YOUR Fit Pregnancy for YOUR Body & YOUR Baby

If you are a mom and you were able to maintain your fitness routine throughout your pregnancy...I would give you a million dollars if I had it! 

Pregnancy is a magical time and should be a time for reflection, getting to know your body better and your baby before he or she comes into the world BUT it’s very important to remember that this is YOUR pregnancy, not anyone else’s. Hopefully you get some rest, hopefully you can move, and hopefully you come across an article or two, a community or a forum, that helps you not to feel alone! There are so many things I wish I had known! But would I trade this time for anything? Absolutely not.

What I've Learned So Far:
- #1. Don't beat yourself up! Your pregnancy is your pregnancy. It cannot be compared to anyone else's. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Listen to advice, take what applies to you, protect your space, your heart and your energy. YOUR body and YOUR baby. 

- #2. Don't place any expectations on your body. No matter your fitness level prior to conceiving your LO (little one), there are no promises you'll be able to maintain your strength and conditioning. It took me about 5 months, days I couldn’t get out of bed because I worked out too hard, and lots of journaling to finally come to terms with this. There are marathon mamas and power lifting mamas. There are also fit mamas like me, who've had to take a back seat to their bodies. Because gals, you're not the captain of this ship anymore! I have had to cut my routine in half, perhaps more, and have shifted focus to mobility and light strength training. Old injuries may flare up. Your body is now focused on growing a human, not building muscle tissue or losing weight. Your fitness routine now, is about staying mobile, perhaps pain relief, and the health of your baby—first and foremost. Getting as strong as you can to give birth and building endurance to labor. Increased risk of injury due to the hormone Relaxin is now a possibility as it is loosening joints and ligaments specific to the pelvis, but it can also effect other areas of your body. DON’T OVERDO IT!

- #3. Eat as clean as possible, but don't eat for two. Cravings are real and can also be serious indicators of what could be lacking from your diet. It is recommended to increase calorie intake by at least 300 calories/day in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters so that your baby can grow. For me, this has been a variable with a high metabolism and a baby who I guarantee you, inherited the same. I am insatiable. The only way to fill the gap sometimes is to go for that meat lovers pizza. And you better bet I do it! Pregnant women need more protein than in a typical diet; between 70-100 grams. Other micro nutrients become more important as well 1. For you, considering your pregnancy symptoms, and 2. For your baby's development. Prenatal vitamins do help make up the difference on a day that maybe you felt sick and ate whatever sounded edible, but do make sure your prenatal includes Folic Acid to help prevent birth defects. 

If mama is constantly tired and achy, consider supplementing with magnesium, Evening Primrose Oil and making sure you're getting enough iron. Fiber is key! Turtles move faster than pregnant digestion. If you're stuck...grab an apple, some green roughage and oats and throw them all in your smoothie. If you're not going, neither are those hemorrhoids...we don't need any more pressure down there. 

- #4. Rest. When you can and wherever you can. Don’t let anyone give you a hard time about staying in bed! 

- #5. Get in the water. It's the only place I feel graceful and weightless these days, and relieves pressure from my hips and lower back, as well as pelvic pain.

- #6. 3 Things I'd never heard about before I got pregnant that I will MAKE SURE MY DAUGHTER KNOWS! Please Google. 1. Lightening Crotch (Also Can be Felt in Your Butt Hole) 2. Pelvic Tilts--actual life-saving technique 3. Counseling for yourself and your partner. Strengthening your relationship and staying in the process of addressing all the stuff your new influx of hormones brings is 110% vital during pregnancy. I never knew I'd feel like I'm about to lose my marbles at least three times a week. Your relationship will never be the same, but it can always grow deeper. Your pregnancy is the perfect opportunity to grow together, not apart.

To all you strong mothers who are pregnant and in the process, postpartum and reclaiming yourselves, hang in there, gorgeous! Your baby is so worth all of this. 

Want some help with your post-baby body? The FitO Lifestyle includes every shape and phase of you. Don't be afraid to zip us a message about training with a live virtual trainer, in your home AND with your baby.

XOXO,

Coach Elle