What this pregnancy has done for me

The state that I am currently in has certainly changed the direction of this blog, but I would rather it reflect part of my life rather than just fitness. I love fitness and I love that people come here and can leave educated in the realms of health and fitness but I also want to document me too. 

 Pregnancy has lately been an everyday topic in my life and as you can tell for a woman as she continues to grow it becomes more and more a topic of conversation. This pregnancy has been a total eye opening experience for me and I can tell you that it is because I am a more mature woman and this is the last pregnancy that I will ever have so I made it a point to embrace this closing chapter of my life. 

I recently have been obsessed with watching pregnancy vlogs on youTube and reading birth stories on others blogs as labor and delivery now that I am at 33 weeks has become something that is coming in the very near future. I am getting everything ready for the baby, getting the closet ready, finishing the purchased of things that I will need for when she is here and then it is just a waiting game. 

I have learned many things in this pregnancy (I always hated being pregnant before this one) that have really humbled me as a person. I have learned that I can be healthy no matter what it is simply a matter of choice and mind over matter. I learned to listen to my body and when I am tired to seriously listen to myself because taking care of me in the form of rest is essential for me to be a good person all around to all people in my life. I have grown closer to my husband by telling him the things that are wrong and I have leaned on him to help me around the house more often. I don't have to do everything for this family I should let others be involved as well. 

 I have also learned to just let things go. Success has been something that I have been craving since my divorce and I thought that at one point that adding more to my plate would help me to succeed. I took on photography and coaching and everything under the sun like being a fitness instructor and really.......I am successful where I am. I have a job that pays me well, that allows me to be with my family, and I have a family that I need to take care of. Being pregnant has really forced me to slow down and to look at things differently which makes me happy because I finally have peace and balance in my life. I mean we are not all perfect and some days are hectic and crazy and being tired doesn't help (darn you third trimester!) But I have come out on top in just sitting back and looking at my blessings as exactly what they are. 

My baby brought me peace of mind and I know that she will drive me crazy but she has helped realize that we all just sometimes need to stop focusing on what is happening tomorrow and focus on the present and smell the roses. Being pregnant has humbled me in a way that I could not have even imagined that it would have. Now, don't get me wrong I am still a strong willed person but I now know that I don't have to do everything in order to be everything to everyone and money isn't everything. Thank you my little one and God for bringing this wonderful new way to light in my life!

32 Week Bumpdate

Baby Growth:  By now, your baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. (Source: Babycenter.com)

My Symptoms: I have been very tired and I have been out of gas by 6 at night. The only thing that keeps me going is that my husband lets me sit down and read (he doesn't let me but he very generously picks up the slack like dishes and bath time). I have been going to be between 8:30 and 9 during the week and staying up until 10:30 on Saturdays which is much like my first trimester. I am not AS tired as I was then but it's pretty similar.

I have been feeling VERY swollen even though it doesn't seem like I am. My fingers and ankles get the brunt of it but I am nowhere near Kim Kardashian in that department. I have been drinking lemon water to help alleviate it but it doesn't seem to be helping as much as when I wasn't pregnant but helps me feel better overall. 

Weight/Belly: +32 pounds and I feel every single pound of it and I am starting to feel EVERYTHING. My belly has gotten noticeably bigger it makes me happy to know that she is growing in there but in the same respect it is making for more uncomfortable sleep. During the day I am just fine with my preggy belly :)

Maternity Clothes:  YES! I went out and bought 2 more shirts to go with my leggings because the belly is starting to make all of my shirts mid-drift shirts and while that is the style now don't nobody want to be seeing that mess LOL and I don't want to be showing it either.

Movement: Very much! She is starting to jab a bit harder now which still surprises me but makes me happy too. She is getting stronger in there! She is way more active at night than during the day and I am praying that changes when she pops out! I do not want to be up all night with little Ms.

Sleep: It's been going. I have been getting up to pee more often and it is getting to be really bad. I am averaging 3-4 wake ups at night. I stumble to the bathroom and sit there with my eyes closed LOL. I am just reminding myself that it is just my body preparing me for the babies arrival. I am really tired during the day but I find that I wake up a bit after I workout which is a big relief and I know that once the baby comes I will be able to gain some energy from my workouts later on.

