Hi Girls,

Brussels - Me too! I'd love to visit! I think the ab exercises you're doing are what we call 'isometric' exercises, like the plank or where you do half a sit up and hold it. My GP said I still have at least a finger-width gap in my abs so I can't start crunches yet. I've been doing isometric exercises and yoga poses since seeing her which will hopefully close it up. Sounds like your personal trainer is pretty good! Stick with it, I'm sure you'll see results soon. But we do all seem to lose the baby weight differently. I lost weight over Christmas without dieting or exercise, but the other new Mum in my Mum's Group (her bub is 5 months old) said today that she's only lost her baby's weight and hasn't lost the rest (and she was much trimmer and fitter than me).
I'm the same with only having lost the baby's weight sucks for me! As for the excercises, that is not it and the physio told me to be very careful not to do those things...be careful beacuse the pressure can cause more opening and also put unneccessary weight on your vaginal and perineal muscles...if you look up "physiotherapy ab exercises" you will find some examples...It is sort of deep breathing then you have to hold the breath and spread the ribs very far with your muscles and usually apply pressure to either your knees, the floor etc..sounds easy but is really VERY VERY hard to do. There is no jerky or strong movement realy just breathing and using your muscles...but it is hard and it hurts!

RE: the mini pill...I read online that it can make some women very hungry and gain weight - I have been feeling hungry lately but am not sure if it is the BF...anyone else feel this way. I also crave sugar where I did not before. I am also breaking out a bit on my face...i am seriously considering going the condom route now...ugh. i hate condoms - I would be glad to hear if you guys are hungrier...I am curious to know if it is the pill or me...

Alison and Beany - clothes! Ha! I am in tights and muumuus! Well not muumuus but the baggy stuff I wore while pregnant! - I tried on a pair of my baggy prematernity jeans and could not slide them over my fat butt! I refuse to even go into my ****tail dresses so depressing!

Alison - you should avoid those ab exercises...try doing side abs and core breathing and resistance rather than the pumping up and down. I think it is safest to maybe see a physio or get a dvd or look up online some good exercises...The physio sacred the crap out of me - she told me "you can do abs if you want, and you'll have a 6 pack but pee in your pants " eeeesh!

And if it makes you feel any better, you should be really happy that you still fit into your "size" even with the muffin top! I used to be a size 4 american (I think that is an 8?) and even as small as a size 2 (so 6 i guess?) at the height of my fitness (hello, one year before getting pregs!) and I cannot even fit into my baggiest stretch pants which are a size 10, I am talking can't even slide them over my ass! Kill me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok enough whining - I am super tired so am complaining...Dh got the brunt of it tonight! He was like 20 minutes late from the gym and I was in a foul mood and my back hurt from carrying the baby since she would not be put down so I was late on her bath and she was grumpy and tired, so I got annoyed and very nicely ignored him for a good half hour - I did not want to yell so I kept it shut then explained to him that I needed him and that he works a lot and it would be nice if he could be here for bath time. He promptly bathed the baby then brought her to me for a feed then burped and put her to bed. I then proceeded to feel bad since he he really is so helpful and hands on and I was *****ing because he was 20 minutes late

On the good side I ran and speed walked (when I say speed walked I mean FAST) 5k at my training session today! I was sweaty but I could have gone for more! I was so happy and my trainer gave me a big hug and told me that he is happy to see how motivated I am. I didn't want to tell him I tried on pants earlier that day and toyed with the idea of killing myself! lol

But I am aiming to run a 10K race at the end of may, so I was really happy to see that I might have a chance at making it. It took me an hour to do 5K today, and I usually am able to run a 10K in about an hour, so I need to get back there...that is going to be my long term goal and if I get there, I'll be so so so so so happy and proud of myself. So here's hoping....

I am dead, need a shower and a sleep so am off to bed - I think tonight will be 10pm too...but two nights in a row is already not so bad...I'll get to the 9pm sleeptime one of these days!

bis kisses to everyone!