Big Changes

Hey guys.  Let's see where do I start.  I am 27 weeks preg; we sold our house and don't have one to move into!  Eek!  It's not as bad as it sounds.  Our house sold a week after we put it on the market.  Which is awesome!  But, we are planning on building a house and haven't even had a meeting with our builder yet.  So, it looks like we will be house guests at my parents for 4 to 5 months, since no one will rent month to month around here (not in the type of house I want to bring my new baby home to anyway).  I'm not worried about staying with my parents; I just hope my husband doesn't feel too uncomfortable for the two months he will have to stay there before he leaves for overseas.  I do appreciate them letting us stay with them; it is a tremendous help!

I've been sticking to exercising during this entire pregnancy.  I think I average 4 workouts a week, they aren't nearly as intense as what I did pre-pregnancy but I am consistent.  My eating has been fine too, still making healthy choices as far as meals.  However, the dessert cravings are still here and I indulge too often.

We are so excited about building our new house!  I am ready to get started.  Here is the family yesterday, putting the "sold" on our for sale sign.

TTFN!

Monitor and adjust!

Hey guys!

Last week I had the opportunity to attend ISTE in San Antonio.  ISTE is a humongous ed-tech conference where technology oriented educators get together and share, share, share.  It was exhausting, of course, soaking up all the information and walking all over the place; but, I enjoyed it and am thankful for the opportunity to develop my profession.

I kind of had an aha moment during this conference, surprisingly it had nothing to do with the actual conference.  It was more about my life, our lives (mine and my growing little family).  For the past several months I had it in my mind that I wanted to quit my job in ed-tech after the baby arrived and dive into fitness full time.  I kept thinking somehow the financing would work out, or we would be ok even if we cut our income almost in half.  It finally dawned on me when I was mentally shopping at my favorite workout clothes store: if I quit my job, I can't afford this overpriced but amazing workout gear anymore.  That thought kind of led to a snowball effect of me really considering what our lives would look like under financial strain; I didn't like what I saw.  This caused me to decide to stay at work after the baby; to be like most real people and work full time, put my kid in daycare, and make time for my family and my hobby where I can fit it in(lucky for me my husband and I share a passion for fitness so I can kill two birds with one stone there).

Another bombshell we were recently hit with is that my dear husband is deploying right after baby is due.  Needless to say, I'm a ball of nerves on the verge of combustion!  Exercise is a great stress reliever!

I am, however, brainstorming how I can share my love for fitness with others and inspire them to live fitter, healthier, longer, and happier lives.  I still plan on going through with getting my group exercise certification in August and will continue striving for my goal of living my passion.  It just may have to wait a while or it just may end up looking different than I had pictured it.

Here is a pic of the gym at the Hilton in San Antonio where we stayed for ISTE; pay no attention to the hugely pregnant woman in the photo :-).  I just wanted to show appreciation for hotels that actually have decent gyms!

TTFN!  Happy 4th of July tomorrow (also my bday :-))

Update, as promised.

Hey Guys,

So I have not been posting near as much lately and it is for various reasons:

1.  I am super busy with work because summer time is when I do most of my all day trainings.
2.  I have been studying for my AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) group exercise certification which I should be able to take in August.  I am also looking into another opportunity for bringing a new bootcamp program to Conway.
3.  We are getting ready for baby!  We have spent the last 4 weekends painting the entire house!  Just the living room to go now and I am beyond ready to be done with it.

That's dear husband painting the baby's room yesterday.  :-)

I am still doing my workouts, 4-5 days a week.  I am trying to add running/jogging back in, but with the temps rising I won't hold my breath.  It is actually probably time to bring my workouts indoors with summer heating things up outside and in our gym-garage.  

So, my blog posts will be fewer until September.  I plan to take off sometime in September to prepare for the baby and spend as much time with my husband as possible, as he is being deployed for a year soon after baby's arrival.  I will be checking in here and there, though.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Filling ya'll in...

Hey guys,

So I have had a lot going on lately, hence my absence from blogging.  I plan on taking a little time this weekend and filling ya'll in.  Maybe posting a workout and a recipe also...we did have amazing portabella burgers last night...

TTFN

New Name

Hi guys! I wanted to change the name of my blog to reflect a different direction I'm going in with it.  I want my blog to be about fitness, healthy recipes, and healthy lifestyles.  Yes I am pregnant and am trying to stay fit during my pregnancy and yes I'm sure I will post about my pregnancy and baby and dog and husband on here.  But, I didn't want to feel limited by my blog title; in my mind it implied that I would only discuss baby and fitness, and I plan on discussing pretty much whatever I feel like discussing.  So there you have it.

Oh, and my workout last night was a success as my hammies are sore today.  I haven't worked out hard enough much during my pregnancy to become sore, so it's a great feeling to be sore today.  I'm going to try to work it out this evening with some running and walking.

Happy Wednesday! The workweek is almost over! :-)

Working on my passion...