Workouts: I have been walking 3 miles 4 days a week and doing the Slim and Tone Pregnancy DVD 2-3 times a week. I did do Upper Fix from the 21 Day Fix with a girlfriend from work and it was nice to be able to lift again so I may throw that one in this week as well for a better upper body workout I am not a fan of the Slim and Tone one for just an upper day. I have been averaging a 6 time a week workout.

**BBL Update: I was not able to finish the 30 day challenge because of my SPD which really stinks! I can't wait to be able to lift my legs again LOL I know that sounds so crazy but I did the High and Tight workout and it was excruciating to do the leg lifts :( I am totally going to have to do that challenge after I have my little. *******

Cravings: Cake cake cake cake and can I say Cake! I don't seriously DO NOT like cake that much but cakes and donuts have been something I have been obsessing over!

Goals for the Next Week: Not to eat JUNK food! I have been indulging WAY too much!

30 Week Bumpdate

Baby Girl: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. (source:Babycenter.com)

My Symptoms: This week and last week has been really exhausting! I have been tired tired tired. I can't ever get enough sleep and I find myself maxing out on my caffeine intake because I HAVE to stay awake due to the demands of my life and my job. For those of you out there that do get to nap APPRECIATE IT!!! I sure wish that I could! 

I for sure feel weaker, my workouts have been slowing down. I made it to the gym 4 times last week which was really good and I walked at least 3 miles every day. My toning has been lacking because my husband and I have been just so busy and tired that getting 20 minutes of toning in seems like trying to fit in an hour! It's bee pretty lacking. 

Heartburn has made its way in and so have nasty cravings. I try to resist them but most of the time I don't and portion out what I want to eat. I have also been very moody and don't really want to talk to anyone. People annoy the UH HM out of me but I try to smile and keep going but inside I just wish to be left alone. :( Sad I know, I am seriously a pretty good social person, not lately though. 



Weight/Belly: I am up about 30 pounds now. I am starting to swell for nothing which really stinks but I try to keep that down with lemon water and watching what I am eating and that has proven to be really really hard lately. Everything has salt in it!


Maternity Clothes: Yes, they are starting to fit tight which really stinks because it's so late that buying anything sounds dumb but I did give in and bought 2 pairs of workout pants because I really needed them.


Movement: Yes She is still hanging out REALLY low! I always have to use the bathroom but she can keep on moving. I feel a bond with her every time that she moves! It's been an interesting experience with this little one. I am trying to enjoy every moment ache and pain knowing that she is a  complete blessing to our lives and it is my last pregnancy.

Sleep: I have been getting sleep but it is broken with going to the bathroom and we will just say that make up has been my best friend ha ha ha! I have mastered a 5 minute face routine LOL. I SO desperately need it. One of the girls I work with told me that I looked absolutely exhausted (I wasn't wearing makeup!)

Cravings: This week mangoes and cakey things have been my serious craving! 

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Passing my glucose test!!!!!!

Goals for next week: Eat more vegetables, eat less junk food, pack my lunches for work every day this week! 

Thoughts: I can't believe that I am so close to seeing my little baby. It is absolutely amazing to me! I can't picture her but I can. I imagine what she looks like and how we are all going to adjust to a little GIRL in the house! We couldn't be more excited! 


 

30 Day Brazil Butt Lift Challenge while pregnant - Day 1

We all know that I am pregnant and if it wasn't obvious I will post some pictures.

Breakfast from a few days ago.

Get ready to kick your booty!

I wanted to partake in a challenge for 30 days of Brazil Butt Lift. It is a low impact workout that will help me feel like I did workout. I would have done it sooner but I had let my sister borrow it and I was waiting and hoping she would return it while I was pregnant so that I could do it LOL. 30 days of BBL! Whewwwww! I don't know what exactly I am getting myself into but after today's workout and carrying an extra 23-25 pounds sheesh it is going to be a feat that's for sure LOL.

I am going to document every day by logging what I am eating as well as every week giving up something that is unhealthy and I will let you know how that process goes! 

