Beautiful After the Belly

Diastasis Recti, Hernias, C-section and Ab Scarring, Belly Button, Pelvic Floor

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April 17, 2009

Can I give stuff with ASPERTAME to my child? How does it affect weight loss?

One of my “soapboxes” is sweeters. There are so many sweetners that are designed to sound “healthy” like “NUTRA” sweet, or “Splenda” (tastes sweet because its made from sugar, the commercials say), and Sweet and Low.

All of the have CARCINOGENS (you know,the cancer causing agents) in them.
For example, The 1976 Groliers encyclopedia states cancer cannot live without phenylalanine. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanin

Beyond that, several scientists believe that aspartame might cause altered brain function and behavior changes in consumers. And many people have reported the following side effects from aspartame:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome and symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis symptoms
Dizziness
Headaches
Menstrual problems

Aspertame actually turns into Fermaldahyde (Another MAJOR carcinogen) in your body and has adverse affects on your brain. This is because it is two amino acids bound by deadly METHANE, which converts quickly to Fermaldahyde (known to cause MANY problems in brain and nervous system, immune system, a DNA (genetic) alterations) in the body.

How was Aspertame approved? How many chemical agents get approved by the FDA – powerful lobbyists. The dangers found in trials and studies – squelched.

It has been know to cause brain damage in infants because it literally excites the brain cells to DEATH! It is BANNED in Europe for children’s products.

Pregnant women, PLEASE do not consume this. Aspartame dangers are the result of its chemical structure, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest aspartame dangers of all.

ALSO SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS – think of diet soda:
Aspartame also causes weight gain by other mechanisms —Causes unstable blood sugar levels, which increases the appetite and causes cravings for sweets/sugar. Thus it is particularly toxic for those with diabetes or epilepsy.

Causes fluid retention giving the body a puffy and bloated appearance. This makes people look fatter than they are and increases cellulite.

(quoting from the same doctor about weight gain)
After having been consulted by thousands of overweight people suffering with problems concerning the liver and/or metabolism I can assure you that aspartame will not help you in any way, indeed it will help you to gain unwanted weight.

Here is some more info on this:

The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame is a dangerous chemical food additive, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest modern tragedies of all.

Why haven’t you heard about aspartame poisoning before? Partly because the diet industry is worth trillions of American dollars to corporations, and they want to protect their profits by keeping the truth behind aspartame’s dangers hidden from the public. When NutraSweet® was introduced for the ‘second’ time in 1981, a diet craze revolutionized America’s eating protocols and a well-oiled money machine was set into motion changing modern lifestyles.

After more than twenty years of aspartame use, the number of its victims is rapidly piling up, and people are figuring out for themselves that aspartame is at the root of their health problems. Patients are teaching their doctors about this nutritional peril, and they are healing themselves with little to no support from traditional medicine.

OTHER articles I have state how Nutrasweet pays off both the AMA and the FDA every year, and have TRIED the same thing with Canada, but the bribe by them (Canada) was not accepted.

I used to give my kids “icebreakers” from Aldi. YIKES – not anymore!!!!
Have you heard about Aspertame dangers before?????
What else have you heard?

April 17, 2009

Can I give stuff with ASPERTAME to my child? How does it affect weight loss?

One of my “soapboxes” is sweeters. There are so many sweetners that are designed to sound “healthy” like “NUTRA” sweet, or “Splenda” (tastes sweet because its made from sugar, the commercials say), and Sweet and Low.

All of the have CARCINOGENS (you know,the cancer causing agents) in them.
For example, The 1976 Groliers encyclopedia states cancer cannot live without phenylalanine. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanin

Beyond that, several scientists believe that aspartame might cause altered brain function and behavior changes in consumers. And many people have reported the following side effects from aspartame:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome and symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis symptoms
Dizziness
Headaches
Menstrual problems

Aspertame actually turns into Fermaldahyde (Another MAJOR carcinogen) in your body and has adverse affects on your brain. This is because it is two amino acids bound by deadly METHANE, which converts quickly to Fermaldahyde (known to cause MANY problems in brain and nervous system, immune system, a DNA (genetic) alterations) in the body.

