I can't do this alone!

I just got an email from my dear "furna mom" friend and she committed me to starting NO TREATS again! I seriously can't do a weight loss program alone and I need someone to report to, so THANK YOU CARRIE!

As you can see from below, I DESPERATELY need a no treat restriction! I obviously read Carrie's email AFTER I ate my so-called breakfast of cookies and stolen Halloween candy (yes, I snitched in the kids bags!) But, I promised her that I would start being accountable again and report my calories, so I am being HONEST here (don't laugh!)

We are doing no treats until Thanksgiving. Two other goals I'm going to focus on are:
- no eating past 8:00
- count calories every day

Here is the report for TODAY:
cookies (2) - 350 ??
smarties - 30 ??
tootsie roll - 30 ??
a starburst - 30 ??

(okay, now the healthy stuff):
chicken noodle soup - 400 ?
tillamook extra sharp cheddar cheese (oh so good on the homemade soup!) - 200

TOTAL SO FAR: 1040

Tuesday Calories

Oatmeal - 150
Kashi Bar - 120
Milk - 30
sugar free snack pudding - 120
applesauce - 100
pretzels - 50
dried bananas - 50
total so far = 620

I am BACK and ready to go

Well, it has been ONE MONTH since the birth of my baby girl and I feel really good, but also really flabby! I am extremely anxious to get going on some WEIGHT LOSS! No worries, I am not starting anything strenuous. I just want to get out and MOVING again! I can't start back at the gym until Elizabeth is 6 weeks old (for child care), so I am going to my best at home. I also really need to crack down on my eating, for Elizabeth's sake as much as my own. A well balanced diet will do both of us A LOT OF GOOD and will most likely CURE Elizabeth's night time fussiness, I am sure.

My overall goal (as you can see on the side goal column) is to lose 18 pounds by Christmas. I am going to shoot for 2 lbs a week. So, I am starting TODAY with the same old, same old REPORTS! So, here we go...

DIET:
multi-grain cheerios - 110
yogurt - 120
brownie - 150?
tuna sandwich - 350
chips - 120
raisins - 200
orange juice - 120
milk - 200
brownie - 210?
zone protein bar - 210
total so far: 1840 (I am in trouble! I haven't eaten dinner yet!)

EXERCISE:

12 Weeks Left!

Well, I figured I should do a post marking the beginning of my third trimester and give a little report on my progress. For one thing, I have GAINED MORE WEIGHT! Surprise! Just kidding. I have been putting off my "4-week" appointments and finally went yesterday (I feel fine, I don't see the point in going so often). I have officially gained 25 pounds! Hmmm... a little more than I'd like, but I figure if I keep my weight gain to 3 pounds a month for these last 12 weeks, I will stay under 35 pounds. As long as I gain less than the 40 pounds I did with Emma, I will be happy. 35 seems okay. Believe it or not, I am getting excited about getting into "calorie counting" again. My big weight loss last year started mid-September and I got to the lowest weight/body fat by mid-December. I think it will be good that the timing is similar. Maybe I can get back to normal by Christmas. I am really glad that I had the experience of losing the weight RIGHT before getting pregnant, because it is fresh on my mind and I KNOW what I need to do. I am sure I have already forgotten how hard it really was and I KNOW I am not accounting for the adjustments of life with another baby. For now, I will just focus on getting to the end!

So, for my progress... I have not kept on my supposed "no sugar" rule, but I have been more conscious of it. I took a couple week break from working out at the gym but kept very busy with house cleaning, yard work and packing. The time has not affected my ability to keep up in spinning class, so hopefully I was getting enough exercise throughout my days of working around the house. I am trying to get to spinning 2 days a week. I have a schedule set up for once the kids are out of school which gets me to the gym most days. It is a good distraction to other things I should be doing! Ha! I know that is the worst mindset! I swear that is what my whole summer is about... just keep busy and let it all fly by FAST! Okay, not TOO fast, because I LOVE summer and I want to soak it all in. I think more than my anxiousness for the baby to be here, I am more anxiosu to get this period of studying for the Bar over with! Kolby will be studying at the house every day which makes me want to be AWAY from the house as much as possible. Sorry, I am going off on non-health related tangents! I think that being out and about most days will help with my eating - not as much snacking throughout the day. We'll see.

Anyway, for the most part, I feel good. I would like to start walking every day. I cramp up when I do, but I think perhaps the more I do it, the less I will cramp. If it starts to bother me too much, I will probably just stick with the bike. I worry that if I do spinning too much, that I will bulk up my legs (because I feel like that is what happened to me when I was younger and I biked about 10-15 miles a day). I will report back after I figure out what is working best!

Until next time...

A New Week!

