32 Week Tummy Update

It's been quite some time since I did a belly update so things have changed a lot!

Ready for the pic?

I have a belly! Well, I did last time too, but it was much smaller. Sorry there isn't my awesome white board ;) but I didn't feel like it. :P Now a comparison from last time I was pregnant...

I wish these pics were more similar so you could see more of a difference, but if you can't tell. I'm carrying very different and I'm smaller. I know some people might not see much, but I see a ton! like those shorts I'm wearing in my 1st pregnancy picture, fit me great then, but this pregnancy... I don't wear them much, partly because it's getting cold here now and also because they are big on me! My arms are still smaller then they were last time. And my face is thinner, but that is hard to tell because in the current pic I have my hair down and the older pic it's up which makes your face look thinner. My hair is also longer now, but that's besides the point, haha.

Okay! Belly update stuffs...

How far along? 32 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I'm no longer answering this question, I will tell you when I'm done being pregnant.
Maternity clothes? Mostly! I still have some of my non maternity stuff that I'm wearing, crazy right?
Stretch marks? No new ones, and the old ones aren't really showing up, yay LOTION! But really got the stretch marks last time around 36 weeks so we will see. I'm lotioning up like crazy though to keep them away as long as possible.
Sleep: Bah, bad question. I wake up multiple times a night. Not really for any reason, just because. I seem to be constantly restless and I can't get comfortable. 
Best moment this week: Um... ?
Miss anything? A good nights sleep! Being comfortable. Serious working out and running! I want to run so bad!!!!
Movement: YES! Like crazy! She likes to kick the hubs when we are going to sleep, hahaha.
Food cravings: Not to much anymore, but when I do crave something it's usually sugar or chocolate which is weird because chocolate isn't really something I love. I mean I enjoy it, but I would rather have other things. Unless it's a reeses, but then we are getting into chocolate and peanut butter and that's a whole different story.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, not anymore.
Have you started to show yet? Um... yes
Gender: GIRL!!!!!!!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks/Contractions nothing serious.
Belly button in or out? Officially out. Weird... That's another difference. With LW I never had an outy because of my extra fluff. I don't have as much this time so I have an outy. Weird.
Wedding rings on or off? On :) I only take them off at night because my hands swell when I sleep, but then in the morning they go right back on! :D YAY! I had to stop wearing them early on with LW because of swelling.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Usually happy. But LW and his toddler tantrums definitely make that hard... really hard.
Looking forward to: Not being pregnant anymore. I'm so done, being a mom of a busy body toddler definitely makes this whole pregnancy thing a lot harder. Plus, I want to workout HARD and run and run and run and not be in pain. I think the relaxagin (or however that is spelled and said) is making it's way around. I have old injuries flaring up that cause me daily pain. Both my shoulder and my ankle. Not fun.

YAY! Only 8 more weeks to go, two months! Yikes! And only 5 more until I'm full term. :D YAY!!!! 

Until Next Time!
Spicy!

Weekly Goals and a little Annoyance

Okay, I'm going to rant about how annoying people are for a minute then get to my weekly goals so if you want to skip this part you can.

Why are people so annoying? Why do they feel like they have to tear anyone down when they are trying to be better? Why does the world see things so unhealthy!?

I've mentioned before I'm not where I wanted to be (health or weight) when I became pregnant again, but I am healthier then I was last time! I am eating better this pregnancy as well and continuing my workouts which were very sporadic during LW's pregnancy. Also, having an OB/GYN who doesn't listen to you or thinks your lying about eating well and working out or thinks your anorexic because you lost 3lbs is stupid.

So here's the deal for the world to see and know. I lost 10 lbs with LW before I started gaining weight. You want to know why? I was fat and when I found out I was pregnant I instantly stopped eating candy/sweets and stopped drinking soda. Guess what my OB/GYN at the time said? "You have the weight to lose and it's good not to consume those things anyway." Ta-da! I didn't gain a single thing until I was close to 28 weeks pregnant and then I gained about 20lbs. People are different! Some people gain weight their entire pregnancy, some don't gain until the second, some don't gain more then 15-20 lbs while others gain 50+ lbs (not recommended or healthy, but I'm making a point). Everyone is different and every pregnancy is different as well!

And guess what?! Whether your pregnant or not, eating healthier will make you lose weight. I'm NOT trying to lose weight, I'm just trying to be HEALTHY! I eat a TON. I'm not on a "diet", I'm just eating healthy. My OB/GYN doesn't know anything about me because she won't spend more then 5 minutes in the same room with me, I'm just a number to her. A patient should feel like a person, not a number.

I'm not thin or have super defined muscles (though I am pretty muscular) so looking at my "cover" and hearing I'm eating healthy and working out may be hard to believe. But I am. The world needs to GET OVER the whole "eating for two" thing about pregnancy. You're NOT eating for two adults, you're eating for yourself and a little TINY baby who needs about 300 calories. Look it up. And getting pregnant doesn't mean it's "fat time" or "gaining weight time" or anything else that this world believes which is really sad. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and it should be just as healthy as life should be.