Sooooooo......I am finally taking steps to living my passion!  I signed up for a Group Exercise Certification course on June 1st and I have talked to a friend about giving classes in her new studio she is opening soon.  I probably won't be able to teach classes until January, but I am super excited.  I am also going to a fitness conference in August where I will glean all kinds of great moves/info.  I can't wait!  The best part is that my husband is so supportive with me pursuing my dreams, he's the best!

Ok, so two things for today: quick meal recipe & workout!

Recipe:  I realized after I devoured my quesadilla that I probably should've taken a pic of it for the blog.  But here's the thing, I didn't know I was going to share the recipe until after I ate it! Ha!  I just needed something I could quickly throw together with what we had in the fridge already.  My concoction: Black bean-mushroom quesadillas.

I had available:

Wheat tortillas

shredded cheese (any kind-I had Italian mix)

black beans

mushrooms (any kind-I had shittake)

diced pimento peppers from a jar

avocado

So I mixed the beans, mushrooms, and peppers in a bowl with garlic & cumin power and a smidge of salt and pepper and microwaved it for 30 seconds, twice.  Then I put my tortilla on a skillet, put the bean mix on top, added some cheese, and topped it with half an avocado (cuz they are delicious and nutritious) on half of it.  Then I folded the other half on top and smushed it, let it cook for maybe a minute or two on each side.  Done!  Spread some plain greek yogurt on top and boom, a tasty & healthy super fast meal.  

I had to make some changes for the hubs, as he is a picky eater.  His quesadilla was just the mushrooms, beans, and cheese.  He liked it, too.  You could really put whatever you have in your veggie drawer on these.  I bet spinach and mushroom would be good!  

Work out:

I pulled some of my go-to moves from my pre-pregnancy workouts for todays sweat session, and honestly it kicked my preggo tush.

warm up: 2 min of 8 high knees, 8 quick knees, 8 mountain climbers

do the following 3 times through 10-12 reps each unless noted otherwise (I managed each circuit 2 times through, blame it on the preggness, or the un-airconditioned garage, either way thats all I had in me)

walking lunge with weight up in front (20 reps)

10 wide mtn climbers, 5 tuck jumps (50 sec)

lunge back with kick w/weight on shoulders )

half burpee to shoulder press w/dumbells 

lateral raise to front pull 

plie squat holding heavy weight 

one legged deadlift holding heavy weight

tricep dips

push up w/row w/dumbells

I plan on recording some of my moves and posting them with my weekend blog post, I hope I remember to do so before I start my workout instead of after I'm done ;-).

Thanks for reading!  

Warrior Dash

Hello All!  Happy Mother's Day!

I've been slacking on my blog posts, I know.  I have been extra tired this past week, I think it's because of my new thyroid meds.  Anyway, yesterday the hubs and I ran the Warrior Dash in Amity.  It was a good time, except I wasn't able to do but one or two obstacles due to the risk of falling and my pregnancy.  We ran most of it, but a lot was uphill, so I became winded quickly and did have to walk some.  The crowds were the worst!  I tend to get anxiety when I am around a lot of people and there was a lot of waiting in line (also not my fave).  I don't think we will do this race again next year.  We want to do one that won't be as crowded and a bit more challenging.  Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!  I'm taking today off from my workout and will get back to it tomorrow, so I plan on posting my workout then.

TTFN!

Thirsty Thursday?

Hey guys,

I was trying to come up with a catchy title for today's blog post and I start thinking: what is associated with Thursday? The first thing that came to mind: Thirsty Thursday!  But, I digress, the only thing I can be thirsty for for the next 28 weeks is good ole' H-two-O (sometimes I miss wine time).  Wine used to be my healthy eating/low cal diet cheat, these days it's chocolate cake....anything chocolate, who am I kidding, anything sweet, really.  I have got to get my will power to out-wrestle my cravings, anyone have any advice on this?  I know, I know...suck it up buttercup and just do it!  That is what I need to do and that is what I would tell anyone to do.  Does that mean I don't want it bad enough?  Likely, but I bet I will be wishing I would have overpowered my cravings when I'm feeling like a beached whale this summer.  "Yes, I'm pregnant...oh you didn't think pregnancy gave you kankles and back fat? Yeah, me either"...geez I can already see my future self wanting to kick my present self for not conquering my cravings for the sweets.

Enough of that rant, I did manage a work out when I got home.  Here it is:

50/15, 4 rounds:
burpee w/push up on bosu
rainbows w/weighted ball
knee raises w/lunge back on equalizers
mountain climbers

50/15, 2 rounds:
bicep curls
clean & press w/sandbag
plank w/toe tap (w/toes on bosu)
shoulder press w/one knee up and as you press up, straighten out leg in front  (a lot harder than you might think)

I sure do have to make the time, cuz if I looked for it, I wouldn't find it.  How bout you?

I feel pretty good about my workout; I read that after the first trimester most women gain back some of the energy they have been lacking.  I sure hope that is the case with me so I can kick my workouts into higher gear before my belly becomes gargantuan.

Thanks for reading, please comment!

Happy Saturday!

