Fun Fit Stuff You’re Missing…

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Boob on the Run…

Many of you are asking how it’s going losing the baby weight, and bless your hearts, most of you think I’ve probably already lost it because I was in “such great shape” beforehand. That’s very sweet, and I thank you for the props, but I’m here to tell you both as a trainer and empathetic parent — it’s been challenging. Fact is I’ve lost 16 pounds (I gained a total of 30 while pregnant), and 15 of that was by mid-August. It’s nearly the end of September as I type. That’s right, it’s taken me a MONTH to LOSE ONE POUND. “But you’re a trainer!” You say. Mmm hmm. And while I totally expected the weight to come off faster (you’re told the lie that because you’re breastfeeding, the pounds will melt off), I’m also becoming OK with the very slow return to normal because:

1.) I feel great considering I’m the mother of a now almost-3-month-old.

2.) I’m working out 4-6 times a week and eating healthy 90% of the time (10% is wine and the occasional graham cracker and peanut butter raid).

3.) I understand that it took 9 months to gain the weight, it’s gonna take some time to lose it.

4.) Because I am nursing, my body actually wants to hold onto some weight. They do not tell you this in those silly preparation courses because they know women would probably nix the whole nursing thing altogether. But I’ve researched this, my friends, and it’s a true fact – your body needs the fat if you’re playing moo-cow. And a moo-cow I am…

Which brings me to another point of encouragement for those who may struggle with the breastfeeding/weightloss thing. Granted I’m just a newbie at this, but I wish someone would have prepped me better for what occurs after you leave the hospital and you have this beautiful, angelic, screaming human to watch over. Someone could have warned me that breastfeeding can make you feel like a slave and as though you’ll never be able to leave the house again. For the first month this is pretty much how I felt. However as I got better at the traveling milk maid thing, I came to realize that a boob on the run will result in a child who can adapt well. At nearly 3 months old, Lila has survived her first major road trip, day care initiation, and this weekend she’ll survive her first 5k. And yes, I’m exclusively breastfeeding. I am literally a walking feeding machine because I have to move, I have to leave the house, I have to be active, and I want to raise my child the same way. So for those of you worried that you can’t get out and DO something because any moment that screaming angel of yours will crave optimal nutrition from your stellar rack, just go with it. Your mind will thank you and your body will eventually show you some results. 

I have complete faith that I’ll lose these last 14 pounds…and at this rate it may not even be until next summer. But I’m a boob on the run and because of it, something’s gonna give! 

Word of advice: Pump before you go for a run. Oww…

It’s About Time…

I’m baaaack! Ok so I’ve been back a while now (this was week 4 of me being back at work), but as you fellow mamas know your time is no longer just yours after a baby, so I’m just now getting to post an update. So much to say, so little sleep. So here’s what (most of) you really want right away…photos of my little one who, bless her heart, weighed 6lbs 3oz at birth (I worried about a monstrous baby for nuthin!). At 2 months old, she is now 11lbs, 5oz. Here’s a little photo montage of the last 2 months!

A few hours old, after her first bath

1 week old and sleeping. Mom is likely not.

Venturing out for the first time...mom and Lila despise the car seat at this point in time...

5 weeks old and finding her smile

6 weeks. "Sleep? But there's so much to SEE!"

7 Weeks and GROWING!

Lila smiles...and steals our heart for the 100th time that day.

Go BSU!

"This is how I stroll." Loving to stand at 8 weeks.

Hangin' out with Dad at 9 weeks.

38 Weeks, 5 days, and One Puffy Trainer Girl

Where'd my feet go?!

My mom was right – I never thought my belly would get this big. I never thought my leg and ankle (that’s right, just one of them) would get so swollen, so varicose-y that it scares my toughest of clients to look at. I never thought I’d have to battle putting on compression stockings at 5:55am every morning before leading my group of ladies at Boot Camp. And I NEVER thought 80 degrees could feel like Death Valley. Yep, I’ve been secretly undoing all of your wishes for nicer, hotter weather this last month…

However, I can’t say I’m miserable, I can’t say I hate being pregnant, I can’t say I’ve had a tough pregnancy, and I can’t say that I’d never do it again. I’ve been blessed with enough energy to get me through some seriously long days of training (so maybe I locked my office door for 5 minutes here and there and snuck in some shut-eye). I’ve also been blessed with great health – which I attribute to being in shape prior to becoming pregnant. Which is the point of this post – to encourage all you women out there who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant to STAY FIT and KEEP MOVING! Sure you’re not going to accomplish any fitness personal bests during this time, but if anything the bigger, more important goal of having a healthy pregnancy and labor is in many ways even more impressive and worthwhile than any other goal I’ve ever set out to accomplish.

