I've been there

 Sometimes it is easy for people that haven't known you long to assume things. I have had people tell me that they don't think I know their struggle because I am thin.  Or was thin before I got pregnant with Gabe.  

The fact of the matter is, my struggle with weight started long before that.  If you have watched my YouTube video you know how I packed on weight my first year of marriage.  

March 2010

April 2010

 Just before our first anniversary we learned we were pregnant.  It was an exciting time.  But that extra weight was combined with even more pounds packed on with pregnancy.  I didn't exercise.  I ate what I wanted.  I had reflux, heartburn, and back pain a lot throughout pregnancy.  

37 weeks; my heaviest weight

After Hudson I vowed to get lose the weight.  I hated my body.  It tormented me because nothing fit.  But notice, I vowed to lose the weight.  It wasn't about health, not yet.  I just wanted to look better.

The weight came off but my body still wasn't where I wanted it to be.  By the time Hudson was 14 months, I was still in a pant size that was bigger than typical and we were pregnant again.  

It was after Beau (our second) that I knew something had to change.  My body didn't like the crap I was putting into it.  I was unhappy and felt unattractive to my husband.  I also knew that I wasn't teaching my kids good habits if I wasn't being an example.  I worked really hard to change my body, my eating habits, and my overall health.  I connected with Beachbody products and FINALLY got results that I could be proud of! 

Before Beachbody. 6 months post partum with Beau

Feb 2014 size 2 

8 months using Beachbody products

Yet here I am again.  I am blessed with another baby and trying to get my body back.  This time I have the tools I need to get back to feeling good.  I had the best pregnancy because I chose to workout and eat right.  I recovered much quicker from my c-section this time.  

4 weeks post partum with third baby

Here is what I am telling you.  I have been there.  I have been at the point where I didn't think I could ever get the body I wanted.  Where I could ever just feel good about myself.  But I did.  And I will again.  And you can too!

Know that I understand the struggle. I have learned how to use exercise and clean eating to achieve results.  I want to share that with you.  The question is, will you let me?

Late pregnancy workouts

Oh hello 39 weeks! You are a sight for sore {tired, up many times a night} eyes!

There are so many great ways to workout during pregnancy that are safe for you and baby.  But as you come closer to the end of your pregnancy, those workouts might not be as comfortable anymore.  You may feel more winded, more pressure, or just not quite be up to the same level of activity.  

I know for me about 37 weeks I didn't have the same "oomph" going on during my workouts.  I wanted to listen to my body so I stopped doing PiYo and changed my routine last week.  I know I am still getting a good workout but definitely feel more comfortable with this level of activity until baby comes {which, really, any day now is fine sweet boy!}

Walking
For the past two weeks I have been walking around 4 miles a day.  Now, to be clear, I do not do all four miles at the same time. I usually take a walk in the morning and then again after dinner. I do this for a couple of reasons.
     1) It's August.  It's hot.  And I am pregnant and not super quick.  So a four mile walk would take around 45 minutes or longer and that is just not pleasant.  I also have my boys on the walk and they can only last so long at my slow pace in the stroller so we break it up.
    2) Should I go into labor, I do not want to be exhausted.  Most doctors say walking is wonderful exercise as this stage, can help with labor by keeping you in shape, but also advise not to walk too long because you can exhaust yourself before the ultimate workout of delivering your child.  

If you think plain, same pace walking seems a little boring, change it up with some intervals or change your route, throw in some hills, etc.  Here is a great little interval training that will give you a good burn. 

Yoga
While I stopped Piyo, I have been doing yoga.  Yoga is completely different than PiYo because it more stationary, I can choose poses to stretch out areas that need focus, and I can also focus on my breathing to deepen the stretch.  There are several great articles and tips of late pregnancy yoga.  I have been doing some flow of down dog, chaturanga into up dog, cat/cow, pigeon, warrior series.  I have also been holding a low squat pose which you can modify by doing against a wall if your balance is off.  

Really any stretching has been wonderful and relaxing, especially as my legs have felt restless these past couple of weeks. 

Strength Training
There are all kinds of strength training exercises you can do to keep your body active.  For  me, this little circuit has been great.  It targets different areas of my body, doesn't completely exhaust or strain an area and is something I can do several times through to get in a good burn. 

