Exciting News!

WE'RE PREGNANT!

Yes, it's true.  It happened like clock work.
My doc gave us the go ahead to start trying after 2 regular cycles.
2 cycles passed and the magic happened.
I honestly wasn't expecting this to happen so quickly... I was actually shocked!
Two test later and our first doctor appointment down... it's 100% confirmed!

I've been a bit hesitant to announce our big news due to our previous miscarriage.
A week or so back I came across an article titled "5 Common Pregnancy Practices I Wish Would Go Away".
Intrigued, I clicked the link and read on. (The article can be found HERE)
The first "practice" the author discuss is the 12 Week Rule.
We have all heard that things can go wrong in the first trimester.
I'm a prime example.  1 out of 5 pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
The author writes - "I think this sets women up for complicated grieving process should miscarriage happen"
WOW!  I could totally relate to every word that I was reading.
Had I not had so much support from both friends and family, I think I would likely be in a funk still.

I clicked on a link provided at the end of the article to read about "Why I Hate the 12 Week Rule".
(This article can be found HERE)
The website I was taken to is a sanctuary for those going through the same things.
A place where you can go voice your feelings and have support from others.
Great site for others struggling with miscarriage.  Highly recommended.

I was honestly considering waiting until week 12.
I know first hand how great it was to have the extra support though.
I know that I would love to have the same support if something happens again.
I feel kind of needy or maybe selfish saying that but it's the truth.
I don't need the sympathy.  It's just nice to know there's support during tough times.

Anyhow, enough of the doom and gloom - I'm back to My Journey Into Motherhood! :)
I'm excited and nervous at the same time.
I know that there's a possibility of something not working out again but my hopes are high.
I think I worry myself more than needed.
This time around things have just felt different.
I often forget that I am pregnant.  I really don't feel like it - short of being EXTREMELY tired.

My boobs didn't start hurting until about a week ago.  Before it was almost immediate.
I haven't had the same acne problem that I did before.  My skin actually looks pretty great.
Like I said, I have been VERY tired.  Last time I wasn't really tired.
No puking.  I do feel a bit nauseous before I eat in the morning and then again after dinner.
I don't have the want to over indulge when I eat like I did last time.
I have had some CRAZY dreams.  I often find myself wondering where that thought came from!

I was able to lose almost 20 pounds prior to this pregnancy.
(Yes, I still have a ways to go before hit my goal weight and that's now on the back burner)
I don't want to flush all of my hard work down the drain so....
I'm sticking to my healthy ways and I plan on doing so throughout the entire pregnancy.
For the record, I'm not actively trying to lose weight.
The plan is to continuing eating healthy and to continue with my workouts.
I told James the other day that I'm actually a little jealous.
He will be losing more weight and getting buff and I'll just be getting bigger.
All for a good cause though.  I can't complain about that.  :)

I will be back to my weekly blogging - baby talk this time. 
I will keep you updated on new symptoms - the good or the bad.
I will be doing weekly photos too.

The doc says that the baby is measuring about 6 days ahead of what we were thinking.
They are keeping the due date at December 11th for now.
After the 20 week ultrasound measurements, they may or may not move the date to the 5th.
Regardless, Baby Bell is looking healthy.
We saw the little heart beating and could see a defined baby shape growing inside.
Here's what we got to see...

First "baby bump" (or not) photo - 8 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty great!
**Note to self... clean the bathroom mirror!  LOL! ;)

Couch-to-5K

I have made a new goal for myself.
Complete "Couch to 5K".
I'm inspiration to do this comes from THIS BLOG.  I think I've mentioned her blog before.
She dropped 30 pounds in 9 weeks with the help of Couch-to-5K!
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is!
You can find the Couch-to-5K program HERE.
I also found an app on my iPhone called C25K.
It's not the actual app that Couch-to-5K recommends.
The one I got is free.  Yes, I'm a cheap ass.
It appears to be very similar to the other one though.
I'll see how it works tonight!

James and I have talked about running a 5K.  I think this is the perfect aid.
I'm a horrible runner.  I've never liked it, not even when I was skinny.
I'd much rather place my chunky butt on the elliptical and plug away.
I actually find myself somewhat scared to run on the treadmill.
I'm afraid of what others will think as I'm attempting to run.
I WILL overcome these insecurities and I WILL become a runner.

The plan seems relatively easy.  I'm sure I'm underestimating it.
I'm sure I will be dripping in sweat, out of breath and want to die.
There's something about dripping in sweat that makes me feel great about my workout though.
I'm motivated and actually excited to start this tonight!
I want it to be 5:00 already.  Sore muscles await me.  HA!

