So today, I'm at 10 weeks and for the last couple of days, I've felt actually pretty good. I have been nauseous on an off, but nothing like the past 5 weeks. So hurray! My eating has improved dramatically as I've been able to keep veggies and other real food down like oatmeal and chicken. So if you're struggling, just know, that there is hope!
Today I was able to teach my spinning class like a champ, go to power yoga (with the necessary modifications) and go on a 75 minute walk. Hurray! I feel like less of a bump on a log!
Also today, I have noticed a lower abdomen pouch that I can't suck in...maybe baby?!?
Get outside and enjoy the weather KC mamas!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
The benefits of exercise durning pregnancy
Gone are the days where pregnant women were told to go home and put their feet up for the next 9ish months. Studies now show that exercising while pregnant lead to a long list of benefits to both mom and the baby.
So talk to your Dr. to get the go ahead and then get your growing body moving for at least 30 minutes a day and reap these valuable benefits.
*reduced fat retention
*shorter and less complicated labor (whoo-hoo!)
*higher energy levels during and after pregnancy
*quicker postpartum recovery
*faster return to pre-pregnancy weight
And those are just a few...but they should be enough to get you going. I mean, who doesn't want shorter and less complicated labor? Um...ME ME ME!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Morning Sickness almost-cures
I feel like I have tried everything under the sun to "cure" my morning sickness. Here's a little review of what I've tried and how it has worked (or not worked) for me.
Walking (CURE!) Walking has been a staple in my life for the last few weeks. When I'm walking (at a nice, quick clip), I feel amazing. It's really like magic. I recommend it!
Peppermint tea (ANTI-CURE!) Though many people swear by this, it makes me feel more sick.
Ginger tea (SEMI-CURE) I could go either way. It takes away a bit of the nausea, but not for long and only if you can stomach the smell/taste of ginger.
Ginger Chews (CURE!) I'm loving Ginger People Ginger Chews (original flavor). They are sweet and chewy and a bit spicy and I really think that they work!
Ginger Bits (ANTI-CURE!) These are actual pieces of ginger rolled in sugar. I'm not sure how many people were made to take a big ol' bite out of actual ginger, but I'm not one of them. Perhaps they really work, but I couldn't even swallow when I tried them.
Saltines (CURE!) Good for stomach flu too!
Eating a little bit every 2 hours (CURE!) I swear that every pregnant girl I've talked to has said the same thing...if I let myself go too long without food, I would pay for it in horrible nausea and/or vomiting. So eat like a bird...all the time and in small amounts.
Ginger Extract Capsules (SEMI-CURE) These little suckers actually help with the nausea, but they are pure ginger extract and they caused some serious reflux and heart burn for me...so be forewarned.
Mommy's Bliss Morning Sickness Magic (CURE!)Better than the ginger extract because they are just ginger, they also contain B6, Folic Acid and Raspberry Leaf Extract. I found mine at Whole Foods.
Zofran (CURE!) If you're Dr. is okay with prescribing this during pregnancy and you feel comfy taking drugs, this is the drug for you. It is like magic.
Sea Bands (SEMI CURE!) These little blue wristbands are available at drug stores. They work with pressure points on your wrists that somewhat help nausea (and are typically used for car/air/sea sickness). Check them out...
Please note that you should talk to your Dr. about any of these "treatments" to make sure that they are right for you. I call my OBGYN like every day with questions, so don't hesitate. They work for you right now!
Also, just because I gave something a "CURE!" rating, doesn't mean you will feel fantastic...it just means that they were really able to take the edge off so I didn't want to curl up in a little ball and die. AND, know that every one's pregnancy is different, what works for me, may not work for you.
Share your morning sickness cure by posting comments!
Walking (CURE!) Walking has been a staple in my life for the last few weeks. When I'm walking (at a nice, quick clip), I feel amazing. It's really like magic. I recommend it!
Peppermint tea (ANTI-CURE!) Though many people swear by this, it makes me feel more sick.
