4 Tips to Survive the 1st Trimester and Stay Active!

Hey hey everyone..

Happy August! I feel like stores every year push the "back to school" thing earlier and earlier and this year is no exception!! I'm super excited for August, another month of outdoor time with the family, and we have a vacation planned at the end of the month in Hawaii with all of my in-laws. We are SO so excited to really "getaway" and meet up with everyone. Anyone who has family that lives overseas knows the struggle and we are so looking forward to spending some time together in such a beautiful place! And yes, the boys are coming with us so I will be sure to keep you posted on how that travel goes Ha #RIPtous on that long flight. 

As I mentioned in my last post, the first trimester is finally over with and I've had a great first couple weeks of the second trimester! I've managed to stay active, and have more energy for sure! Unfortunately I have come down with a cold the last week so that's been a bit of a buzz kill. I swear that I can't have a pregnancy without getting sick at least once lol. The. WORST. 

Other than the breaking news that we are having another BOY (LOL!!), all my scans have come back great so far (which is amazing considering last pregnancy..what an emotional rollercoaster!) which is more important than anything else. 

Bumpdate

I won't bore you guys with the weekly "bumpdate" questions that sometimes you see, but I will give you the basics. I'm definitely closing in on maternity clothes (I'll be sharing my faves with all of you). Right now I can still fit into some of my "looser" clothes and shorts/pants that I bought during my "nursing and still losing weight phase" lol. Weight wise I've gained the same as the last two- I'm right around 10 or 11 lbs. I know to some people that might seem like a lot for 15 weeks but thats just how my body rolls! Cravings wise I always crave bad foods regardless of pregnancy haha. But some things I have been randomly loving more than usual are chicken sausage for breakfast, omelettes with tomatoes and cheese, parmesan cheese on pasta (I've definitely had more pasta than I normally do!), and I want cereal in the WORST way guys. I've only allowed myself to buy it once or twice because honestly I finish the whole dang box in about 2 days so...yeah those carbs are going straight to my thighs, not my baby!! 

Pregnant and working out

When I first got pregnant with my first I was so curious as to how other people felt working out: did they feel good? uncomfortable? Did their times/weights drop? Were they out out breath? I was coming off being a pro athlete and everything in my life was based around my workouts up until that point. Clearly...that all changed getting pregnant ha but I still wanted to stay active because it was such a big part of my life.

Basically, I wanted to know: Did they feel as bad as I did? Because I felt like total shit sometimes. Granted, that wasn't every day, but the bad days were tough. 

All of this was unchartered waters for me, so It was so reassuring to me to read articles where Olympians were being interviewed that they struggled at times with their mileage, times, and some didn't even run through their whole pregnancy. They had good days, and bad days...but staying active was so worth it was the overlying message!

I'll be sharing my workouts throughout my pregnancy (and hopefully some video as I continue on throughout the pregnancy) for those that are interested/curious and hopefully this helps someone who could be struggling with their workouts while pregnant! Remember, one day at a time and listen to your body! 

A lot of people are amazed at times how active I'm able to stay during pregnancy, and the first trimester is no exception! So many hormones and the fatigue is so fricking real.

I wanted to share some tips that helped me through my 3 pregnancies first trimesters in staying active!

4 tips to staying active and surviving!

1. Go to bed early: I would have to say this is my number 1 tip. Honestly, DVR the TV shows and catch them another time. Your body will thank you for it. I am always so tired by the end of the day and going to bed early always helped me be super productive a majority of the following day! I also have 2 boys that are early risers (like, 6 am wake up) so I *have* to bed in bed early!

2. Drink tons of water: I know this might seem super obvious, but a lot of times when I felt slightly nauseous or sick, water , fresh air and a little movement always helped me. Being on the go makes it hard to hydrate sometimes so remind yourself! Make sure you are drinking tons of water to help hydrate yourself! Lack of water can cause so many things including headaches and fatigue..

3. Stay the course: Try to stay as disciplined as you can with working out. I know its tough, especially when you don't feel good, but honestly getting moving is the BEST medicine. Sometimes it was like pulling teeth getting myself downstairs in my gym, or on a run, or having the discipline to workout at the fitness gym I go to, but I ALWAYS felt better after. You better bet I was taking longer rest breaks, lifting a lot less/running a lot slower, but I WAS THERE. Moving. Sweating. Endorphins. All the good stuff. And if you can't get yourself to do the "hard things", just walk. I walked soooo much this first trimester. 

4. Listen to your body: Nobody knows your body like you. I know myself and when I really need a "rest day" and when I'm just being lazy! If you need the rest, take it! But listen to you heart- it will tell you what you really "need." Take that nap or rest day if your body is asking for it! Being honest with yourself is so important to living a healthy and active lifestyle whether you are pregnant or not. 

I was actually about 9 weeks pregnant in these photos!

First trimester Workouts:

Week 8: No weight gain, horribly tired. 

Sun: 3 miles: 7:58, 7:36, 7:20- felt awesome! Monday: Lower Lift. Tuesday: Off. Wednesday: Upper and HIIT with sled. Thursday: Home workout. Friday: Lower Lift. Saturday: off

Week 9: 1 pound weight gain, feeling more bloated. Tired AFFFFF!!!!!

