Tag Archives: fit moms

Baby Update

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Baby update: The boys and I are slowly adjusting to life together. It’s definitely been an uphill battle. Routines have changed and the vibe in the house is very different. Even the dog is thrown off. 😂 But it’s a good different. Literally each day has a new challenge to work around and learn from. 👍🏻

Trying to get Cam and Ryder up and taken care of each morning definitely isn’t without its battles. They are both in a demanding stage and need so much of my attention. Also, a clean house isn’t the easiest task now. So I do my best just to make sure things don’t pile up. Showering is done if I’m lucky. I have to beg someone to watch the boys just to be able to rinse off. God only knows when I’ll be able to find the time to wash my hair again. Dreadlocks may be in my future! 😂

By no means am I complaining. I love the new changes in our life. And despite Ryder’s annoyed faces he gives Cam, I think he will settle in soon and realize Cam isn’t a threat. If my over possessive dog can be ok with Cam I know Ryder will be too (eventually). 🐶

When people ask what I need, my only request is positivity. I just need everyone to be positive and happy around me. If others around me are happy and positive, it helps keep my energy levels and positivity up. I focus more on the good and less on the things upsetting me or stressing me out. And trust me, with 2 little ones under two, the feeling of stress and being overwhelmed comes quick!

Over it….

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I used to love going to the gym. It was my place away from everything. Now I sort of dread it. I literally pray that I’ll just make it through a short workout each time. The pregnancy struggle is getting real!💪🏻

I’m in the last few weeks of pregnancy and everything is getting hard! Putting my shoes and socks on is a battle. Not only can I barely see my feet but I can barely reach my feet to get shoes and socks on! I also get winded just walking around. I had to sit down and breathe after just doing laundry! I’m constantly tired and want to lay down but can’t because I have a toddler running around like crazy. I’m always hungry but I’m running out of belly room so I have to eat tiny meals all the time which is exhausting in itself. I barely sleep at night because of the leg aches, back ache, and overall discomfort. Don’t get me started on the constant need to pee. I’m literally on the verge of going to buy adult diapers! 🤦🏼‍♀️

On a positive note, I have no major swelling. My feet and hands look the same as they always have. I had a little swelling with Ryder that caused me some discomfort but none this time around! My hair and nails also look great. My hair struggled at the beginning of my pregnancy but it’s made a turn for the better! It’s looking shiny, healthy and growing long fast!

Needless to say, these last 6 weeks will feel like they take the longest. Maybe Cam will be like Ryder and get here a little early. In all honestly I wouldn’t mind! I’m ready! Literally! 🤷🏼‍♀️

224 days down

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I have officially been pregnant for 224 days. That’s a long time! Seriously, think about it. Kids aren’t even in school that long each year! But here I am growing a tiny human for what seems like years. (Dramatic I know)😂

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It’s just crazy how much time a pregnancy really is. I guess I’ve never sat down and thought about how many days it actually is. We always count in months. Which by the way, we claim a pregnancy is 9 months but every doctors calendar puts us due at 10 months. Full term pregnancy is 40 weeks. 40/4=10….So technically we are pregnant a month longer than we claim. (Yes I know some count from the point of conception but doctors go from cycle end)

No wonder the body is SO tired all the time when pregnant. Toting around extra weight that was added on faster than normal is a lot of strain on the body. Yes we are built for it but it’s still draining. Your body is working to do its daily functions AND create a life. That’s a lot of work. Not to mention super crazy to think about the fact that you are actually creating a human!

Chia Seed Pudding

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My new obsession…..chia seeds! Specifically chia seed pudding. Yes it’s pronounced the same way as the chia pets you saw on tv as a kid. That’s because it’s the same seeds! Sounds super weird when you think about eating the seeds that make a chia pet. 😂

Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron and calcium. Eating chia seeds once a day can provide 18% of your daily calcium need! 💪🏻

Chia seed pudding is actually super easy to make and tastes great! I eat it in the evening as desert! Some people eat it in the morning because it can be very filling.

