Workout Wednesday

Once I hit the point in this pregnancy where running was causing me more stress and pain than any benefits, I turned to finding ways to use HIIT workouts and weights to stay active and burn all the crazy off! 

I began using a training plan that was having me lift a lot of heavy weights, which at the time was helping me feel awesome!  I was able to maintain the muscle that I had and I was leaving the gym sweaty and with that spent feeling I loved after a long run or speed work.  However, not being a trainer, I got to a point where I was doing/lifting too much (hello weight Russian Twists at 20+ weeks probably not smart) and I had to scale back.

Sticking with my goal of staying active and maintaining as much strength/core strength, I started then using kettlebells more in each workout.  I started using kettlebells after I had our second daughter and loved the way I felt stronger and tighter through my core. 

The past few weeks I have been part of a 30 Day Challenge with Fit Mom Strong Mom.  I love the way that Jen started us by taking us back to basics...lunges, squats, nothing fancy but boy is it working!  Even though I'm pregnant doesn't mean I don't crave the feeling of an awesome workout or sore muscles! 

This is the third week and not only am I excited to be back exercising after a nasty cold but I'm just loving that I am still active now in my 8th month! 

My goal is to take each week as it comes....and really would love to be sweating it up at the gym the day before I go in! 

Let's Talk Training

I've been trying to find a good balance between my innate desire to push myself while also being mindful of allowing my body to rest at 7 months pregnant...plus let's be honest our 4 year-old keeps me running!  I have really been trying to stick to the early morning routine that I have grown to crave.  There are times where it is really hard to get up and get out the door, but once I do I feel so much better!  Running, while I am able to still do it in small doses, is still really uncomfortable so I have been trying to find other ways to move without hurting myself.  The way I see it, running isn't going anywhere so if I need to take a little time off then so be it!  My goals have been to get in at least 3 days of weight workouts and 2-3 of cardio depending on how I feel.  Here is how last week shook out for me!

Monday: 30 minutes on the treadmill...10 min warm-up, 10 minute intervals, 10 min cool down
                30 minutes kettlebells

Tuesday: Cardio...30 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the treadmill walking
Wednesday: Back to the treadmill and kettlebells...I've kept the same routine for both.  The sun finally decided to come out too so I was able to make it outside for a walk at lunch.

Thursday: rest day...I definitely slept in after mini-chickie waking up through the night!
Friday: You guessed it!  Back to the treadmill and kettlebells!
Saturday:  It was frigid out and the wind was whipping but mama needed some time OUTSIDE without children!  I walked around our neighborhood and even threw in intervals to break it up!

Sunday: Rest time!! 

How was your week?  How do you listen to your body when you need the rest?

Accountability Time

I feel like I'm in this spot in my pregnancy that is very similar to how many feel after the holidays...I just can't use my waistband to measure it!

I don't feel like my eating is out of control, however I am physically feeling much different.  One factor (in addition to my rapidly growing backside....boys only show in the front WRONG) is that my energy levels are SUPER low.  Regardless of what time I wake up, I find myself DRAGGING by mid-morning and falling asleep on the couch by the time the kids need to go to bed.  Aside from this keeping me from getting anything done, I also have no time just to hang out with my husband! 

I know that part of this is pregnancy, but I also know that my diet must be playing a part in that too!  I haven't been eating out of control, but if I'm being completely transparent, I haven't said no much either!  I came to this point yesterday after being completely overwhelmed this weekend, where I know I need to reign it in.  I am healthy, yes, but I want this pregnancy to be healthier than it is right now.  In order to do that I am going to start by tracking my intake again...back to my good friend My Fitness Pal.  I am starting there to get a good read on what I am actually taking in.  From there I will make adjustments...first one being cutting the sugar WAY back!  I know the drill....I've done it before...and reigning in my sugar and fats now will only make things easier once our little man is here. 

Please read this correctly.....I AM NOT DIETING!!!  I am simply choosing to make better choices that are healthier for myself AND the baby!  I will be using Wednesdays to keep updates going so that I am not only accountable to myself but also all of you!! 

Any suggestions on how to reign in the sugar cravings while pregnant?