Get In Shape Girl! Be-Fit Mom Review and Giveaway

November 24, 2008

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Taryn.

Pregnancy is one of the most joyfully humbling experiences a woman can endure. Up until the eighth month I felt so beautiful, particularly considering the fact that I was on bedrest for 21 weeks. During my pregnancy I never worried too much about the weight I gained because I figured that getting it off would come in time. So when I tipped the scale at 37 pounds over my starting weight, I wasn’t overly concerned, particularly since my doctor didn’t even blink an eye. Once I had my son, I assumed that the combination of breastfeeding and time would erase the pregnancy weight I had gained. Seventeen months later and I still have a visible reminder of being pregnant. Now I knew my body would change with pregnancy…but I thought it would go back to something resembling my pre-pregnancy body. I’ve been trying to squeeze in a workout here and there but honestly, my time is very limited. The only effective, long-term solution to a consistent exercise program is something I can do at home.

Over the last month I’ve been trying out Helene Byrne’s Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning DVD. Helene Byrne is a nationally recognized perinatal exercise specialist, fitness author, and certified personal trainer so I felt confident trying her exercises. The DVD features two progressive fitness band workouts suitable for all fitness levels. What’s really great about the program is that it can be started just days after giving birth (unlike most fitness programs). The first workout, Gentle First Moves features restorative exercises to speed recovery from labor and delivery. I like this workout because it isn’t strenuous and I imagine that I would have felt very comfortable starting this immediately after I received clearance from my physician (since I had a c-section). The program features stretching tight sore muscles, breathing, and abdominal contractions all while promoting proper positioning throughout. This workout will help you prepare for the second, entitled “Bounce Back Fast.” I have a separation in my abdominal muscle called Diastasis Recti and if I would have started these exercises initially, I would have been able to protect myself from further damage and begun the process of toning and flattening my stomach.

I found the second workout, Bounce Back Fast, to be both challenging and effective for me since my son is already seventeen months old. I have been inconsistently working out and cutting back on my calories but have basically been at the same weight for months. It seems like my body hit a plateau and I could not lose weight. I know this may not seem significant but I have lost 3 pounds since starting this program (normal weight loss is 1/2-1 pound per week). I’ve used this program to supplement my walking and have found the program targeting abdominal separation to be particularly helpful. Again, the focus of this workout is on strengthening your core and features exercises designed to target all four layers of your abdominal wall. This workout will help you flatten and tone your abdomen, realign and lengthen your spine, repair abdominal separation, restore pelvic floor muscles, and build upper body strength. The DVD features an alternative to the Bounce Back Fast program designed for women with abdominal separation, a self-test to determine if you have an abdominal separation, and a seven minute segment on pelvic floor reconditioning (something I fortunately do not need to worry about since I had a c-section).

The DVD retails for $21.95 and is available directly from the site. Complement this DVD workout with Helene’s book entitled “Exercise After Pregnancy: How to Look and Feel Your Best.” This comprehensive guide to reconditioning after pregnancy features a safe, easy to follow, effective three-step program to help you rebuild your postpartum body and prepare for the physical demands of motherhood.

Helene Byrne’s website is an incredibly useful resource for pregnant and postpartum women. On it you’ll find free information and advice on topics like exercising during pregnancy, pregnancy weight gain, and postpartum weight loss. I highly recommend visiting her site. You’ll be surprised at how much information you’ll find!

Win It! I have a copy of Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning on DVD to give away courtesy of Helene Byrne. Head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a two-part comment indicating why you’re interested in the DVD and one article you found particularly interesting, insightful, or informative. Comments will close on December 8, 2008 at 10 pm PST. The winner will be chosen on December 9, 2008. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Classy Mommy is hosting a fab giveaway for a Nintendo Wii!

I have wanted one sooo bad so I’m shamelessly plugging myself. It’s a popularity contest so head on over and sign up! Then, if you genuinely like me…if you like coming to my blog…vote for me and I’ll give you yet another entry. Of course I have no way of knowing whether or not you did so I will take your word for it because I’m so cool that way! : ) Please don’t just vote for an extra entry! I’d rather you do it because you genuinely want to do so!

Profuse thanks to Helene Byrne and the Family Review Network for this review opportunity.