Whatever the case, for me, staying active has made a HUGE difference in my overall health during this pregnancy and has helped to alleviate a lot of the discomfort I experienced before.  What do you do to stay active? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

I don't have to, I get to

We are in the home stretch friends! Single digits of weeks left in this pregnancy {I will deliver at 39.5 weeks because of a scheduled c-section, although I guess it could be sooner. Prayerfully not}

Third trimester has hit full force! Anyone else recall the third trimester just kicking your butt? It hasn't been that bad honestly.  I just would like to nap by about 3 pm! I also know that getting more than six hours of sleep would be ideal. ;) 

I have been patiently waiting for PiYo to come out.  I want to get into it before baby is born and I know it will be the first program I do when the doc ok's me to resume workouts again.  If you haven't heard about Beachbody's latest program, it is an awesome program inspired by yoga and pilates but is less stationary and holding.  

Pros: 
~Complete body weight exercises- no equipment needed 
~It is for every fitness level.  Beginner or advanced. I love workouts that are made for everyone!!
~All the workouts are between 25-45 minutes. I love that it isn't going to take a huge amount of time. Let's be honest, in a couple of months, I will have even less free time to work with!
~It focuses on strength, flexibility, toning. The way the moves are designed are going to give you a complete workout.  
~I love that is is low-impact, but high intensity.  I am not a fan of jumping all over the place.  Especially after surgery. My body will be craving a workout but I know that I can't just jump into something high-impact.  This will still give me results without giving my body a beating!

If you haven't heard about it, check out this video for a sneak peak.  I am going to be hosting an accountability group beginning in July.  I am really excited about it and have several people already to join! Message me or find me on FB if you are interested.

Ok--enough about PiYo. I am just excited.  The point of this post is the fact that I am ready for something different, something more low-impact.  I can feel a lot of the workouts in my lower body.  I am still using weights and doing some less extensive cardio.  But my hip flexors can really tell when they have been pushed.  I am waking up looking forward to my workouts less and less.  Confession: I have NEVER been one of those people that just love to workout.  I love the feeling once I am started and definitely the after-workout high.  I love the results that come from sticking to a program and eating well.  But those moments when you are about to begin and you think to yourself, "Do I have to work out today?" I am that girl.  So that girl that asks that question, she is getting to be very bossy.  That voice that normally is small and I shove aside, is getting louder.  I think of taking a nap instead of working out. 

But then I remember. I don't have to workout.  I get to workout.  There are so many people who would love to workout, to do any kind of activity to feel better and can't.  I know lots of pregnant people who have reached out said they wish they could be as active as I am but medical conditions are preventing it.  I am not on bed rest.  I don't have a high risk pregnancy.  I don't have a medical condition preventing me from continuing something that I love {even if I don't want to do it all the time}

Being able to be active is a gift.  It's a gift I have to remind myself not to take for granted.  So, with 9.5 weeks, I am going to push onward.  I am going to give it my all.  Not because I have to, but because I can.  I get to.  I would love some extra accountability.  Join me and other for PiYo! See what the craze is all about! :) 

Happy Tuesday! 

Third Trimester

Hello 3rd trimester (almost--we are like days away!) Any other mama's out there going to be battling the summer heat with me? 

If there is one thing I have noticed, it is that I am hungry.  And not like, "oh, I'm pregnant, I want to eat an ice cream cone" hungry.  Like, "I would eat a whole head of broccoli, or bag of carrots, or anything, I am STARVING!!"  

So, I am upping my calories.  I can just tell that I am not getting enough with these longer workouts I am doing.  I am also adding a lot more weight training into my routine.  And although I am upping  my calories, I don't want to just eat anything. So I am really focusing on three areas {two predominately} 1)protein 2)veggies 3)healthy fats.

I want to eat small meals more throughout the day to keep my blood sugar in check.  I hate that feeling of being too full, especially in the third trimester as the baby takes up so much room that eating larger meals can feel uncomfortable.  

I compiled a list of snacks/small meals to keep me on track and thought I'd share with you all! 

1. Hard Boiled Eggs. Awesome protein. Super quick to prep and grab!

2. Almonds. These keep me feeling full longer.  I measure them out using my 21 day fix container so I don't overeat but raw almonds are amazing. Try them cold! :)

 3. Cottage cheese and fruit.  I just found this picture, but you can do any fruit.  I love berries with my cottage cheese. 