I always feel a breath of fresh air when I know that a NEW week is beginning. The MOST important part of the day for me is MORNING. If I can make a smart choice with my breakfast and get LOTS of water in at the beginning of the day, I tend to do so much better throughout the whole day. So, that is my goal for tomorrow.

To report on my "no sugar" goal... I am still working on eliminating it. I have not done "great," but I've been better. My friend Sara suggested that rather than take it out all together, designate HOW often I eat it and make it "special." Although I do so much better with it out of my system, I am thinking that maybe her idea is best for me right now. Especially since it takes a good two weeks of NO sugar whatsoever to get the cravings out of my system. It is so hard to go that long and then once you get there, to keep it going! So, yesterday, we were out with the kids ALL day and bribed them with cold stone ice cream (which I haven't had in probably 5 years); I ate some. Then of course today with Mother's Day, I had LOTS of goodies. I don't want to feel guilty and miserable eating it and I know that I won't it I do make it "special" (meaning no junk binge every day)!

Anyway, I am really happy to have found that spinning is working very well for me. It is the only thing I can do where I don't cramp up (even walking caused cramping lately). It worry that I am going to bulk up my legs, but hopefully not if I do that 2 days a week and perhaps speed walk 2 days or so.

So, until tomorrow...

Struggling but Progressing

Well, I can't say that my "cold turkey no sugar" is a complete success, but I am at least doing better than I normally would as I try to be consciousness of it. The key for me is to get the sugar out of the house (which I am helping with by EATING). Seriously, as soon as the temptation is gone, it will be easier. Yesterday was not the best, but today was better (I did eat some sugar cereal... we have never allowed the kids to eat sugar cereal and I bought some justifying it as a weird pregnancy craving). Anyway, I didn't track perfectly today, but here is what I remember:

EXERCISE:
hour long spin class
20 minutes lower body weights

DIET:
eggs - 150
cereal - 250
milk - 150
some of Emma's spinach revioli - 50
grapes - 100
flax seed vege chips - 200
fruity candy things - 120
chocolate covered blueberries - 150
snacking..? - 250
mushroom asparagus risotto - 400
bread - 100
jam - 75?
TOTAL: 1995

WATER:
55+ ounces (so far)

Until tomorrow...

Okay, this is serious business now!

Alright, I am serious when I say that I am getting back on track with my health and nutrition! What is it about being pregnant that has made me feel like I've been handed a free pass or something? I have been reluctant to weigh in at the gym for fear what the numbers would be and well, I did - today - and it wasn't pretty! Seriously, the numbers are so bad... I AM NOT SHARING. I came home and took measurements and recorded it in my journal. Looking at how fast I have declined from where I was is very depressing! I know, I know, I'm pregnant and I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Everyone says that and I will tell you right now, that is not what I want to hear, because I know the BAD decisions I've made and the sugar binge I've been on and regardless of expected weight gain during pregnancy, it is not good for the baby. So, I'm cracking down! Anyone who wants to join with me in a NO SUGAR challenge again, I am starting mine TODAY! I don't know how long I plan to go and I'm probably not going to be as strict as last time when I wouldn't eat anything with over 5 grams of sugar (yogurt and go lean cereal is okay for me). I am also going to start recording things again. So, to start off right, here is my report for the day:

EXERCISE:
45 minute spin class
30 minutes of upper body weights

DIET:
grapefruit juice - 140
almonds - 180
ZONE protein bar - 190
protein shake with berries, banana and spinach - 350
fruit bar - 130
milk - 100
dried green beans - 130
TOTAL SO FAR: 1220

WATER:
66 ounces (so far)

Hmmm... amazing what a little effort can do! (and a little accountability). By now I would have reached for sugar 3 times by now, but I have refrained! So despite my discouragement this morning, I feel ENCOURAGED overall that I can do this! I am going to keep my goals simple for now... maintain my weight for a few weeks and make healthy eating choices (with no sugar).

Back into the swing of things

After a week of NOT working out due to a little road trip I took with my kiddos, I am excited to get back into the swing of things. I had a lot of catch up stuff to do today which kept me home from the gym, but tomorrow, I'm going hit the eating and exercise hard again! Okay, maybe not "hard" but at least DO IT! You know what I mean! I know one thing... I need it! I am getting winded just climbing all the stairs in my house. Maybe it is a good thing that I am putting the baby's nursery on the third floor! Climbing up and down 40 stairs will help me to loose the baby weight after he/she is born!

Until tomorrow...

Thursday

DIET:
Go Lean Cereal - 200
Yogurt - 120
milk - 30
Fruit Bar - 140
apple - 60
peanut butter 210
raisin bran - 300
total so far = 1060

EXERCISE:
none yet (hopefully I can do the treadmill tonight while I watch The Office)

WATER:
hmm... 30 ounces, maybe? We're out of water. I've got to buy some more today!

