Wearing Belts

Submitted by Amish Fan on January 18, 2010 - 10:53pm
Body: 

I'm new to the group. I have seen Christine wearing various belts on the DVD. I noticed that when I wore jeans that come below my stomach, I seem to feel better. Do belts do the same thing and why does Christine wear belts? What are the guidelines to using them to assist prolapse.

Christine

January 19, 2010 - 12:37pm

Hi Amish Fan,

I wear belts to keep my pants up, to enhance the look of clothing, and to reinforce the lines of WW posture. I often say that belts and "waistbands" that are high in back and low in front help tip the body into correct posture and it sounds like you are finding this to be self-evident as well.

My favorite clothes are A-line, beltless dresses that completely free my body of pressure. Next are long shirts and low-rise leggings. For going out I love t-shirts (which I alter by cropping the sleeves, taking darts through the waist, and scooping the neck) worn over long, gathered skirts pulled together with a big belt worn high in back and low in front. I buy jeans with similar lines.

Clothing can be very useful in helping to reduce prolapse symptoms. I am always amazed that I can be feeling very symptomatic and have that completely reverse after a few hours of running errands in tight and belted clothing. The key is all about natural proportion and reinforcing that with clothes.

:) Christine

Ribbit

January 23, 2010 - 9:50pm

How do you find low-rise leggings? I've had an awful time with clothes since the baby's been born (she's my fourth, so it's not like postpartum body is a shock to me). It's different this time because of the prolapse. I'd like to wear jumpers and such, but nursing in them is a big pain! I'd like to wear skirts, but I can't tolerate the waist bands. I have one pair of pants that are comfy. One pair. One. I wear them all the time because they fit without too much annoyance.

I used to wear jeans constantly. Now I can't stand them. Even my maternity jeans with a wide elastic band are too tight.

bad_mirror

January 23, 2010 - 10:56pm

Hi Ribbit

For low-rise leggings, try the GapBody line by Gap or Victoria's Secret. :-)

louiseds

January 24, 2010 - 12:13am

Hi Ribbit

I can just see you in long, thin Kermit green, shiny lycra leggings! ;-)

The other suggestion I would put to you is yoga pants with their wide, stretchy waist band, that you can comfortably fold down to make lowrise. I have also seem similar skirts. I wouldn't be surprised if you can also get leggings the same. I like leggings to wear under skirts in winter, or with floaty wrap around skirts in summer. Another suggestion is fisherman's pants, those big, wide, straight above-the-ankle trousers that you fold the sides across the front, and either fasten with a wide hipster belt or with self ties that are set into the side seams.

cheers

Louise

Ribbit

January 24, 2010 - 9:18pm

Okay, I will look (when DH can babysit).

Kermit green? I can do Kermit green. :D

The belt idea does not sound comfortable right now.

maja

January 30, 2010 - 9:35pm

Christine, is there a pattern or a ready made source for the lovely dresses that were worn in the Fairy Dance and what was the fabric? That dance brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it, it is so beautiful.

Ribbit

January 31, 2010 - 9:19pm

I'm not much of a crier, but I tear up when I watch the Fairy Dance. I guess when I watch it I feel so hopeful that I will heal one day.

maja

January 31, 2010 - 9:41pm

Yes, exactly!
The dancers look so loving and carefree, it truly is inspiring to watch. :)

louiseds

February 1, 2010 - 4:49am

There is a wee faerie in all of us!

Christine

February 2, 2010 - 12:31pm

Thank you so much for these dear words about our fairy dance - it represents as much to me as it does to you: healing, prevailing, becoming....

Our original version was actually five minutes long (!) but we decided not to use it in FAFP. I was going to teach the whole thing, but figured that was way over the top for most women, so we just used a very tiny bit, which we performed in our neighborhood park (that has the most beautiful circle of huge elms!)

Yes, Maja, the dresses were a pattern, which is long gone unfortunately. In fact, I just threw away all the custom patterns I made for the different women - we had five originally - because they were gathering dust and I didn't think I'd need them again. The original pattern was just a common home-sew pattern like McCalls or Butterick. I ordered all the cotton jersey on line (don't have that info any longer either), which worked out well. There was no margin for error given that I ordered just enough fabric, but the dresses went together easily enough, thank goodness.

I don't know that we'll ever do it again, so I'm grateful to have that little clip. How lovely that others appreciate it too!

Love from Christine

Christine

February 2, 2010 - 12:35pm

Did anyone notice the flock of birds that flew through our dance a couple of times? And how about the ravens that came out of nowhere and circled above my head at the end of the dvd as I sat on the mountain cliff! I was so astonished that I blew my lines, but we were able to use some of the footage anyway. I figured it was a good sign. :)

maja

February 2, 2010 - 5:37pm

:) Yes indeedy. Quite an artistic stroke of luck. They added to that wonderful feeling of joy and strong healing energy.

Amish Fan

April 2, 2010 - 10:59am

Hi, there. I'm back again and still wondering if anyone has any ideas about belts. Louise, are you out there? You gave me some great suggestions about pants last time.

Ribbit

April 2, 2010 - 2:12pm

Thanks for bringing this back up, Amish Fan.

I've had a hard time with clothes as well. I can't wear jeans. The feeling of a seam across my cervix is indescribably horrible. I can only wear knit pants with a low crotch, which look frumpy on me. :P The stretch pants and tunic idea sounds nice, but it makes me look even more top-heavy than I already am. I like skirts, but the waistband irritates me.

I'm pretty frustrated right now. Nothing feels comfortable except a nightgown.

Ah! I do have something good to report! I had complained about underwear before, but I dug out my maternity undies. They're GREAT! They have a waistband like yoga pants. They easily fold up or down without extra bulk, and they've very stretchy. Really, really nice.

louiseds

April 3, 2010 - 4:21am

Hi Ribbit

If you like yoga pants, and dislike skirts with a waist band, how about making skirts with a yoga pants-style waist band?

I don't really wear belts, preferring stretch skirts with loose elastic waist Christine's crafty belts I have seen on the DVD. I rather like the idea of a wide, distinctive belt slung around my hips. They would finish off the oversized linen shirts I like wearing over tank tops, and stop me looking quite so like an armchair that has been covered with a throw for the holidays!

Louise

alemama

April 3, 2010 - 7:29am

Hey Ribbit
If you feel great in a night gown then start thinking gowns!
you really can wear these beautiful dresses anywhere.
glad you figured out the undies situation
grab some pregnancy yoga pants while you are at it!

Go with the maxi dress
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandhealth/gallery/2007/apr/26/fashion?pict...
and the wrap dress will feel great too
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i244.photobucket.com/album...

wow that was a long link

Ribbit

April 3, 2010 - 8:55am

LOVE the maxi dresses. I could definitely do that. But....how I do I breastfeed a baby in a dress??? I feel like I'm stuck with skirts for a while. I suspect I could remove some waists from skirts I find too tight and adjust them with knit material.

I need to get the timing on my sewing machine fixed.

I'm sitting here all crooked in my chair to keep my knit pants from irritating my cervix. Grrr.

And let's see....How do I come up with money for a new wardrobe? We are a one-income family.