Ginger tea (SEMI-CURE) I could go either way. It takes away a bit of the nausea, but not for long and only if you can stomach the smell/taste of ginger.
Ginger Chews (CURE!) I'm loving Ginger People Ginger Chews (original flavor). They are sweet and chewy and a bit spicy and I really think that they work!
Ginger Bits (ANTI-CURE!) These are actual pieces of ginger rolled in sugar. I'm not sure how many people were made to take a big ol' bite out of actual ginger, but I'm not one of them. Perhaps they really work, but I couldn't even swallow when I tried them.
Saltines (CURE!) Good for stomach flu too!
Eating a little bit every 2 hours (CURE!) I swear that every pregnant girl I've talked to has said the same thing...if I let myself go too long without food, I would pay for it in horrible nausea and/or vomiting. So eat like a bird...all the time and in small amounts.
Ginger Extract Capsules (SEMI-CURE) These little suckers actually help with the nausea, but they are pure ginger extract and they caused some serious reflux and heart burn for me...so be forewarned.
Mommy's Bliss Morning Sickness Magic (CURE!)Better than the ginger extract because they are just ginger, they also contain B6, Folic Acid and Raspberry Leaf Extract. I found mine at Whole Foods.
Zofran (CURE!) If you're Dr. is okay with prescribing this during pregnancy and you feel comfy taking drugs, this is the drug for you. It is like magic.
Sea Bands (SEMI CURE!) These little blue wristbands are available at drug stores. They work with pressure points on your wrists that somewhat help nausea (and are typically used for car/air/sea sickness). Check them out...
Please note that you should talk to your Dr. about any of these "treatments" to make sure that they are right for you. I call my OBGYN like every day with questions, so don't hesitate. They work for you right now!
Also, just because I gave something a "CURE!" rating, doesn't mean you will feel fantastic...it just means that they were really able to take the edge off so I didn't want to curl up in a little ball and die. AND, know that every one's pregnancy is different, what works for me, may not work for you.
Share your morning sickness cure by posting comments!
Expectation vs. Reality
Once upon a time, there was a fitness professional princess who was ready to have a baby with her knight in shining armour Nate. She pictured the day when she found out that she was pregnant: she and her husband would hug and kiss and cry and then go to the gym and afterwards get huge salads and discuss the color of the baby's room, baby names, how to tell their friends, etc. The princess would work out every day for two hours or more like she did before, eat even healthier than imaginable to make sure that the baby got the best, most nutrient dense food possible and feel great for the next 9 months while gaining a total of 23 pounds of pure baby and extra baby-stuff.
REALITY CHECK
That was really what I thought was going to happen. I just knew that I was going to feel great, look great, eat great, and exercise great throughout my great pregnancy. Funny how things don't quite work out like we imagine, right?!
On February 22nd I took a pregnancy test...and then three more...and found out that I was indeed expecting a baby! It was very exciting. I woke up Nate with the news and there was not so much hugging and kissing and crying as there was a blank, sleepy eyed stare for a few moments followed by a "Neat!" A few hours later, when my husband had become fully awake, he was jumping for joy and hugging and kissing. I had been feeling really tired, bloated and just plain crappy for the couple weeks before that day, so we did not go to the gym and instead of going out to celebrate with a salad, we opted for First Watch, where I got pancakes, sausage and eggs, with a huge muffin on the side. It was delicious.
A few days after that, the morning sickness hit. Sidebar here...MORNING sickness? Yeah right...only if that means that it starts in the morning before continuing into an all day/night want-to-puke-fest. Nothing sounded good and exercise just seemed to make it worse. So I cut out exercise (except for 3 spinning classes and 4 yoga classes a week) and just ate whatever sounded okay to me.
Let me preface my new pregnancy "diet" by letting you in on what I normally ate each day. I was eating an equal amount of fat, carb, and protein calories a day. So tons of chicken, fish, protein shakes, nuts, and for carbs, I had a bowl of oatmeal, 1 sandwich thin and a crap-load of veggies. I stayed away from all sugar...including fruit which I would have on occasion and NEVER ate dairy.
