Pregnancy was “the best” experience of my life.  I am grateful to be blessed with three beautiful daughters and I wouldn’t change anything for the world.  I often reminisce about the way my babies moved around in my belly.  I remember it clearly like it was yesterday, and my daughters love it when I describe how each of them kicked and squirmed around.

What I didn’t like was the changes that happened to my body after childbirth.  Like many women, I suffered from a condition called Diastasis Recti, also known as abdominal separation.

***Warning, this may be TMI (too much information) to some!***

After three pregnancies, I was left with a 2″ gap down the center of my abdomen. I thought it was irreparable and simply accepted it along with my stretch marks.  Well now, I can attest to the fact that there is hope!

Please click here to read more about what causes Diastasis Recti, how to find out if you have it, and what we can do together to correct it.

I am amazed at how women’s bodies can adapt to the changes of pregnancy and delivery.  I am even more amazed at it’s ability to repair itself through proper nutrition and exercise! I honestly had to see it myself to believe that the gap had closed!

From my transformation photos, I still have my tiger stripes,  but I am no longer self-conscious about having them.  I came to realize that it marks my journey to becoming a mother and how fortunate I am to experience having life grow inside me.  When I competed at the IDFA Championship, half of the women on stage had stretch marks; honestly, they didn’t think it was a big deal.  In time I know that my stretch marks will fade and the bit of loose skin that I have will continue to tone up with exercise. The most important thing is that I am no longer repulsed by my Mommy Tummy and my tiger stripes.  In honor of my children, I wear them proudly and that’s all that matters.