Sunday: Run @ soccer tournmaent I coached- 7:55, 8:26, 8:10 (was literally 90 degrees...so hot!). Monday: LOwer Lift. Tuesday 2.75 miles 8:18, 8:28. Wednesday: Sled HIIT and upper lift. Thursday: Lower Lift. Friday: off. Saturday 3 miles with stroller: 8:40, 8:03, 8:00. 

Week 10: +2 pound weight gain. Starting to show a little especially at night! 

Sunday: home workout. Monday: lower Lift. Tuesday: off. Wednesday: 3 mile run, very very slow. Thursday: Upper lift and sleds. Friday: lower lift. Saturday 5 400's with strength in between: squats, pushups, lunges)

Week 11: +3 pounds 

Sunday: home lift, Monday: off (glute was bothering me). Tuesday 2 mile run. Wednesday: Home lift. Thursday: 3 miles- 8:08, 7:53, 7:50, Saturday: Off. 

Week 12: +3 lbs

Sunday: 3.25 miles, 8:19, 8:04, 8:29. Monday: Lower Lift. Tuesday: 1 800, 2 400s, 4 200s, 6 100s @ track. Wednesday: soccer workout. Thursday: Upper lift and HIIT sleds. Friday: Lower Lift and soccer workout. Saturday off. 

Week 13: +5 lbs 

Sunday: home workout. Monday: lower lift. Tuesday: 3 miles: 8:17, 8:13, 8:37 (died at end!). Wednesday off. Thursday Upper Lift and HIIT sleds. Friday: lower Lift. Saturday 3 miles 8:20, 7:48, 7:49

Week 14: +7 lbs

Sunday: off. Monday: 4 800s, 400 m job inbetween. Tuesday Home lift. Wednesday Lower Lift. Thursday Soccer workout. Friday: upper and HIIT workout. Saturday: off. 

Have a great weekend loves!

xo

Alex

I guess 3 was meant to be....{{Pregnancy thoughts}}

Wow. What a crazy couple of months. I feel like I was getting into a great rhythm in LIFE..work, working out, family time, independence...also with my blog posts, and managing everything...and then BAM. Surprise! Baby #3 on the way, and RIP to me getting anything. done. ever. Ha. 

I guess thats the way life is sometimes, once you get the hang of something, it changes. 

I've always been really upfront and transparent as a person, and thats carried over onto this blog. We are super excited to add to our family, but it was definitely unexpected. I had so many mixed emotions finding out, the first being a little bit of shock. A little  bit of...I'm not sure if I can do this again. A little bit of I just started to get a little more independence...and SLEEP.

But you can be sure there was a lot of excitement in my heart wondering if it was a girl or boy, and knowing this baby would fully complete our family. 

I think deep down I knew I wanted to have one more child, I was just wrapping my head around actually doing it ALL over again. After all, I just stopped breastfeeding Seb in March.

Let's just put it this way: Since September of 2013, I've been breastfeeding or pregnant for all but 6 of those months. You guys...that is FIVE freaking years. I really wanted to enjoy the summer and just be me. Not breastfeeding. Not pregnant. Just me.

Thinking about a pregnancy, weight gain, and the stress/anxiety of expecting a baby and hoping everything goes smoothly...., and then when the baby actually arrives the sleepless nights, breastfeeding/pumping, and just adjusting to a completely different family dynamic. I just coulden't wrap my head around it. 

Family of 4 was just so easy in my mind- we were pretty much through the tough part. Seb is 2 in October, starting preschool. Max is super independent. Traveling gets easier every time, and when my husband is home we are man for man. I feel like we can give them enough attention. I enjoy the one on one time I have with each of them. And most importantly, we have two HEALTHY, beautiful, happy boys that I almost feel greedy wanting more.

But there was always a longing feeling inside of me feeling so heartbroken to not snuggle another baby, breastfeed again, and completely watch another human being change our lives and hearts.  You never hear people regret having their last child. You always hear people say "I wish I would have had more kids."

So, here we are. 14 weeks pregnant this week!

Real Talk: Let's talk 1st trimester, because it is OVER. Thank you Lord! I found out around 6 weeks, and within a week I felt like I had contracted the boubonic plague. Having 2 littles and one on the way in the first trimester was ROUGH, y'all. I can't even explain the fatigue. My nutrition was absolute shit. I had no energy, and tbh you're supposed to limit caffeine? Well caffeine did not do a thing for me those first 6-8 weeks. I needed some sort of AED to give me life!!

I had the worst food aversions. Basically everything that I would normally eat (read: clean) was not going to happen. I've eaten far too many pieces of grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, and pizza the last month or so than I would care to share. I tried to eat the best I could (I'm prob not giving myself enough credit..but guys..the struggle was so so real) and I guess I've done a decent job? because I'm only up 5 or 6 lbs at almost 14 weeks. This is a little less than pregnancy #1 and #2 {{probs bc I never. ever. sit. down. with 2 toddlers lol}}. 

Other than the lack of energy and nausea here and there, I've felt good and have been really active. The great weather has certainly helped keep me active, and even when I was struggling for energy, I knew a workout would never make me feel worse ((it usually gives me more energy)) so I think being consistent with my daily activity (steps, walking) and workouts has really helped me. 

I'm feeling SO much better now, and excited to share my last pregnancy journey with you all!(yes, this will be our last :P) 

Thank you ALL for your sweet messages and love over the last week or so! We are so blessed to have baby 3 on the way and all of you in our lives!

xo

Alex