How was Aspertame approved? How many chemical agents get approved by the FDA – powerful lobbyists. The dangers found in trials and studies – squelched.

It has been know to cause brain damage in infants because it literally excites the brain cells to DEATH! It is BANNED in Europe for children’s products.

Pregnant women, PLEASE do not consume this. Aspartame dangers are the result of its chemical structure, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest aspartame dangers of all.

ALSO SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS – think of diet soda:
Aspartame also causes weight gain by other mechanisms —Causes unstable blood sugar levels, which increases the appetite and causes cravings for sweets/sugar. Thus it is particularly toxic for those with diabetes or epilepsy.

Causes fluid retention giving the body a puffy and bloated appearance. This makes people look fatter than they are and increases cellulite.

(quoting from the same doctor about weight gain)
After having been consulted by thousands of overweight people suffering with problems concerning the liver and/or metabolism I can assure you that aspartame will not help you in any way, indeed it will help you to gain unwanted weight.

Here is some more info on this:

The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame is a dangerous chemical food additive, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest modern tragedies of all.

Why haven’t you heard about aspartame poisoning before? Partly because the diet industry is worth trillions of American dollars to corporations, and they want to protect their profits by keeping the truth behind aspartame’s dangers hidden from the public. When NutraSweet® was introduced for the ‘second’ time in 1981, a diet craze revolutionized America’s eating protocols and a well-oiled money machine was set into motion changing modern lifestyles.

After more than twenty years of aspartame use, the number of its victims is rapidly piling up, and people are figuring out for themselves that aspartame is at the root of their health problems. Patients are teaching their doctors about this nutritional peril, and they are healing themselves with little to no support from traditional medicine.

OTHER articles I have state how Nutrasweet pays off both the AMA and the FDA every year, and have TRIED the same thing with Canada, but the bribe by them (Canada) was not accepted.

I used to give my kids “icebreakers” from Aldi. YIKES – not anymore!!!!
Have you heard about Aspertame dangers before?????
What else have you heard?

April 14, 2009

FLATTERING WORK OUT WEAR???

Its really hard to find CUTE workout wear that lasts in my opinion. Either it gets saggy in the bum, or it stretches out in the knees, or it fades, or it tears or SOMETHING.

So, when I was out in New York I heard from several fellow fitness people – LULULEMON

BUT, they warned, they are really expensive.

BUT, they said, they are REALLY FLATTERING

AND, they said, they make your BUM look CUTE. EVEN the higher sizes, if you know what I mean.

AND, they said, they will last a long time.

AND, they said, you can wear them to work out, or you can wear them as DRESS PANTS to a nice dinner or whatever.

They are VERSATILE, they said.

AND, they said, the REVERSE GROOVE PANTS, are black with both a foldover AND high waist band option on one side, and ALL BLACK on the other side.

TWO PANTS IN ONE!

There is even “DENIM” reverse groove pants that literally LOOK like Jeans, but are SOO comfortable, and you can go workout with them after dropping the kids off at school, and then look totally presentable for that doctor’s appointment.

So I am determined to find me a pair, but I DON’T want to pay $100 ish dollars (usually between $80 and 140 for pants).

I have been stalking the website http://www.lululemonportal.com/ where all the lululemon pants, or many of them anyway, are on display that are selling on ebay. I just missed an auction where some REALLY cute ones went for $33. I was really bummed.

COME TO FIND OUT, if you get a pair on ebay, and you live near a lululemon store, you can take it there and they will hem it for free, as long as they are clean.

If you have enough dough to spend on FULL PRICE in store, then before you leave they will have them custom hemmed for you if you want.