Wednesday

DIET:
Protein Shake (with spinach!)- 350
Triscuits - 150
tuna - 120
fruit bar - 140
ABC crackers - 130
string cheese - 80
a couple more things I don't remember (I was mentally keeping track and now I don't remember what it was!) - 300
snickers bar - 280
vitamin water - 120
turkey burger - 160
cheese - 80
bun - 120
baked potato - 150
cottage cheese - 80
cheese - 50
wheaties - 250
Total = 2560!!
okay, not very good today! Shouldn't have eaten that snickers bar!

EXERCISE:
2 10-minute trainer videos
30 minutes and 2.25 on treadmill

WATER:
50 ounces so far

Monday

DIET:
cereal and milk (small bowl) - 100
protein shake (banana, berries and spinach) - 400
chips - 150
chocolate covered blueberries - 200
Nature's Harvest oatmeal - 150
milk - 20
fruit leather - 50
total so far = 1020

EXERCISE:
1.5 miles on treadmill
hour long weights class

WATER:
25 ounces so far

Saturday

DIET:
I tried to keep a mental note on calories but didn't do so well in keeping track. I am sure I was OVER because we went out to dinner and I got lobster bisque soup (not so healthy!), then I ate ice cream and kettle corn tonight. So, we'll start back tracking tomorrow!

EXERCISE:
hour long weights class
1 mile on treadmill

WATER:
not enough! I have to remember to DRINK! I feel so much better when I DO!

Friday

DIET:
protein shake (with spinach) - 275
banana bread - 250?
butter - 50
milk - 140
total so far: 715

EXERCISE:
2 p90x 10-minute trainers

WATER:
16 ounces so far

Thursday

DIET:
go lean cereal - 200
yogurt - 120
milk - 30
string cheese - 60
grapes - 50
open face tuna sandwich with cheese - 300
popcorn - 240
edemame - 100
banana bread - 400?
open face chicken sandwich - 300
iceberg wedge salad - 120
cereal - 200
total so far: 2120

EXERCISE:
hour interval class (cardio & weights)
1.5 miles on treadmill

WATER:
35 ounces so far

Wednesday

**GREAT EXERCISE TIP**

Click HERE for a GREAT exercise tip on running.
I am going to try it out tomorrow!

DIET:
go lean cereal - 200
yogurt - 120
milk - 30
applesauce - 70
cereal - 350 (two big bowls)
1/4 tuna sandwich - 100
pretzels - 130
Hawaiian Haystacks - 600? (I really have NO idea!)
protein shake (with spinach!)- 275
total so far: 1875

EXERCISE:
5 miles on treadmill (ran 3 of it)

WATER:
30 ounces so far

Tuesday

DIET:
** Just take note that I am WELL AWARE that I did NOT make good food choices today! WAY TOO MUCH junk! Argh!
Protein shake (with spinach!) - 275
snickers bar - 280
vitamin water - 25
cereal - 300
pizza (free dinner at the school) - 500?
salad - 150?
chips - 150
ice cream - 300?
cookies (they are now gone! thank goodness!) - 400
TOTAL - 2280

EXERCISE:
didn't happen today (I had a doctor's appointment this morning)

WATER:
45 ounces so far

EATING PAST 8pm
bowl of ice cream (oops!)

Monday

DIET:
protein shake - 275
cheerios - 100
ZONE protein bar - 190
cliff bar fruit stick - 70
some of Emma's fries - 60?
cookies - 320
total so far: 1015

WATER:
35 ounces so far

EXERCISE:
ran 1.5 miles
hour weights class

Two things blew the diet for me today... I terrible fall that made me mad/sad and want to indulge in more cookies to make me feel better (totally stupid, I know) and Kolby's birthday and the red velvet cake I made for it! Oh, and I ate past 8pm. I guess it's better that I started my day right rather than have it go bad the entire day. I will guess how I ended with calories for the sake of honesty and reporting...

total from above: 1015
3 more cookies - 440 (why do homemade have so many calories?)
parmesan chicken - 200?
caesar salad - 150?
garlic bread - 150?
red velvet cake - 400?
milk - 110
fruit loops (late at night) - 350
TOTAL - 2815!
(what an embarrassment!)

