Perfectly Pregnant

Oy! How many times have you heard this - I've been meaning to sit down and write... Well, I haven't. I haven't been meaning because I can't think of a darn thing to to say. And then today something changed and I had an 'aha' moment and I really want to share it.

For the last couple weeks people have been saying 'You look great!' and I am quick to say 'I look pregnant' in a self-demeaning trying to joke tone. Wait, what is so wrong with looking pregnant?! I might not be looking princess Kate pregnant but I'm also not looking Kim Kardashian pregnant either.

Today's aha moment courtesy of a fellow running coach who currently weighs something like 118lbs and ballooned (her words not mine) to 190lbs while pregnant with both her kids. She said I looked 'Perfectly Pregnant'. Yes, at 25+ weeks the bump is a bump, my clothes fit relatively well, I have ample cleavage, and I have yet to really balloon out myself - not that it won't happen.

So before I find myself in that oh so uncomfortable 30+ weeks phase I should just keep rolling with the perfectly pregnant look for another five or so weeks and find the attitude to match it. I am still struggling mentally somewhat from my lack of ability to run, but perhaps more so my lack of motivation to do much in the way of fitness. It's a balance beam I'm constantly walking.

At one end is the desire to be doing something active and healthy because it's good for me and baby. At the other end is the desire to just be and not worry about getting in 30 minutes or more of activity a day. Twice a week I have been doing yoga and sometimes I will throw in a third session at home. Then there's vacuuming at least once a week - that counts right? To be truthful I think the reason I'm avoiding anything other than yoga is that really, I'm just not that comfortable. This kid is sitting low. As in, my tailbone is already sore from all the pressure and I still have a cute little waist above what, if it wasn't so round, might look like a gunt (can I say that?) My ribs aren't taking a beating (yet) as babe is snuggled so deep down.

At my 20 week ultrasound I was told that I have a low-lying placenta. Which I believe explains all the pains and discomforts of running I had early on and why still any high intensity activity and lifting is still uncomfortable. Oh, and did I mention this kid is sitting low, snuggled against my bladder so even if I wasn't uncomfortable walking at a decent pace I'd be trotting to the toilet every five minutes.

This pregnancy is so much different from the first and I have to love it for that. I definitely have more energy and feel less sleepy. I also don't have strong food cravings. I attribute all this to having a much better diet than I did the first time around. First baby - exercise with bad/poor/crappy (not that bad really) food. Second baby, little exercise with good/great/healthy food (really that good).

So yes, the training epiphany I had... well that all went the wayside, especially after a week in Mexico just lounging. I'm a rec runner/triathlete who will at some point resume her activity and be just as good and maybe better than before. And so the next time someone says I look good, or maybe calls me perfectly pregnant, I will smile, and so thank you and be grateful for the life I will get to welcome in three or so months.

The Training Epiphany

To say that my brain isn't working at capacity is the truth. To say that I haven't been training to capacity is the truth too. Oh sure, I'm 16 weeks pregnant and busy growing life but was that your excuse to sit on the couch? No. And this go around as much as I've been mentally saying that I'm not going to do that either, well I have. I figure I have 16 weeks of good training left in me, before I really start to feel the weight and size of pregnancy and slow down. Then I can just chill a bit.

Today I had an epiphany as I made myself get on the bike. And then while on the bike I figured I better make good use of my half hour - so I focused on a strong circular pedal for the better part of the workout. And then poof - all that blood flow sparked an intelligent thought in my brain. I'm not getting workouts done because I don't have a plan. No calendar, no goals, nothing. But why not? Just because I'm pregnant it doesn't mean that I can't focus on getting better. Oh sure, I'm not going to be setting any land speed records but there are aspects of training I can focus on.

I've been regularly committed to yoga twice a week since the beginning of January. And I see progress despite the growing belly. I stand taller, reach further, bend deeper. So if I can 'train' doing yoga while pregnant why can't I get my head around focusing on some other training aspects of biking, swimming, or weights? Running is on the outs. I've tried but I'm just not comfortable. And to be truthful, other than aerobic endurance, training for form or speed while pregnant just doesn't make sense.

So, Step 1. Print off a calendar. My best successes have come when I have a calendar printed, separate to our family schedule, where I can write down the hubby's workout plans for the day, and mine. This is a good reference point for both of us so we equally ensure the other can have time for their needed workout. Yes, I am the one who will give up a workout if we are pressed for time right now, but for me, I need this. I need a schedule.

