Update

So... wow...
Time is really flying!
Just a few small things to mention.

I've gained about 10-12lbs so far and am in week 25 right now. I started out at 134.8lbs and yesterday when I weighed in I was at 145.6lbs, but it varies from day to day. Feeling healthy and great nonetheless. I was reading about weight gain during pregnancy this morning. One point it made that stuck out was that mothers who gain 20lbs or less tend to have low birth weight babies. As a therapist (I can say that now since I'm done with my Masters degree!), I know that low birth weight has a high correlation with other issues down the road physically, sensory, and socially. I don't want to take that risk, so I'm going to aim for 25-30lbs of healthy weight gain still.

I can't believe in less than 15 weeks our little baby could be here! We found out a while back that we are having a baby girl! So excited!

Since I pulled my muscle in my crotch/low abdomen area I really have had a difficult time running. I was able to go a few days ago and it felt great to relieve my stress and just push 2 miles out. I was sore that night and the next day or two, but that's much less than it has been in the past. I may need to start picking up a light run again. My mile-pace isn't super fast anymore, but it's the movement my body craves. I'll speed up again after baby comes, I'm sure. My body just can't seem to function without running for some reason! :)

My husband did get me a nice vintage beach cruiser! I love it! I went on a nice long ride today while he ran (I can't keep up with him anymore) for about 50 minutes! (Yes,... he ran that long! See what motivation I have to be fit and healthy! I love it!) I was a little sore after, but was fine a few hours later. I am so happy to have a new outlet for exercising. I don't have access to a pool and it's too chilly to swim right now, so biking, running, walking, and whatever else I can think of are my options.

I did do a meager 9 strength training exercises that only took about 15-20 minutes today too. Sad part about it... my legs started cramping up when I went to transition to my last exercise (I was in a kneel sit). I couldn't help but laugh at how pathetic that is for me. I don't realize what doing squats and cleans (not power cleans) with dumbbells can do with the added weight from pregnancy. Ha ha! Oh what things I have to learn. My goal is to continue with various strength training exercises daily combined with some form of cardio (even if it is just some heavy duty cleaning... i.e. nesting... on some days). I realized today that I truly need to work if I want to maintain what I have.

Well, it was supposed to be short, but it wasn't... oh well. Maybe I'll just post my workouts on here so I can track daily what I'm doing for my fitness throughout this pregnancy! We'll see! ;)

Just a midweek goal check!

I've been drinking a gallon a day (abt 128oz) of water!
I've worked out every day for at least 20 minutes!
I've been tracking my calories!

I've only ran once. My body can only take so much running at a time now. It takes about two days to recuperate after a run and that's with trying to make the run easier. I think I'm just going to have to implement more walking into my lighter days (NOT Tuesday or Wednesday for sure...) and see if I can catch up with my mileage goal. So far I'm only at 3.2mi. That's only from one day though. (I've done yoga or prenatal exercise videos the other days.)

I'm very pleased with my goals nonetheless. I like marking them down (on my little list on the fridge) daily. It just helps me feel as though I accomplished more. It also helps me to focus on one week at a time versus longer periods of time. I can do this!

I feel charged and ready to go. My belly feels bigger than ever and I will NEED to take another picture to update it. I definitely popped out more this week and am starting to really look pregnant instead of just chubby. I'm 20 weeks (1/2 way done baking this baby) on Friday of this week! WOW... time is flying by!

Here's to a great rest of the week! 

From SUNDAY 11/15 (GOALS for week 11/15-11/21)

I feel like I've been letting things slide lately because of how swamped I've been with my clinical rotations. I've only got 5 more weeks of my rotations though and then my excuse will be gone. I want to have some good habits developed by then though! (That will be 24 weeks prego!)

So, here are my goals for this week. I'm hoping to check in at least to log my calories daily, so maybe I'll be able to post a few mid-week updates.

1. Track Calories Consumed daily. (I want to be eating more fresh & raw fruits and veggies!!)
2. Drink 120 oz a day!
3. Work out 5x this week! Whether it's a walk, run, prenatal exercise video or whatever... do it!
4. Walk/Run 15 miles

I think I'll start with those goals. I can do it. I need to hydrate my body more and just be chugging water constantly. I have been HORRIBLE at drinking enough fluids for my body lately! I'm counting today. I've been drinking my water and have already logged my calories. I wrote my goals down and they are posted on my fridge now as my reminder. I've been feeling really frumpy, gross, unattractive, plump and who knows what else this week.

