Lose Your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tupler, Jodie Gould Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lose Your Mummy Tummy
Book Review: A mixed bag
Summary: 3 Stars
A little about me: I am a yoga and Pilates instructor. I am also a mother of four and my last pregnancy was with twins. I have a diastasis recti and have spent a few years trying to "fix" it.
The good things about this book: First, she lays out what you shouldn't do. Shouldn't is important because you don't want to worsen- ie, widen- your abdominal separation. A lot of traditional abdominal moves (and some Pilates) will worsen that if you don't know what your condition is and what you need to be careful of. She also gives tips for holding a baby and getting through day to day life. In addition, the workout she lays out isn't just for the abdominals but also includes movements for upper and lower body.
What I didn't like: I felt, as did a previous reviewer, that her centerpiece exercise focused on the transverse abdominals. Yes, I completely agree that those are essential. However, my transversus is very strong but I still sometimes have the appearance of a "mummy tummy" because my rectus is much less developed. Because of the diastis, it's difficult to train. There are a bunch of other women in my position, I know. I was disappointed that this book didn't lay out ways to safely train that layer of muscles.
My next gripe was the way she seems to single out Pilates at times. Yes, the explosion of Pilates has meant that a lot of people are both learning and training Pilates without enough thought to safety, and some movements when done improperly can make the abdominal separation worse. However, the exercise Tuppler recommends throughout her book is also used in many if not most Pilates classes: essentially, its lateral breathing with an emphasis on transversus engagement. In fact, most well-trained Pilates instructors, whether Classical or not, will tell you that you need to master that movement to properly do Pilates. Maybe Tuppler doesn't realize that, but that's a big oversight.
Finally, I really didn't like the emphasis on the Splint Tuppler advises using throughout the exercises, which, by the way, Tuppler sells for about $35. Yes, she does also advise a scarf, but even so I can't help but feel like she's trying to sell me up.
I think this can be an effective technique for many people if you have an abdominal separation. However, it's not perfect and it isn't the only game in town.
Book Review: Addresses only a part of the problem
Summary: 3 Stars
Here's my opinion after getting the dvd and splint. I am tall and in normal weight range, but with a 5 mths pregnant looking belly after delivering a big baby just over 2 yrs ago.
-As some reviewers have pointed out, the instructors attitude needs an overhaul.
-The book would have been better titled 'heal your diastasis recti'. If its indeed the mummy tummy that is being addresses, it could include all associated problems that go along, like belly fat, weak facia, loose skin etc.
-I was told to wear 2 splints as a result of having a long torso and having all the seperation and fat- the ugly pouch, below the belly button. The lower splint is harder to wear; there are barely any instructions. this lower splint shifts and does not stay put where it ideally must even with the smallest movements- which hard when one is unable to fix it, like when stuck in meetings or driving. its certainly not easy to keep in place if you have wide hips like mine.
-The elasticity of the splint is of poor quality given the high price we pay. In a week of wearing it, it has started going out of shape. the splint has become lax this soon and I have not yet washed it.
- the splint possible acts as an external device to minimise the appetite- I have a smaller and lesser appetite since I have begun wearing it.
-The exercise promise a smaller mid- so given the lesser appetite and developing a stronger transverse, I still hope my mummy tummy will appear smaller.
I wish the splint is redesigned to accomadate the entire lenght of the torso, right from the ribcage to lowest part of the belly where the c-sec cut is, three parts that are attached in the center at the back and still cross over like the current one does. In a better grade elastic too.
So if all you have to do is heal the diastasis recti, this may be the program to pick. So I intend to follow through for the next few month and will post the results; I would not be happy ordering the splint time and again though, given that its not cheap. For the other mummy tummy issues, find help elsewhere. Time will tell if I will increae or decrease the stars.
Book Review: Awesome results!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book! I ordered 'Lose Your Mummy Tummy' a few weeks ago and have seen fantastic results. I have had four children in seven years and after the last one a year ago my body has not bounced back. These are the only exercises where I've seen changes and seen them rapidly.
In addition to these exercised I have started running again and that in conjunction with the ab work has been a wonderful transformation.
I've been using a splint and have noticed my hernia above my belly button greatly reduced. I'm not sure if this will reduce it or completely heal it.
Book Review: BIG SNORE, NO SCORE
Summary: 2 Stars
FOrget it. I am an ivy league grad who had a hard
time following this book. It is bland and boring.
And so complicated--who has time to follow all
of it.
What a waste of money!
Book Review: Excellent, comprehensive and effective.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a truly excellent book which offers a comprehensive plan for protecting and strengthening stretched and separated abdominal muscles. As a qualified doctor (in a very different field!)it was a huge relief to finally come across an account of how exercising transversus helps a diastasis that makes sense in terms of my understanding of the anatomy of the abdomen. Instructions for the exercises are detailed but easy to follow after the first initial slower read-through, and the clear photographs also help. Advice about movements to avoid is also invaluable, and far more thorough than I have seen elsewhere.
Finally, and most importantly, it works! Even starting two and a half years postnatally, the upper part of my diastasis closed within weeks of starting the program, and my abdominal muscles are generally much stronger and better toned. I would highly recommend this book to any post-natal mum.