I ordered an armband for my iPhone and it should be here tonight.
I'm very excited for that too.
I will be able to run with my music playing and not have to worry about my phone.
I hope to soon be able to run outside too.  :)

I will take more measurements and pics tonight.
Measurements have been great motivation for me lately.
I can't wait to see my body changing - just in time for summer and shorts!
I will keep updating my blog regularly with my progress!

A Hearty Dose of Motivation!

I've been slacking at my blog posts.  I've had such great motivation outside of the internet world that I forget to share with you!  So let me share!

My last post I said that I was changing things up and oh boy, has it helped!  I've gone back to eating dinner before the gym.  I haven't necessarily been eating more though.  My calorie intake changes from day to day.  I try to stay right around 1100 calories but sometimes jump to 1300 too.  I'm pretty safe between those numbers I believe... and the scales shows it too!

In the past week I've dropped 3 pounds.  I took my measurements two weeks ago, Monday too.  I decided to take them again this past Monday and to my surprise, I had lost a total of 4 inches!  I'm incredibly proud of myself.  Seeing the numbers gives such great motivation.

James and I have been trying to go to the gym every day.  That doesn't always work but on average we're getting there at least 4 times a week.  4 days out of 7 isn't too shabby.  The past couple weeks I did strictly cardio.  30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill.  I'd go probably an average of 4-5 miles in the hour at the gym.

This week I've switched back to doing weights with James and holy crap!  I feel it!  I love feeling my muscles though.  It shows me that I'm actually doing something!  On top of the weights that we've been doing, we've also been throwing in some cardio time.  Usually about 30 minutes.  I stick to the elliptical for my cardio now.  I try to keep my pace up too.  Around a 6 or so for as long as I can manage.  I feel I'm getting stronger and have more endurance.  I did a mile in just over 9 minutes the past two days.  Not to shabby for someone who started this weight loss journey just over 2 months ago (not to mention having a starting weight of 190...).

Wow!  I think that's the first time I've admitted my weight in my blog!  (I will post my measurements in the near future too).  A starting weight of 190.  Today I'm weighing in at 177.    For those of you that don't like math, that's 13 pounds lost!  Yeah, 13 pounds in a 2 and a half month time frame may not seem that great but I will take what I can get!  I'm proud of every pound I've lost and I will continue working hard to see more results! 

 

 I have been ashamed of the number on the scale for so long.  It feels FANTASTIC to finally be in control of that number and to see the number continue to decrease.  I'm not saying that I'm totally confident again because I can assure you, I'm a ways from feeling completely confident about myself but I'm definitely getting there.  When I'm at the gym I find myself thinking about what others think of me.  In my head it's one of two way.  They either think "what is this fatty doing here... she look ridiculous... she isn't doing anything right..." or "good for her.... it's nice to see that she's working on her... more people should be like her..."  I would hope that people choose the latter of the two!  I know that I will always praise those that are overweight for being at the gym!

Here's my challenge for you... If you want to feel better and grow your confidence and belief in yourself... GET OFF THE COUCH AND GO TO THE GYM (or go for a run outside)!  One things that's great to always remember...

Changing things up!

The past week has been somewhat shitty, yet again.  I didn't see a change on the scale even after starting the Jillian Michael 30 Day Shred.  I think the problem could be one of two things.  1 - I'm not eating enough food or 2 - I was eating too late.

That being said, I've changed things up a bit this week in hopes that things will go in my favor.  Last week I was eating dinner after we got home from the gym at 7:00-7:30 (which meant that dinner wasn't done until 8:00-8:30).  This week I've switched back to eating dinner before we hit the gym.  It seems to be working so far.  I've dropped another pound already!

Along with eating dinner before the gym, I'm trying to up my calorie intake a bit.  My BodyMedia program shows that I should be eating 1500 calories a day.  I had been consuming right between 1100-1200 calories.  1500 has seemed a bit high for me but I'm going to try my hardest to hit that.  I'm going to start eating snacks between meals too.  That should easily give me the extra few hundred calories I need to be eating.  I have done snacks in the past but I always feel like I'm continually eating.  It'll be worth it though if I can start seeing some more results!  

Check out this YUMMY recipe I found and made for dinner last night.  I had the veggies along with some with some salmon.  The veggies and a 6oz piece of salmon were only 435 calories!  Low calorie and delicious!

 


1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion 
1 tsp minced garlic 
1 medium zucchini 
1 medium yellow squash
1 medium potato (I used a sweet potato in place of a regular potato)
1 medium tomato
1 tsp dried thyme 
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Italian cheese

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both
in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).
STEP 2: While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.
STEP 3: Spray the inside of an 8x8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the
softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking
dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.
STEP 4: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and
bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.