Mommy Tummy

your abdominal muscles could still be separated from your pregnancy, in which case, no matter HOW good a shape you're in, your stomach will "pooch out". If you lay on your back and do a gentle crunch and put your fingers on your navel, you shouldn't feel more than a 1-finger split. If you do, you need to do some exercises to help correct this. I suggest the book "Lose your Mummy Tummy" by Tupler (dumb name, good book). Also, once you've corrected the abdominal muscles, Pilates does wonders. The Chicago Park District has great classes by me for cheap. Probably at other locations too.

I'm assuming your 'plants' are actually 'planks' - raising up on your forearms and toes, holding that position 30-60 seconds? If so, then those (along with side planks) are good deep core stability exercises that work the transverse abdominus.

The other thing to keep in mind is that your nutrition needs to be top notch. You can do all the planks, crunches, twists you want but if you don't eat properly then all you wind up with is a well-insulated six-pack of abs. Cardio can also help burn off some of that fat (it won't spot reduce, but it will help decrease overall body fat).

For your back, you may want to pair your ab exercises with lower back core stability exercises such as cat-camel and bird-dog. These are very common lower back exercises, so if you google or youtube them you should be able to find them.

Good luck!

this reminds me of when my 7 year old described my butt as "squishy', LOL

Get this book - http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Mummy-Tummy-Julie-Tupler/dp/07...

Here's a DVD too - http://www.amazon.com/Get-Mummy-Tummy-Millie-Dobie/dp/B00...