The Pink Dish: The Curse of the Ugly Belly Button

Before I went through 10 months of the baby-cooking business, I had a somewhat normal belly button. Nice shape, nice size. My belly button was an innie that never popped out during pregnancy. I thought that might have been a good thing but I guess the curse of the ugly belly button does not discriminate between innies and outies. The word that comes to mind when describing it now is this: crater. My question is: if my butt returned to it's regular size, then why on earth can't my navel?!

The answer: because I'm too lazy.

Here's the deal mommies with saggy belly buttons.....it's easy. No, it really is. You just need to know what to do and how to do it. Oh yeah, and you need a little bit of motivation. You would think that looking at this atrocity that some would call a stomach in the mirror daily would provide the kick start I need but apparently it's going to take more than that. First let's get one thing straight. These aren't magic exercises that transform you over night, or next week or even a month from now. It will need to become a habit of sorts in order to continue strengthening your deep abdominal muscles that became wimpy and limpy during pregnancy. Ok, so I mentioned that this is going to be easy. But here's the catch: it takes patience and concentration. Don't get in a hurry. The key is to be slow and controlled.

So before we begin the actual exercising, let's start with a warmup......

QUICK!! Name the first abdominal exercise that comes to your mind!!

Ok, who said "sit-up" or "crunch"?

Let me introduce you to Mr. Tranversus Abdominus (just a long name for deep abdominal stabilizing muscles). He sure is a needy little guy. But who can blame him....he gets ignored a lot! He won't respond to just any ol' regular crunch or sit-up. Nope, he needs special attention. And I know first hand what happens when he is ignored. He is settled deep underneath your superficial abs......

THE VACUUM EXERCISE

You can do this exercise in any position. Seated, lying flat on your back or standing. Very simple. All you have to do is pull in and contract the area below your belly button (try to keep your upper abdominals relaxed). Have you ever seen an informercial for those vacuum sealed storage bags that hold like a bazillion sweaters? Ok, it's kind of like that. Imagine a vacuum hose being attached to your belly button and pulling in the muscles below your navel. Hold this contraction for ten seconds as you slowly exhale. Build up to 20 reps.

THE BELLY TO FLOOR

Find a comfortable place on the floor to ly flat on your back with your knees bent. Arms should be at your side. Focus on pulling your belly in and imagining it touching the floor underneath you. Hold for ten seconds and don't forget to breath! Build up to 20 reps.

THE PELVIC TILT

Stay put on the floor, bend your knees keeping your feet flat on the floor. Arms are at your side. Lift only your pelvis while keeping your lower back on the ground. Hold the lift for three seconds and slowly lower back down keeping muscles engaged while lowering your pelvis. Build up to 20 reps.

THE STRAIGHT LEG

Ly flat on your back in a comfortable spot with both knees bent and arms at your side. Tighten abdominal muscles, bring one leg at a time towards your body then slowly straighten the leg and hold 2 to 3 inches above floor. Slowly bring leg back towards your body, rest foot on floor and relax your abs. Build up to 20 reps.

Not only are these great for your belly, but they also double as healthy back exercises! No stress on the lower back, pulling on or straining the neck like other abdominal exercises. These are exercises I instruct my patients on all the time. They work!!! And please, please, please whatever you do....

DON'T DO THIS.....