Staying fit while pregnant is easier said than done. Although I am only about 6 weeks along, I can attest to this because my food has been all out of whack and, you are what you eat. No matter what you do in the gym, you can never out train a bad diet - even when pregnant. There just aren't enough hours in the day to do so. And, NEWSFLASH!, you only need an extra 150 calories your first trimester - I am preaching to myself here too. I think it's a mindset problem. We've been given these messages of "you're eating for two" for however long we can remember and, even though we know that is completely WRONG, it somehow sticks in your brain somewhere. That cookie isn't looking too bad anymore because, after all, "I need more calories, because I am burning more calories, right?" Well, after a week of crap eating, I am putting my foot down! ENOUGH! Even though for some reason my body wants everything I would never eat before and know I shouldn't have, I am reminded of what I used to preach to myself long before and still believe in whole heartedly - I need to be the most strict on my diet while pregnant! Whatever I put in my body is not just for me, it's for my baby and, I don't want my baby eating crap. I want my baby to be fueled with natural, organic (when I can afford it), clean, pure food. I must give myself a small pat on the back, however, for not caving into coffee or soda since we found out the news. I know you are "allowed" 200mg of caffeine per day, but studies still don't know exactly what it does to the baby, so no thank you! Pass the decaf please?! And, soda?! I never drank it before. However, I have been surrounded by it at family gatherings this past week and since I can't have my wine........ but NO WAY will I cave for high fructose corn syrup or artificialness. Water it is and lots of it!
Here are some pregnancy power foods. Even if you aren't pregnant these are great foods you should try to incorporate into your diet anyway. I am trying to incorporate as many as I can on a daily basis, and definitely on a weekly basis:
1. Avocados
2. Broccoli
3. DHA eggs
4. Edamame
5. Carrots
6. Lentils
7. Mangos
8. Nuts
9. Oatmeal (NOT INSTANT!)
10. Red Pepper
11. Spinach
12. Yogurt (GO GREEK!)
13. Kale
14. Salmon
15. Lamb
16. Sweet Potatoes
17. Berries
As for the gym, I go when I can and am making more of an effort now more than ever. I just have to make sure my heart rate stays below 140 bpm. The more in shape you are before and during your pregnancy, the faster the weight comes off after. ALSO, the more fit you are, the shorter your labor, less push time and less likelihood of complications during childbirth.
And so the journey begins.........