SWEET.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT WEAR? Do you have a preference? Is it worth it to you to invest in some nice workout clothes? Would it make it easier for you to WANT to work out, instead of putting on some sweats?

April 7, 2009

DIASTASIS RESULTS – what can 6 weeks do?

So I measure the diastasis of the women I teach on the 1st day of class, and 6 weeks later, on the last day. I give them each “homework” to do for the class.

They have to do 5 sets of 100 Seated Tuplers PER DAY to keep up with the progression of the class and to get results.

They are required to avoid ALL JACKNIFING, especially in and out of bed.

Many of them purchase “splints” to approximate their recti, which they wear at all times, but ESPECIALLY when they are lifting things, or exercising. This is diferent than those wide belt-like things they give you at the hospital, which rest on bones – pelvis and ribs. A SPLINT goes IN BETWEEN your ribs and pelvis to bring them closer together. This is a MUST for women who are over a 3 fingerwidth diastasis.

So, just a couple of results from 6 week class that just ended:

Virginia had a 4 fingerwidth diastasis in ALL THREE PLACES YOU MEASURE (3 inches ABOVE the belly button, AT the belly button, and 3 inches BELOW the bellybutton). When I went to remeasure her, she said “I think I forgot how to measure myself.” I measured her and she had COMPLETELY closed the diastasis in ALL THREE PLACES. No wonder she thought she FORGOT how to measure – she couldn’t find it anymore!

Jennifer is 6 months PREGNANT. She measure a 2 on top, 3 in the middle, and 2 on the bottom. Even though her belly is rapidly EXPANDING (constant forward force which creates or enlarges a diastasis) she CLOSED her diastasis on the top AND the bottom.

Normally I don’t measure after 1 week, unless I have been specifically asked. PATTY, a girl in a different class, asked me last night to measure her after 1 week. She was a 5 FINGERWIDTH DIASTASIS in ALL THREE PLACES. She had gone to a 2 3/4 on top, 3 in the middle, and 3 on the bottom, in ONE WEEK. That is SPACTACULAR and QUICK results.

A girl I am doing private training width, has a 5 fingerwidth diastasis all the way down. A SURGEON told her the ONLY way she can get it back together is with SURGERY. Well, with all due respect to his training, that is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!

March 31, 2009

Is this causing your "mummy tummy"

So I realized that in all of my blog posting I have never posted REALLY about

THE MUMMY TUMMY

which is what I specifically do my training, classes and seminars about. I found out about it when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. I didn’t think I had “split stomach muscles.” But when I was getting up from laying on my back, I saw this really weird (to me ALIEN-LIKE) ridge that was protruding from my belly. I was TOTALLY grossed out by myself.

So I purchased the book that Tami, my sister, had been telling me about called “Lose Your Mummy Tummy” by Julie Tupler. She had learned about the split stomach muscles called “diastasis recti” in Physical Therapy school.

So we got the book, and the video and started encorporating the exercises into classes we were teaching.

After I had Tyler it took me 5 months to CLOSE my diastasis. I was VERY diligent with the exercises. I did have a setback at about the 3 month mark because I was doing them WRONG and closing the BOTTOM part of my diastasis but enlarging the upper portion of my diastasis. However, after babies # 2 and #3, I was able to go from a 32 inch waist to a 25 1/2 inch waist. (I will say after #3, it only took me 11 weeks, because I was doing the exercises TOTALLY correct.)

Then one fateful day I contacted Julie Tupler by email and told her I thought her work was brilliant and did she have any training programs. Well, I didn’t expect an email back in all honesty, but not only did she respond, she said – after many phone conversations – that she could train us and come an do a presentation and meet us in person.

So now (rigorous training programs later) my sister and I are the only ones in the midwest certified to do “Maternal Fitness” registered classes.

But the greatest part for me is that I can help women bring their diastasis together. They FEEL so much better about themselves, not to mention they LOOK better.

