[Blanca78]

<p>Now that we're well into holiday season, I thought I'd see how all of us who may feel we need a little health/fitness motivation are doing. My recent sin? I ate an entire batch of cookies, by myself, in a week. Soooo delicious (chocolate spice cookies) but I'm trying to reign it in a little now, especially since we're about to embark to my sugar-addicted Midwestern in-laws for a week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm still struggling with feeling fat, rather than pregnant. Although technically I've only gained around 5 lbs. this pregnancy, it feels like a lot more because I put on a good 10 lbs right BEFORE I got pregnant. So really, I'm already 15 over the weight I was really happy/confident at. Looking in the mirror, it's hard to see bump--it's more just looking like I've packed on some padding all over my torso.</p>
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<p>Anyway, I'm trying to go easy on myself and understand that a)this is normal and is something to celebrate--I'm growing a baby! and b)most likely I will lose most if not all the weight after the birth. At the same time, I haven't been exercising and feel it's time to step it up. It's hard with holiday travel, but I've been trying to work in some more walking and want to get back into swimming laps.</p>
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<p>How are the rest of you doing with body image? Exercise? Generally taking care of yourselves?</p>

 

[Stayseeliz]

<p>I'm doing okay with exercise. Generally 4 cardio sessions per week and 2 weight lifting sessions. Not anywhere near what I was doing before I got pregnant but it's better than nothing. I've gained WAY more than I want to-20 lbs. I *know* this is just what happens when I get pg but it's still discouraging. I usually gain around 40ish and have 10-15 lbs left when the baby is born. I retain a lot of fluid while pregnant. But it's still annoying with how hard I'm trying. I'm thinking about following the diabetic diet and seeing if that slows the weight gain. Honestly, food-wise I'll be glad when the holidays are over. So much temptation!! But I am eating well. I know I need to up my protein and drink more water. I'm trying to focus on those two things right now.</p>
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<p>Taking care of myself? I guess I'm doing okay with that. I'm glad that January-March will be slower for us. We homeschool and we've been going hard this year. I hope to buckle down, stay home more and get lots of school done before the baby comes. I'm tired and I just can't be on the road so much. I need more rest. I've found if I take naps that I don't sleep well at night though. Go figure! lol</p>

 

[Blanca78]

<p>4 cardio a week? I'm impressed! Sorry you feel down about the 20 lbs. It's good you're eating well. I'm focusing on drinking lots of water and upping my fiber (still constipated). And it's been really hard to get up in the mornings, partly because I wake up so much in the night.</p>

 

[StarCat]

<p>I'm a big FAIL on this!!  I started off with such good intentions!  I did 2 triathlons at the beginning of pregnancy at 8 weeks and 12 weeks (just little ones) and I was training for a 1/2 marathon.  At about 17 weeks I had to stop running because I was getting so short of breath and my hips hurt.  I kept going to spinning and I tried to walk and do yoga but felt like I barely had any time and I have a new job that makes me run my butt off for 12 hour shifts.  anyway- I haven't done ANY excercise related anything in 2 1/2 weeks AND I'm up close to 30 lbs.  UGH!!  I so didn't want to do this this pregnancy.  oh well....I'm going to 'try' to start walking and/or doing the elliptical this weekend!  I'm guessing I'd have more energy if I did- but its a vicious cycle and I'm stuck in it. </p>
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<p>I think I might get 'the weight gain' lecture tomorrow.  Its my 24 week appt. </p>

 

[bleumoose]

<p>Ugh. I haven't exercised in weeks. I completely lost my motivation in November, and then at the end of the month my mom got sick and has been in ICU ever since, so exercise is the farthest thing from my mind. I'm so busy trying to run my life and pick up the pieces of hers (she lives alone, so no DH to take care of her things), I barely have time to breathe.</p>
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<p>The good news... if you can call it that ... is that I'm getting a little more exercise than I otherwise would with all the walking around the hospital campus, and also I am not eating as much thanks to stress. I think my weight gain is more normal this month because of that. I keep meaning to put my info into sparkpeople to make sure I'm getting enough calories and protein, but, well, it hasn't happened yet.</p>
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<p>Body image? I try not to think about it. Taking care of myself? Not so much.</p>