There is something about weekends that is just so wonderful; I love that I get to spend all day with my sweet husband.  The weather here in Central Arkansas is pretty nasty today, its drizzly and humid (making my garage workout that much more fun :-)).  I hope you all are enjoying your weekend as much as I am!

Lately, I've been getting more from those inspirational quotes you see on Pinterest.  I think it's partly because I know that I have other plans for my career.  I wan't my passion for fitness to coincide with my career, so very badly.  These inspirational quotes are starting to make me think it might be possible and I am going to try to start taking steps toward making it happen.  Wish me luck!...Oh and please share any and all tips for making this change; I need all the help I can get!

Tomorrow, I will be 11 weeks along in my pregnancy.  I am still able to exercise pretty intensely, which I'm thankful for.  But, I read that I'm going to start gaining a pound a week.  Eek!  When my belly gets all big, HIIT training will have to wait till after the baby is born.

This quote has helped me through so many workouts: (found it on Pinterest of course)

http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/originals/b2/74/fd/b274fdac5f972508c506877043852249.jpg

This is one that I have found inspiring lately:

http://shrinkingjeans.net/2013/02/new-years-weight-loss-challenge-leaderboard-week-7/

Today's humid, super sweaty workout:

Set Gymboss timer for 50/15 (50 sec work/15 sec rest)

I did 3 rounds of this:

sumo squat holding sandbag or weights in front of you

Curl to press alt. arms w/15lb kettlebell

2 squats, 2 jump lunges

crossbody push up w/jump up

deadlift w/curtsy lunge w/25lb kettlebell

Then 2 rounds of this also (50/15):

goblet squat w/25lb kettlebell

push up w/fly & reach through

half burpee w/front row w/sandbag (can use dumbbells or whatever you have)

Side burpee w/push up

Thanks for stopping by, I'm off to fix chicken and asparagus for dinner.  Yum!

No Gym??? No Problem!!!

I started my fitness journey heading to the gym after work everyday.  Getting on the treadmill or elliptical.  One word: BORING!  It took me at least 8 months of this routine before I realized that my body wasn't changing beyond my initial pounds lost.  So why wasn't it changing?  A couple of reasons: my muscles were used to doing the same exercises so they weren't being challenged; I wasn't lifting weights; diet.  

I soon learned you constantly have to change up your routine to keep your muscles on their toes and challenge your body to improve.  I added weights to my routine (no not machines) and felt and looked better and stronger within weeks.  Finally, I slowly started paying attention to what I was eating and started trying to eat to fuel my body.  I have to admit, the food is probably still my biggest struggle.  I have the world's worst sweet tooth and I love my wine (when I'm not growing a person in my belly I indulge in the wine, not now of course).  

A few months ago, I pretty much quit the gym; but didn't quit my workouts.  I started a new job quite a bit further from home and felt I didn't have time for trips to the gym.  So now, when I get home from work, the hubs and I exercise in the garage.  

The hubs sweeping the pollen and bugs out of the garage before we start.

Equipment we use.  (Yes, I realize its all pink)

I don't use all this equipment every workout; I do a lot of bodyweight exercises and I enjoy running as well.  So, as I said, no gym, no problem! 

Today's workout:

Set timer to 50/15  4 rounds

burpees w/bosu

knee tuck w/backward swing & lunge on equalizers (alternating legs)

goblet squat w/twist holding weighted ball

deadlift w/kettlebell

2 rounds of the following:

dropsets:

12 lunges up the inclinded driveway holding 15lb dumbbell in each hand in front

12 lunges up the inclined driveway holding 10lb dumbell in each hand in front 

12 lunges up the inclined driveway holding 8lb dumbell in each hand in front 

50 sec tricep dips on bench or chair or whatever you have

50 sec plank w/speed hands (quickly tapping alternating hands to each side)

Thats it!  Felt pretty good.  Weather was perfect: slight breeze, beautiful sun, low 70s.

I'm also going to work on meal planning this weekend; I plan to buy groceries for the month and prep and freeze...never tried this before so we'll see how it goes.

Cheerio!

Welcome!

Hello all! (Because I imagine myself having thousands of followers...). I really started this blog to document my first pregnancy and how I attempt to stay fit during and after. I plan on posting my workouts and documenting what works for me.

Pre-preggers I worked out 5 or 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. Now at 10 weeks along, I do well to exercise 3 days a week. I've just been wiped-out...zero-energy. Since I'm blogging from the iPad I'm going to keep this first post short.

Today's workout:
I did this this evening after a long day of sitting at a conference for work, it felt great to get moving and sweat. One thing I have noticed in my preg state is that I get short of breath very quickly.

15 minutes on treadmill alternating running and walking
50/15 (non-preg I do 50/10; that is 50 sec work/10 sec rest) using my gym boss timer. 2 rounds:

Plank w/drag (20lb dumbbell)
Switch arm swing squat (15lb dumbbell)
Curl to press (15lbs) left
Curl to press right
Half burpee w/front row (set of 15lbs)
1 leg row left (15lb)
1 leg row right (15 lb)

Normally, I would do at least 3 rounds, but since I ran on the treadmill before the circuit, I was wiped after 2 rounds.

'Till next time!