Sunday's Report

Okay, I am going to be VERY honest with this blog (it's the only way I can honestly account for my goals, even though I am embarrassed to admit some things!) From everything I've read, I should have gained an average of 5-7 pounds by now in my pregnancy. I have gained 11! I would be fine with the weight gain if I knew I had been eating smart, but I have given in to JUNK way too much. The best way for me to be sure to get the "NUTRITIOUS" foods is to eliminate the overall calories, because then I know I have to make them count! So, I am going to try to stay around 2000 a day this next week. Since I DO feel more hungry being pregnant, I am going to have to be very careful about eating good whole grain carbs and protein. I read an entire article talking about what foods make you feel full and satisfied the longest. Some people think that carbs in general will help you "feel" full; but that is not good enough, they have to to be 'WHOLE GRAIN." The other key for me is to NOT eat past 8pm. So, I am going to report on how I do with that each day along with my diet, water and exercise.

The biggest problem today was the fact that we have NOT given up our traditional Sunday baking with the kids that started during Christmas. It is so hard when they get so excited about it. Jaxson talks all the time about how HE is going to do the same thing with HIS kids when he is a dad! Man, I need to build up my willpower!

DIET:
protein shake - 350
open face tuna sandwich with cheese - 320
chips - 100?
edemame - 100?
5 chocolate chips cookies - 640!!!
milk - 110
turkey meatloaf - 140
risotto - 100
peas - 80
chocolate chip cookie - 160
milk - 110
TOTAL: 2300

Ignoring BAD advice and recommiting to "the diet!"

I just have to share my opinion on something I have really struggled with. In a previous post, I mentioned how I am trying to keep my heart rate under 140 (because that is what everyone/everything seems to say you should do). Well, after a couple weeks of doing that and feeling like my body was going to POT because I was NOT getting the kind of workout I was used to, I realized that, "you know what? I am going to continue doing what I've been doing before ever getting pregnant!" I know if my mother-in-law reads this, she will flip! (She is an aerobics instructor and says I need to keep my heart rate under 134! Sorry, but I'm not feeling much that low!) My doctor says I am find to keep doing what I've been doing and bottom line, I am really tired of people placing all these restrictions on pregnant women! I felt strongly about this before, and then I found this post by my friend Marilyn who reconfirmed that my thoughts are not selfish and let me know that I am not alone in these feelings. I hope she doesn't mind, but she said it all so well, I am going to "quote" her:

...I have been getting annoyed with some of the old school thinking of what a pregnant woman should or should not do. I am appalled at some of the unrealistic reports that are still out there... some of the myths out there about exercising while pregnant are disturbing and they are from supposedly "credible" websites.

I was researching exercising while pregnant because I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing trying to keep active and maintaining my fitness routine. My doctor has already reassured me a couple of times. I have asked him fitness-related questions the last few visits, just to make sure I was on the safe side. I am a little paranoid I guess and don't want to do any harm to the baby of course! So, I was doing further research for myself.

Here is what upset me... Associate Professor of OB from Babycenter.com said and I quote "you generally shouldn't raise your heart rate over 140 beats per minute while pregnant" and "You'll know you've probably gotten too hot if you break a sweat and continue sweating." Luckily, all of the posts beneath the article were very plainly disappointed and had very supportive evidence to prove the article wrong. It made me feel better that I wasn't the only one to recognize the falsity and ridiculousness of the report.

Pregnant women should exercise just as everyone should. It helps strengthen the body and build endurance to prepare for birth, steadies and greatly minimizes emotional stress, encourages healthier eating (at least for me) which supports the growing fetus, and allows one to bounce back into shape after the baby is born. It is healthy to break a sweat otherwise the "workouts" would be extremely limited. Plus, you have to push yourself to feel satisfied and have your workout time be productive. The advice to not push yourself is very disturbing to me. I know I shouldn't go overboard and I need to be careful but I get sick of reading how the only exercise you can do is yoga! That is a lie and is only promoting the excessive weight gain that is occurring for pregnant women in our society.

Basically every comment made after the article had a similar stance as myself and it was very refreshing to seem some reality! There are so many restrictions out there for what a pregnant woman should or should not do that it gets a little discouraging!!! What are we supposed to do then? Sit in a cocoon for nine months? Nine months is a long time and I am sorry but women have been having healthy babies for hundreds of years without this advice. They say the health-risks out there now are so many times smaller than what they were in the past with all the technology, healthcare, and research available. I am not going to worry.

Here are a couple of the other posts after the article....

I'm VERY disappointed that an assoc prof of OB would still be following this outdated report. I'm an exercise physiologist and did my masters work in exercise and pregnancy. I have read >70 studies and there is clearly NO evidence to suggest that you shouldn't get your HR over 140. It is an arbitrary #. Dr. Artal wrote a good book, Dr.James Clapp wrote an even better book, check it out (Exercising through your pregnancy)that is based on RESEARCH, not guesses. About monitoring your core temp, you would literally have to use two probes, one that goes down your esophagus and one that goes up your rectum. This is not really feasible or comfortable. The best thing to do is exercise indoors during the summer, listen to how your body feels, drink fluids, and use a fan. Sweating is good... it cools you. But if you feel like you might be getting too hot, then bring your intensity down a few notches. Also, if you're already fit, your circulatory system is efficient and will get sufficient blood flow to the baby.