I had one girl in one of my classes close her diastasis from a 5 fingerwidth diastasis, to a 2 1/2 fingerwidth diastasis in ONE WEEK, which was STUNNING!

I will post more about the exercises but I think EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. Your OB-GYN can tell you that you HAVE a diastasis, but are not trained to tell you how to BRING IT TOGETHER!!

One woman I taught last night was MAD. She told me, I have been doing CRUNCHES all these years (HORRIBLE HORRIBLE FOR PREGNANT AND POST-PARTUM WOMEN!!!!!) only to find out that THEY WERE MAKING THINGS WORSE!!”

She told me she would do CRUNCHES and actually get like a charley horse/spasm type of thing happen. I have had many women tell me this. In this woman’s case, she had a 5 fingerwidth diastasis. When she would do crunches, her abdomen would come forcefully forward, and it was not her muscles doing this – since she had a separation, but her INTENSTINES bulging forcefully forward. AND THIS IS VERY COMMON!! ( Its only a thin piece of connective tissue holding all your intestines in if you have a diastasis.) I told her to take that anger and to tell all the women that she knows!!!
It is HARD information to find and EVERY WOMAN needs to know about it!

March 30, 2009

THIS IS SCARY: Antibiotics given during labor cause CEREBRAL PALSY

So, I got this latest study by email, and YIKES!!! I thought this one was important to pass on. If you are planning to have more kids or are pregnant, or have friends that are pregnant, this is important to pass on so people can make informed decisions!!!

The use of antibiotics during premature labor may increase an infant’s risk of developing cerebral palsy, according to a study conducted by researchers from Oxford University.

“This highlights the importance of fully understanding both the immediate and long-term impact of the care and treatment that both mother and baby receive at this crucial time,” said a spokesperson for the infant care nonprofit Bliss.

In 2001, the largest study of premature labor in history (known as ORACLE) concluded that the antibiotics erythromycin and co-amoxiclav could reduce negative infant outcomes in some cases of premature labor – namely, cases in which the mother’s water had already broken.In the new study, researchers followed up on the children from the ORACLE study at the age of seven and examined their rates of cerebral palsy and related problems.

Cerebral palsy refers to a variety of physical disabilities caused by damage to the brain during early development. Up to 50 percent of cerebral palsy cases arrive in premature infants (those delivered before 37 weeks of gestation).The researchers found no negative effects among children of women who had been given antibiotics after their waters had broken.

But among the rest of the children, use of either antibiotic significantly increased the risk of physical or mental impairment, and more than doubled the risk of cerebral palsy.

While only 2 percent of premature infants whose mothers had not been given antibiotics developed cerebral palsy, 5 percent of those whose mothers were given both antibiotics did.

The researchers said that antibiotics probably do not damage the infant directly, but may contribute to the risk of cerebral palsy by artificially extending gestation.”We have a suspicion that infection is implicated in premature labor,” researcher Peter Brocklehurst said. “Antibiotics may merely suppress levels of infection to stop preterm labor, but the baby remains in a hostile environment.”

Health professionals emphasized that the study findings should not make pregnant women with severe infections afraid to use antibiotics, as such infections can also severely harm an unborn child.

March 24, 2009

100 CALORIE PACK PET PEEVE!!!!!

This is a RANT post about the DIABOLICAL marketing pracitices of companies like “Keebler” “Nabisco” etc.

100 CALORIE packs are, for the most part, the BIGGEST JOKE to all mankind.

It doesn’t matter if you are just getting “100 calories” of JUNK, its STILL JUNK.

Oreos that are 100 calories will STILL elevate your insulin levels, and will STILL cause Love handles, Spare tires, Thick Waists.

It might SOUND really good to think you are just getting 100 calories, but it is STILL CHANGING the chemistry of your body with most of it being trans-fat/sugar treats.

If they were called “100 calorie Sugary TransFats” would they sell???