Our baby girl is healthy with a steady 160 heartbeat. So there. :P

Whew... now onto my goals and a much happier note!

Weekly Goals!!! (July 8 - 14th)

1.) Walk everyday. Walking is easy and a great exercise. It doesn't have to be a fast pace, just have to get up and move. Plus, it gives me a little "me time" while LW just sits back and relaxes in the stroller. May have to do this at night after he goes to sleep though this week... we'll see.

2.) Keep a Food Log. I know food logs can be faked, but mine aren't. Keeping a food log will keep me on track with what I need to be eating for the baby and for myself. Plus, pregnancy makes me super forgetful so I have to be writing down everything anyway, haha.

3. Complete Three Strength Training Sessions. This can be circuit training, weights, intervals... whatever!

4. Have fun with Spunky! I'm way excited that Spunky is going to be staying with us for a couple weeks! We are going to be doing everything together and it's going to be awesome!!! What better motivation to workout and stay on track then being with your sister who is also trying to be healthier? Perfect!

Here's a little update on LW: He's a tyrant. He hits (we are working on that, A LOT). He screams. He's upset about everything no matter what. He has started refusing to say Please, which then I wont give him what he wants which results in a tantrum. Oh well kid, ya gotta learn. Recently he's become a very picky eater and will cry about everything I put in front of him (not putting up with that). Aside from all the things he is doing that are driving me crazy, he also does the most adorable things and is the cutest boy ever. He is talking a lot more, which is really really cute. He loves getting "feel better kisses" and giving them as well. He asks for a hug every now and then. He sings with me when I sing and will sometimes sing on his own with a wide grin. He LOVES anything and everything having to do with cars. He is the cutest little boy ever!!!

And he is so getting potty trained over the next too weeks, haha! Wish us luck!

Until Next Time!
Spicy

20 Weeks Down; 20 to Go - Gender Reveal!

I know you all have known for a while now that we are expecting again, but this is the series of pictures used to announce it to everyone else and to reveal our baby's gender!

Gotta love LW's silly tongue sticking out face

Which will it be? Boy or girl?

Make a wish!!!!

WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!

YAY!!! The Hubs and I are so happy we are having a GIRL!!!! I was holding in the biggest squeal of excitement when ultrasound lady told us the gender. Hehehe!

Now all the planning,crafting, buying, decorating, and preparing can begin! 

The only other thing I have to say before some comparison pictures and the weekly update is... my OB/GYN is annoying. I miss my midwives. :( Now back to the happy stuff.

Left - 20 Weeks with LW.          Right - 20 Weeks with Babe #2

How far along? 20 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 0+/-
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants, yup. Maternity shirts, not really. They still look funny on me. Sticking with my regular clothes as long as I can.
Stretch marks? No new ones.
Sleep: Better then last week, but still not great.
Best moment this week: Learning the gender and being able to FINALLY plan stuff! I've been nesting like crazy!
Miss anything? A good nights sleep and laying on my tummy. Eating what I like. I'm so picky with this pregnancy, blasted food aversions. My HIIT workouts!
Movement: YES!
Food cravings: Some hot, thick, fluffy dinner rolls with cinnamon honey butter smothered on them.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet? Yes.
Gender: GIRL!!!!!!!
Labor Signs: No.
Belly button in or out? In, but it's looks funny.
Wedding rings on or off? On :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: Usually HAPPY!
Looking forward to: All the planning, decorating, and fun stuff like that! :D

Only 20 weeks to go!!! Some days I can believe I'm 20 weeks and others I can't believe it at all. I still don't "feel" pregnant. I didn't really feel pregnant with LW until later on either though. Guess that is the same so far. Anyway, sorry this is late. Make sure to come back tomorrow for Workout Wednesday! Friday will be week 21 with another update! Also, check out what Spunky's been doing the last week with her new plan; just click here! She's working on her second one so watch for it this Sunday too! 

Until Next Time!
Spicy

19 Weeks; Sweetarts are not vitamins!

I learned a hard lesson this week. I went a little over board on camping treats... One of the treats I bought was Mini Chewy Sweetarts. I do not recommend doing this... I could not stop popping those things into my mouth. Four at a time. They were SO delicious. What's left of them are currently sitting in the back of my pantry while I try to forget about them. 

In case you were wondering...

Sweetarts are NOT vitamins! 

And if you eat to many of them you wont feel very good...

I had to reevaluate what I was doing. So I woke up at 6:45 am. Said my morning prayers, read my scriptures, and got ready for the day. A routine I haven't done in... well... a long time. It felt AMAZING!!!!

Oh and the hubs is on board with working out! WOOT! We worked out together Wednesday night and we are working out again together tonight. He did a speed interval workout that lasted 10 minutes and I did a weights and intervals workout that probably took me 20 mintues from start to finish. He got a little dizzy after his workout so he sat down, drank some water, and waited for me to finish then we stretched together. My baby belly is getting in the way of some stretches... 