I'm a faithful exerciser in my first trimester. I'm still running regularly. I drink a lot of water and if I feel the slightest that I'm pushing myself, I stop to walk. My HR usually hovers around 155 and I usually slow down if it goes over 160. I think that each person is unique and it's hard to say that NO ONE should go over 140...I'd be very limited in my workouts if I couldn't go over 140...

There were many more comments I did not post here that proved the article wrong. This morning in my weights class, I asked my instructor about how long I could continue the weight lifting (trust me, there is plenty of "advice" out there about this as well!). She said that she TAUGHT the class up until the day before she went into labor. Also, a spinning instructor of mine taught well into her pregnancy. She says I am fine if I stay below 165. I think the best thing is for me to LISTEN to my body. When I am running, there are times I feel like I need to slow down to a walk. I don't let my heart rate get above 160-165 and I am being very careful to stay hydrated. So, that is that!

As far as my "reporting..." My workouts have been going well and that is probably the easiest part of trying to stay healthy with this pregnancy. Eating, on the other hand, is another story. I have really struggled with BAD sugar cravings and I have given in WAY too many times (I have been eating donuts! What the heck? I have never liked donuts!) Anyway, after a week of very poor eating choices, I have realized that the best thing I can do for my baby is take the 5 minutes it takes each day to REPORT IN on this blog! So, I am recommitting! It does NOT take time to track my calories; and when I do, I make smarter choices. So, although it may seem inconvenient when I want to reach for those chewy sweet tarts, I will always make the wiser choice if I know I have to record the calories... so I REALLY am back to DAILY REPORTING! This time, for REAL!

So, here it is!
DIET:
protein shake - 350
go lean cereal and yogurt - 350
chips - 150
raisins - 50
lentil soup - 400?
fruit bar - 130
chicken stir fry and rice - 500?
ice cream - 200
edemame - 100
cereal - 200
TOTAL: 2430

WATER:
65 ounces (so far)

EXERCISE:
hour long weights class

I think my confidence is BACK...!?

Yesterday was such a good day for me. It was Emma's birthday so I did give in on the junk and probably went over calorie-wise, but for whatever reason I finally feel that my confidence is back. Having gained eight pounds in a matter of 6 weeks or so was a very discouraging for me. It is crazy how much it can affect you mentally, even though I know I'm pregnant and it should be okay to gain weight. I think it's because I KNOW I haven't been making as healthy of eating choices as I have the last several months; the gain was NOT entirely because of pregnancy, it was because of MY POOR CHOICES! Anyway, it has been a mental struggle for me and has dampened the joy I usually feel from working out.

Today, I got on the treadmill and ran 3 miles. I didn't push myself too hard, but I was encouraged by how easy and most important, how FUN it was. You have to understand that I LOVE to work out! So to have that joy gone for the last several weeks has been hard. Today I felt encouraged that I CAN DO THIS! I can be pregnant and still enjoy this hobby. Even if the weight bar on my "row" lifts in weights class touches my belly much sooner than it did before! I shouldn't care that I have a pooch so early on in my pregnancy!... it's not affecting my abiblity to stay active! I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself and take control again! I am going to LOVE my work outs like I did before!

I think I have been most discouraged by the inch I've gained back on my thighs and the 1.5 inches I've gained on my hips! Oh and did I mention the 4% I've gained back in body fat! Okay, that is the one that probably hurts the most! If I can ever get back to 15% body fat after this baby, I will have reached my goal! Regardless of what the scale says!

All that said, I have to admit that I feel selfish how much time I give to going to the gym each day. Because of the big chuck of time I sacrifice, it affects my whole day. I usually don't get home from the gym until noon. It's not that I spent HOURS working out, it just takes awhile to drive, get Emma dropped off and all of that. After lunch and preschool drop off, I only have 1.5 hours before I get Jax which is usually spent running errands or whatever (that is if I had time to shower before dropping Emma off). Needless to say, this means that my HOUSE (laundry, cleaning, budgeting, projects, etc, etc, ) gets neglected! I am trying to figure out a better balance. If anyone has any ideas, let me know! (I think now that it's getting warmer, I need to hit the gym EARLY, but that means I can't do the classes that I LOVE).

