After my first pregnancy with my daughter, Cadence, I lost the pregnancy weight quickly - by my 6 week postpartum checkup - but size-wise I was about a 12 or so for months afterward.

With my second pregnancy with my new daughter, Heidi, I gained about the same amount of "extra" weight while pregnant as I did with Cadence - about 60 lbs. It didn't really seem to matter if I worked out regularly, ate super healthy or not. (Natalie, my identical twin came to the same conclusion with both of her pregnancies too - maybe it's genetics or something.) Anyway, I wasn't too worried because I know T-Tapp can take it off again.

I T-Tapped a lot more while pregnant with Heidi than I did while pregnant with Cadence. I even participated in the 30-Day Ladybug/Critter Crunch Challenge between weeks 20 and 24. (I omitted Organs In Place and the Ladybug exercise.) I kept up with skin brushing, and only got a few stretch marks extended this time around (with Cadence I got a gazillion). I found that working out regularly (at least every 2-3 days) helped immensely with my sciatic pain and back aches from the extra weight in front. I used the T-Tapp stance whenever possible to minimize aches and pain as well. I worked in our pizzeria - either as cook or waitress - up until delivery and my feet would ache after being on concrete floors for 7 or 8 hours, but I didn't have the swelling problem in my third trimester like I did with Cady. I attribute that to more regular T-Tapping and brushing.

Heidi got evicted early, during my 36 1/2 week routine doctor's visit I was told they would have to induce me. She was born weighing 5 lb. 14 oz. I focused on establishing our breastfeeding relationship and helping her gain weight in the first month or so. Once the doctor cleared me for exercise, I attended a special pelvic floor dysfunction prevention session for new moms with a physical therapist. A lot of what she said I was doing already with the T-Tapp stance to rebuild that area and the muscles that went through a lot to carry and deliver a child. (No surprise there - it was basically to do the butt tuck and transverse abdominal tightening AND Kegels.)

This time around, having 2 kids and trying to get our pizzeria business going, I've had even less time to myself to workout (or even use the bathroom!), but I have managed to fit in at least one workout a week, and I've been brushing every day (sometimes twice a day). I found my journal of my first pregnancy and had written in weight and other notable things throughout the weeks. There was one date that said, "jeans don't fit anymore :(" That was at 10 weeks pregnant and about 10 lbs. LIGHTER than I am now, and I'm wearing those jeans. So even if I'm still not down to my pre-pregnancy weight, I'm wearing my jeans. Granted, my abs are still somewhat like a deflated balloon, but it's cinching up a LOT faster this time. I'm sure I'll be back to better than before pretty soon, and without starving myself, working out like a crazy person or hiring a nanny to watch my kids. That's why T-Tapp rocks - it CAN fit into my schedule, no matter how crazy it is.

Heidi's first day home.

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