To make chia seed pudding, I use one cup of silk coconut milk, 2 1/2 tbsp chia seeds, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Mix together until seeds are incorporated into the milk. Wait a few minutes for the pudding to settle, then mix again. Put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. I like to top mine with shredded coconut, strawberries, blueberries and sometimes granola! It’s a perfect snack or night time dessert! 🍨

Glucose Test

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I passed my glucose test!!! Sounds ridiculous to be excited about something like that, but I seriously am. I’m a healthy eater but those things can be so easily thrown off. I failed it with Ryder the first time because I drank milk the night before 🤦🏼‍♀️ So I got stuck doing the 4 hour test after that, which I passed, but it was absolutely miserable! You literally have to sit in the doctors office for 4 hours! To make matters worse my doctor at the time had no WiFi or extra plug outlets in her waiting room. (First world problems I know!)🤷🏼‍♀️

This time around I asked lots of questions and made sure to do a little research. I made myself a 3 day meal plan and stuck to it. I avoided simple carbs, dairy and sugars. I ate only meat, eggs, and veggies. I avoided fruit the day before just to be safe. I also drank more water than normal. It worked because I passed this time around! Whoohooo!

I was seriously dreading sitting in the doctors office with a 1 1/2 year old for 4 hours. 😩 One less stress to worry about!!! It’s smooth sailing from here now! ⛵️

Finding out about food allergies

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A question I get asked often…..How did you find out you were allergic to flour/wheat? 🌾

Soooo over a period of a few months I noticed some weird, irregular things happening with my body. After eating, I would get this unbearable itch in my right leg to the left of my shin. It would itch so bad I would sometimes scratch till it bled. Crazy I know! 😳

Other times I would get severe stomach pains that felt like my stomach was trying to rip itself out of my body. Sometimes that was followed by the runs. Or other times I would start to turn red and splotchy, get red bumps all over my body, start to feel really hot and itch a bit. As some people like to call it…..hot hives! 😩

I went to the doctor and they told me it was anxiety. It didn’t make sense. I don’t get anxiety after eating. I feel happy and content after I eat. So I brushed off that doctor and tried another. Who told he he had no idea what it was and maybe it would go away in its own. 🤦🏼‍♀️

It took me going to 4 doctors to finally have one tell me it’s possibly a food allergy. So he told me to fast for a full 24 hours to get everything out of my system. Then try one thing at a time and see the reaction. I started with fruits, then veggies, then meats, then cheeses and nothing was happening. One day I made a sandwich and BAM! Stomach pains and the runs. The only thing new I’d eaten was the bread on the sandwich! So I figured that was it! After a few more trial and errors I learned that I have a wheat/flour allergy. I tell people it’s a gluten allergy because it’s just easier to explain and I get less questions since gluten allergies are like a “thing” now. But for me it’s wheat and flour. Different types of wheat/flour affect me differently. Hence one time I’ll get hives, and another the runs. 🍴

My food allergy and my auto immune run hand in hand. They each affect each other. Turns out the itching in my leg is due to inflammation of the skin and tissue caused by eating wheat/flour. My body becomes inflamed, doesn’t understand what’s happening and goes on the attack. Therefore causing an itching reaction. It’s crazy but makes sense how one thing affects another.

I’m not missing out too much in life. People always give me the poor pitiful you look and ask what I can eat. Well I can eat pretty much what I want within reason…..fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, etc. Instead of flour tortillas I do corn, when at a Mexican restaurant. I have always hated pasta so there was no loss there. They make gluten free bread/wraps and gluten free pizza crust so I can still enjoy a good sandwich or pizza when I want. I honestly don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. Going wheat/flour free hasn’t changed my life other than ridden me of stomach pain, itching, etc. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Pregnancy and Autoimmune

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If you thought you were exhausted, achy, etc just being pregnant, try being pregnant while having autoimmune! My body is constantly overworked. It’s straining daily just to keep me and baby healthy while also battling against itself.

If you’re unfamiliar with autoimmune, it’s a non communicable disorder/disease. So you can’t catch it from someone sneezing near you, coughing, blood, inheritance, etc. They actually don’t know what causes autoimmune diseases.

In short, your body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. The classic signs of an autoimmune disease are exhaustion and inflammation, which can cause redness, heat, pain and swelling. Depending on the autoimmune disease, for some the symptoms can actually be worse.