4. I love veggies but I am also a big dip girl.  So hummus naturally fills that need and doesn't completely derail me like my other dip choices used to.  Salsa is another dip I like to incorporate. 

via

 5. When I need a good crunch, these are my go to. Simple and so yummy!

via

I've also been eating turkey rolled around bell pepper strips, healthy tuna salad (recipe to come).  Avocado gets added to my salads as of late too! Oh, and a friend just gave me a Greek yogurt recipe to try so I will update you on those findings as well! 

What are you eating to keep you on track?? 

The Great Debate: Tankini or Bikini

**Warning** This post is less fitness related and a whole lot more pregnant mama related.  That being said, read on.

Summer is right around the corner.  This week is upper 80's and I know that the heat is coming to stay.  For my whole third trimester.  Lucky me! :)  Not only does summer mean heat, but it usually means some vacation or trips.  This year my family decided to keep it simple and we are doing a couple of long weekends in July {when I will be a whopping 9 months pregnant}. We are going to a water park and a beach. *ahem* 

Here is my dilemma.  What the heck do I wear?? I have ALWAYS been a big advocate of embracing your body.  One of my dearest friends is fantastically fit but was rocking a tankini after her second because of some stretch marks {that were very minimal}.  I was on her full force about no one caring and to rock a bikini because she had a great body {with or without having had kids} and no little stretch mark should stop it! I would even rock my own bikini while pregnant.  But, and it's a big but, only in the privacy of my own backyard to get some sun, or around my closest friends.  Not to a big public pool. 

So I am trying to figure out--what would you do? Would you wear a bikini 9 months pregnant or go with a tankini?  Let me add this little component also: both trips were are going with my in-laws and my brother-in-law's family.  Does that change your perspective a bit? 

I have seen the cutest preggos doing both and I think both are great.  I just have hesitations.  One: see above.  Would you strut your pregnant self in a bikini on vacation with your in laws? Two: this is not  my first rodeo.  This is my 3rd {THIRD} pregnancy.  I have had two c-sections and gall bladder surgery.  So when my stomach grows, as it does with pregnancy, those beauty marks from experiences of old seem much more prominent than when I was fit.  

Here are some options:

How cute are they? I especially love Tori..the wrap--super cute.  And my current bikinis would fit and the tops are similar to the black and floral.  Here is my hesitation--none of them look to be nine months.  I feel like I am getting close their size now so I am sure I will be bigger in two months.  Hmm...

These are all cute..still semi-trendy. I can get a good tan.  

So thoughts? Suggestions? What would you wear?? Help a preggo out!! 

You've gotta get some!

So my post about pregnancy cravings.  I still hold strong to that.  Because I know full on today, I was craving anything in particular.  I was craving junk.  Not the baby, me.  Straight up comfort food.  The ooey-gooey kind that makes you feel warm inside and just makes the world right.  There are a lot of things that could have done.  I could have gave in.  I could have completely ignored it.  Or, I could just satisfy that craving with a little mockery.  

Clean eating does not have to be, it absolutely should not be BORING! Or bland.  You should still get to have the foods you love, just better. Smarter; cleaner. 

So I looked at what I had and I looked at my Pinterest board for some inspiration (what did we do BEFORE Pinterest???) and there it was.  A little gem I had recently pinned.  The original recipe and post can be found here.  

Tonight's dinner:
Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese

I am not one who wants to spend that much time in the kitchen for a couple of reasons. One- I have better things to do (play with my kids, go for a walk, paint my nails, read a book, etc) Two- I am a taster. Sip of that, nibble of this.  All kinds of extra calories get added into my day and I am none the wiser (or thinner!) Three- I really like to be in the kitchen..to bake.  And by bake, I mean whip up some mean sweet treats and I generally don't have a lot of will power. And see number two again. ;)

That being said, I was a little turned off because I felt this meal would require a lot of time.  FALSE.  Not true.  Most of the time related to this dish is said dish baking in the oven.  Like two hours of it.  Wait--don't run away.  An hour and 20 is spent baking that yummy spaghetti squash, the ingredient that makes this little dream possible.  But there are tons of ways to save time.  Like bake it in the crock pot all day so when you get home from work or whatever you spent your day doing, you can just scoop those noodles out and carry on. BAM! Half the time already gone from this dinner.  Honestly, it is three simple steps!

