My New Trainer

Today by chance, I found myself a trainer. I've never had one before, so this is kind of exciting. Someone to push me a little more, make me go a little faster and keep up the fitness level. All I have to do is provide my trainer with room, board, discipline and love.

My 4.5yr old on a bike!

Today for the first time we went to the lake and brought Miss Rose's bike. She's been wanting to for so long but there are many ups and downs that would require supervision, so I had to wait until Bean could come and man the stroller. Since he was off for Labor Day, we took advantage of it.

I was completely suprised and impressed with Miss Rose's skill. It was a crazy busy day at the lake. I guess everyone was deciding to get their exercise on before they went to Labor Day BBQ's. She was a pro though at navigating around people and staying to her side. I offered a lot of instruction, but she started getting annoyed because "I know Mom."

My biggest surprise came at her speed! On the straightaways and especially the downhills, she was booking it. I was running at a faster pace behind her then I do normally. She usually needed a bit of help getting to the top of the hills and then would slow up a bit.

It was kind of like doing interval training. Pushing hard and then an easier rest period. This will definately help me stay in shape during this pregnancy.

The most impressive thing was that she rode 3.5 miles! I had expected 2-3, but she wanted to keep going. On the way back she did start to tire more easily, but overall she kept on going.

The stroller has been getting so difficult to push lately with her in it. She's basically at the weight limit for it anyways. Hopefully she'll keep enjoying the riding which will make for a great transition to having the new baby in the stroller with Gracie.

Last week I ran 4 miles twice and rollerbladed 6.5 miles. So far this week, 3.5 miles. I think I've gained another pound or two, but I'm still doing well. Especially since I recently found out I'm almost 4 weeks further along. So I definately did good on gaining less than 5lbs in my first trimester. I now wondering if I can keep it to 5-6lbs in the first 20 weeks. I kind of doubt it, but you never know.

Now that I have my new trainer, anything is possible.

A New Beginning

The last few weeks I have done little exercise. Combine pregnancy, fatigue, a staycation, and heat---all together equals no exercise!!!

So tomorrow I will be leaving at 8am with the kiddos to go for a run. My goal is 4 miles. At this point I don't care how much of it is walking vs. running. I'll go to the 2 mile mark, turn around and when I need to walk, I will. Hopefully I still have those 4 miles in me for a month or two yet!

What new plan are YOU starting tomorrow?

New Goal: Healthy Gain

You've hopefully been to my main blog and learned about my special blessing from God that's growing in my belly right now.

This pregnancy will give new direction for this blog for a while. I'm determined to have the healthiest pregnancy and weight gain yet. I feel like I've learned more with each pregnancy that I bring to the next.

Pregnancy #1: Weight was in the 150's, ate whatever I wanted, exercised little, gained 35-40lbs. I stopped paying attention at the end because the number was going too high!! Took me 9 months to get back to pre-pregnancy weight and then lost a bit more after (also thanks to being super sick before a gallbladder surgery).

Pregnancy #2: Weight was in the 140's, tried to eat more healthily, exercised pretty consistently in 2nd trimester and most of 3rd trimester. Gained 30ish lbs and it took me 6-7 months to get back to my starting weight and then I was able to lose a bit more.

Pregnancy #3: Weight is in the 130's, goal is to eat well and exercise throughout the pregnancy and not gain more than 30lbs (hopefully less).

Although I've been dealing with nausea these last few months, I've tried to stay consistent with exercise. I definately haven't exercised as much as I was--but still keeping at it. Most of my running happens in the evening and that's just not going to happen with pregnancy. I'm so tired usually by the end of the day that I don't have the energy to pack up the stuff and the kids and get to the lake.

Starting next week I plan to run Monday and Friday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. If I can get another run in, or even some short target spot videos (we have a ton for free on our cable network) during the week, that will be a bonus.

When I found out I was pregnant, I decided my goal was to gain no more than 3lbs during the first trimester. Definately not being able to eat much in the evenings helps with that goal. When I found out yesterday I was already into my 2nd trimester, I realized I met my goal!! I'm still under a 3lb gain.

Not sure yet what my goal will be for the 2nd trimester. Obviously more than 3lbs! But I'm hoping if I have these goals, and track my weight regularly, I won't gain as much as with previous pregnancies.

Of course, I always eat if I'm hungry--but if it's not meal time, I try to drink a glass of milk or eat fruit or cheese.

If I'm too fatigued to exercise, I don't. I am simply trying to hold steady with my running, not increase my speed. I have no doubt I will begin to slow down more and more as the weeks progress. Eventually I may just be walking, but I've read of women who've run through an entire pregnancy and I'd love that to be me. Only if it's safe.

Hopefully this blog will provide some accountability for me as I've shared all the facts and will keep it updated with my progress--the good and the bad!

Neglect

I have been neglecting this blog lately. Mostly it's just a lack of time to write new stuff. I always think of stuff I could write about, but it never seems to materialize.

I finished my 15-day cleanse and I was pretty pleased with it. My, um, bowels have been working much better (a problem area for me) since then. Although the strictness of the diet was overwhelming, in the end I think it has helped me continue in better eating habits.

