-60b9-4e00-adb3-e8217acfadc8 Indigo 2008-11-10T13:41:07Z