I'm flexible people. I'm used to wrapping my hands around my feet when I lean forward... I can touch my toes. It's weird to me.

Speaking of the baby belly, check it out!!!

How far along? 19 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 3lbs+ last I saw (about a month ago)
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants, yup. Maternity shirts, I have one that fits me right now, and it's actually my cousins.
Stretch marks? No new ones.
Sleep: Bah... I slept fine with LW's pregnancy. This one, not so much. :(
Best moment this week: Feeling all the movement! Been feeling it for a while, but I have just been getting excited about it lately.
Miss anything? A good nights sleep and laying on my tummy.
Movement: YES!
Food cravings: Chinese and Mexican food! I'm really craving Mexican food at this moment, haha.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet? Yes, but someone told me I didn't even look pregnant... So what do I look like? A person who is randomly gaining weight in... only her stomach? There is a point when telling a pregnant lady she doesn't look pregnant isn't a good thing.
Gender: I DON'T KNOW!!!
Labor Signs: No.
Belly button in or out? In, but it's looking funny.
Wedding rings on or off? On :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, but I seem to be getting headaches easily which puts me in a grumpy mood.
Looking forward to: Learning the gender!!!! I want to know.

Until Next Time!
Spicy

Pregnancy 18 weeks. Healthier, it makes a difference!

I wanted to post the comparison pictures for you of my first pregnancy and this one. This is at 18 weeks. I know it's a different angle, different shirt, different blah blah blah... Whatever. It's the best I've got and you can tell the differences. So there. :P

This is me with my first at 18 weeks. Notice the choppy ugly hair--no actually don't notice that, haha.

Second time around 18 weeks. Healthier w/ more muscle. Thinner face, thinner arms, thinner upper stomach.

See?! It does make a difference! I'm not as healthy as I wanted to be the second time around, but I am healthier! I weigh less then I did last time, I have muscle this time, I'm happier both inside and out! It makes a difference!

Now, onto the update everyone wants...

How Far Along? 18 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/loss: 3 lb gain.
Baby's Size? Currently a melon, about six inches from head to rump
Maternity Clothes? Shirts, no. Pants, yes. I still could wear my regular jeans with a hair-tie around the button, but it's uncomfortable.
Stretch Marks? No new ones. I'm still lotioning up like a crazy person. Hopefully no new ones will appear...
Best Moment This Week: Feeling him/her move!!!
Miss Anything? Um... No?
Movement? A TINY bit. 
Food Cravings? Chocolate, which is weird, because I do not usually crave chocolate. It's not my 1st candy.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not lately.
Have you started to show yet? I think most people would be able to tell I'm pregnant now... maybe?
Gender? Hoping, hoping, hoping for a girl. Another boy is good too though. We will find out soon!
Labor Signs? No! Thank goodness, that would be bad.
Belly Button in or out? In, but I have a major inny anyway, it never popped out with LW. It is looking a little funny though.
Wedding Rings on or off? On, I'm hoping it will stay that way this time. I stopped being able to wear them last time around twenty weeks.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! I'll randomly feel really upset about something and then I remember it's the pregnancy hormones talking and that makes me roll my eyes, then I feel better.
Looking forward to? Finding out the gender!!! Duh!

There you have it! Keep going strong! 

Until Next Time!

Spicy

Monday Check In w/ Goals!

Whoo-hoo! It was fun to see a post from Spunky!

I'm checking in with an overview of my entire weekend!!!

...

...

...

There ya go! Hahahaha. Hahaha.. Haha... Ha....

Ya, my weekend didn't consist of anything, but cleaning house! I did stop by an aunt's full marathon to see her finish and that was fun! Here is a picture of her coming up to the finish line...

She asked me a few months ago if I was going to do the full marathon with her and  think my eyes almost popped out of my head. I still believe a full marathon is crazy! There is no way I will ever do one. I will be doing another/more half marathons. No point in dwelling on that though for at least another five months!

On to the goals/summer challenge!

I read this article, I know what to do..., same as Spunky and I came up with my own goals.

1. Strength Train 3x's a week
2. Walk/run 3x's a week
3. Stretch everyday
4. Starchy carb 1 meal a day (dinner)
5. FOCUS on portions

I KNOW I can do all of these. Number 4 (same as Spunky) will give me a hard time I'm sure, but I'm determined to do it. I really want to walk everyday, minus Sunday, but three is the least amount of walking I should do. I've been doing better with portions lately so I really want to keep this up.

I found an old picture... and I was going to post it, but at this moment I can't find it... of a date night for the hubs and I a few years ago... We had the same size of portions on our plates. I KNOW I ate all of it and probably more too. Jeez... no wonder I put back on all the weight I had once lost. I should NEVER have the same portions as my husband. He can pack it away and not gain a pound. I don't know where he puts it all.

My Pregnancy goals are still...
1. Gain 15 lbs (totally doable with my size)
2. Remain healthy and working out until due date
3. Post Pregnancy - lose baby weight in 30 days (or less) Whoo-hoo!