I called this a clean cheat.  It is mostly clean.  The squash acts as your noodles and cuts WAAAAYY down on the ol' calorie total.  I used skim milk but whole fat cheeses.  That makes it a little less calorie friendly but still clean.  So still watch your portions.  I don't eat a whole lot of cheese anymore and I hadn't had any healthy fats yet today so it worked out alright.  

So seriously, if you are hankering for some down home cooking but do not what to get totally off track, this meal hits the spot.  Pair it with a salad, a glass of vino, or heck, a slice of really tasty bread if you really want to indulge.  

You can thank me later! 

Insert clever title here..

A title for this post eludes me. Why, you ask? Let me tell you.

All my energy is consumed with repairing my muscles.  S to the O-R-E.  I am seriously, seriously sore!!  I am in week two of Brazil Butt Lift and it is lifting and kicking my booty into shape simultaneously.  

Don't let Leandro with his cute accent and good time moves fool you.  He gets me every time.  The girls are smiling and lifting their weights and he is speaking some Portuguese at me while he says, "Shake your bum bum!"  

And then the next morning, POW!! Can hardly move. And let me tell you, I LOVE IT!  

Seriously, I know I've done this program before but it has been awhile.  I am amazed at the changes I am seeing in my arms and legs already.  I feel like my booty is even getting tighter.  ***which can we just recognize together that a tighter booty during your second (almost third) trimester is a quite a feat.. 

I have definitely had moments the past couple of weeks where I have thought about not working out.  I mean, I just don't always feel like it and to be honest, my belly isn't getting any smaller and I sure don't feel super hot grooving and moving with my baby bump.  But that really isn't why I wanted to stay committed to this lifestyle in the first place.  I mean, yes, in part I definitely would love to not have to struggle {as much} to get back to my pre-pregnancy body.  

But really, the BIG picture purpose behind this lifestyle has never been so much about my appearance.  It has been about feeling confident and healthy; about keeping up with my kids; about making sure my boys grow up with a healthy example so they don't ever struggle with weight or the unhealthy side effects of a sedentary lifestyle.  And staying committed during pregnancy, is first and foremost about giving this little guy the best chance at a healthy start possible.  He is going to need a mama ready to brave the world of three boys 3 and under and all that will ensue from that adventure.  

That being said, I have a date with Leandro and the girls during nap time where I will gladly shake my booty, lift some weights and work up a less than attractive sweat.  And I'm sure my little guy will be dancing right along with me. ;) 

Cravings, I'm Calling Your Bluff!

The first time I became pregnant, I couldn't wait to experience my first "pregnancy craving".  I had heard about the range of crazy foods pregnant women craved; all hours of the day; ranging from typical to the most unusual.  

I always wondered what mine would be and when they would hit.  I would picture my husband getting up and heading to the market or random eatery to pick up something so out of the blue that I craved on a whim.  

And oh did they come! I was surprised how quickly those pregnancy cravings kicked in.  It almost seemed like the minute I knew I was pregnant, that baby was just demanding all kinds of tasty things.  

What were those cravings?
Pickles
Candy (sour and chocolate)
French Fries
Ice cream
Cheeseburgers
Pizza

CRAZY right? No--not at all.  Those are foods I love.  Those are foods I would eat all the time.  Foods I would pick (now) as a treat or cheat or indulgence.  

Can I tell you something? I don't think there really are pregnancy cravings.  At least, not in my world.  I craved the same foods I crave anytime.  The difference was, during my first pregnancies, I gave into them because I had this excuse (pregnancy) to give into them.  To eat whatever the "baby" wanted. 

What a joke! What sabotage! The best foods for my baby isn't junk food.  It is whole, healthy, clean foods.  And the more I indulge in those the better I feel.  

I think it can be easy to use pregnancy as an excuse.  I sure did.  And believe me, I still indulge in those cravings from time to time.  The difference is, I choose when.  I choose how often.  And I do so knowing that it isn't a pregnancy craving; it is me choosing to treat myself to something I don't normally.  I recognize now that just because my mind is telling me I want something or I'm hungry--it doesn't mean I actually am.  If that were the case I would be eating french fries dipped in milkshakes all day long.  

