Flip Side of this #pregofit thing!



Erin, me, Gilly, Heather, Jana, Crystal enjoying a Girls' weekend



Week 23 1/2....aka so freakin' close to 6 months pregnant!  Yes, I can still do A LOT - Yes, I feel great (I mean, I am pregnant but no aches or pains) - Yes, I have maintained my nutrition and fitness.  However, I want to be clear - pregnancy is a totally foreign state and if you're not experiencing some "transition bumps" then call me up and tell me your secret!

SOCIAL: 

I've always been a GOER and a DOER and from day 1 Jeremy and I have maintained a "barely at home" schedule.   Recently we went to Regionals for a weekend - worked the week - then I went to the beach for a girls trip the next weekend (hence the photo) and when I returned  I was quickly reminded how much REST I really need.  I've realized that if I don't take at least one day to nap A LOT during the weekend - you won't want to be near me by Wednesday :)  A girls beach weekend is also interesting when you're limited to 1 glass of wine and no coffee!  While I am not a big drinker, it's a totally different approach to no having a rita because of a baby..... I've read a lot more, napped a lot more, and am learning to be LAZY, something I've never mastered.

NUTRITION:
I sweet tooth has crept back into my life......I am yet to give in to ice cream, donuts, or anything other than a couple pieces of chocolate and more fruit than normal - but it's there!  Now you may be thinking the same thing many people have said:  it's just a pregnancy craving and I should just give in, etc.  OH NO, I've been down this path before and what I am experiencing is the sugar addiction that so many Americans have.  The first trimester was tough to eat anything and I truly had cravings for oranges, grapes, yogurt etc.  While all healthy sugars - I am convinced that the boxes of CUTIES I ate are to thank for my current desire for sweets!  As Jeremy said last night - this is my grace period and I've tried to stay sensible while accepting that eating all the right food and staying active does NOT keep away the expanding belly/thighs/etc..... For the most part my diet is 95% the same as it was before the pregnancy.  I have more peanut butter, more Kombucha (sweet fizzy yummmmm), at least 1 fruit a day and less red meat.  Otherwise, my choices and portions are about the same.  The growing baby needs 300-500 calories a day and now my approach is to eat exactly as before and sub 1-2 intense training sessions a day for the production of 1 baby Thiel.

FITNESS:

I am keeping my fitness -etc BUT the reality is - unlike CrossFIT, #PregoFIT is a state that continually declines rather than progresses. Each couple of weeks there is a new modification in my plan, a lighter weight on the bar, a slower pace on the track. The mental game becomes acceptance and appreciation for can STILL be done rather than focus to push what you can do NEXT. As an athlete, I've been trained to push forward - to ignore the fatigue/pain to some degree - now I am focusing on listening to what my body is saying and CHILL OUT! When I do, I am usually rewarded with lots of tickles and pokes from the baby!

A lot of people have asked what can and can't be done - I am not a medical expert but my approach has been:

•  if you've been doing it - keep doing it UNLESS it involves high impact (hockey, rope climbing) or it HURTS then stop
• if it feels heavy - drop the weight
• if your joints feel loose or my abs are pulling - stop
• if you can't breathe the baby can't either - slow down

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW (or so it seems):

So far I've gained 11.5 lbs. and am on track to gain at least 10-15 more.  As stated before, eat almost exactly the same as pre-pregnancy.

I workout 5-6 days a week but have cut out "two-a-days" and have started modifying movements.  I still work with intensity but my "10" today is about my "4" from 6 months ago!   I found that I love workouts that are EMOM- every minute on the minute or have calculated rest. 

For example, 

WOD 1:  EMOM for 10 minutes:  3 shoulder press, 3 sprawls

WOD 2:  5 rounds AMRAP 3 min:  30 ohsq 30 du - REST 2 minutes

 

Everyone is different - be realistic about where you are and what you can expect from yourself!

I just can't help myself!! Regionals "Day 1"

I have felt great and continue to train (just a little slower) during my 21 weeks of pregnancy!  I qualified for South Central Regionals but realized that actually participating wasn't the best decision for me (or the baby!).  However, this week when the WODS came out, I got hit with the "bug" all over again - They look FUN and just up my alley....well my pre #PREGOFIT alley anyway! 