Step 2. Bust out the star stickers. Yes, I love stickers as a reward. It has been a great motivator in the past so why not now?

Step 3. Focus on the specifics. Ultimately the best thing I can train for is aerobic endurance right now, and some strength aspects. But beyond that - can I be a better cyclist, swimmer? My peddling can definitely use some fine tuning. So can my swim stroke. My endurance has suffered taking from approximately weeks 6-16 off. So I can work to build that up again.

With 16 weeks to train I am thinking of looking to do four, four week blocks. Each block focusing on specific skill sets in one aspect. So, for set one, I'd like to work on my pedalling technique with some aerobic endurance. When I swim, I will focus on drills and becoming more proficient at bilateral breathing. Weeks 5-8, I am going to look at building my aerobic endurance. Weeks 9-12 I would like to focus on some strength. Perhaps forgoing one aerobic workout for a second weight workout instead. Weeks 13-16, tbd. Any suggestions?

I have a weights day scheduled once a week. Here I'd like to focus on a few things specifically - mostly my glutes. I lost a lot of my glute strength carrying Coach M, and I think that led to a longer return to good running form. Yoga is giving me some good glute work most days so adding in once more would be nice. Also, upper body strength and back work. As my centre of gravity shifts, and my core naturally weakens, I am already finding lifting Coach M to be more challenging. Getting a good strong upper body and back to support good breast feeding posture are my two main goals besides my glutes.

Rest - being pregnant, I've decided to schedule a rest day once every five days instead of once a week. I think this will help me stick with the program. So, there it is. The plan. No excuse now.

After all, I'm the one to say Schedule Yourself Healthy.

Eating for Two - Cravings and Musings

Well, I'm officially now, for one of two weeks in my second trimester. Yipee the feel good times. Well mostly. I am definitely feeling better all around but still am presented with challenges (running, can no longer sleep on my stomach).

Reflection on the First Trimester

Early on while I wasn't horribly nauseous I did have bouts in the afternoon that were best cured by a healthy dose of food. Hello weight gain. But as my nausea subsided by desire for food only increased. Honestly, I couldn't get enough of it. I tried desperately to not eat everything in sight. I planned snacks, healthy meals, and occassionally digging into a craving or something less than my standard of  healthy. Of course, being pregnant over the Christmas season just meant lots of food many nights and shortbread cookies. I'm not a sweets girl but the butter sugar melt-in-your-mouth combo. Well, you know. My interesting craving during weeks 6-9, chips and salsa. The salt and carbs of the chips plus something about the spice and tomatoes of the salsa. It was my thing.

Now the Second Trimester

My cravings have been wacky. Ok, inconsistent might be a better word. No, wacky.

One week I wanted everything cold frozen. Frozen raspberries were a staple. Normally I can't stand water with ice in it but during this phase, the more ice the better. A fresh cold cucumber from the fridge. Yum. I didn't understand it, won't pretend to, and really, could care less.

Bowl of Frozen Raspberries

Then one day, french fries. Ok normally I'm a total sucker for these and they are my guilty pleasure but I don't crave them. But this day, I went through the drive through on my way to work and ordered the biggest size possible. Feeling guilty (I do after all work at a running store), I ate with pleasure in the back room while my coworker for certain thought I'd lost it some. I haven't craved fries since.

A few days ago my craving was fresh strawberries. Then just yesterday a veggie platter. These all seem like highly reasonable things to give into so I am. Why deny my body broccoli? So far today, no cravings. All in all my cravings are much more sporadic and wacky than my first pregnancy where I had very clear and defined needs for certain foods. First trimester - orange juice, Second Trimester - peanut butter, Third Trimester - dairy.

Otherwise I've been eating fairly normal and haven't had any food aversions per se. I'm less inclined towards meats (except red meat - bring on the beef!) so I find myself just eating smaller portions. I would say generally we eat much healthier now than I did when I was carrying Coach M and so I think with more balance I'm not tending towards or away from as many foods. I know 'they' say you should eat more during the second and third trimesters but I'm just not that hungry. Or not hungrier than usual. I suppose though I'm less active so my body is using the same number of calories to grow a human rather than making or maintaining muscle (now there's a whole other post).

It will be interesting to see what other whims pop up through out the next while.



A small impedence on the view down towards my toes.



Learning to love my pregnant self

It's week 10. It's a week of fresh starts including a new yoga class last night.