We have to learn to differentiate between a true feeling of hunger and boredom.  A true craving versus just a yummy treat we'd like to indulge in.  

I'm far from perfect at this but am making an effort!

What was your "pregnancy" craving that you liked to give in to?? 

I get it

When I started this blog, I had a few intentions. 
1) To share my experience as a pregnant person trying to stay as committed as possible to the healthy lifestyle I had adopted
2) To hold myself accountable (nothing like putting your goals out there for the world. i.e- 20 people that read this. THANK YOU!)
3) Connect to other mamas out there; currently pregnant or not.  Fit enthusiasts or not! 

Here was my fear.  That this blog would be perceived as judgmental or discouraging versus uplifting, encouraging, and a place to discuss how to give our babies the healthiest start possible. 

Here is the thing.  My first pregnancy I was 20 pounds heavier than I should have been.  I looked bad, slept bad, felt bad.  Then got pregnant.  And I used that pregnancy as an excuse to eat what I wanted, not exercise and honestly, just do whatever I damn well pleased.  I failed my glucose test the first time, passed by the skin of my teeth and had my doctor tell me that I needed to make wiser food choices for the remainder of my pregnancy.  Did I? No! I felt miserable the last trimester, had terrible heartburn, wanted to be induced because I was so big (as was the baby), failed to progress and had a c-section.  Total weight gain of that pregnancy- 40 pounds.  

Not much compared to some, right? But the thing is, none of the choices I was making, was helping me grow a healthy baby!  I had to come to terms with the fact that my birth plan was so far from what I envisioned in my mind.  I had to come to terms with a body that I didn't recognize as mine.  And two years later, after my second baby and pretty much the same patterns (I started out at a more reasonable weight), having to leave my newborn to have my gall bladder removed..probably a result of my terrible habits.  

I see it all the time. People who mock my ideals this pregnancy or make remarks not completely at me but ones that apply.  People who say, "well I am eating for two now." "You're supposed to gain weight during pregnancy." "I would never diet.  I want a healthy baby." And I feel judged. I feel like they are saying I don't want a healthy baby.  Don't you see?  We both do.  I have just been on the other side.  

At the risk of not being popular, I am having a healthier pregnancy now than I did my previous two.  Doctors recommend a weight gain range for a reason.  Pregnant women should gain weight, a REASONABLE amount, put on by healthy foods, but mostly by the way our bodies change.  That weight accounts for the fetus, placenta, extra blood, fluid, etc.  Not because we can eat the flavor of the day from Culver's every night of the week.

At the risk of continuing to not be popular, pregnancy isn't a sit on your butt card either.  Your body can grow a human and still be physical.  Women birthed children in caves, in fields, in their log cabins with midwives while tending their other children, doing housework (like legit work), and working the land..all up until labor began!!  Now, I am not saying to push yourself and put you or the baby in harm's way.  Listen to your doctor.  If there is a medical condition that dictates taking it easy, by all means, kick your feet up.  But that isn't all of us.  It certainly wasn't me.

So can I just say, I get it.  I embrace my expanding belly that makes it hard for me to button my pre-pregnancy pants.  I embrace the 1000x a day I am running to the bathroom.  I embrace the stretch marks from my previous pregnancies. I embrace the number on the scale going up.  I embrace that I get winded more easily, my runs are now walks, and that I just can't keep up quite like I used to with my boys.  I think we should embrace every beautiful aspect of pregnancy.  It is a joy, a blessing, and something I am so grateful for.  

But, this blessing, is a responsibility.  A responsibility to give our babies the best, healthiest start.  I embrace that too.  So know that I get it. Whether it's your first pregnancy or your fourth, we all want the same thing.  This is just my journey to have the healthiest baby I know how.  

Soul Mates

Before Beachbody, on the rare occasion I would be working out, I never found anything I really loved.  The elliptical was ok..better than the dreadmill.  Zumba was fine, depending on the instructor.  Hot Yoga was nice but I sometimes felt like I stretched but didn't workout.  Nothing that just made me stop in my tracks and fall in love.  

Then I began Brazil Butt Lift.  From the first day I pushed play, I was hooked.  It was fun.  The workouts flew by.  I felt sore after every workout in all kinds of places (the truest way to measure the success of any workout, of course). And I was getting results.  SAY WHAT??? 