I am doing this because I would really like a challenge and I feel like I have been really relaxed  with my eating and I don't want to pile on the pounds in the last 12 weeks of my pregnancy like I am probably on the road to doing. I don't want that to happen so I have to be proactive and present in everything that I am doing instead of being mindless and giving in to every craving or wanna be craving that I have.

I am going to go with the combination plan since I really don't have an aim to any change of shape ha ha ha! I WILL be skipping the ab workouts but will do all the other ones. I feel like giving myself this challenge will also help me with another type of challenge group that I am working on that I am super excited about presenting!!!!!


So today I had BUM BUM it is a 25 minute workout that is body weight and cardio based and I sweat like an animal LOL. It was nice to get such a good workout in, in 30 minutes. I feel great after having done it even though I waited so long to get the darn thing done! 

My meals for today were........(if I eat anymore today I will update it in tomorrows blog post.)

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs, 5 mango slices, 1 piece Ezekiel bread with 1 TBS peanut butter and 2 tsp jelly.

Snack: 1 banana and Chocolate Vegan Shakeology with water.

During my 2 snacks I was taking my son to the airport to go back home so eating airport food was not on my agenda! Nor on my wallets!

Snack: 2 handfuls of salted roasted almonds.

Lunch: Panera Bread Turkey avocado BLT on sourdough 1 bag of kettle chips and a pickle water to drink. 

Dinner: Chicken soup with brown rice.

I plan on giving up CANDY for 7 days!!!!!!!! Jesus help me!

That is all I have for today!

Week 27 Bumpdate

Baby Girl: At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter.

My Symptoms: This week has been great but so many things have changed it seems like. It seems that I am going to be going through this weekly. I have been feeling more tired but energized all at the same time. I am off this week and sleeping has been phenomenal. Not having to wake up at 5:30 AM has been such a blessing. I just got back from my awesome Bombshell Retreat and boy did they wear me out! ha ha! I came back SO tired I didn't think I could be that tired again but 12 hours of sleep in 2 days will certainly throw you for a loop right?!

Let's see. I am tired but not all the time, I am getting out of breath faster. The stairs are my nemesis and there are only like 10 of them LOL. My workouts are suffering and I have been having to slow down BIG time but I am ok with that.

Weight/Belly: I am up 22-23 pounds depending on what I eat and when I eat it but I am ok with that. I am going to try and keep that down. With traveling and all that, eating has not been a priority meaning healthy eating has not been. My belly is well I feel like it couldn't grow anymore but we all know that it will ha ha!


Maternity Clothes: Yes, I am wearing them but I still fit into my yoga pants and I bought some Small and Medium Tami's from Old Navy so I wear those around the house a lot. I really only wear maternity when I am leaving the house which is rarley ever so I guess I am mostly in reg clothes! :) 


Movement: Yes she is moving and kicking me but she really likes to hang out at the bottom of my belly she rarely comes up above my belly button and I am counting my blessings for every day that she is not all up in and around my ribs.


Sleep: I have been getting up to go potty every night now which really stinks BUT I am sleeping well. Next week it may be a different story ha ha. 

Cravings: Still raisins and mangoes. Vegetables seems to have left but I only really eat them around dinner time. 
  Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Having everyone I didn't know at the retreat tell me how great I look for being pregnant. It is nice for people to be real with you.

Goals for next week: Eat more vegetables :) 

Thoughts: I can't wait to see my girl. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her all up. I really want to relax more than ever but all I can think about is her and what she is going to look like and how everyone is going to be reacting to the new bundle that is joining the family. I feel so blessed that I am having a great pregnancy and despite some of the discomforts I am enjoying taking care of this little one in my belly!

Postpartum Plans

I have been pretty obsessed with my post pregnancy plans. It happened to me when I was pregnant with my second child. I was tired of being BIG and carrying all that weight. I was also pumped because my husband bought me an iPod and I went out and got myself some new sneakers and all that ha ha. I was READY but still had a baby in there. Now, it seems that I have the same itch ha ha. The only exception is that I want to go back to my normal workouts! I still have a long time to go but I am really excited to get started toward my new body.

