Eat, sweat, and have a healthy pregnancy

Hello!!!
I am back from my blogging hiatus. I am now 23 weeks pregnant with my first BOY!!! We are thrilled. I was pretty sure I only made girls. I made them triple check at my last ultrasound.
I have been quite sick this pregnancy, but it was different then with my girls. I had heard that you are not supposed to be as sick with boys. Those dreams were crushed. True, I was much sicker with my girls. I threw up non-stop for the first 13 weeks or so but then felt better. With this little guy I only threw up a handful of times, but I was so nauseous all day and night. It didn't start to abate until about 19 weeks. I finally feel better, though I still get queasy easily. Throwing up non-stop is worse but this was a close second, especially since it lasted so long. It was hard going from working out 6 days a week to being a couch potato trying not to die for weeks on end.
I do not have a good record with pregnancy. It usually goes 1. Get pregnant 2. Try not to die for weeks 3. Eat like a linebacker to makeup for lack of food during first trimester 4. Give birth looking like I swallowed said line backer.
I have spent the last  few weeks debating whether I wanted to start blogging again. If I fail this time around, I have an audience. I could barely stand to look at myself with the last two pregnancies. I knew I wasn't being healthy, but pregnancy gives you such an easy excuse to sit on your bum and eat everything you desire. Aww, the days of cookies and Ben and Jerry's. We had a great relationship going as evidenced by my massive weight gain. This time around I have tried my best to eat in moderation. During my sickness I only liked food prepared for me. It was hard. I tried to only eat out occasionally though. Now that my sickness is pretty much gone I have been doing really well. I have gone off sugar and gluten for the most part. I eat mostly fruits, veggies, quinoa, lean meats, fish, eggs and oatmeal. Having a food addiction makes it hard sometimes. I tend to eat my feelings and since I am still dealing with depression it makes it hard not turn to food to numb myself. I am feeling so much better on this diet though. I haven't gained much weight yet, I actually went to the store this week and bought a pair of non-maternity pants that were a couple sizes smaller then I could fit into pre-pregnancy and they were loose! I am making sure I fuel my body with good things. I am not dieting. I eat enough calories. It just goes to show how harmful all that processed food is. That's not saying I don't let myself have treats. I am human. I was craving a brownie for a couple weeks, so I finally made some for date night. I was disappointed that it didn't seem to taste all that good to me though and gave me a belly ache. I guess my body is changing and that is a good thing. I have also started lightly working out again. I have gotten weak, so it's hard. It feels good afterwards though. I am excited to share this journey with you, as I prove to myself that I am in charge of my health and can in fact choose a healthy pregnancy and life. Your support means so much to me, so thank you if you are still reading this novel of a post.

Accio

Do these genes make my butt look big?

For a very long time I was convinced that I had no chance at being thin and fit. I told myself that it wasn't my fault. It was just "in my genes". I was built like my dads side. We have small waists and huge lower halves. Of course, I knew all the bad food I ate and the little exercise I did didn't help. I always thought that I'd have time to work on it later though. I'm not sure where the time goes. One second I'm graduating high school and the next I'm married with two kids and 50 extra pounds. Not cool.
I was watching a clip the other day that was on obesity. One thing hit me so hard that I cried. This next generation of children, my children, for the first time in two centuries has lower life expectancy then their parents. The gravity of that is huge. The reason is completely preventable. It is the cancer of our society, that is obesity. I realized that my children's health is completely in my hands. Children learn by example. How can I expect to keep them healthy, when I can't keep myself healthy?! I knew then that this wasn't just a phase for me. I might never have been able to keep it up for myself, but I can do it for my family. They need me to be a good example. I need to  teach them to love themselves by loving and taking care of myself. I plan on doing everything in my power to do so. Because these sweet babies are worth all the healthy eating and every drop of sweat. What do you sweat for?

Here is a good article on the effects of childhood obesity by The New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/health/17obese.html?_r=0

Healthy chicken pot pie

I thought I'd share a new family favorite recipe today. Homemade chicken pot pie with whole wheat biscuits. My Husband asks for this about once a week. Its so good. I grew up hating chicken pot pie, so that's saying something. In my defense my only knowledge of them came from the frozen dinner section. Let me know how you like it!!!