What are your summer goals?

Until Next Time!
Spicy

Workout Wednesday - Deck of Cards

I apologize for being MIA for the passed week. I had planned on posting last week after W.O.W and it just didn't happen. Then this weekend I had a KILLER workout! Whoever says gardening/weeding for 2 1/2 hours then painting the rest of the day is tiring! We finished the second coat of paint on Sunday and I've been taking a day or tow to recover. Yesterday I finally felt more like myself and not WAY exhausted. So I came up with this...

Welcome to Workout Wednesday!

Have you ever done a Deck of Cards workout? It sounds easy. You only do four moves and your done when you've gone through the entire deck. I first saw this on The Biggest Loser and thought it was amazing. I remember looking at the contestants doing a Deck of Cards workout I kind of chuckled to myself and thought, "That wouldn't be such a hard workout."

Have any of you ever thought that about one of the biggest loser workouts? Or maybe one of the moves they do, like when they grab the ropes and start whipping them around (that's not easy by the way)?

Well, I assure you, this workout will KILL your legs!

Here's the deal...

• Each suit represents a different exercise
• Each number tells you how many reps you'll do
• Face Cards = 10
• Aces = 11

Good Luck

Deck of Cards Leg Killer

Hearts = Deadlifts with 10 lb weights

Diamonds = Alternating Lunges holding 10 lb weights (one left AND one right equals one rep)

Spades = Squats holding one 10 lb weight in front of you (Keep your butt back and tight, use your butt and hamstrings to squat and lift, squeeze your butt once your standing and tilt your hips slightly forward)

Clubs = Inner Thigh Burners (that's what I call them, it looks like this...) Do number of reps on both sides!

Not me or my picture, I found it on google images

If the weight is to heavy for you, lower it. If it is to light, raise it. This is just what works for me.

If your legs aren't jello after this workout, you're not doing it right. This can be adjusted to any fitness level and it should burn. Make those legs shake with effort!

I love working out my legs because they are powerhouses, but I have weak hamstrings and inner thighs. It's what caused my hip pain during my half marathon. Basically I have uneven legs. My thighs are WAY strong while the rest of my leg... not so much. This workout works all parts of your leg.

Oh ya, all of these moves are safe all the way through your pregnancy as long as you have clearance from your doctor.

I had a lot of fun making this workout and just as much doing it. Now, I'm going to go collapse on the couch and not attempt to move for a while. ;)

Until Next Time!
Spicy

Workout Wednesday!

Alright, so yesterday I was still trying to get in the swing of things after Memorial Day so I didn't get to post about the ab challenge. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't do as much as I wanted to last week when I started so I took it down a notch. Being fifteen weeks pregnant I know I'm going to have to cut back on ab exercises like these soon so I think what I did was great!

I did each exercise 10 times instead of doing the first one 25 times, and having it pretty much get worse from there on out. I didn't do the Scissors or the Leg Climbers. Both of those exercises I do not like. I like to MOVE and Scissors doesn't give me enough movement and I can't get my leg straight which drives me bonkers! And then there are Leg Climbers! Why on earth would I want to "climb up my leg"? Plus, then my leg gets in the way of my growing belly and it's just not a comfortable move. I've done these exercises before when I wasn't pregnant and they are fine, but I always resented them.

I was able to do the whole workout, minus those two moves, with ten reps each move. That may not seem like a lot, but I felt it! I also listened to my body and took the necessary breaks when needed. I am thankfully pretty in tune with my body, I listen to it all the time. When I felt my stomach or my uterus tighten to much, I backed off for a bit. I talked to my doctor and she said I am fine to keep doing this as long as I listen to my body which I am doing.

The squat challenge is still going good and strong. I'm happy to say that I have a rest day from the squat challenge today. Yay! My hamstrings and butt are SORE! That could have to do with my gardening yesterday too. It's amazing how many muscles you work doing that.

Workout Wednesday today is me posting yesterday's workout. It was a good one. So... let's link up!

Quick update on Skinny Meg and Mama Laughlin, they are getting together for the Pretty Muddy and want to meet people! I am so jealous that I don't have the funds to go meet them. Now I don't drink so that part of the night I would probably end up being the designated driver if I could go, haha. ;)

Seriously though, if you can make it, you should. Those two ladies are rock stars.

Now for the workout. 

I started with the squat challenge and the ab challenge then went on to do this...

This BURNS!

Squat, Bicep curl, Shoulder Press, repeat for 3 minutes (I used 10 lb weights)

1 Leg Deadlift Left Side - 1 minute (I used 10 lb weights)

1 Leg Deadlift Right Side - 1 minute (I used 10 lb weights)

Shoulders - Lift arms out to sides until aligned with shoulders then lower, lift arms front to shoulder height then lower, bend at the hips and perform a butterfly (mama laughlin demonstrates this move here). Repeat for 3 Min (I used 5 lb weights, I have a weak shoulder from an injury)

Bent Over Rows - 1 minute (I used 10 lb weights)

Plank - 1 minute

Repeat 3x's

I feel really dumb for not knowing the names of those other two moves in the Shoulders part of this exercise, but my mind is blank. I really can't think of them. They are actual moves, I promise, haha. I hope I described them well enough so you understand. Anyway, enjoy the workout! It was a good one. ;) 

Until Next Time,

Spicy!