I have loved all my other workouts but nothing holds a candle in my heart to BBL.  I know it sounds crazy..but it is my soulmate workout.  I seriously get giddy to go push play!!

This week I started back up with Brazil Butt Lift a week behind my challengers. I have loved it.  I was quite used to my 30 minute workouts coming off of P90x3 and the fix.  However, doing doubles the last week of the fix was a great way to get my body (and my mind) ready for the longer workout days.  

I am also still using the nutrition guide from the 21 Day Fix but I tweaked it a little.  I was on the lowest bracket when I began but have adjusted the bracket to meet my needs.  I know I needed more calories.  I also know how important fiber is as well all know those prenatals aren't always the friendliest when it comes to regularity.  So I upped my greens to five. (Green corresponds to veggies for you non-fixers ;) ) I am eating two purples (fruits), four reds (protein),  two yellows (carbs) and one orange.  On days I feel extra hungry, I up my blue from one to two. Blue is healthy fats.  This has really helped me feel full and also stay on track with healthy eating.  I have had some pretty intense cravings lately that I am trying to resist.  Not that I won't indulge sometimes.  I just don't think nightly would be wise! ;)

I also went to the doctor this week.  Total weight gain= 13 pounds. I felt like that was a little high considering all the working out I have been doing but then I realized, "Hey! You are 6 months pregnant.  That is like 2 pounds a month average! You are OK!" I had gained two pounds a week at time in my other pregnancies so keeping perspective is key.  I would still like to say under 25 pounds so as long as I continue to be healthy and stay on track these last four months, I think that goal is achievable.  

So what about you? Do you have a soul mate workout? What are you doing to stay on track for your health and fitness goals? I would love to hear from you! 

Or if you are looking to start a program, need some accountability, I'd love to hear from you too! 

Doubles

****First let me start out by staying prayers to all of those devastated by the storms that swept through so much of our country last night.  I know so many of my Impact family was in harms way.  Please know I am praying for you and your loved ones and if you need prayer specifically please email me or comment below. 

Happy Monday y'all!!

I am heading into my LAST week of the 21 Day Fix and I am really excited.  The group of ladies that have been pushing play with me are doing so awesome and staying super motivated.  Some have even committed to another round to continue on their journey to meet their goals! Love that!

This last week I have decided to push myself even harder. I am going to alternate doing doubles and adding in the 10 Minute Ab Fix.  I know that I want to really continue to sculpt my arms and legs and create tone underneath my growing baby bulge.  

My schedule is going to look something like this:

I know this schedule is going to challenge me.  But that is ok.  We SHOULD challenge ourselves.  The thing is, it would be easy for me to say, "I'm getting too pregnant.  I just want to take it easy. Probably shouldn't push myself."  But the thing is, that would be an excuse.  And excuses have never gotten me anywhere.  

We all have excuses we can make but they aren't going to get us to what we want.  So instead, I am telling myself things like, 

"You are having a great pregnancy.  You can do this." 

"You will bounce back and feel better if you continue this lifestyle." 

"Your baby has the right to be given the best nutrition possible so eat well!"

"Cancun is a year away.  You know you will not want to be in a tankini!!" (that last one is a real motivator ;)

I am 22.5 weeks pregnant.  Here is my pregnancy progress.  I am excited to see how I can continue to push myself these next few months! 

What excuses are you going to throw out the window today? What are you going to start telling yourself to keep you going?? Let's start our own pep talks and be our biggest cheerleaders.  

And if you need someone to cheer for you in your corner, I'll love to help! Use the "Contact Me" form on this page! 

Just a little honesty from me to you..

Just as a preface, I LOVE being a mom! It is my greatest achievement in life.  So please don't think I take this blessing for granted.  But, this is my blog about health, fitness and doing it while pregnant, so in all fairness, I have the right to be honest.

I have had easy pregnancies always. (Please keep reading, even if you are cursing me under your breath!) I had the typical first trimester energy lag with the first two (not so much with #3), had some terrible heartburn with Hudson (due to my terrible eating habits and weight gain) but really nothing that most pregnant women don't experience to some degree and really far less in comparison. I have been very fortunate in that realm.

Like I have said before, I did not work out with my first two pregnancies.  My first one I really ate whatever I wanted.  I like to think I was a bit  more cautious with my second but in hindsight, I didn't eat clean in the least, just maybe made a few less trips for ice cream.