 

[StarCat]

<p>Allison- I'm sorry to hear that about your mom.  How difficult for you to be going through all of that at all not to mention pregnant AND at Christmas time.  Much love to you, girl!!  Try to make a little time for you where you can!</p>

 

[bleumoose]

<p>Thanks Becca, it's kinda crazy. At least she's improving a little, and it's not life threatening, just very debilitating. But it is a lot to deal with all at once that's for sure!</p>

 

[Ola_]

<p>I really need the motivation ladies, I've gotta get my butt moving.  I've been meaning to start exercising for months now but I haven't actually done it.  It's much easier for me to get a walk in, which I do about 30 min total twice a week when I go to the office (part of my commute) and have been walking to the library about once a week (also 30 min total there).  But I've got this 10 min prenatal pilates video and I haven't been able to get myself to do it even though it's only 10 min each time!  Grr!</p>
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<p>I guess I feel like I need to enjoy all the "me time" I can get before baby comes, so I've been doing lots of reading and relaxing.  But I need to get myself in shape for labour darn it!</p>

 

[LifewithSage]

<p>I'm also struggling with exercise.  I LOVE yoga, but the only yoga classes offered at the studio near me that I could do are at inconvenient times (like bedtime, go figure).  I also work during the day and so I leave for work just as it's light outside and return after dark.  I don't really like to go for walks in the dark.  We have an elliptical and I have intentions of getting up before the kiddos and going downstairs to use it for a little bit each morning, but with my 20 month old still waking in the middle of the night and my frequent need to get up to pee, I haven't been able to coax myself up out of bed any earlier that I already get up.</p>
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<p>I need some motivation.  I'm eating decent, but it could be better.  My weakness is to run by Einstein's Bagels in the morning and get a chocolate chip bagel with peanut butter on it.  The peanut butter makes that healthy, right? <span><img alt="eyesroll.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span>  I have already gained 15 lbs this pregnancy and it's totally bothering me.  I only gained a total of 22 lbs with my last two pregnancies.  My DH keeps reminding me that I had lost a lot of weight prior to becoming pregnant this time, so I'm actually at the same weight at this point as I was in my other 2 pregnancies, but its hard.  I'm just feeling so much larger this go round.</p>

 

[Blanca78]

<p>Ola--I think walking is great! Every little bit helps.</p>
<p>LifeWithSage--I am also suffering from a killer bagel addiction. My weakness is salt bagels w/vegetable cream cheese. I would eat them every morning if I could.</p>
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<p>I'm feeling pretty motivated right now--new quarter, new classes, just finished a big story draft--but haven't acted on it yet. My BIG motivation is that if I exercise I hope I'll sleep better. And I'm still in the barely-feeling-pregnant, happily-mobile window, so I want to take advantage of it while I can.</p>
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<p>I like swimming, but the issue is by the time I change, shower, etc. it takes forever, and I hate how dry my skin gets. Nonetheless, I really want to start w/laps regularly. And I've been trying to get in more walking.</p>

 

[LifewithSage]

<p>Blanca - I'm jealous... at least your bagel craving sounds somewhat healthy LOL.</p>
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[Stayseeliz]

<p>I'm struggling but pushing through. Taking the kids to the gym is pretty much out for now since we need to hit school hard in the mornings and I don't want to take them in the afternoon since our area is being hit hard with a nasty virus and the flu. I just don't want that gunk in the house. So I'm left with workout videos which I normally love but the videos I have aren't pregnancy friendly. I'm supposed to borrow some Beachbody stuff from a friend next week that can supposedly be modified. I'm just trying to do the best I can. I've gained way too much but I'm eating well for the most party and drinking lots of water so I'm trying not to stress.</p>