Trainer Mama and the Sleepies – 9 1/2 Weeks

 

Jelly Belly

Let me just make this clear right now – if I weren’t 9 1/2 weeks prego you would NEVER see a picture of my slight belly bulge on a blog. But thanks to a power much bigger than me, this baby actually makes me proud and super curious of my new-found roundness. Curious in the sense that I’m DEFINITELY not used to having to fight the desire for something fried (curveball!), my energy is as steady as a tornado (which explains me walking around the house aimlessly at 8 o’clock every night waiting for it be a respectable hour so I can go to bed), and I can’t eat more than a fistful of food at one sitting no matter how hungry I am.  I actually pictured myself putting some lady in a headlock at Walmart yesterday (she was, to my defense, really annoying – my fault for traveling to Walmart), I lose my once-coveted balance all the time now, and I’m so forgetful I have to write down reminders to grab my car keys in the morning. And the games have just begun!

I do take great comfort in knowing this is all part of the baby-making process. One of my clients and a good friend told me this week that “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” compares the work of the uterus in the first trimester to that of a rock climber. So I’m rock climbing every day, dammit. Take THAT, judgmental voice in my head! What really keeps me going is knowing that in a few weeks this will all be behind me and I’ll get some of that energy back so my workouts can improve. So far I’ve had to trade my own sprint intervals for ‘wogging’ workouts on the treadmill and my strength sessions for Pilates and weight lifting moves that don’t require a lot of coordination or extreme exertion (thank you, increased blood supply, for making me a weeny). Which is why I’m really here right now, telling you my story. I’m hoping that Baby Makers everywhere may find some comfort in reading about my journey with baby and fitness, and know that staying healthy throughout mama hood IS possible. I haven’t proven that yet, but this I do solemnly swear I will! So feel free to leave comments, feedback, advice, complaints, or just vent whenever you too want to put some lady in a headlock (unless that lady is me). I’ll help you get through it even if my only advice is to find a punching bag (couches work well). I’ll also post pictures of my ever-expanding tummy for those of you (and you know who you are) who are elated that you’re finally going to see me “fat.” So much love I’m feeling!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to do my job and kick some non-pregnant woman’s butt into shape while I can still keep my eyes open…

Bag This: Tortilla Chip Makeover

I found out today that my favorite tortilla chips have partially hydrogenated oils in them (aka: trans fats). I know, I know, you’re sick of hearing how bad trans fat is for you and how it’s in EVERYTHING it seems, and it’s driving you so crazy that you’re tempted to just say “to hell with it all!” and indulge, right? GET OVER IT! Trans fats are bastards, that’s just the truth and you should know it and accept it and AVOID IT as much as possible! Even if it means crying over the permanent loss of your favorite bag of tortilla chips (it was ONE tear I cried, I swear!). Dry ‘em up baby, because mama’s got a brand new bag! Enjoy these multigrain tortilla chips with zero guilt and lots of yummy fresh salsa!

Multigrain FoodShouldTasteGood Tortilla Chips

 

NUTRITION FACTS: Serving Size 1 oz (28g/about 10 chips)  Calories 140, Total Fat 6g, sodium 80mg, fiber 3g, sugar 1g, protein 3g

INGREDIENTS: Stone Ground Corn, High Oleic Sunflower Oil and/or Safflower Oil, Brown Rice Flour, Flax Seeds, Evaporated Cane Juice, Oat Fiber, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Quinoa, Soy Flour, Sea Salt

These tortilla chips are not only off-the-charts yummy, but they’re also brimming with powerhouse ingredients that pack a nutritional punch!

• They contain quinoa, oats, soy, flax and sesame and sunflower seeds.
   
• These powerhouse ingredients are baked right into the chip, not just sprinkled on top. This leaves them loaded with all-natural protein and fiber.
   
• They contain 260 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per serving — 20 percent of what you’re supposed to munch in a day!
   
• They’re low in sodium, gluten-free, trans fat- and cholesterol-free…and they’re not genetically modified.

(Info compiled from eBrandAid)

Fit, Fun Finds!

You know I’m finding them all the time, fun new gadgets and foods to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle. So here’s the latest newbies to the list! Can’t wait to get mine!

Swigz Dual Hydration Bottle

If you’re training for a serious endurance event such as a marathon, you probably have heard by now that you should drink water as well as something with electrolytes (like Gatorade, etc.). Well, this cool water bottle makes getting both liquids down your pipes easy! It has two 12-ounce chambers and two separate spigots, so it’s zero hassle to carry your drinking arsenal. It’s also perfect for long bike rides, hikes, or for taking mixers to the next tailgate party!

($10.99, amazon.com)

Plates that do the measuring for you!

You hear it all the time, portion control, portion control, portion control! But you don’t want to look like a psychotic control-freak all the time, right? At least, I don’t! A University of Calgary study found that using diet dishware – plates sectioned into healthy servings for carbs, proteins, and fruits and veggies – “made diners over three times more likely to lose 5 percent of their body weight within 6 months.” Sound like something you’d dig? Check out these cute Mesu bowls from delight.com! They sell out fast so you may have to keep checking back, or do a search online. You can also check with the American Diabetes Association online, who often keeps them in stock!

($45 for a set of 6, delight.com)

Portion Control Made Fun!