When I found out we were expecting our third, a surprise no less, I was committed to doing it differently this time.  I had found a passion for a healthy lifestyle I had never had in the previous months and I wanted to continue.  And I have.

It was easy really.  Well not really easy but I was seeing great results with P90x3 (as were my challengers), I was loving the fix nutrition, the scale wasn't moving too much (unlike my other pregnancies).

And then my bump appeared.  And it was small and I loved it.  Until the past week.  Week 21 hit and about halfway through I feel like I really popped.

Here is the honesty part.  It has been hard.  Mentally to see my body change is difficult.  Obviously this comes with pregnancy and I love to know my little man is growing but mentally it is really hard to see work that you have done for months seem to go out the window. Especially in that one area of my body that I feel like I have never had fit.

And that mental trip, played with my motivation.  I started to tell myself, "Why even work out? You aren't seeing those changes in your  body anymore."

I knew that was a lie but I still had to find a way to overcome it.  How? I started to focus on things I could keep control of.  My stomach is going to grow.  I can continue to eat healthy foods and with watch my calories and drink my water, but a healthy pregnancy and baby are my end goal.  Instead of my stomach, I'm focusing on my arms and legs.  I can still create muscle definition there regardless of how far along I am.

Just changing my perspective has given me that push to continue in my habits.  I'm using heavier weights with the Fix, I am pushing myself to finish each set, keep my reps high.

This isn't a woe is me post.  This is me, just being honest. We all are going to have situations in life that come up and make us lose motivation.  The point is, we have to find new ways to stay motivated.  If it finding a new program, a new routine, switching up the time of day of your workout.  It is important to remember this is a lifestyle change.  Our lives change so we have to adapt what we do to make it work.  So whatever it is, push through!! Find your motivation.

Today's lesson: the importance of water

It is finally spring and it is once again freezing cold. BOO! This mama is ready to get her boys outside to play and I am ready for long post-dinner walks! Anyone else?

Last week was a ROUGH week for this mama.  I wanted to eat all day, every day.  And I wanted to eat J-U-N-K!  I could not understand what my problem was.  I typically can decipher between being bored and wanting to eat and actually being hungry.  The problem was, I felt hungry all the time!! Not only that, but my skin looked horrible.  Break-outs and dry.  We are in the second trimester here.  That is supposed to be all cleared up! ;)

On Friday, my family headed north to meet the rest of my family in Chicago. There are a lot of March birthdays so we were getting together to celebrate.

(You're thinking--"I thought this post was about water?" I'm getting there) 

It is about a 4.5 hour journey and I downed both bottles of water I took withing the first 2 hours. Then we got to the hotel I was super thirsty again.  And again at dinner.  Saturday we ran around all over, doing things with the boys.  I had packed some water but again, drank it all in the morning so was only getting sips here and there throughout the day until meals.  

It wasn't until dinner on Saturday after the sweet waitress had refilled my water glass, no joke, for the 6th time, that I realized- I am probably dehydrated. 

I mean, DUH! Our body needs water all the time to make our vital organs work at their best. But when we are pregnant, hydration becomes even more crucial.  When we get dehydrated during pregnancy, we are putting ourselves (and our babies!) at risk for a slew of things like headaches, nausea, cramps, dizziness.  In the third trimester, it can kick us into preterm labor! No bueno!

I had always followed the rule to drink half my body weight in ounces of water each day.  But did you know you need more than that during pregnancy.  You actually need 10-12 glasses, about three liters (or 102 ounces).  And as fit mamas--for every hour of light exercise, you need an extra glass.  I am sure we could count chasing our littles around as light exercise to that number goes up! 

I know what you are thinking. I need an IV to be able to get that much fluid in my body.  Right?!? I mean we have kids, a house, jobs, and a plethora of other things that take up time in our day. How can we possibly get this much water?  

Here are some tips I have been following the past few days that have really helped me in the water battle:

Total that up,each glass being 10 ounces, and I am drinking 110-120 ounces.

 For me that is easiest. I don't have the time, or the memory to carry around a jug of water all day or constantly refill a glass.  So timing them with my meals is helpful.  It is also easy for me to drink while working out...because, hello, I am working out! And drinking at night alleviates the need for snacking.

