Woo hoo!

Sorry for being so absent minded these days...Thursdays always seem to creep up on me! Anywho, without further ado, I have a bit of an announcement: my sweet hubby, Nicholas, and I are expecting a little boy at the end of January! Woohoo! If you are interested in any more details or pictures, you can check it out on my regular blog HERE.

Now I have fortunately been lucky enough to not really have much nausea or anything...except extreme fatigue (which I am told will never go away now :) ) But I was thinking about it and fitness is kind of the same for a beginner and a prego person...someone who is just beginning their fitness journey and someone who is learning to adjust to their body's new constraints needs to keep it basic, take it easy, but get their mind in the game more than anything else...so this is for you beginners!

1. Aim to do something physical EVERY DAY. I can't run as much as I used to, but I still run 5 miles on MWF; TThSa I either take a walk, ride my bike, or even go to the gym to lift a few weights for my arms. But the point is this: I get outside my apartment every day and do something physical...otherwise I just feel like a slob and my mental motivation starts to dim.

2. Track what you eat based on food groups. As an expectant mother, I am more worried now about making sure I eat from all the food groups and getting all the nutrients I can for my baby. It isn't so much about counting calories for me, but about getting enough of the good stuff my body needs each day. This is an excellent way for people to start tracking their food intake- I promise that you will get bored/confused/frustrated/etc. trying to count all your calories and cut out all bad foods at once. Instead try to keep track of what you eat and put it in their assigned food groups. Then try to make sure you are indeed getting the servings of fruits and veggies and whole grains that you are supposed to...I can almost garantee that you won't be starving and will mentally be happier if you focus on what you can eat instead of what you can't.

3. Water daily. Drink like a camel! Don't wait to get thirsty...that is you dehydrated body crying to you! Keep a water bottle on you at all times and make sure you get at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day...more if you are exercising and if you are currently losing weight. Not only does it curb hunger, but it helps to make your body work more efficiently and your skin will thank you for it as well :)

4. Think about a daily vitamin. I am now taking a prenatal vitamin and I think it is really great- although I am not a huge pill or vitamin person, I really believe that it is helping me fill in the gaps of the vitamins and nutrients that I am missing each day. So think about adding one to your routine :)

These are just a few of my thoughts, but again, I want to keep it basic. It is hard to add lots of things at the same time...so maybe pick one to focus on each week. Mostly you need to get your head into it- make a mental commitment that you are going to be active and then your body will follow suit. I am so glad that I had a strong mental commitment to fitness before I got pregnant because it has helped me to stay active and I really, even at 18 weeks now, feel like I am in some of the best shape of my life!

GOOD LUCK!