 

Ingredients:
1lb cooked and shredded chicken
1onion diced
2 cups broth
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup peas
1 cup corn
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1½ cup milk
Biscuits (see below)

 

Saute onions. Then add in veggies and broth. Bring to boil, then reduce and simmer until tender (about 5 min). Slowly sprinkle flour while stirring constantly. Then slowly add in milk stirring constantly. Add the chicken and continues simmering until thickened (about 3 minutes). Coat a baking dish with oil. Pour in mixture, and top with unbaked biscuits. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

Biscuit Recipe:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1½ Tbsp baking soda
1Tbsp sugar or honey
1tsp salt
¼ cup butter or oil
1 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients
Add in butter or oil
Mix until crumbly
Stir in milk slowly
Mix well
Roll out on floured surface
Cut out (I use a mason jar mouth)
Bake at 450 for 8-10 min ( or put on top of chicken pot pie and bake).

Too much or Too little

This week started with my baby starting preschool. She's barely 3!! She has the great opportunity to go to a blind school. It's run by such amazing and qualified people. Its hard having her away from me the majority of the day, but she is going to learn and grow so much. She loved her first day, so that helps to ease my guilt.

I have felt so stressed this past week. I've been worrying about my daughter starting preschool, and having a very sick family member. I've been a bit of a wreck. I still managed to get to the gym for 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day for 5 days. I am aiming for 6 days a week.  I missed Saturday though, because me and my little family woke up at 4 to go on a drive in the dessert. It was gorgeous! The temperature was great at that time and the desert was alive from the recent rains. I am not a morning person though. Who is?! (My dang Husband that's who! Sigh... ha ha.) Needless to say, I was pretty dead the rest of the day.

I feel like I am working so hard. I am trying to eat right and exercise. Yet, the scale does not want to budge much. I am almost down to 162. I don't count it, until it's consistent for a week. I wonder if I'm eating too much or too little. I use my fitness pal and try to go by what it tells me. Its only an app though. I wish I could talk to a nutritionist.  Does anyone have any advice?! I'm sticking with it, but it is discouraging. I hope you all start your week out right. Its never too late. A little workout is better than no workout.

Sorry for the crappy mirror pic. Cant wait to get muscle in my arms!!!

Breakfast Smoothie

This is my favorite Breakfast. I have it at least 6 days a week. It is quick, easy, and filling.




Breakfast Smoothie:
5-6 frozen strawberries
1/2 frozen banana
Canned pineapple/peaches/pears (whatever you prefer)
1/3 cup water or milk (preferably skim or almond)
A big handful of spinach ( I get a bag of pre-cut and washed spinach at Walmart for less than 3 dollars. It lasts me for week.)
Blend & Enjoy
( If you use a single serve blender like I do, blend everything but spinach first. Then add spinach and blend well.)

My Routine

I have had a lot of people ask me about my gym routine. So, I thought I'd share. The personal trainer at my gym set this routine up for me. I told him my goals were to lose weight but to also become toned and strong. I want to be able to run and lift heavy. The routine he set up takes around an hour. I usually go for around two because I add in free weights, lifting, and stretching. On a side note, this routine is great for all different fitness levels as you can pick your speeds and weights to fit your needs. My Mom does the same routine when she comes. She just goes slower on cardio and lighter on the weights. Also, I am not a fitness expert or a Doctor. So please consult yours before starting.

Day 1: Arms

Arc trainer: As hard as you can go for 15-20 min

Chest Press: 12-15 reps 3x

Fly: 12-15 reps 3x

Rope Pull Down: 12-15 reps 3x

Treadmill: As hard as you can go 10-15 min + 5 min cool down

Day 2: Back

Treadmill: As hard as you can go for 15-20 min

Pull Down Machine: 12-15 reps 3x

Row:12-15 reps 3x

Shoulder Press: 12-15 reps 3x

Bicep Curl: 12-15 reps 3x

Arc Trainer: As hard as you can go 10-15 min + 5 min cool down

Day 3: Legs

Arc Trainer:  As hard as you can go 15-20 min

Leg Press: 12-15 reps 3x

Leg Extension: 12-15 reps 3x

Leg Curl:12-15 reps 3x

Hip adductor: 12-15 reps 3x

Hip abductor: 12-15 reps 3x

Treadmill: As hard as you can go 10-15 min + 5 min cool down

*REPEAT*