First of all, let me just say I LOVE your magazine and have been a loyal reader for over 5 years. I read every issue from cover to cover as soon as they arrive in the mail. I have been using your training and nutrition advice and have seen huge changes in my physique and energy. I feel well-educated in the areas of fitness and weight training and am even a a certified personal trainer. I have run dozens of races, including 3 half marathons, and usually place in my age group, even winning my age group at times. I just won my age group in a local 5k while pushing my 18 month old twins in a jogging stroller. That stroller weighs over 100 pounds with them in it so to be able to pass dozens of people while pushing it is such a rush. I guess what I want you to know if that I am very fit and knowledgable when it comes to fitness.
As a mother of twins myself, I was intrigued to see your article on Melissa Hall and quite curious to read your article on how she got her body back as I have been struggling with getting my stomach back to it's pre-pregnancy appearance for 18 months now. I was extremely disappointed after reading the article and doing a little research on Melissa Hall myself. Don't get me wrong. It is admirable when ANY woman gets her figure back after giving birth. I know all to well have difficult that is. However, you failed to mention that she gave birth to extremely premature babies which is a very different situation to bounce back from than a mother like me who carried her twins to 37 weeks and gave birth to 14 and 1/2 pounds of extremely healthy babies. My sons weighed 6 lb 15 ounces and 7 pounds 5 ounces. I was nursing them 20 minutes after they were born.
I would love to see an article on how to get your body back after going full term with twins and dealing with a diastasis recti where the abdominal muscles split to make room for the growing babies. How about an article on how to get rid of the excess skin that many mothers have from growing healthy babies? Or safe abdominal exercises for women with a diastasis recti? Crunches and any jack-knifing motions are off limits. I feel like your article gives an inaccurate portrayal of the post-natal body of a twin mother. I'd love if you would address women like me and not make me feel so discouraged when I read your magazine, which I used to love.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns.I feel so much better now that I gave them a piece of my mind. One thing I am working on is complaining to people who can actually make a difference, rather than just complaining to my husband and friends who are so nice to listen to me vent but can't really do much to help me solve my problem. I hope my letter at least helps raise their awareness to my concerns.
Rachel Planker
Thank goodness for ladies like Stuft Mama to give all of us mamas, twin mommies especially, a dose of reality. Her post couldn't have come at a better time as I've been feeling pretty unhappy with my loose skin and new mommy shape. She is even way more fit than me and still struggles with a diastasis recti from carrying her twins to term. Cleary it's not a body fat issue for her either.
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It’s not the best idea to ask someone if they have a baby bump while they’re in the middle of teaching a fitness class. Yep, this happened to me tonight. I was the person being asked. I was even wearing my Spanx because my tummy was sticking out more than the usual diastasis issue. Um, I had to tell the nice lady while I had my mic on and was in front of everyone that no, it was a post-twin belly bump, not a pregnancy one.I feel your pain! My husband even bought me a shirt that says "I gave birth to twins. What's your Super Power?" because it continues to be such an issue for me. It's nice to know there are others in the same boat as me. Thank you Stuft Mama!!! Her post today touched on her diastasis as well in case you're interested.
Check out what my silly boys did while I penned that letter--peek-a-boo in the big box their diapers were delivered in. Hope it's our last diaper delivery...
Enough about that. It's Saturday! It's a REST DAY for real this time! I earned it after that long run yesterday. And I must say I am glad I squeezed it in and enjoyed a couple yummy margaritas last night along with some delicious fajitas. Thanks friends!
This morning kicked off with a yummy pancake breakfast before we went to the ...
...ZOO! Let me just say, my boys love their animals and we had a FANTASTIC time!
We hit up Chicago Uno before heading home for some yummy pizza and calamari. I loved their healthy crust option, with flax, oat bran and whole wheat. We chose the eggplant and feta pizza with sundried tomatoes. YUMMY! I liked the banana peppers that they tossed with the calamari as well. What a nice touch!
The boys had fun using big boy forks.
The rest of our day is dedicated to relaxation and trying to keep cool since the fan in our A/C unit decided to bite the dust last night and they tell us they can't get the part they need to fix it until Monday. Good thing we have a pool! Happy Saturday!
Oh I LOVE your letter. I was getting Oxygen for a while, but I felt like it was too "all about Robert Kennedy and Tosca Reno. Like every issue seemed to highlight them more than I thought necessary, I guess...
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