I can't do a sit up!

vashtiuthpisces
vashtiuthpisces Posts: 4 Member
edited 12:57AM in Fitness and Exercise
I am continually frustrated by my inability to do a single sit up. I had three cesarean section surgeries in six years, and five years after the last I still feel like my body is absent the abdominal muscles necessary to get even my shoulders off the carpet. When I attempt a sit up, I often get a very uncomfortable cramp in my abdomen - something that feels like my muscles are tied in a knot. It's not painful, per se, but is extremely uncomfortable.

At any rate, I'm in need of some advice as to how one might repair their abdominal muscles after such a traumatic injury as THREE C-sections. Are their other exercises that I can do to build up/repair the same muscles?

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Do you have diastasis recti? Have you spoken with a doctor about this? I would lay off the attempted sit ups and check with the doctor.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    I agree with pp, not just c sections but pregnancy in general can separate your ab muscles and you can make it worse, check with a doc and be sure of what you're dealing with...
  • determined_14
    determined_14 Posts: 258 Member
    edited March 2015
    Besides, there are way better ways to work your abs than sit ups. I especially like stabilizing work while lifting heavy weights, and plank work. Just google "no crunch ab exercises" and see what you can find! (Agree with the above commenters though-- check with a doctor or physical therapist first to see what's safe for you to attempt. :) )
  • vashtiuthpisces
    vashtiuthpisces Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you so much everyone for your responses. I'll make an appointment tomorrow, and see what we can discover!
  • vashtiuthpisces
    vashtiuthpisces Posts: 4 Member
    Wow. I went to the chiropractor and my doctor and both confirmed that I have a huge diastasis recti. I'm thankful to have an explanation, and a clear path of safe fitness in order to correct it. Thank you all so much for your responses!
  • JessieLMay
    JessieLMay Posts: 146 Member
    vashtiuthpisces wrote: »
    I am continually frustrated by my inability to do a single sit up. I had three cesarean section surgeries in six years, and five years after the last I still feel like my body is absent the abdominal muscles necessary to get even my shoulders off the carpet. When I attempt a sit up, I often get a very uncomfortable cramp in my abdomen - something that feels like my muscles are tied in a knot. It's not painful, per se, but is extremely uncomfortable.

    At any rate, I'm in need of some advice as to how one might repair their abdominal muscles after such a traumatic injury as THREE C-sections. Are their other exercises that I can do to build up/repair the same muscles?



    Ive ha3 cswctions in 3 years, last one only being 8 months ago. I cant fully sit ip, but those arent the best sit ups anyways. Start slow. Idk what diastasis recti is, but it sounds like it cpu'd be foxed. And again, start slow lol
  • raneishastassin
    raneishastassin Posts: 12
    You might have diastasis recti! I just had my first child and I can't do situps anymore either! It's so frustrating especially since I had a pretty strong core before pregnancy && did tons of ab workouts! But mine seems to be getting better I'm only 7 weeks postpartum! I've been doing gentle exercises to help reconnect the abdominal muscles! You should try some! I do pelvic tilts quite often, also splinting where you manually push the muscles together while doing these gentle workouts! Many tutorials on YouTube for it!
  • raneishastassin
    raneishastassin Posts: 12
    raneishastassin wrote: »
    You might have diastasis recti! I just had my first child and I can't do situps anymore either! It's so frustrating especially since I had a pretty strong core before pregnancy && did tons of ab workouts! But mine seems to be getting better I'm only 7 weeks postpartum! I've been doing gentle exercises to help reconnect the abdominal muscles! You should try some! I do pelvic tilts quite often, also splinting where you manually push the muscles together while doing these gentle workouts! Many tutorials on YouTube for it!

    Just saw your recent post and glad you got it worked out!
  • vashtiuthpisces
    vashtiuthpisces Posts: 4 Member
    I feel a bit like someone just cranked up the difficulty level of my life, much less my workout. I have an abdominal belt, and have ordered the Tupler Technique kit. The hardest part is re-learning how to move and lift things when you're so squished (and focusing on your transverse abdominals so much)!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    vashtiuthpisces wrote: »
    Wow. I went to the chiropractor and my doctor and both confirmed that I have a huge diastasis recti. I'm thankful to have an explanation, and a clear path of safe fitness in order to correct it. Thank you all so much for your responses!

    I just saw this. It's one of the few times in life that I am sorry to be right about something :/ I guess at least you are now on a path to heal. I hope that the Tupler kit helps.
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