Exercise has been so-so, again-time related. We just finished 2 weeks of swim lessons that cut out late afternoon exercise. With that done, hopefully I can get back on track. I've been averaging probably 2 runs a week, but I'd like to get in 3-4.

My weight is pretty stable. Which is an accomplishment given that I haven't really "dieted" in several weeks now. I've just been trying to make good choices. I still would like to lose 5lbs more, but that will have to wait a bit.

I need to get myself on a blogging schedule! I miss doing it. I love reading YOUR new blogs, so I need to get more of my own out there!

What's a girl to eat?

Honestly now, there are so many foods and food ingredients now that we aren't supposed to eat, that we are allergic to, that will make us prone to disease, that will make us gain weight...the list just goes on and on. My poor youngest sister is having digestive issues with gluten and dairy. She doesn't complain much, but it has to be miserable. I guess for her not feeling sick is worth the food she can't eat. My friend over at The Good Life is on a gluten diet and now can't eat corn. The list just goes on.



I'm doing a 15-day cleanse right now. It's specifically for someone who hasn't ever done a cleanse before. It's just 2 capsules in the morning and 2 capsules at night. The suggested diet includes raw fruits and veggies, raw almonds and seeds, multi-grains, brown rice, eggs and lean protein. Basically, the cleanse will work best if your diet consists of only these foods, but there should still be benefits if you aren't.

I'm trying to follow the food list. Key word...trying. For some reason, eatin eggs early in the morning makes me ill. Maybe it's the strong smell. I am a girl who needs her protein and complex carbs. So what am I to eat...fruit and nuts? Exciting. No yogurt, no oatmeal, no bread. Oh I know there is stuff out there creatively made that would fit on the list. But I don't have tons of money to go out and spend either.

It's not just the cleanse that I have an issue with. It just seems like food these days is so processed and altered it's next to impossible to easily eat well. It requires special shopping and preparation. Buying certain kinds of food. Looking at ingredients. I do a lot more of it now than I used to.

My own little uneducated philosophy is that we've broken down our bodies to the point where they can't handle even good foods. I hope that through seeking some help, my sister can get her body healed enough to enjoy a little gluten and dairy in her life.

There are so many flavors and textures in the foods God created. I have to believe they were meant to be enjoyed. We should not have to subsist on bland boring diets. Our taste buds have become warped too...we don't enjoy those natural flavors as much and crave the artificial stuff.

So tomorrow morning I will wake up, take my two capsules, wait 30 minutes and look longingly at my oatmeal cereal mix that I love so much, and eat some fruit and nuts. Cheers!

Fare at the Fair

Our family went to our summer fair yesterday. We managed to last for 8 hours--pretty great for a 4yr old and 1yr old. We had so much fun. The fair itself was enjoyable, but the most extraordinary part was being together as a family. With Bean working 55+ hours a week, our time together as a family of 4 is quite limited.

If there is one thing a Fair is known for, besides toothless carney's and rickety rides, it's FRIED FOOD! They fry everything there. And it all smells and looks SO good. Normally would I be interested in fried avocado? I don't think I would. But at the fair, it just calls to me. (don't worry, I didn't answer)

For someone who is trying to maintain weight loss or lose more, a fair full of fried food is nothing but a danger zone. I knew I would definately want to enjoy some of the fair food, but I didn't want to overdo it.

We found out we could bring a cooler into the fair and check it for free at Guest Services. We could also bring in sealed bottles of water. Not only did this save us money, but it saved me some calories!

I determined ahead of time to only eat something if I was genuninely hungry. No eating just for the sake of eating. And I wanted to be sure to think about what I was eating not just mindlessly putting food in my mouth.

I was very successful in not overeating. In fact, the only food item I ate on my own was a cinnamon roll. I had a taste or a few bites of a few other things, but I didn't over do it.

Although my brain was telling me to eat dinner at home later that night, I felt very full, so I resisted the temptation to eat out of habit.

These are the examples I hope to set for my children. We can enjoy special treats at special times. But we don't need to overdo it just because it's there.

I said No!!

Just wanted to share a little personal accomplishment I made today in the food area.

I have observed that I tend to eat a lot out of habit or desiring a certain taste--but I'm not actually hungry, or I know that I've eaten plenty of calories and don't need more

But it's still hard to say no and resist. Especially treats!

Today was a good day though! I knew we'd be eating a not so healthy lunch--so I restricted myself to a banana and Fiber One bar for breakfast. I didn't get a donut or coffee drink (we have an actual coffee shop) at church like I sometimes do. I did drink a Diet Coke at 10am...but the caffeine is the same as if I'd had coffee--right?

Round Table pizza and Cold Stone Ice Cream Cake for lunch (Bean's choices for Father's Day!). I kept it to 2 pieces of pizza--and blotted the grease of course. And only 1/2 slice of the cake. I did have some german chocolate cake later in the day at a friend's house.

I wasn't too hungry for dinner, so I just had 1 more piece of pizza. And although the TASTE of more ice cream cake sounded good, I legitmately wasn't hungry and in fact felt like it might make me feel sick. So I actually said NO and didn't eat anything else for the night.

Although I'm still trying to lose a few more pounds, I'm also paying close attention to how I can maintain. Today was a good lesson that I CAN do it!