Jeans, Veggies, Ballet, my back, and Thank you!!

Submitted by create4 on May 13, 2011 - 9:46pm
Body: 

I am a new Christine fan and have my own success story even though I only found her just a few months ago. I truly believe God led me to her website! And I can't believe that in only a few months I would notice a difference even in what I considered pretty mild symptoms.

Shortly after my 40th birthday in January of this year I went in for my yearly exam with my midwife/ gynecologist. A year before that visit which was when my fourth child was 18 months old Beth told me that I was pretty saggy and that Kegels probably wouldn’t help much. I had been desperately trying to master the art of them again, but really not feeling much success with them.

This visit she didn’t have to tell me that the sagginess was worse. I could tell that my cervix was even lower than before and I had felt a tiny bulge. She asked if I had any problems with incontinence to which I answered not really, but when I need to go I know I shouldn’t wait too long. She wanted to bring in one of the doctors from the practice to give his opinion. His prognosis - uterine prolapse, rectocele and cystocele – all new and scary terms especially when he showed me the picture, of each separate ailment and then all three together, emphasizing that I had the worst case scenario – all three at once.

So what to do about it? Take it out, he says – the falling uterus that is. But what other possibilities? I asked. A pessary, but that is for really old people, he said. I left the office with a few pamphlets and a lot of worry. The idea of not having a period sounded fine, but a hysterectomy, taking part of me out – I wasn’t too keen on that idea. A phone call with mom confirmed my gut feelings – that a hysterectomy can lead to many more problems. I knew I needed to check it out and research this one well.

The very first site I was led to when I typed uterine prolapse into my Google search was Christine Kent and I almost immediately felt relief and that I had been led to something true and right. I ordered her book and DVD and began reading and changing some simple things and they have made all the difference. Now two and a half months later that little bulge that I had been noticing has disappeared and stays away when I am sitting and standing correctly and doing her exercising DVD. I am so thankful that this was caught now and that I found Christine. As I’ve read and learned and tried, I’ve had that feeling of wanting to shout it from the rooftops so that women, especially those I care about, won’t have to deal with this or worse.

Other improvements - when I'm in the WW posture which was tiring at first, now it really seems to also help my back and hips which have given me a lot of problems especially during the last 10 years with the four pregnancies. I'm loving the DVD and feeling more graceful. I'm working on eating better and trying to lose weight. The abs are the challenge, especially because I don't want to do anything that would undo all the WW work I'm doing. The forum has been great - what a wealth of knowledge and experience. What an incredible unified power of compassion and understanding you all are!

I can't even really think of any questions that I haven't found answers to here in the forum. My biggest adjustment/frustration is really my clothes. I do like jeans still, but they and really any pants cut right into my gut that I'm trying so hard to lose and the crotch seam irritates, so I've been wearing skirts and dresses as much as I can. Any success finding comfortable pants or jeans?

kiwigirl

May 13, 2011 - 10:57pm

Welcome Create4 (in case you haven't been welcomed before ) that's great news to hear! I am post meno so quite a bit older than you,still waiting for better results, but certainly lost the painful abdomen feeling and I know what you mean about clothes. Don't know if I'll be much help in one way but given that Ive changed my views about what I wear, a lot, in the last 10years, I thought I'd give you another view....I dress more to please myself and my lifestyle now than I ever did when I was younger.I find layering my clothes gives me more warmth in winter. I have a lightweight pair of jeans with a little lycra side zip and are very plain but slim legged and very comfortable. I bought them here in NZ but they are an Australian brand...suzanne grae. They came in denim blue and denim black. And a pair of heavier ,like a non fluff trackpant material, pullons in a jean styling with studs and belt loops. I live in these at home and casual, when Im not doing the layering thing.I am a chameleon dresser anyway.Bought them neat fit but not tight , they both stretch when worn, back to original shape after washing.
Think about layering as it enables one to use clothing otherwise not worn.eg any length of legging according to the weather,a fitting but comfortable tee or long sleeve top, and then a skirt or longish top over this. I have all sorts of short summer dresses I do this with and for winter I have merino mix shift length knits I wear a l/s cotton top under and merino tights, thicker merino or wool jacket cardy, and long boots.Most of my clothes are bought cheaply in sales over the years . If I like the piece then I usually find a way to layer it in.
I hope this is some help to you or perhaps any other reader may find so.
PS sometimes its hard to find the right tights with a soft non restrictive waistband, I find that easier to go to the bargain stores for.I do have a good quality merino dress with a soft waist belt that is nice too. And leg warmers can be put over tights for a funkier look.Good luck!

louiseds

May 14, 2011 - 12:09am

I now look for soft, wide double lycra waists, like yoga pants, my absolute favourites.