300 Ab Challenge

The Petite Athlete put this workout together. It is a challenge that really targets the core. You're core should be worked very often because it helps you do everything which means having a strong core (stomach, back, and sides) is very important.

The challenge is based off Ab Ripper X from the P90X video's and it has always been a favorite of mine. I remember I loved how much it hurt the next day after doing it. I haven't done this workout in a long time though. 

The Challenge issued by The Petite Athlete was started by a few bloggers I know and love yesterday, but you can always start a challenge, no matter how late to the game you are. I'm starting it today.

Being pregnant I don't know how much of this I will be able to do, so I'll post later on how it went. I am currently 15 weeks pregnant which means I should finish this 30 day challenge before my halfway mark.

Please remember I have a very low risk pregnancy and not all woman should be even attempting this workout while pregnant. Please ask your doctor first and listen to your body. 

The 300/30 Days Ab Challenge

For the details on this challenge and a demonstration of the moves please hop on over to The Petite Athleat's blog and check it out, here.

Check back later for an update of how this pregnant lady did. 

*~*~* Update 5/26/2013 *~*~*

This took me a LONG time to do. I'm not in best shape so maybe for someone who was already in great shape this would be fine to do in 15 minutes, but not for me. I'm not sure how long it took me exactly, but I didn't do all of them either. Each exercise was different for me. I was able to do all of them, but the amount of times I was able to do was different each time. I will be doing this again tomorrow and I will keep track of everything this time and let you know in tomorrows post. Again, I have a VERY LOW RISK pregnancy and I listened to by body VERY closely on this exercise. I am NOT a personal trainer of any kind yet PLEASE talk to your doctor before doing this!

Until Next Time!

Spicy

It Feels Like Monday/Workout Wednesday

It feels like Monday today. I didn't even realize it was Wednesday this morning until I got online to check out a few of my favorite bloggers sites. I was fully prepared to talk about last weeks goals, which I may do anyway. Then I saw Workout Wednesday! I briefly thought, SkinnyMeg hasn't posted in almost a week? Then I looked at the date, then at the date on my computer, then back and forth between the two until my tired brain realized what I was looking at. That TODAY is Wednesday!

You see, today is really my first day back in Utah since EARLY Saturday morning. The Hubs, LW and I flew out to Kansas to have a family get together. We flew back in yesterday night and I'm a little travel logged and keep thinking today is Monday. Whew, I hope that goes away soon.

After we landed two of my sisters and one of my brother in laws picked us up. I wish I had a video or picture of my reaction when I saw them because I'm pretty sure it was awesome. It's been a long time. Then we climbed into a car and headed to their house. This is what happened on the way home.

LW and The Hubs fell asleep

I chatted it up with my sis, then a few hours later snapped this shot.

LW sitting on a chair waving to family members. The person sitting next to him is our one and only Spunky!

These are the only pictures I have on my phone, but MANY were taken. I will try to post more about our weekend. :) 

Just a quick overview of my goals last week. I didn't have a third walk/run, but I did get two in. I went on a walk with one of my sisters yesterday. It was nice! I am going to go on a walk/run today and again on Friday. So I will get three in this week!

Water I did great on! Except while in Kansas. I still drank pretty good, but not as good as I should have.

Lifting weights. Um... Hello? Did you not see my workout last week?! Haha, yes I lifted weights. I want more though!!! Is that greedy? ;)

This weeks goals (even though I know it's a short week for me):

1. Walk two more times

2. Keep hydrated!

3. Eat five meals a day (new thing I'm going to start doing, we'll see how it goes)

Alright so... My workout of the day... what should I do... hmm....

Well, I have my squat challenge which I'll be doing 70 squats. I'm also going on a walk/run. Which will probably be about three miles, maybe a little more. Let's do this:

High Side Plank Reach Through - 15 reps

Single Leg Dead Lift - 10 lbs. & 15 reps

Walking Pushups - 5 reps

Temple Tap Abs (a favorite move from Melissa Bender) - 15 reps***

Workout Ball Inner Thigh Squeeze - 15 SLOW reps, 15 sec hold at end

Elbow Plank - 60 seconds (that's my goal)

Repeat 2 - 4x's

*** Temple Tap Abs are a flat back exercise! I have been cleared to continued doing these kind of workouts until I am half way through my pregnancy which is 20 weeks. PLEASE consult your doctor BEFORE doing this! These workouts are what works for my and my VERY LOW risk pregnancy. I will be listening to my body A LOT on these. If I feel even the tiniest bit uncomfortable I will stop and do something else and I will update this post and let you know. Listen to your body and consult your doctor!