So, now that Emma's birthday is over, I can start working to control the sugar intake again! I did okay last week, but I never really wrote my calories down and that makes a huge difference. So, I will try to track for the rest of today and for sure will start writing it down tomorrow and I'll report back. I had to babysit kids this morning, so no gym. I am going to try to go before dinner tonight.

Until next time...

Wednesday... back to the daily reporting!

Alright, back to the accountability thing... here is run down of my calories so far today:

DIET:
Go Lean Cereal (this has just started to taste good to me again, so it has been about 2 months since I've eaten it) - 200
Yogurt - 120
milk - 30
2 oatmeal cookies (bad I know) - 200
graham crackers - 120
pretzels - 120
banana - 100
2 hard boiled eggs - 120
protein bar - 200
pop tart - 200

total so far: 1480

EXERCISE:
45 minutes on elliptical
20 minutes legs (weights)
ran 1 mile on track

WATER:
35 ounces so far

Ode to Hawaii

Well, since Hawaii was such a great motivation for me to lose weight and get into shape, I feel a desire to give tribute to the wonderful place we enjoyed for a week.

Dear Kuaui,
Thank you for keeping me focused on my goals for so many months. There were so many times that I reached for that oh-so-tempting dessert and turned it down because of you. Because of you motivating me to be in shape, I was able to enjoy your rugged beauty. I had the strength to kayak the Wailea River with ease. Hiking up the muddy trails to Secret Falls offered a challenge I was able to tackle while keeping my head up to enjoy the beauty. I had the strength to hold onto that rope swing at Kipu Falls and experience an exuberant adrenaline rush. So, thank you Kuaui! Thank you being there to help me reach my goals and enjoy memories that will last a life time!

Until Next Time...
Alison

Well, with that, I thought I'd post a few pictures. I didn't get any cute bathing suit shots like Natalie did on her trip to Mexico (you seriously look like a model Natalie!) But, here are a few good ones that I do have...Kolby and I on our hike up to Secret Falls
Me at my favorite beach (with a soaking wet skirt... I obviously got a little too deep in the waves)
Kolby and I at a Luau
Enjoying the sound of the water below the nets of the Catamaran that took us out a whale watching excursion. Being pregnant, I was lucky to get sick only ONCE (which was NOT the case for many other tourists aboard!)
Me at Secret Falls

The "Exclusive" Inside Scoop

I am feeling a great desire to "explain myself" on my slacking with this blog. So, in this post, I will offer my confessions and my re commitment goals... but most important, I will share some BIG news! Hmmm, I'm not sure anything can say it better than a little conversation that took place between Carrie and Jaxson (the kids got to spend some time with them while in Utah)....

Jax: "When my mom's tummy gets bigger I have a secret. But I can't tell."
Carrie: "Oh really? so when your mom's tummy is bigger you have a secret, huh?"
Jax: "Yeah."
Carrie: "So is your mom going to have a baby?"
Jax: "It's a secret so I can't tell."

Ha! So much for having the kids "keep a secret!" It's a good thing we waited until right before our trip to Hawaii to tell them! Emma has leaked the "secret" as well. So... that is the GOOD NEWS! I am 12 weeks and VERY excited! I am not sure I want to announce it to EVERYONE yet, so for you who read this... keep it on the down low for a couple weeks. Actually, that leads to my confessions... you may NOT need to keep it a secret for too much longer because I have been SO BAD and gained way too much weight so far! Hence the reason why I am feeling a GREAT desire to reconnect with this blog. I want to account for my health choices with this pregnancy to be sure I am being smart and making smart choices for my baby. So far, I have given into pregnancy cravings that I have NEVER felt with either of my previous two pregnancies (namely sugar, Sugar and SUGAR!!). I have been a little irresponsible, I think.

From the time I started this blog, I knew I would probably meet my health goals in just enough time to turn around and gain it all back with a pregnancy. Yeah, I wish I could have enjoyed the size 4 pants a little longer, but having reached those goals and feeling the difference in my life, I am now all the more committed to losing the weight quickly after baby number 3 (and not waiting 3 1/2 years!) I am also more committed to staying active through this entire pregnancy, to make healthy eating choices, and do as much as I can for my baby! So, there you have it! Now, for the goals (keep in mind, I know a lot of this is more for ME than for anyone else. In other words, this will make for pretty boring reading)...