I have also designed my own trousers pattern that has deep, self-fabric pockets in the side seams and a looseish elastic waist. The slit in the side seams goes right down to my leg break and almost up to the waist, so, when I sit, my belly expands and opens the side slits out wide so my belly doesn't get squashed. When I stand the pocket falls beautifully back into a neat slit. I haven't yet worked out how to make them in a slimmer leg, but it is not a high priority for me anyway.

Making the pocket an extension of the back pieces of the trousers means that there is one continuous piece of fabric right inside the pocket. When the slit expands there is no seam between trouser and pocket piece - very neat! It is actually a pleat and pocket in one.

If you have a slim waist you could also make them shaped at the top, with a zip so that they fit your waist better without so much gathering and waist bulk. I am almost straight up and down from butt to waist so I don't need a lot of gathering.

I make most of my skirts from stretch ribbing, which is available in many colours and hangs beautifully, cut to cling to my widest measurement, with just a casing for wide, non-curl elastic at the top and a simple blind-hemmed bottom edge. So simple! You could easily make skirts from my trouser pattern as well.

Louise

create4

May 14, 2011 - 7:26am

Thanks kiwigirl and Louise for the tips. I do sew, but haven't sewn anything for myself in years. Maybe I'm up for the challenge. I'm trying to wrap my head around what you were describing, Louise. I'll have to try again when the two year old isn't climbing on me and whining. Glad to be here with you all!

doubtful

May 14, 2011 - 9:43am

Hi Create4

So good to hear about your success with WH. I too have been here less than a year but have made a lot of progress and have an urge to go round 'rescuing' women from doctors like the one you encountered ( because I encountered one too.) Jeans - I'm forty seven but jeans were my thing too and giving them up was hard. Last month I discovered Dorothy Perkins maternity jeans. Okay - shop in uk - can order online from everywhere ( just be careful to convert UK sizes) pretty cheap and huge range of sizes and styles.

I know you might think 'yuk - maternity jeans' but honestly you would never notice. I'm thin and like to wear quite fitted stuff, and all that's different about these from ordinary jeans is a soft fabric belt on the lowcut waist. With my expensive sunglasses on (for hayfever but they hide the lines and shadows) lipstick and these jeans, I have attracted quite a few wolf whistles. ( Shame I can't keep the sunglasses on in the winter!)
I am being superficial and not acting my age - but it's a great morale boost. All this range of jeans do is not cut into your tummy. Apparently Gap do a good range too - more expensive but some women here swear by them.

Hope this is some help but happy continuing improvement anyway.

Doubtful

Christine

May 15, 2011 - 4:57pm

Hello Create4,

I'm so happy to have you here and thank you with all my heart for doing this work, getting results, and sharing your success with all of us!

To work your abs safely, lie down on your back and raise your legs 90 degrees (feet pointing toward the ceiling). Raise your whole head-shoulders-arms-upper back off the floor and hold. Do wide scissor motions with your legs, keeping knees totally straight. This is certainly more stressful on the pelvic nutation/pelvic organ support system because the lumbar curve is harder to maintain in this position, but it is not deleterious as is lowering your legs to an obtuse angle. I like exercising my abs in this way and have committed to losing my spare tire by doing more safe ab exercising.

Wishing you well,

Christine

create4

May 16, 2011 - 8:54pm

Thank you Christine! I was so excited to hear from you and I really appreciate your advice. I'll definitely try this ab exercise. I've been doing some reverse crunches with my legs up and crossed. I searched a couple of months ago through many old posts in the forum to see if these would be safe. I vaguely remember one post saying that there had been a video of you doing something similar. Is that right? And are they safe? What's your opinion? I've been trying the Fat Burning Furnace workouts, which are strength training exercises using body weight for various parts of the body. But I remember you saying in your book somewhere that when women attempt to strengthen their so called core with strenuous exercise that they place their pelvic organs at risk. Does this mean push ups, plank, and reverse crunches would also be placing the pelvic organs at risk? I don't want to undo anything I'm trying to correct with the Whole Woman work.

Another success story - I hadn't really spoken to anyone about this whole prolapse stuff, except my mom who was very interested and has started sitting differently at work. But just this weekend I finally took the time to share my new found knowledge and experiences with my four sisters. That's the best place to start! And I'm hoping to find more chances to spread the word. It's a tricky topic, but I sure would like others to know about it! Thanks for all your research, work and wisdom!!

alemama

May 17, 2011 - 12:27pm

I do them with no probs

louiseds

May 17, 2011 - 9:07pm

Create4, I think your body will tell you if they cause a problem. Be aware of the vulva sensations.

I agree with Alemama, and would add that the secret is to have gravity acting in the correct direction, ie away from your vagina, and to keep your lumbar curve intact to push your organs forward, and maintain the 90 degree angle at the cervix, between vagina and uterus.