Have a GREAT workout!

Until Next Time!

Spicy

Workout Wednesday - Making An Already Awesome Workout My Own

So... last night I had a super giddy, dorky moment. I started giggling like crazy and the hubs looked over at me and asked...

"What?"

Well, then I obviously had to explain EVERYTHING! I told him how there is this Mommy Fitness Blogger I really really admire and look up to. She's lost tons of weight, looks amazing, and is way funny and just plain awesome....

And she commented on my post(last weeks workout link up)!

ME! 

WHAT?! 

I'm still getting giddy, haha!

Now, obviously this said Fitness Blogger would be Skinny Meg! Who I'm linking up with again today, because she is awesome and she read my blog... and commented on it! 

Sorry... I'll try to calm down now...

I briefly explained, and not to well I might add, what my workout was last night... but I really did take it to a whole new level folks! I'm here to tell you exactly what I did in this awesome workout linkup

As for today, I'm taking a semi-rest day. I'll be doing some yoga to stretch out my sore muscles from the past two days and the squat challenge. Nothing too exciting, unless you really like yoga like me.

Yesterdays workout consisted of Mama Laughlin's Arm Workout which is amazingly awesome and my own flare as well. I mentioned I like making things whole body instead of just targeting one area. That's exactly what I did.

If you need videos on each of the basic moves without my added awesomeness, Mama Laughlin has some great videos on her post with them being demonstrated. I'm just not cool enough yet to post videos. 

This is my Pumped Up Version

Set One

Hammer Curls - 10 reps w/ 10 lb. weights and alternating lunges

Shoulder Press - 10 reps w/ 10 lb. weights and a wall sit

Butterfly - 10 reps w/ 5 lb. weights and dead lifts

Squats - 5

Repeat 4x's

Set Two

Bicep Curl - 10 reps w/ 15 lb. weights ( had to drop to 10 lbs. on last set)

Walking Pushups - 4 

Squats - 5

Repeat 3x's

Set Three

Tricep Press - 10 reps w/ 10 lb. weights and ball squeeze (straddle a workout ball like your sitting on a horse and squeeze with your inner thighs as hard as you can each time you lift the weight)

Chest Fly - 10 reps w/ 10 lb. weights on ball. Shoulder blades on ball, keep body level like a table (works the core really good)

Tricep Pulse - 30 sec. pulse w/ 5 lb. weights - 45, 48, 45, 49 (OUCH!)

Squats - 5

Repeat 4x's

30 sec. front plank on forearms

30 sec. left side plank on extended arm

30 sec. right side plank on extended arm

STRETCH!!!!

This hurt so GOOD!!! The 5 squats at the end of each, repeated that many times will give you 55 squats total which was my challenge number for yesterday. I will let you know. I am going to be so sore! I'm tight as I'm typing this and that always turns into soreness. The second day is always worse for me which is why I will be stretching and yoga-ing like mad today. I also have to drop the weights  to 5 lbs on butterflies because of an old shoulder injury. 5 lbs is even too much some days. Listen to your body! Don't push it if it's telling you not to (not your brain, that's different). Enjoy the workout and don't forget to check out the other awesome ladies on Skinny Megs Workout Wednesday Link Up!

Disclaimer - I am NOT a personal trainer (yet). 

Please talk to your doctor/physician before beginning any workout program or exercise. 

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! I can not stress that enough. 

This WILL get your heart rate up! I don't have a heart rate monitor, but I can tell you my heart rate got up there. That can be dangerous for some pregnant woman. I have a VERY LOW RISK pregnancy and my doctor told me to use the talk method. I was holding a steady conversation with the hubs during this workout so I knew I was okay.

I workout from home so all of this can be done without a gym membership. 

This is just what I do that works for me, but people are different. If it works for you, then great! 

Have a fabulous day!

Until Next Time!

Spicy

Thirteen Weeks and Getting Back on theTrain

Last week I gave my very first post of staying fit while pregnant (Keeping Fit Through Pregnancy Part 1). I may not have mentioned though that unfortunately I didn't workout for over a month! I found out we were expecting while experimenting with my workouts and trying to find what best fit me. Then the nausea hit. I couldn't do anything in fear I would toss my cookies(although I didn't eat practically any cookies). The second I started moving around, just cleaning the kitchen, I'd feel it coming and have to sit down. I would rather sit on a couch all day then be working to get things done and have to run to the bathroom to bend over the porcelain throne every ten minutes. No thank you! I lost a LOT of muscle tone and that saddens me, but I'll get it back. So over the last two weeks I've been working hard to get back in the groove of working out because my nausea stopped! Also I'm not feeling like I need a nap every hour. Yay!

My workout yesterday consisted of a 3.5 mile walk/run, the squat challenge, and cleaning house. Not that intricate I know, but I was TIRED after all that. Whew!

Oh, I'm also bummed out because I was totally going to link up with another blogger yesterday and then never got around to it. I'll still do what the link up wanted me to do after I'm through with this, but it won't be the same.