I was NOT active with either of my last two pregnancies. I did not track my eating and ended up gaining around 35 pounds (I think almost 40 with Emma). I know that's not a TON, but it took me a long time to lose it. I just lost 17 of the last 20 pounds this past fall/winter with our little fitness forum. After my research on what is "healthy weight gain," I would like to aim for 25 pounds. My mom and sister never gained a pound over 20, but I'm not sure that is realistic for me (especially considering how much I've already gained). Average weight gain for the first trimester is 2-3 pounds. After that you should gain 3-4 pounds a month. In the last three months, I should have only consumed 150-200 calories extra a day. I FAR surpassed that. In the coming months, I should add an extra 300 calories to my daily diet. Here is a break down of where my weight should go:

• Baby: 7 to 8 pounds
• Larger breasts: 1 to 3 pounds
• Larger uterus: 2 pounds
• Placenta: 1 1/2 pounds
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
• Increased blood volume: 3 to 4 pounds
• Increased fluid volume: 2 to 3 pounds
• Fat stores: 6 to 8 pounds

The good news for me is that my appetite is finally starting to get under CONTROL. I am feeling a little more normal (not violently STARVING when I first wake up in the morning). My girlfriend's doctor is keeping her on a very strict diet to control weight gain during her pregnancy and has often had her drop 100-200 calories below her "maintenance caloric intake" level. So, for the next few weeks, I am going to try it. I'd like to maintain my current weight until I'm 16-18 weeks (I am going to be flexible with time goals for now). The important thing for me is to make good food choices and eliminate the JUNK (hard to do after a hardy Christmas and Hawaii trip which consisted to rich desserts EVERY freakin' night! I will just figure that I've filled my bucket on treats for awhile and hope that mindset will give me a little willpower).

I have to laugh at myself while typing all this as I am finishing off my 4th oatmeal cookie for the afternoon. We have gotten into an old habit/tradition of baking on Sunday afternoons with the kids. They will be sad if I put an end to that, so we'll see... maybe I can withstand the temptations and let them bake anyway (I am highly doubting it... I should prepare myself for tears!)

Okay, so starting TOMORROW (you've got to LOVE a new week!) I am making the goal of
1. NO treats, and
2. Maintain a calorie consuption of 2000 calories. (my maintenance intake is 2185).

So, hold me to it girls! I am going to keep my goals centered around EATING for now and keep it simple. Exercise has not been an issue for me (it is my mental therapy amidst this cold winter weather!) In fact I just got a pilates matt and a heart rate monitor for my birthday which I am very excited for! I have a hard time keeping my heart rate as low as I should now (especially in spinning) and don't want to get too high for the baby; as you may know, the fetus can't cool down, and you should never go above 135-140. I easily get up in the 170's with spinning! So, I'm trying to be smart and track it better.

I guess I will mention ONE fitness goal and that is that I want to run a 10K with my friends, Hollie and Sarah in April. I am little nervous and excited about it; but I just keep thinking of Carrie, who ran a half marathon when she was 20+ weeks and feel like I CAN DO IT! I'll just have to go slow! So, I'll keep you apprised on how THAT is going! (I guess I should start running again, eh?)

After a long hiatus...

I ran into my friend Sara at the gym today and talking to her motivated me to actually DO a post! Surprise! Since it's been two weeks, I feel the need to reassure my fitness friends (who may have lost hope in me by now) that I AM still alive! To recap the last couple weeks, I'd say... "crappy diet, good exercising." From this I can attest to the importance of BOTH! The only way to ensure success is to focus on diet AND exercise! That being said, I am still where I was two weeks ago. I am, however, enjoying some NEW things, namely pilates and spinning. I think I was kind of getting a rut with my same-old routine that I had going before the Christmas break. My schedule is a little bit different now which has forced me to change things up a bit. For anyone who has never tried pilates, I cannot recommend it enough! There is nothing more rejuvinating! I literally feel like a rubber band when I'm done... it's great! As far as spinning, I am remembering why I loved it so much years ago! There is no other cardio workout that makes my lungs HURT at the end! I literally FEEL like my lungs are growing BIGGER! Anyway, aside from all that, I hope that everyone is doing well! I intend to check in on you all more regularly! So, until next time...

Wednesday/Thursday

Today and yesterday have been okay days. I have not done great with my diet (I've eaten ice cream for the first time in 4-5 months). I've tried to plug away on water intake but allowed more calories by drinking orange juice and milk (which are never good "fillers" for me). Yesterday was my "off" day with exercise. Today was great - I worked out for 2 hours... 1 hour weights, 40 minutes cardio jump-o-lean class, 20 minutes abs. Tomorrow I am going to weigh in and measure. I will actually be happy if I maintain. I feel like my body is just trying to get used to getting back into a regular routine again with exercise. That being my focus this week, hopefully next week I can focus more on the diet and continue with the exercise.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday

Exercise:
hour long interval class
15 minutes running/walking on treadmill

Water:
25 ounces so far

I didn't measure or track amounts very well, but here goes...
Diet:
Cheerios - 200?
sugar (on cereal) - 80?
milk - 110
chocolate covered blueberries - 180
Hummus - 100
Pita chips - 350
total so far: 1020