So for me, not only is my body working to grow a baby and protect the baby, but it’s also fighting against itself by mistake. My body feels overly exhausted daily. I also get a lot of non pregnancy related aches and pains. Combine that with pregnancy discomfort and I’m just one big ball of fun!

If you know someone who has autoimmune or even someone pregnant with autoimmune, give them a big hug or do what you can to try to be sympathetic! (Or if you’re like me, leave them alone and just be understanding 😂) They’re definitely fighting a difficult battle. 💪🏻

Pregnancy and workouts

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I think it’s interesting to see a “new aged” doctors view vs an “old school” one. My first pregnancy I went to an older doctor. Despite being perfectly healthy, she put me on SO many physical restrictions while pregnant. She wouldn’t allow me to lift more than 20lbs or get my heart rate above 140. She told me to limit back exercises and avoid any workout involving my core.

This second time around I have a younger doctor. Her views are quite a bit different. She gave me no restrictions other than to not push myself too hard and to rest when needed. Since I lifted weights pre baby, she saw no reason to restrict my weight lifting. However, she recommended I not push myself more than my usual. Adding heavier weights than what I’m used to would obviously not be a good idea. But I was allowed to run, lift weights, etc as I please. She also saw no reason for me to worry about my heart rate. Since my body was used to workouts pre baby, and baby and I are currently very healthy, she saw no risks in me getting my heart rate above 140. She did say to make sure I could breathe well and wasn’t struggling or wheezing. You want to be able to get enough oxygen to your muscles and the baby.

I love how people are finally accepting fitness in pregnancy rather than running scared from it. Restricting workouts doesn’t benefit the mother (unless there is a physical need for restriction.) It actually has so many amazing benefits!

I have almost no back or hip pain this time around. I credit that to my workouts and the fact that I still have most of my strength. I have way less joint pain and I’ve had very few headaches compared to what I had the first time around.

Obviously you should talk to your doctor before participating in any physical activity while pregnant. But don’t be afraid to go for a walk, lift weights, etc if given the green light. Your body, and your baby will thank you!

Pregnancy Hangover

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A few times a month I wake up feeling EXTREMELY hungover. It literally feels like I drank 2 bottles of wine to myself. Yet I haven’t had a drop of alcohol and I drank plenty of water the day before. 🍷

Apparently it’s the pregnancy hormones. They can actually give you a feeling of being hungover! 🤢

It’s one thing to consciously make the decision to drink, and possibly drink too much therefore leading to a hangover. I however have zero control over this feeling. It’s like my body just says, hey you haven’t drank in a while, let’s have some fun and make you feel hungover without the actual alcohol involved! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Seriously, pregnancy and hormones are so weird. And so not fun at times. 🤔

Pregnancy and workouts

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Recently I bumped into someone (not a close friend) who seemed shocked to find out I was still going to the gym while pregnant. They gave me this confused look then the awkward “good for you” comment. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I’m really confused. Do people just quit going to the gym when pregnant? Or is it just assumed that with pregnancy comes laziness? Because in all honesty none of my friends have quit working out when they got pregnant. Maybe I’m sheltered and live in a little fitness bubble or something. I have been an athlete my whole life and I do tend to associate with people who have similar healthy lifestyles. So perhaps the general population is different?

Doctors encourage workouts when pregnant, as long as there are no current or potential complications at hand. There have been studies done that prove exercise to have benefit for mom and baby while pregnant and after delivery. So do people just not listen to their doctors and decide to use pregnancy as an excuse to forget about health and be lazy? I don’t know.

Working out is the one thing that keeps me sane and helps me manage my pregnancy. It eases the aching muscles due to growth and stretching of the baby. It also gives me more energy so I can make it through the day and still be able to chase around my toddler. I tend to have an upset stomach often while pregnant and even a little light cardio seems to settle it. I’m not big on taking medications so I use workouts as my medication.

I guess I have to remind myself that everyone is different and not everyone chooses the same healthy paths. If I ever get that comment again I’ll just smile and nod and remind myself that I’m doing what’s best for me and my little one. 😊