Without further daddling...

How Far Along? 13 Weeks
Total Weight Gain/loss: 1 lb gain.
Baby's Size? Currently a lemon, about three inches
Maternity Clothes? Lol, no. I tried to wear a maternity shirt this last weekend and it looked funny on me. Not there yet, but there is a nice hair tie holding my pants together at the button.
Stretch Marks? No new ones. I have a lot from being so overweight at such a young age, growing quickly in certain areas, and I did sustain a few with my first pregnancy, hoping I won't have as many or none at all this time. I'm lotioning up like a crazy person.
Best Moment This Week: Um... Oh, officially ending my first trimester!
Miss Anything? Not really. I'm feeling pretty much normal again so I'm good.
Movement? Sometimes I think I feel something, but then remember I'm only 13 weeks and it's probably just a gas bubble or my tummy digesting.
Food Cravings? CHINESE!!! I always love chinese, it's probably my favorite food, but lately it's all I want! To bad we can't have it every night. :(
Anything making you queasy or sick? The smell of eggs cooking is gross and same with anything being fried, especially onions. Thankfully it doesn't make me feel sick anymore though.
Have you started to show yet? To me, yes. The the rest of the world, I just look like I'm gaining weight in my stomach.
Gender? Hoping, hoping, hoping for a girl. We will find out in a little over a month!
Labor Signs? No! Thank goodness, that would be bad.
Belly Button in or out? In, but I have a major inny anyway, it never popped out with LW. It does feel weird though, it's not the same as it was 13 weeks ago! ;)
Wedding Rings on or off? On, I'm hoping it will stay that way this time. I stopped being able to wear them last time around twenty weeks.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! I'll randomly feel really upset about something and then I remember it's the pregnancy hormones talking and that makes me roll my eyes, then I feel better.
Looking forward to? Finding out the gender!!! Duh!

Woop! There ya have it! My workout for today is focusing on arms and core, plus the squat challenge.
I love Mama Laughlins arm workout she posted here. I'll be using my only dumbbells of 5 lbs and 10 lbs. I wish I had some 8 lbers. Maybe someday soon. Or maybe I'll just skip over them all together, ha! I tend to throw in some full body movement too though, like lunges while I'm doing curls or hammers, or squats, or wall sits, it's good for you and works a lot more, try it! I'll also be doing a few moves my mom (who's a personal trainer) gave me, but I'll be using bands making it hard to describe  Maybe one day I'll post a workout video on here and show you. I'll keep my core tight throughout it all and do some plank work, a good safe core workout for pregnant ladies. I love moving planks, multi-level planks, side planks, all of them! They burn so good! I also am doing a lot of yard work right now trying to get our garden ready for the quickly growing plants we have indoors which is taking a lot out of me. Pregnant ladies tire quickly! I'm focusing on eating better because I'm not working out as much and I believe it is helping.

Now, yesterday's link up was going to be about goals. Setting three goals for the coming week. My three goals are:

1. Walk/run three times this week. 1 down 2 ta go.
2. Drink LOTS of water - I struggle with this already, but being pregnant I have to drink even more. I don't know if I'm running to the bathroom every 15 minutes because the baby is sitting right there or I'm drinking so much.
3. Lift some weights dang it! I miss doing that and I NEEEEEEED it. So I'm getting back to it.

If you stuck through all that, then I love you. Tell me what your goals are this week! I would love to hear them!

Here's some cuteness for you! Isn't he adorable? Love this kid.

Until Next Time,

Spicy!

Pregnancy Workout/Link Up!

This is my first Link Up! I'm way excited! I LOVE Skinny Meg. 

She makes me smile and I love how real she is. I also tend to go back to her older posts and read all about her. Sorry Skinny Meg. I may be a mini stalker. ;) I joke, I joke.

Anyway, I thought a link up would be the perfect way for me to get started on blogging about my Pregnancy workouts! And a good way to get me to blog for at least two days in a row. 

I know, shocker, right?

Hey, I'm working on it.

Well, first off I'll tell you what I'm eating for lunch at this moment. 

4oz. Salsa Chicken (recipe curtosy of He And She Eat Clean), 1/2 cup brown rice, nearly a whole cucumber (LW took some of it) and a handful of baby carrots dipped in ranch. I don't know if I'll eat the whole cucumber what with my stomach having less room in it, but I'll do my best. VEGGIES PEOPLE! You NEED them. :) 

Haha, LW just saw another cucumber and called it a "cookie", I love this kid. Anyway.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY WORKOUT PROGRAM. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT!!! With that said, I was told by my OB/GYN that I can do anything I've already been doing, and just to listen to my body. Once at 20 weeks I need to stop doing flat on my back exercises, which I don't do a lot of anyway. 

So this is what I'm doing today.

