Julie Tupler is a health care professional specializing in
reproductive health and a fitness guru. Sit ups can actually do
more harm than good if you have abdominal separation after birth,
and all the pilates, power crunches and ab workouts in the world
will not fix that "pooch". That pooch is more than a cosmetic
annoyance too; depending on how bad your separation is, it can lead
to horrible lower back pain too.
Tupler's program combines exercises with SUPPORT for the tummy
muscles. It is amazing how fast you'll see results. She has a
website as well and sells a dvd as well as a support garment and
dyna bands (big elastics you use for some of the exercises) but you
can get those elsewhere (Medela makes a great postpartum support
garment)
Even if you plan a tummy tuck, they don't always "take", and most
reputable doctors will suggest you try an exercise plan first to
strengthen your tummy muscles. This one is based on sound
principles and with a special focus on WHY those crunches aren't
working. I wish I'd found this 13 years ago after my first birth!