Monday

EXERCISE:
hour long weights class
20 minutes on elliptical
ran 1 mile on track

WATER so far:
60 ounces

DIET:
Go Lean cereal - 200
yorurt - 120
milk - 30
cookie - 160
fruit bar - 140
cookies - 480 (no more today!)
turkey meatloaf - 200
rice pilaf - 150
vegetables - 100
cookies (two more!) - 320
total so far: 1900

Sunday

Why am I so HUNGRY all the time? I did okay today on my diet until Kolby and I made cookies after 8:00 and I ate 4 of them! I figured out that the recipe equals 160 calories for one cookie! Oops! That put me over! No exercise today but I did GREAT in the water department.

Until tomorrow when I will hopefully do BETTER!...

Saturday

Go Lean Cereal - 200
yogurt - 120
milk - 30
fruit bar - 140
half an open face tuna sandwich - 180
hot dog - 170
macaroni - 150
apple slices - 20
TOTAL so far = 1010

WATER: 28 ounces so far

EXERCISE
probably isn't happening today

Quick Friday Post

Well, seeing as how it's almost midnight, I better get my "post" in before the day is over. Today was an okay day. It was GREAT for exercise, but not so great with eating. You know how many of us get discouraged by the numbers on the scale and eat crummy? Well, today I think I was encouraged by the numbers, realizing that they were NOT as bad as I thought they should be and justified a little "wiggle room" in my diet. I actually did fine until after 8:00 when I should have STOPPED eating but had a few treats instead. I should NOT be allowed to go to Trader Joes because I physically CANNOT restrain myself from buying dark chocolate covered blueberries. I know I mention these A LOT on this blog, but they really ARE my biggest weakness in life. I will report what I remember with the diet, but it is not accurate...

DIET:
apple - 60
zone bar - 210
baked cheesies - 200
chocolate blueberries - 300
fruit bar - 140
potato chips - 150
spagetti - 130
meatballs - 200
sauce - 100
bites of kid's macaroni - 100
Caesar salad - 150
milk - 110
misc treats/junk - 300?
TOTAL = 2010

EXERCISE:
45 minute interval class
1 hour palates

WATER:
60+ ounces

Good news is that my % of body fat is not too far off (only about 1%)and my BMI the same. I HAVE gained two inches on my waist and 1 inch on my hips, arms and thighs. So, my goal before Hawaii is to LOSE THE INCHES! Even if I don't drop any pounds, I will be SO HAPPY if I can lose the extra inches! After today's weigh in I OFFICIALLY have...

4.2 pounds to LOSE before Hawaii!

THURSDAY

Well, the good news is that I cheated and weighed myself today (I was going to wait until tomorrow) and it seems I have only gained 2 pounds. I don't feel like it! I think I have gained in inches more than weight. I know that weight can fluctuate, so I'll do all the BMI, body fat %, inches and weight tomorrow to have it recorded on my progress chart. If today's weight is accurate, I have 4.5 pounds to go in 5 weeks. I think I am going to add an "inch" goal to my weight goal before Hawaii. Regardless, I feel good knowing that I have plenty of time to get where I want to be before I hit the beach!

Today was great in the exercise department, here is what I did:
EXERCISE:
30 minutes on cross ramp elliptical
1 hour "Jump-O-Lean" class
20 minutes abs

DIET:
apple - 50
1/2 banana - 50
Go Lean cereal - 200
yogurt - 120
milk - 30
bread - 100
peanut butter - 100
honey - 40
dried fruit - 100
gushers - 90
triscuits - 40
BBQ Chicken - 250
orzo bean salad - 100
romaine salad with hazelnuts and parmesan - 130
broccoli with swiss - 100
jo jo cookies (I've got to get rid of these) - 300
potato chips - 150
Total so far = 1950 (crap, I'll do BETTER tomorrow!)

WATER:
45 ounces so far

I'M BACK!!!

I am back after a 2 week vacation which cost me about 5 pounds (I think), I am going to weigh in on the gym scale on Friday for the official damage. Hopefully it is not as bad as I think it is. Getting life back to normal is crazy right now with about 7 loads of laundry and taking down all of Christmas (probably 6 or 7 totes of stuff!... ridiculous, I know!) So, I am going to keep this short.

DIET:
Raisin bran - 210
milk - 100
zone bar - 200
dried fruit - 200
string cheese - 80
doritos - 200
orange juice - 110
jo jo cookies - 400 (ouch!)
milk - 110
spagetti - 100
meatballs - 200
sauce - 100
total : 2010

WATER:
50 ounces

EXERCISE:
walking up and down stairs about 500 times (exaggeration) cleaning house

until tomorrow...