The Dia Method: 10 Minutes Flat 9 DVD Postnatal Fitness System by Leah Keller

After having two kids in less than 3 years I was looking for a work out that I could do safely postpartum. After my first child I didn't start working out until 9 months after due to just feeling exhausted and having no time. With my second child I enlisted more help and while it is still hard to find time I liked this work out because it is short (the minimum is 10 minutes a day) and is low impact. One of the complaints I have seen is that this workout isn't intense enough. I think this is intentional--I started working out 6 weeks after a c-section and did not want a super intensive workout. I have done P90x, P90x3, T25 etc. and while I think these systems are good, they are not what some one should be doing post-abdominal surgery. I'm in the medical profession and although you are "cleared" for normal activity realize that your abdominal muscles do not completely heal for many months (doubly so if you have had a c-section). I wanted something that would strengthen my core muscles without concern for developing a hernia. It was also great to know you CAN work your abs without crunches. In fact after doing this workout and listening to her tips about not bulging your abs I believe you could substitute some of the moves learned in this workout into other workouts and avoid crunches altogether. Another plus is that there are other moves to tone your arms/legs. I have been working out for 5 weeks (the first two weeks are very mild--5 minutes a day the first week, then 10 minutes the next week. After that you incorporate the other workouts into your regimen). Most of the other workouts are ~25 minutes so this is helpful when you have two kids and work. I can honestly say I've had big improvements in just 5 weeks--my husband commented that I had gotten my waist back and I can see definition in my abs. It's also nice to ease back into working out before I do some of the more intensive workouts I'm used to as I am not anywhere close to my fitness baseline. I think my baseline is average fitness (ie. worked out regularly but not doing iron mans or triathlons) and did work out for about 5 months of my pregnancy but at the end I was simply too tired to do anything regularly other than walk. This is NOT cardiointensive so if that's your goal again this is not an appropriate workout for you. Post pregnancy I got my cardio by going on long walks with the baby. So if you're looking to be back in shape in 2-3 months I'm not sure this workout is for you--if you're okay with taking things at a slower pace I believe this workout is a good first workout post pregnancy to safely get back in shape. I also liked the tips about c-section massage and moves to incorporate into everyday activities so you don't bulge your abs. I would recommend this to anyone who has recently had a baby--even those post c-section.

This product is absolutely a MUST HAVE for any new mom. I have been working out with the Dia Method program and I'm really seeing results - my abs are flatter than pre-pregnancy! Here is what I love about this product:1. It is a workout system - you get a total of 9 DVDs, including 5 full workouts, the essential 10-minutes flat (the secret to the flat abs), and additional tips and information! This is way more than what you would get from something like Tracy Anderson who has one dvd, one workout you have to repeat over and over. With this system, you get a variety of workouts for a full week (or longer) PLUS all the extras. The workouts are more than just abs, they are for full body. Leah knows what muscles we moms use most with our babies and the resulting issues (example: the breastfeeding hunch back), so she designs moves to counteract (example: the chest opener). She also knows that it's not just the stomach that is affected by pregnancy - somehow the hips, butt and thighs seem to expand, so she focuses on those areas too.2. You learn the secret to having truly flat abs - core compressions. The best part is you can incorporate these into your daily routine and literally do them anywhere - on the subway, in the shower, at your desk. I've taught all my friends (pregnant or not!) how to do these themselves.3. It feels like Leah is your own personal trainer - the videos are all shot in one long shot (not edited together), so she is talking right to you and working out right there with you, giving encouragement, explaining the exercises and making common corrections. She gives modifications and variety using real moms as her workout buddies.4. I love the tips! The system is designed for moms with information that we need, from working out safely and effectively post-pregnancy, to nutrition suggestions, labor / c-section recovery tips and more. We get the benefit of all of Leah's experience specializing in training pregnant and post-pregnant women for the last 10+ years. I love how she understands that moms need to multi-task, so every single exercise she teaches incorporates the core compressions - why wouldn't we want to workout our abs with every move?!5. It is based on science and the science actually makes sense. If you check out the product's website (thediamethod.com), you can learn about why it's critical to focus on diastasis (the "Dia" of Dia Method). The diastasis is what causes the post-pregnancy "pooch", and no amount of working out can cure the pooch - you need these exercises!6. You don't need any special equipment! You get the resistance band, and while she does incorporate weights, you could just use cans of soup if you don't have weights. Some other workout DVDs I've seen seem to require multiple sets of weights and benches.7. I love the digital option. I now can access it from anywhere, in hotel rooms when I'm traveling, or on the weekend at the grandparent's house.If you have any friends who are pregnant or recently had a baby, this product or its companion system, The Dia Method: BellyGuard Prenatal Fitness System, make an excellent shower gift. It truly is a MUST HAVE!

Things to consider -1. I bought this for my wife, and while her belly temporarily looked flatter, it instructs you to move in certain ways (for the rest of your life) to avoid undoing the "progress." Going the rest of your life never doing a situp because it could reopen the diastasis is Not a solution. It also does nothing to tighten the skin. My wife's diastasis reopened after a few months.2. If you buy the Dia Method on Amazon, you miss out on the website membership, despite paying the same amount. My wife was able to join the facebook group, but she never got to access the website members area.3. The creator, Leah, has never had a diastasis.4. The true solution was a mini tummy tuck. The doctor sewed my wife's diastasis closed, and her abs look great. She's thrilled with the results she could never get from The Dia Method. The cost was around $5,000, but it was money well spent, versus the money I originally wasted on this nonsense.Hope this helps someone else.

I ended up sending it back and tried the online version instead. I just wanted the basic workout, not the band and "diet" plan.

very simple and easy workout. poor diet recommendations/suggestions for vegetarians. pricey item for amount of useful information provided. nice simple combination core and upper body moves.