The other day a client, friend, and amazing massage therapist  asked me how being pregnant compares to running a marathon. Now while I told her it wasn’t fair to fully compare the two until after the labor experience was over, I did confess I feel they are much the same. The way your body changes in ways you didn’t imagine it would (I gained 10 pounds of muscle during my marathon training without meaning to – however my belly seemed to chub out, no thanks to an increase in carbs); the way you prepare yourself daily and give morning pep-talks in the mirror; the way some days you don’t know if you have the energy to take another step but you do – because you don’t really have or give yourself a choice. There’s this deadline looming in front of you and you can’t be anything less than prepared. Both journeys have incredible awards waiting at the end that no one can ever take away from you. And the feeling that you get when you know you did it (with a LOT of support from incredible family and friends) – that you’ve ARRIVED at the end of this long, physically exhausting journey – is indescribable, surreal, and pretty much impossible to recreate.

Some things I learned along the way to stay physically and mentally fit and sane:

• Keep healthy snacks nearby, or you’ll eat ANYTHING. Sure this rule applies to even a non-pregnant person, but it’s so crucial during pregnancy. While I experienced no weird cravings or food aversions I can think of, I did find myself hungry every hour or two and if I hadn’t been armed with healthy snacks I would have devoured whatever simple carbohydrate happened to be within closest reach. Maybe my next pregnancy will be full of weird food cravings, but until then I can’t buy into that old wives tale that pregnant women send their hubbies to the drive-thru at midnight for a greasy hot dog. Now’s not the time for excuses – it’s more important than ever to eat healthfully!

• When you don’t want to workout, walk. I have this whole new appreciation for walking now that I’m pregnant. Since running pretty much ceased for me halfway through because I’d have to dart to the bathroom every 4 minutes, walking became my cardio. Inclines, speed intervals, or just lately walking at a moderate pace for 25 minutes every day…it’s all good.

• When you really want something “bad for you” eat it once, then don’t buy it again. Sometime during the beginning of my third trimester, hubby and I were downtown and hungry at 10pm, so we stopped at Merritt’s (if you’re not local – think down-South mom-and-pop cafe with nothing remotely healthy on the menu). It was the BEST and BIGGEST scone with cinnamon and honey butter I’ve EVER had! It was totally unhealthy, totally greasy, completely bad for me, and awesome. I haven’t been back and won’t be for a long while, but man it was worth it. Don’t beat yourself up about it – just enjoy it and move on.
• Don’t freak about the occasional sip of wine or bite of sushi. A little secret: I had a small glass of wine every now and then, and I’ll bet if you could get other moms to be honest with you they’d admit to the occasional indulgence, too. Funny thing is, no one wants to talk about it for fear of being judged. So…judge me, but I’m perfectly OK with knowing I never consumed enough to make it something I lose sleep over. I also had the occasional smoked salmon on a bagel (the only times I like to eat bagels are with lox on them – it reminds me of living in NYC). All that talk about deli meat being unsafe? My doctor told me to always get my Subway sandwiches toasted and I’d fare fine. So that’s my story, and I’m eating it up.
• Know that your “shape” will change. And I’m not just talking about your mid section. I’m happy with the 30 pounds I’ve capped out at with this pregnancy, however it’s been a loooooong time since I felt I had wings for triceps.  As a trainer it freaked me out at first, but knowing it’s not about just me anymore yanked me out of that pity-party pretty quick. Strength train when you can, do yoga, prenatal pilates, labor squats (my favorite), and walk as much as possible. I have confidence these wings of mine will disappear soon enough – but I’m not going to stress about it right now when my greatest stressor at the moment is that I’ll leave the diaper bag at home the first time I venture out with Miss Lila…and she’ll perform a number 2…

Much luck to those of you on this journey and much thanks to all of you for your support and well wishes! A little Trainer Baby will join us soon!

Why You Should Eat Your Sunscreen!

Eat healthy AND avoid sunburn? Yep! At least that’s what this cool article is all about. I have to say I’m not exactly surprised that they’ve found yet another good reason to eat well, but this was still neat news to me! Check out the below link and find out why you should nosh on carrots, mangos, spinach, cocoa, and more!

Sunscreen Alternative: Nutritional Approaches to Preventing Sunburn and Skin Aging