Now, vegetables, chicken and fish make me run to the bathroom, or at the very least gag. The only foods that really make it down are macaroni and cheese, string cheese, cottage cheese, watermelon (pounds of watermelon), fruit loops, fruit leather and saltines.
I feel like I'm having an identity crisis...from super health nut, to health-what?! And I'm sure that I'm not the only woman who has ever felt like this. That's why I'm getting my Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Design certification. I want to help women be as healthy as they can be during their pregnancies and afterwards as well. Plus, what better way to try out a program than to experience it yourself, right?!
Moving foward at 9.5 weeks...
As I have good hours or days where I feel like I can get off the couch, I have been trying to eat a more balanced diet. And really, ladies, I think that is A-okay for now. This is what I figure...pregnancy is about survival...for you and your baby. You eat what you can when you're feeling sick and vow to eat better when you are feeling great. You exercise when you are able, but if your head is in the toilet, there is no use beating yourself up for not going to your normally scheduled kickboxing class.
So here begins my journey to divulge my struggle and hopefully success of a healthy pregnancy for both my tiny baby and I. I will be providing tips and tricks that have worked for me, recipes, exercise programs and more for the prenatal and postpartum woman.
Cheers to the next 7 months (Due Date: October 28th)!
REALITY CHECK
That was really what I thought was going to happen. I just knew that I was going to feel great, look great, eat great, and exercise great throughout my great pregnancy. Funny how things don't quite work out like we imagine, right?!
On February 22nd I took a pregnancy test...and then three more...and found out that I was indeed expecting a baby! It was very exciting. I woke up Nate with the news and there was not so much hugging and kissing and crying as there was a blank, sleepy eyed stare for a few moments followed by a "Neat!" A few hours later, when my husband had become fully awake, he was jumping for joy and hugging and kissing. I had been feeling really tired, bloated and just plain crappy for the couple weeks before that day, so we did not go to the gym and instead of going out to celebrate with a salad, we opted for First Watch, where I got pancakes, sausage and eggs, with a huge muffin on the side. It was delicious.
A few days after that, the morning sickness hit. Sidebar here...MORNING sickness? Yeah right...only if that means that it starts in the morning before continuing into an all day/night want-to-puke-fest. Nothing sounded good and exercise just seemed to make it worse. So I cut out exercise (except for 3 spinning classes and 4 yoga classes a week) and just ate whatever sounded okay to me.
Let me preface my new pregnancy "diet" by letting you in on what I normally ate each day. I was eating an equal amount of fat, carb, and protein calories a day. So tons of chicken, fish, protein shakes, nuts, and for carbs, I had a bowl of oatmeal, 1 sandwich thin and a crap-load of veggies. I stayed away from all sugar...including fruit which I would have on occasion and NEVER ate dairy.
Now, vegetables, chicken and fish make me run to the bathroom, or at the very least gag. The only foods that really make it down are macaroni and cheese, string cheese, cottage cheese, watermelon (pounds of watermelon), fruit loops, fruit leather and saltines.
I feel like I'm having an identity crisis...from super health nut, to health-what?! And I'm sure that I'm not the only woman who has ever felt like this. That's why I'm getting my Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Design certification. I want to help women be as healthy as they can be during their pregnancies and afterwards as well. Plus, what better way to try out a program than to experience it yourself, right?!
Moving foward at 9.5 weeks...
As I have good hours or days where I feel like I can get off the couch, I have been trying to eat a more balanced diet. And really, ladies, I think that is A-okay for now. This is what I figure...pregnancy is about survival...for you and your baby. You eat what you can when you're feeling sick and vow to eat better when you are feeling great. You exercise when you are able, but if your head is in the toilet, there is no use beating yourself up for not going to your normally scheduled kickboxing class.
So here begins my journey to divulge my struggle and hopefully success of a healthy pregnancy for both my tiny baby and I. I will be providing tips and tricks that have worked for me, recipes, exercise programs and more for the prenatal and postpartum woman.
Cheers to the next 7 months (Due Date: October 28th)!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