Note to self. I started this pregnancy around 134.8lbs (not as low as I wanted, but oh well... that was my most current weigh-in prior). This morning I weighed in at 139.2lbs which means a gain of 4.4lbs so far. I'm already at week 19 and 2 days so I'm feeling pretty good about that. I need to make sure I'm doing the things to keep my insides healthy and my muscles toned though. It will help me feel better all around I bet.

Here is to a great week! 

FYI....

I'm pregnant & due April 10, 2010! We couldn't be happier and are so excited for all the fun and exciting changes going on in our lives! I'm feeling great so far and keeping up with my diet and exercise. I'm about 4 months along and have only gained about 5 pounds so far (depending on the day). I feel great though and am trying to take care of my body as best as I can so that I can drop right back down to my pre-prego weight quickly. We'll see how the second half of this pregnancy goes though. :) If you want more details, feel free to ask for an invite to my personal blog. Just leave your e-mail  below. :) Thanks for all the support!

I feel HUGE!

I'm really really just mad right now.

This is my last month:
* No energy.
* Out of breath, weak, and tired oh-so-easily when I run or do anything. {If you know me... this is not like me!}
* I'll call it "24-hr bloated-ness"
* No longer fit into my regular jeans 'cuz I'm too big.
* My "fat pants" are getting really tight on me.
* Headaches that really bug me more often than I'm used to.

I seriously just want to cry...

I need someone to kick me.

If I could afford to get a personal trainer to just yell at me and keep me on track I would, but there is no way I could afford that.

I'm having a really frustrating time with this if you can't tell.

I have never felt out of shape more in my life. Even when I weighed 15-20lbs heavier I was still able to run easier and had more energy than I do now. What is my problem?

I need help. Please!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Yay!

So, my birthday present to myself is my health. I feel amazing so far and just plan on continuing my journey to better health.

Start Weight Loss Goal: 17.6lbs
Previous weight to go: 14.2lbs
This morning: 13.2lbs

Woo-hoo! I know that the first few pounds usually come off faster than the last ones. I'm liking how this is going so far though! Yes, I intentionally weighed-in the morning of my birthday versus the day after because I do plan on enjoying my birthday dinner a bit!

Yesterday I went on a run. First one in a while. HOT & HARD. It's amazing what not running for a few weeks can do to your physical fitness levels! I was able to bust out about 2.33 miles still, but it was difficult. I had to start walking when I felt my head begin to pound from a headache. I've been doing a few strength training exercises at home, but I don't think they are enough to make a huge difference just yet.

I was at the library w/ my DH yesterday evening and tried looking up information regarding female strength training. What I found is that almost every book designed for women was "fluffed" up and simplified. The books designated for males were loaded with so much more beneficial information and exercises that were more challenging. That's what I'm looking for. The problem is that the strength training plan designed for the men focused on the chest, shoulders, and butt. I would rather focus on my legs, butt, abs, and arms. I don't want my chest to shrink anymore! Ha ha!

I'm excited to implement the exercises though and write-up my own strength training, stretching, and cardio routine that will follow my goals and hopefully prove successful!

I'll let you know how it goes!

For now, I'm going to go and enjoy the rest of my Birthday!
(Down 1# was a nice birthday gift to myself I'll have to admit!)

I Refuse!

I refuse to be unhealthy before/after childbirth.
I refuse to be overweight/obese after childbirth.
I refuse to be a "couch" babysitter.
I refuse to contribute to the growing obese children population.
I refuse to be lazy.
I refuse to make excuses to why I can't go for a walk or do some exercise while I'm pregnant.
I refuse to gain any more weight.
I refuse being at risk of diabetes.

This all stops now! Being overweight is really tiring, where did my energy go? I'm such a slug. Ok Karisa, point me in the right direction. I need to get back into shape. Teach me the ways of fitness.

Progress Already!

I weighed myself on Monday morning instead. Honestly, I wanted to see a "difference". Ha ha... I'm bad I know. BUT.....