That is a lot of water and to be honest, it can be pretty boring.  So jazz it up!! Here are some great recipes I have found on Pinterest to jazz up your water if you get tired of the bland taste.  Lots of women with morning sickness have trouble drinking because of the blandness. Try these! 

via theyummylife.com

Couldn't find original source

So bottoms up and happy drinking! 

~Bekah

Being a "fit mom"

The lifestyle choices I make now were not ones I made when I first had Hudson.  In fact, I didn't really start striving towards a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise and clean eating) until our second was about six  months old.  I had always done the healthy thing moderately.  Cooked healthy dinners most of the time--or so I thought.  But now, I am very conscious of my choices.  Choices for my own personal health and fitness goals as well as choices to make my family as healthy as possible.

I have been wrestling with this idea for some time now. Seeing other mothers in the media, seeing other people's reactions to this lifestyle; hearing their opinions.  I saw this image and wondered...how do I feel about this? What do others think?

Thinking about this question caused me to examine my own intentions.  Why now? Why workout and eat right? Why to the extent you do? 

For me, in short, the answer is no.  After really weighing (pun intended) my intentions, I don't think being a fit mom is equivalent to being a selfish mom.  

Growing up I had issues with my self esteem sometimes.  Body image related.  I wished to look like this friend or that, desiring to change this part of my body, my hair color, wanting to fit in the latest trends.  I wanted to be skinny.  I wanted to look like the cover of a magazine.  It didn't matter if others thought I was pretty or that my parents told me that really beauty was on the inside.  Sure, I believed that.  But it didn't take away the fact that I still wanted to skinny.

Fast forward to now married and two babies later (a third on the way!) and all that changes in your body when those events happen.  I was unhappy with myself.  I was self-conscious in my relationship with my husband.  I had a terrible relationship with food and exercise only using them to try to reach a goal but never in a way that really nourished my body.  

What was that going to teach my boys? What kind of example was I to them? To me, that life, that way of thinking was selfish. And not only that, but destructive.  I sure didn't want them to grow up with unhealthy habits. And I also didn't want to raise my boys to be men that thought women should eat or look or be a certain way.  What a terrible disservice.

So are fit moms selfish? Am I selfish? Is it selfish to feed my kids good, nutritious foods? Is it selfish to not allow them to partake in every "kid food" thrown their way to entice them? Is it selfish of me to take time to workout each day? Am I selfish when I go for a long run on a Saturday morning with a friend and leave them with their dad to make breakfast? 

No. I don't think that's selfish.  I am mom and wife.  Those are my roles and I take them with great pride and a seriousness to do my best.  Do my choices to be fit and reach my goals hinder my ability to do those roles? Absolutely not.  

It's time we moms allow ourselves time to feed our bodies and souls, to nourish them and push them.  

What do you think? Selfish or no? 

Meals on Monday

Happy Monday everyone! 

Today I am beginning week 11 of P90x3.  I am so excited and ready to complete this program.  It has been a tough one but I love how it has challenged my body.  I love that I can say I completed the whole thing while pregnant.  And I love what it has done for my challengers who have taken this journey with me!

I am MORE than ready to tackle the 21 Day Fix in full.  I have loved the eating portion but to be honest, last week had a few slip ups. I gave in to too many cravings and snacked late more than I should have. Let's just say I paid for it.  I felt tired and sluggish and just..off.  I am ready to really get a handle on my eating! Treats are fine; they just can't become a habit.  And I know myself well enough to know that I could let that happen all to easily.

So when creating this weeks menu, I opted for ease.  I kept most of  my meals and snacks the same for a few reasons: 1) cut down on prep 2) cut down our grocery bill 3) cut down on thinking about what to eat each day.  Keep it simple.  Simple fitness; simple nutrition.  That is the Fix in a nutshell, right?

I even kept my dinners simple too.  And a little fun.  I have two boys and I never want them to associate healthy eating with boring or bland.  As parents, we have to teach them that healthy eating is best, tasty and can be fun too! I try to get my oldest in the kitchen with me when I can so putting some things on the menu he can help with always makes that more possible.

So here is what is cooking in my kitchen this week to help me stay on track and meet my goals.  Being pregnant it not a free for all! Say it with me! :) 

Have a wonderful week!