I recently registered for the 2014 Wine and Dine Half Marathon that is now SOLD OUT. That thing sold out in a week! You better believe that I was on my phone on the treadmill at 12:00 on the dot buying my ticket and my husbands after party ticket! I wasn't going to miss out on this adventure. In December I already knew that I wanted to register for this half marathon. I put it on my goal board and it is going to come true ha ha. I just hope that I will be strong enough to do the damned thing come November as I am only going to be between 4 and 5 months postpartum ha ha.

I also plan on doing P90X to tone back up. If anything I will do the 3 lifting days and the Yoga day and leave the rest to pounding the pavement. I think I should be ok there with that, if it becomes too much than I will re-evaluate and take it from there.

I also plan on walking as soon as I feel up to it even it is a mile or half a mile or so just to keep my body moving. I couldn't imagine being so active for 9 months of pregnancy to just do nothing for 6 weeks. That's not to say that I am not going to rest relax and enjoy my teeny baby, but I am not going to be sedentary the whole 6 weeks either.

For my diet......I don't really know. I think I am just going to keep it VERY clean and not worry about calories and all that, but more about eating as healthy as I can as I plan on pumping my milk for my baby. I am going to cut out all the junk food and indulgences that I have been having on a daily basis and go somewhat on a detox of that stuff and just eat good, green, and healthy :)

We shall see what the future hold for me. This plan is best case scenario as we all know life doesn't always go as planned but I am happy to finally have a road map planned out for me.

Week 25 Bumpdate

My baby this week: The average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (from thebump.com).

My Symptoms: This week I have been feeling SUPER tired. I can feel the third trimester rearing it's little freaking head around the corner. I can't believe that I have a little over three months left with this little baby in my belly. I can't wait to see what she looks like but boy oh boy am I feeling like this pregnancy is going by way too fast. This week overall I have been feeling very overwhelmed with the obligations that my husband and I have, work, and preparing for this baby has gotten me feeling out of sorts. It's not so much that we need to get a lot of things for her, it's the lack of things that we need that have me feeling frazzled and forgetful about it. Nesting has really hit me hard. I re-did our living room and today I cleaned up the basement which is a task that I have wanted to complete for weeks now and it is FINALLY done and organized :) 

Weight/Belly: I am up 20 pounds and I have not worked out as much this week. I did the treadmill twice this week and a barre class. I had a photography shoot this weekend so I just went ahead and didn't workout Friday because I was on my feet all day and today is my rest day. Tomorrow I will commence my Barre classes. I was doing Barre3 but I realized that I had to modify too much so I gave in and bought Suzanne Bowens Slim and Tone and her Long and Lean workout to do. I am going to do the 4 days a week alternating each with 30-45 minutes on the elliptical. My belly is doing well it is just getting big. There are no stretch marks or anything to tell you about :) 


Maternity Clothes:Yes I am wearing them. I recently bought 2 new dresses and a pair of leggings to wear. I think that is all I am going to buy LOL. I just need a few things for when I get so big I don't know what to do with myself and something to wear this summer after the baby is born that is comfortable. So far I only have 4-6 shirts, 3 dresses, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of leggings. That's not too bad I suppose.

Movement: OH YES My little mamacita is moving like CRAZY and I love it. I can see her through my belly now it's pretty cool and creepy to see at the same time LOL

Sleep: I am sleeping well overall. I just wish that I could sleep some more! I am starting to have the third trimester effects hit me and I am TOTALLY not ready for that! ha ha!

Cravings:Raisins and mangoes are my thing right now. I have also been shunning vegetables again. I am going to have to start making my smoothies again ;)

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: I didn't really have one really. All I wanted to do was sit in bed all day and relax and we were so busy that didn't happen. I am ready to just chill and relax and have super nice weather all the time!

Goals for next week: Ok seriously! Get my registry done workout every day this week and relax a bit more! 

Thoughts: I am truly enjoying my pregnancy and I am SO excited that I get to have one more little baby in my life. I am seriously blessed by all the love and kind words that have been offered for my baby and I. I am TOO excited to have a girl and can't wait until she gets here so we can hangout. I am a bit worried about the dynamic that we will have in the house and it will take some getting used to and I feel like it is normal to have these feelings. I cannot wait!