I saw a difference. Initially I had 17.6lbs.
I only have 14.2 more lbs to go now!
That's down 3.4lbs!

Of course that does include the difference between weigh-in times. I'll be doing my weigh-ins in the morning now to maintain consistency.

I've been strictly monitoring my calories. I've been making sure that I'm getting the adequate amount of calories from protein to help build muscle. Only problem is that I haven't done much in the working-out arena lately.

I'm sure once I start doing that I'll be able to see greater improvements in my tone. I'll get on that...

This is basically going to be my journal for my "journey to fitness" (or weight-loss).

PS- Tomorrow is my birthday! I've already planned a yummy healthy low-cal dinner. (My mom makes whatever we want for dinner on our birthday. Yum!)

PSS- It definitely won't be this! ;)

Starting fresh

This morning I was able to get up and work w/ a client. It felt good to get back into the swing of things. I love working w/ other people because it is just motivating. I've gone walking (w/ neighbors) the last few days and again this morning. I'll probably do a run later today because it is just beautiful, overcast, and asking me to.

I'm hoping that the scale will be happy with me on Sunday. I've been drinking loads of water yesterday and today. (As noted by my hundreds of trips to the restroom.) I honestly think I've already drank OVER 50oz of water this morning alone.

I haven't been tracking my calories strictly, but I have been eating a lot of fresh and/or homemade food. Yummy... Gotta' keep pressing forward.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
A lack of exercise can cause fatigue, weakness, and lethargy. It all makes sense, but it's so hard to get out of a funk once you're there. Just get up and go for a walk. Don't worry about putting on work-out clothes or anything, just go. Just get up and do some jumping jacks. Right now! And then, go for a walk, do some lunges, and come back and feel much better about yourself. You'll also have just increased your energy expenditure which will mean you should have a bit more energy to expend tomorrow. Happy exercising!

Grrr.....

So. I've taken a big step backwards.

I now weigh 1**lbs! I have been wanting to get down to my goal weight and now I'm almost 18lbs from it! I want to do this though! This is for me! I can do it!

I suffer so much mentally, physically (obviously), and spiritually when I don't take care of myself. I really need to focus on eating better and being more active REGULARLY! I am definitely an active person, but I'm not consistent with it. I can do better though. This is a new start. My birthday is next week. I want to give myself the gift of health. I want to maintain it for many birthdays to come! I know I have to start now. This is for me! This is for my family (so I can better serve them). This is for my future. Here goes.

So... starting weight loss goal: 17.6lbs.
Next weigh-in: Sunday evening. Yes, evening...

PS-I made a TON of homemade & delicious granola today! Yeah... that's some heavy food... literally, it is just weighing me down! The end.

Apologize

Dear friends and blog-stalkers,
{haha, yeah right. Blog-stalkers... this blog?}

I am so sorry that I've slacked in blogging. Oh well... life goes on.

1st- One of my New Year's resolutions is to exercise 3x/wk to maintain more consistency in my routine. SO far, so good. even if I have to just do a few strength workouts before bed to make it count... it still counts!

2nd- I'm thinking about starting up the fitness classes again on Tuesday and Thursday nights. If I'm going to do it two nights a week, there will be a small (and I mean super-small) fee just to help keep me motivated to continue the classes. Once a week I'd probably be more willing to do free, but the second class will require a super-minimal fee. I mean, I technically am a personal trainer, so this is a gi-normous deal for you! I just love working out with friends and helping people fall in love with themselves again!

3rd- I think I'm going to try and post more regular fitness facts or answers to questions. What kind of questions do you have? Please comment and leave them and I will answer all of them! It will also help me to be more regular with blogging.

4th- I've still maintained my weight at a happy medium. The "contest" has kinda' dissolved (we totally just forgot about it) but at least I haven't gained anything! That's a plus! {C'mon, gotta' be positive!}

5th- No, there's not really anything else to say. I just wanted to post another number 'cuz 5 sounds like a nice round number of points.... or whatever. :P

So, post your questions and tell me if you want to do the class and what day/time would be best for you. Depending on the interest we might be able to do more classes throughout the week. I don't mind one bit as long as it fits into my schedule! I love all those who came and love making more friends always, always, always!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Your friend and trainer,

Coach Karisa