Day One of Squat Challenge - 50 Squats

Workout (repeat 2x)

High Knees (or Run in place) - 30 Secs

Close (arms to your sides) Pushups - 10 on knees

Walking Lunges - 20 reps

Plank - 30 Secs

Three Point Lunge Kicks (lunge back[1 rep], side[2 rep], front[3 rep]. kick after each then swith and repeat) - 12 reps ea side

Slow Mountain Climb with Knee twist - 15 reps

Left Side Plank w/ Lift - 15 reps

Right Side Plank w/ Lift - 15 reps

Wide Pushups - 10 on Toes

DONE!

Wooh, I'm tired. Typing that out was hard work. ;) Haha.

Please, remember to refuel after your workout. Drink LOTS of water and STRETCH!

That's it for today! 

Until Next Time!

Spicy

Keeping Fit Through Pregnancy Part 1

My first pregnancy went extremely well. About the best it can, I would suspect. I didn’t ever have morning sickness. I rarely was nauseous and I felt pretty much normal until the last few weeks (when you’re really huge). I lost fifteen pounds the first month being pregnant because I instantly went off sugars and soda when I found we were expecting. My family has a long history of diabetes and I knew that exploded my chances of developing gestational diabetes. I did NOT want that.

Pushing 187 lbs at 6weeks, Sucking in worth everything I had... I was sadly attempting to look skinny. My face and arms tell it all though... and my lifted chest in holding a huge breath.

 I told this to my OB/GYN at the time and he explained that it was alright because I wasn’t doing anything wrong and I was just losing extra weight that I had to lose. That hurt. It stung. I knew I was overweight, but it wasn’t like I was THAT overweight. Sure I was barely tipping the BMI calculators to Obese, but it wasn’t that bad. After losing that ten pounds though I was on the “overweight” side of the calculators. So, the doc was right. It was weight I could afford to lose, but still… ouch!

14 Weeks, arms at a good angle to hide the flab, but I'm not sucking in too much here.  This was after the first month and -15 lbs.

I wasn’t huge on working out then and I did not have a clue about eating healthy. I knew basically that the less candy and sweets and soda’s I took in the less I would weigh, right? WRONG! But it’s not a bad place to start and yes, the less of that sugary junk the better, but it’s not everything.

Well… guess what. We’re expecting again! YAY! Watching my lower abdomen expand is freaking me out, let me tell you. I’ve been focusing so long on making it shrink! I got below 30 inches on my waist! My lower abs dropped about 5 inches… so having it go the other direction. Very. Hard…

6 weeks with baby #2. Not sucking in. MUCH better.

 I currently look like I’ve just been eating too many donuts, which doesn’t help. I wish I would “pop” so it was obvious I was pregnant. If I was thinner it would probably be more noticeable, but let’s face it. I may not look my 170 lbs but I definitely have room for improvement. (No current pic sorry.)

I’m facing so many things I didn’t have to worry about with LW. I had nausea up the wazoo! I never threw up, thank goodness, and it’s gone now. I was tired like someone who hadn’t slept in a week, but I’m getting my energy back. I’m craving foods (specifically Chinese, which I love anyway so that doesn’t help) like mad! I feel really moody and LW rakes on my every nerve it seems. I just want to scream most of the time. Bah! Not. fun.

Here’s what I have noticed though. On days during my first trimester when I could get my body to allow me healthy foods (which was pretty much never, I lived on breads people),  I felt better. On days when I could drag my exhausted body up to the corner and back I felt pretty good. So… now that I’m feeling better anyway I have a new plan.

I’ve seen Mommy Fitness bloggers that post throughout their pregnancies and you see them beautiful as ever up through their birth. But they don’t really tell you what they did throughout it to stay healthy. They’ll give you little details sure! Like… I ate mostly healthy throughout it or I continued lifting weights/working out. And throughout their pregnancy they might post something here or there.

I want to actually document what I’m doing and eating. I’m not supposed to lose weight while I’m pregnant, but I already informed my currently OB/GYN that I’m eating smaller meals, more often, and they are healthy. I’m working out. Those two combine may make the scale drop a little. She nodded and told me that sounds great. I just can’t be going for BIG numbers and I can’t be “trying” to lose weight. Which… I’m not.

With starting out at an “overweight” … um… weight, it’s recommended I gain between 15 and 25 pounds. I shooting for only 15 lbs. With LW I gained about 20 lbs. For my first trimester. I gained… 1 whole pound! Woot! That made me feel GREAT! Especially since I was eating pretty much ALL breads for over a month. It was the only thing my body could handle. Ugh. It was ridiculous.

So.

My Goals.

Gain 15 lbs of healthy baby weight.

Eat five times a day. Small portions, healthy food.

Do SOMETHING active seven days a week. Sunday is the Lord’s day so I rest on that day, but stretching is good every day and I’m okay with that on Sunday.

I’m not a fitness model by any means, nor am I starting at a healthy weight or really anywhere near one. (my healthy weight range is between 108 and 145) So my “keeping fit through pregnancy” will be different from someone who is already in tip top shape. I promise though. My next pregnancy (yes we want more kids) I WILL be in tip top shape.