This week - before the "real" South Central Competition - I've decided to do 1 of the WODS each day.  While MU and pull ups are MUCH!!!! harder than a few months ago, the only move I absolutely can't do is HSPU.  This week I took on a #PREGOFIT "Diane" and WOD 2.

Day 1 - WOD 1

Modified "Diane"

21-15-9

Sumo Deadlift 115lb

Strict DB Press 35lb

online men's DB weight was suggested 40# so....I did 35lbs

Time:  6:16

Day 1 - WOD 2

2000k row

50 one legged squats aka: pistols

30 hang clean 135lbs

Time: 14:16

New TRIUNE is here!

Open publication - Free publishing

What's the key to a happy pregnancy?

ignore horrible shoulder posture on left :)

I am convinced the answer has to be - CLOTHES THAT FIT!

Week 17 or for those who aren't stuck in weeks like pregnant folk....a little over 4 months - and I finally gave into the fact that I won't be wearing size 6 LuluLemon and my skinny jeans much longer (if at all).

So how can I feel comfy or well, less large...without buying an entirely new maternity wardrobe?

Closet Makeover:

Every season I move "last season's" clothing (ie: sweater, jackets, scarfs) to bins and replace with "this season's" basics (ie: shorts, skirts, tanks). Don't get me wrong - this takes like 10 minutes as I am NOT a fashionista! I decided that I would do the same thing as my belly expands and HIDE anything that is not going to fit this summer. The only thing hanging in my closet are flattering tops, skirts, shorts that were too big, and anything with an elastic waistband! My logic? Out of sight - out of mind - I won't be tempted or depressed by any cute little something that won't suit me right now AND everything I grab will fit!

Get The Basics NOW:

Everyone will have different basics but for me it was a pair of jeans/dressy shorts and of course Lulu shorts (workout gear). Rather than waiting until I desperately needed them aka nothing else fit.... I went and found a pair off super cute below the belly jeans (for $20 at Motherhood)- a pair of white Bermuda shorts. A few folks suggested the Belly Band but to me it was like a hot, awkward contraption that didn't' really keep my pants up anyway....so the other purchases were well worth it! As for the up sized Lulu - I quietly scoped out gals who I knew lost weight and probably had some old shorts sitting around that were now too big for them but perfect for me. Ok, so you can't be a germaphobe for this one and you should probably wash them in super hot water. It may not be for everyone but for me it was a quick fix to comfort for all my favorite activities (crossfit, yoga, etc etc).

Assess MISSING Necessities:

Now I've got a closet full of "only what works" and something to workout in (Lulu) and a pair of jeans to dress up! What else will make my expanding summer more pleasant? Dresses - camisoles - long tanks! Really the list isn't that long but it gave me peace of mind to have know what will make me happier without spending hours shopping (I am not a shopper). I got an "Easter" dress and decided to wait on tanks/tops until I REALLY need them in a few months.

Adopt The LFS Rule:

At first I was grabbing all the loose fitting, flowy peasant tops in my closet but soon realized those led to two possible responses from people:

1) you look "big" rather than "pregnant"

2) "are you sure you're not having twins"

I quickly learned that following the LFS rule was the way to go.

A little less "Lookin' F'ing Sexy" and more "Long/Fitted/Stretchy". This rule applies to dresses - tanks - tees - etc!

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize:
With limited options (yes, you saw this black tank last Tuesday....) and an out of body experience of expanding - I started digging thru my accessories to spice things up. "Look at my earrings....not my belly" is the approach I am going for! So far it's working - I'll update you in a few months to see if it's still that easy!

1st Prenatal Yoga Class - the HARDEST thing -

Was realizing I belong there!

We live about 1/4 a mile from on of Austin's best yoga studios and better yet they are know for pre/postnatal and kids classes! So, all it took was 1 free class offering by a long time athlete at RBG and I was there!

As I sat in the empty room (I am always early.....) watching the other pregnant ladies arrive, I kept thinking how great they looked - how fit and agile even the 37 week pregnant woman looked. I was inspired by the process of creating a kiddo and fascinated at how HUGE a tummy could be and how "normal" the rest of the body could remain. THEN I realized I was not just watching these pregnant women - I was one of "them" SHIT!!!!!!

