I have always lived a healthy lifestyle. Throughout my entire life I have worked out. Whether it be going to the gym, running outside, doing yoga, playing tennis, snow skiing…you name it. I was doing it and on a regular basis. I would say 6 days a week. I never ever have been on a diet, I am a huge proponent of healthy living. What I mean by that is – I eat what I want, drink a ton of water and I am active. I am a very high energy individual. Not one to sit and watch TV or lay around and I am one of those people who eats a lot of small ( not always small 🙂 ) meals a day and throughout the night. That way my metabolism is always working. I believe we are WHAT WE EAT! I am and have been my whole life a strict vegetarian. I do not drink a lot of alcohol. I am not a smoker and I NEVER EVER drink pop (i.e coke, sprite, etc). So living healthy is my way of life.

When I found out I was pregnant staying fit was not even an option. I knew it was the most important thing I could do for my myself and for my baby. The first trimester was rough, I was exhausted. I barely could get the energy to get out of bed. But I made myself workout. Working out is a tricky word for a lot of people. Working out does not have to consist of going to a gym, or doing traditional forms of exercise to actually see results. So what I did was walk, lift 5lb weights and stretched a lot. It wasn’t what I was used to doing, but it was something.

Everyone said “ as soon as you hit your 2nd trimester, you will feel great!” and boy they weren’t kidding. As soon as I hit week 13, my 2nd trimester I was feeling great, my old self. I had energy and it was like a switch went off and I felt fantastic. I was going to make sure I did not skip a beat with my workouts. I would do the elliptical for 30 min, squats with 10lbs weights 4 reps of 10, and used 5lb weights in various arms exercises. I worked out 6 days a week. I felt great, my body felt great so there was no reason not to keep up my fitness lifestyle. I would go to the gym and had so many people come up to me and say things like “I have never seen such a fit pregnant woman!” and “ you work out harder than people who aren’t pregnant!”. For me that was so gratifying, I was pregnant and feeling blessed and lucky and it always wasn’t easy. I do believe everyone has there own journey and goals for their pregnancy. My goals were to stay fit, eat healthy and have a easy delivery. My doc told me he had never seen ankles like mine and that I had no swelling what so ever. He contributed it to my fitness routine. He encouraged me to workout as long as I felt good.
Aside from working out, I ate extremely healthy. All organic, took prenatal vitamins and supplements and drank lots and lots of water. One of the things that helped me stay motivated throughout my pregnancy was the dreaded myth that once a woman has a child, they will never get their pre-baby body back. I wanted to prove that absurd theory wrong, and I did. Hard work, mental strength and food intake all contributed to my post body after delivery. No one said having a baby and staying fit was easy. It’s a choice, a lifestyle and everyone is different.

* Ask your Doctor if working out is safe during YOUR pregnancy* Each Mommy is different and has different goals. That is what makes Motherhood so special. – XO