Just another ploy to make people think they are making a healthy decision, when in fact, its a very unhealthy decision.

ANYONE else want to vent about these?!?!?!? Do you get annoyed with these companies that try to make you think you are being healthy?!?!? “ERRRRGGGG!!”

March 24, 2009

Quinoa part of "TOP TEN BEST FOODS EVER"

I was first introduced to QUINOA by Suzanne Sommers cook books, which pretty much taught me how to cook, really understand and see through labels, and use vegetables, herbs and spices in a way I never knew you could.

ANYWAY, Quinoa was one of the best things I learned how to use and utilize and WHY!! If you are TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT, you MUST replace it with your starchier grains like WHEAT, POTATOES and CORN with QUINOA. MUCH easier to lose weight by cooking with it partly because it carries the most protein of any grain. And you need PROTEIN to feed your muscles, which burn the most fat for you without you even doing anything. SO….

HAVE YOU EVER COOKED WITH IT? WHAT RECIPES DO YOU MAKE WITH IT? SHARE WITH US!!!

I will say your best bet is to buy it from a health food store or online. The best deal I have found for it is $2.15/lb at a health food store. Trader Joes and Whole Foods now charge $3.99/lb (BOO!)

Here is a little about it:

Pronounced (keen-wah), David Zinczenko, author of The Abs Diet Ultimate Nutrition Handbook, lists quinoa–a grain, as #7 on his ranking of the 100 Best Foods Ever.

(The top ten: Berries, Eggs, Yogurt, Black Beans, Kiwifruit, Almonds, Quinoa, Salmon, Oats, Spinach/Kale, Mango, Tomatoes.)

Although still relatively unknown or unused in the majority of the world, with the exception of health food enthusiasts, quinoa has been prolifically grown throughout the mountains of South America since 3,000 B.C. Growing easily at higher altitudes and in cold dry climates, the grain assisted in the development of great cultures. The Incas considered it to be the bread of life.
Quinoa is a single species of the Chenopodium genus–it’s not in the grass family like wheat or barley. A perennial, salt-tolerant plant, growing from 1.5–6 feet tall, it bears red, black, or white small flat seeds known as quinoa. The seed itself is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids 8.75%, protein 16.2%, and starch 65.2%. Rich in calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, it is also a good source of the B vitamins. Its composition of amino acids is balanced (lysine, methionine, cystine), from which quinoa receives the “perfect food” title. A half cup has 374 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat– less than 1g saturated.

Today quinoa can be steamed and ready, replacing any grain, in 15 minutes. For the kid in all of us, pasta versions are available as well, most always gluten and wheat free.

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED IT?!?!?

March 19, 2009

Is your head protruding forward from bad posture????

This becomes common in moms, nurses, computer workers, architects – any occupation where your job causes you to look down quite a bit (changing diapers, cooking dinner, dressing kids, nursing – ALL COUNT!!!)

So what do you do so you dont end up like those old ladies whose heads are permanently damaged from doing this?

Simple exercise – move your head back in its place by pretending like a wall is coming towards it, then relax in the “back” position. Do this at LEAST three times a day.

SAVE YOURSELF from a very uncomfortable head posture and all its ramifications (vertebrae out of place, etc)

Its also looks much more ATTRACTIVE!!

March 18, 2009

Intermission in NO SUGAR…YES….

So I had a brief intermission after 4 1/2 weeks of no sugar. It was lamentable, yes. But part of me figured – well – its the halfway point between when I started and when I am ending..in may. So I thought to myself, we are allowed to have a brief intermission or two – it just has to really be worth it. I think the next time will be on April 12th, which is Easter. And yesterday being a holiday as well – St. Pattty’s Day – well, I see a trend.
So, if you haven’t started eating NO SUGAR TIL MAY yet, there is no better time than NOW – after the intermission! JUMP ON BOARD!! You can take an intermission at Easter – just don’t go crazy.

That’s acceptable, I believe!!!