I know we're all supposed to talk about how exciting this is and how great it's gonna be - and it IS - but it's also strange - I do not associate myself, my identity as pregnant, as a mom, etc. I successfully choked back tears for the next 20 minutes or so of class all the while to trying to remember my intention that the instructor had asked us to create before class began....Peace and Relaxation!

The class was great - the instructor was nothing but awesome - but I that didn't mean the entire 75 minutes wasn't surreal. When the instructor said "one hand on your little one" or "mommy arms" etc - I almost didn't know what to do - do I have "mommy arms"? It sounds silly to think but pregnant is not ME but it is so ME. One day at a time- one lb at a time - a million emotions at a time......

And I'll be back - I committed to every Wednesday for the next 5 months!

I thought I'd be missing out.....

5:30am at CC ATX in "game day" tees for OPEN 12.4

Since I will be 7 1/2 months pregnant in July training for the Games is just a silly thought - as mentioned before I stopped working out with the coaches/competitors at 1pm and started taking classes. Also, since I wasn't meeting with Coach JDP for my own sessions, I began assisting him at ATX to fill a personnel need (and to fill some newly found time in my schedule).

I thought I'd be "missing out" by changing my work and workout schedules.

Boy, was I WRONG!!

6:15am at CC ATX killin' it on the rowers

Being back in classes, as an assistant coach, with JDP has been more rewarding than I remembered! I love the energy from the athletes. I love seeing how excited these "everyday" (but not at all, ordinary!!) people get just as excited about the WODS as the "obsessed and competitive" coaches or CrossFit junkies! It's also been refreshing to really get to meet a the people who support CrossFit Central as a business and get to know our athletes again. I might also add....I admire these early morning folks! I can get up to work (b/c I have to be there) but getting up for a workout at 5:30?!! DEDICATION!

As for being in classes - I might be in the most "badass" group that Travis Holley coaches in Strictly Strength (just saying). The group is motivated - dedicated - and FIT!
It's been awesome.

What I thought what I'd miss the most was doing the OPEN WODs with the Coaches and Competitors at 1pm on Friday. As the competitors ramp UP for the season, I am calming DOWN in my workouts - so I joined Big Mike's 11:30am class for the OPEN WODs. This was the BEST choice I could have made! The environment of this class is incredible - supportive - competitive - FUN - perfect!

I start this week with a new found appreciation for all the CrossFit Central and CrossFit Central ATX athletes - the expertise that Travis and Mike bring to their classes - and excitement for the final 2012 OPEN workout.

Training for a Health/Fitness....not Competition

As short sighted as it may sound, the hardest thing to adjust to immediately is my training schedule/routine. Mentally I know I need to make some adjustments but physically I feel better than I have in weeks and I don't yet have any "feedback" from the baby. I'm over the sickness and not yet to the baby kicks so all decisions are based on mental prep rather than physical feedback.....twilight zone!

I know me and I don't trust myself to scale intensity right now - I might get better at this as time passes - however, right now GO means GO. I know that the 1pm workout with the coaches and other competitors is not the place for me. Not because I can't do the workouts but because I can't keep up....nor do I want to anymore! :)

I thrive with a plan - I like to train with a group - and I can scale loads more confidently than intensity. For these reasons I joined Travis Holley's Strictly Strength class 2x a week - I already knew I loved Travis's program and it's even more refreshing right now!

I will do the Open 12.? WODs in class with Big Mike and look forward to getting back in the pool a couple days a week!

Once again the community of CrossFit has proven to be one of my favorite things! I reached out to a couple other Competitive CrossFit moms (Carey Kepler, Heather Bergeron, Tanya Wagner)for their advice and got a plethora of support - information - and a reality check! I plan to eliminate all inversions (HSwalks, HSPU, skin the cats, even flip turns in the pool) But otherwise carry on until something says STOP - SLOW DOWN - OUCH!

The good thing about not finding out until I was 12 weeks = seemingly short pregnancy. Kiddos for time....3-2-1 Go!

The not so good thing..... = having 2 weeks to adjust and absorb before I was "showing"!