Since recommitting to healthier eating and more exercise on March 31, my pants fit better, I feel stronger and leaner, and I’m down 6.6 pounds. On my frame, that’s pretty nice. Not noticeable to the eye or enough to drop a size, but still noteworthy.
As of my last weigh-in, I’m 0.4 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight … and that feels great. I gained 34 pounds this time vs. 25 last time. So nine months on; 6.5 months off (whereas last time, four months off). Continue reading “progress …”
There’s something really bizarre about knowing that I’ll be a second-time mom by next Thursday (and hopefully not sooner!). I had my pre-op appointment with my doctor yesterday and he’s growing exactly on track. She guessed 8.5 pounds; Luis and I think more like 7.5 so we’ll see who is right 😉 Continue reading “Knowing”
As I’ve mentioned here on my blog countless times, I am all about working out during pregnancy. It’s good for the mind, the body and the soul. It’s good for baby, and it’s good for mommy – especially when a mom already has a routine in place. And being active can help with post-partum recovery.
But with everything in life, moderation is key. And although I’m no doctor, I feel that just because someone is fit and healthy and CAN run a marathon and then deliver a baby hours later … or lift uber-heavy weights at CrossFit 8.5 mths along (the latest story in the news) doesn’t mean she should.
Of course, I’m not saying women shouldn’t exercise while pregnant–I’d be a total hypocrite if I did, given my own 6-7 day a week routine!!–but there are limits and boundaries and pushing yourself to the limits consistently isn’t exactly the smartest decision when the health and well-being of your baby ought to be one’s top priority.
It might come as a surprise to some of my readers that I feel this way.
After all, I talk a lot about fitness and pregnancy. Continue reading “Fitness, Pregnancy and Extremes”
I’m two weeks and a day away from this incredible, amazing, life-altering goat rodeo we call childbirth and motherhood, in which there are no real rules (only what works for you … which is subject to change) and in which it’s totally instinct-driven.
Of course, this being my second time on the proverbial goat, I feel seasoned. Prepared. Confident.
And totally scared out of my mind. Continue reading “What I’m Looking Forward to … And Not-So-Much”
Today I made the decision to stop formally working out for the duration of my pregnancy. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, but it’s the right decision for me right now.
For weeks, Luis has been asking me — OK, begging me — to take it easy and stop working out. Friends have asked if I’m sure I should be still doing Zumba/Body Pump/training. But I’ve been on the go and didn’t want to slow down. My logic (however twisted) was: “I feel good, I should do it now while I still can!”
And while there is truth to that — I do think being active during pregnancy is a good thing and will still say it’s been great for my mind, body, and soul — I also have not just been “active.” More like, I’ve not really taken many days off from working out the whole nine months. And it’s catching up to me … Continue reading ““Can” and “Should””
It’s somewhat hard to believe I’m really in the home stretch now … I’m two months and two days shy of Delivery Day …Â and the amount of stuff going on at work and at home between now and then is just mind-blowing. It’s going to fly by.
I snapped my 30-week pic before Body Pump this morning to add to my growing collection of bump shots. I am sure I look pretty silly still lifting weights, but I know how good it is for me and how strong it makes me feel … so I keep at it. Plus, someday, I want my kids to know that their mama was strong and fit … in case I should ever let myself go 😉 (HA). Continue reading “30 Weeks”
Maybe we are FINALLY turning a page with respect to post-partum body image.
When Kate Middleton stepped out of the hospital — not even 24-hours post-partum — she stood there, cupping her still-swollen belly looking absolutely radiant … and moms around the world cheered. Here she was, looking like we all do after delivering a baby: exhausted, puffy, and still looking 6-mths pregnant. Continue reading “A Turning Point?”
I never thought I would a mom who breastfed. My mom didn’t breastfeed me and the idea grossed me out for a very long time. Of course, as I got older I came to know/understand the whole “breast is best” philosophy spewed by everyone and their mom … and figured if/when the time came, I’d give it the old college try.
I just never expected myself to last as long as I did. Continue reading “Easier Second Time Around?”
* Note: this is NOT a sponsored post.
Oh, Rosie Pope … Pregnant in Heels? No thanks. I prefer Pregnant in Lulu. 🙂
About a year ago, I made my first lululemon purchase. At the time, I loved my totally cute and functional Target and Old Navy workout gear, and was sickened at the thought of dropping so much money on a pair of crops for the gym … It just seemed insane.
But I had a little extra play money for a trip to Chicago and figured, what the hell. Let me see what this much-beloved brand is all about. Would it make me want to retire all my other gear and become a brand advocate? I didn’t think so.
Sigh.
It was love at first luon (one of lululemon’s signature fabrics).
Within a month, I’d consigned all my old gear and was full-fledged on the lulu bandwagon. Continue reading “Pregnant in Lulu”
This pregnancy has been different from my pregnancy with Maya for a whole host of reasons.
1) Anxiety levels = DOWN. While I was an anxious mess all nine months of my pregnancy with Maya (with just cause), this go around, it’s not that I’m not anxious this time, but rather it isn’t consuming my thoughts. To put my mind at ease, I did do the prenatal testing I said I would, but I have a toddler demanding my time (rightfully so) and she is my top priority. In fact, unless I catch sight of my belly in a mirror or someone asks how I’m feeling, aside from the constant need to use the ladies room, it’s easy for me to forget I am six months pregnant. Last time I obsessed over each BabyCenter weekly update; this time I’ve only read a couple and don’t even know what size fruit/veggie Baby Boy is unless someone asks and I check TheBump.com (this week: cauliflower!). Continue reading “Second Time Around”
Let There Be Light 