Yoga has a way of making me feel strong, limber, all while pointing out my tight runner hips. Ah, running. It's all over my twitter feed, it's work, it's what I can't do with this pregnant body. I haven't entirely given up - I'm going to try yet again, but between a low lying belly and leaky bladder (only while running), I might finally have to put my shoes away for a few months.

So I'm learning to love a new pregnant body. While pregnant with Coach M it was new and exciting the first time round. I forgave the weight gain as it came (nearly 50 lbs - yes my dr's eyes practically jumped out of his head when I told him this) and was gracious giving myself time to get back to a 'normal' self (almoat a whole year). Well, gracious on the outside. It was a battle to put on a brave face for others. Finding balance between breast feeding (with large large boobs) and being comfortable enough to run meant I struggled to find something to wear, and had to time workouts expertly in the first bit. Not to mention running with extra weight on your joints and flabby abs. I will never forget how defeated I felt my first run back.

All baby 18 days before Coach M arrived.

So this me, round 2, knows more what to expect thus also what to dread. I dead the weight gain. But I can only control so much. I don't excessively eat. I exercise when I can. Genetics be dammed! I intend to try to be gracious with my body, affording it the liberties of pregnancy including weight gain, high fat deposits, and sometimes being too tired to do anything other than sleep.

I am going to practice yoga often, swim often, ride the bike when I can, lift some weights when I can. But still afford my body a period of rest where it can focus on growing a healthy baby. I am envious of those who are running right now - especially in our mild winter these days - but know I will be able to come back it - and not so ambitiously as I did the first time so as to avoid feelings of defeat.

I am going to try to embrace the changes in my body with humor and humility. I am going to at least like my pregnant body for all that it is and will be, even if I can't love it.

The Holidays

The holidays... filled with laughter, food, more food, more food. I am sufficiently stuffed. I'm not a big sweets person so I've been rationing my white chocolate covered caramel my aunt makes. I can't however resist the salty, greasy, potato chips in my house. But don't worry, I polished them off today so I'm in the clear until at least New Year's eve when a bowl or two is bound to show up at a party.

I've been less than steller with my fitness record over the holidays. My streak came to an abrubt halt on December 11 due to overwhelming stress from a school project and too many hours dedicated to that - oh and a severe uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen.

Yes, I'm pregnant! And this baby is not a fan of running. Since early December runs have been slightly uncomfortable even though I'm still relatively early in the pregnancy. It was really apparent on the 9th and 10th when my mile was more walk than run. Today after a break I tried to jump on the treadmill again and see if a couple weeks had changed anything. Not so much. While I wasn't as uncomfortable my bladder was going for a run of it's own, despite a trip to the toilet pre-run. So, I'm thinking there is much more biking, swimming, and walking in store the next year than there will be running. I can deal without running I think - I'm not sure. I would just love to have the option to run even if I don't always want to.

I had hoped to coach a learn to run clinic starting in January and I'm sad to have to pull out of that. I was looking forward to easing out of the 1st trimester drag and working through to gain stamina myself in the 2nd with my clinic. Today's run was more like 4 minutes run w/ 2 minutes walk to catch my breath. Let's hope this blood volume shifts back into my favour real soon.

I am still going to investigate a support belt and see if that takes some pressure off my bladder. Otherwise I'm generally feeling pretty good. Mostly fatigue is catching up with me and I'm quick to have lights out by 10 or sooner - and waking up with Coach M is a struggle at no matter if it's 7am or 8am. Fortunately, my family has been around over the holidays so I've had a few fortunate naps. I will only be so lucky to get them when hubs is off from work though starting now. Coach M likes to have me in her presence at all times if I'm home so sneaking away to sleep is going to be an adjustment for her.

Thankfully I haven't been plagued by Kate Middleton disease and my infrequent and mild nausea can be cured by a healthy dose of food. I know the experts say you don't need extra calories in the first trimester but let's face it - they happen. And while I would be keen to grab for the potato chips I've been fairly dilegent and been grabbing oranges, yogurt, and toast.

So the new year holds no plans for training or racing for me - maybe something short in the fall. The hubs is working hard toward an olympic distance triathlon so I will be happy to help support him with that. I've signed up for a yoga class starting in early January and hope to fit lots of pool time in. The few times I swam in December felt really good.

More news to come and updates as I navigate this pregnancy. We have a dating ultrasound tomorrow so we will have a finalized due date - which is looking right now to be end of July or very early August.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish everyone the best in 2013!