8 things that have been crucial to my fit pregnancy

First, let me say that this is my first pregnancy, and I completely understand everyone's journeys are extremely different and various in struggles. I've been pretty fortunate so far!

I'm 25, almost 26, weeks along in this baby marathon. I've stayed active, been able to eat well with minimal nausea, and my weight gain is on track with where my doctor & I want it to be. Some of this is due to me being one of the "lucky ones," I suppose, but some of this is due to specific efforts I've made, so I wouldn't dare chalk it all up to luck! Focusing in, I can definitely pinpoint some of the factors or items that I feel have given me an advantage in keeping my body feeling like my own.

Here are the 8 things that have been a huge part of being able to grow a human & stay in shape:

1. Being in good shape when I got pregnant

*For me, this is super important. The only reason I have felt comfortable continuing to push my body the way I do-- even if I'm not pushing nearly as hard as I'd like sometimes-- is because my body is already used to it. Most pregnancy guidelines out there will tell you to continue what you were doing when you got pregnant, but nothing new. I'd even venture a step further and agree with Kristina Pinto, author of Fit & Healthy Pregnancy, who discusses beginning an exercise program once already pregnant. The idea there is you can begin very slowly and methodically to exercise in pregnancy, but I definitely think it's easier to already be in pretty good shape if at all possible. I was in marathon training (taper, really) when I got the news, so my body was already under lots of physical stress. It's actually been downhill since!

2. Proper hydration & nutrition

*I am a BIG water drinker. Water is my main heartburn trigger right now because I can drink so much sometimes. With all that water, I also have to be very mindful of my electrolytes and keep those plentiful as well. You know the first thing you feel when you're dehydrated? FATIGUED! Like us preggos don't have enough of that going on. Water keeps my blood volume where it needs to be, keeps my metabolism revving so I can keep the nutrients moving to appropriate places for nurturing new life, and keeps my digestion (relatively) on track. It's huge-- and most women aren't drinking enough pre-pregnancy, much less perinatal. Extra proteins & omega-3's were already my jam anyways, so those have helped me immensely when it comes to recovering from workouts and fighting inflammation.

3. Snacks

*My husband says I eat like a bird, but don't let that fool you. I can knock back some food. Most of the time, I prefer smaller portions more frequently, but I'd say that's truer now more than ever since my stomach seems to have a little less room. Most of what I eat throughout the day is in snack form, and grab & go ones have been my life saver. I jumped on the Lara bar bandwagon after reading a study of pregnant women consuming dates during pregnancy & it correlating somehow to less interventions in labor. Weird, but I'll try anything to have this boy on time considering I have a wedding to be in two weeks post due date! Lara bars have been awesome post run snacks. Also, I wouldn't survive without Oh Yeah Victory bars. 16-18 g of fiber, yes please. Lastly, Lenny & Larry's Complete Cookies-- I could live off of the birthday cake & snickerdoodle flavors. They are my go-to pre-run snack.

4. Supportive family & hubby

*I'm stubborn & a little defiant, but I think if everyone around me were discouraging me from doing anything fitness-related, I'd second guess my fit pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, my mother-in-law prompting me to eat Oreos 24/7 has somehow backfired into me not wanting Oreos AT ALL, but if no one supported me being a pregnant runner or continuing to work out, I'm not sure I'd have the drive all by myself to prove them wrong. My support system trusting my knowledge & ability to pay attention to my perceived exertion is actually very uplifting, and I'm so thankful they encourage me to continue to be physically active. That's not to say my mom doesn't constantly remind me not to overheat :)

5. Job flexibility

*This is both the product of my decisions & fortunate circumstances. As a personal trainer working at a gym, I am only at work when I have clients scheduled. I don't have office hours or any other mandatory constraints on my time. This has allowed me immense freedom when it comes to planning weekend races and midweek runs. Heck, most days I have zero excuse not to work out cause I'm already at the gym! Although, my fitted Nike trainer shirt is nearing its stretch-yield point.

6. Giving myself permission to take days off

*I have never been a "NO DAYS OFF" intensity sort of person. I like the idea of that, but I can relax really really well. Some days, especially in the first trimester, I feel like just moving from the bed to the couch is an enormous physical feat, and that's ok. If I weren't allowing myself plenty of rest & recovery, I don't think there's any way I'd still be managing at least 4 runs per week.

7. Appropriately-sized activewear

*New shorts were a must once I hit about the 21-22 week mark. I've got some newfound "chub rub," as one lovely instagram friend put it, that has made me switch it up to a mid-thigh biker-style short to avoid some serious chafing in this Florida humidity. Those have been a lifesaver. Most days, I'm just too warm running in leggings. I waddled all the way home after 5 miles a few weeks ago, and that will certainly be the last time I run in regular shorts until after this baby boy comes into the world. Longer tanks and even maternity running tanks-- hallelujah! For Two Fitness has these phenomenal tanks that have tons of fabric, don't ride up, and come in all sorts of pretty colors, complete with adorable little baby feet on the belly. A full review of my running tank from them to come in the near future. I also picked up some inexpensive, light, longer tanks at Marshall's in their active section, because most of my smalls & mediums are just a hair too short and too tight across the bust these days.

8. New running shoes

*My current running shoe is the Nike Pegasus 32, which I freaking love. It's light & still gives me enough cushioning for long runs. The toe box is roomy and the upper is forgiving, so my toenails aren't necrotic & gross. That being sad, the cushioning of the pair I began this pregnancy in had already seen 4 months of marathon training & then race, so I had to opt for a new pair pretty quick, and Robert Frost was right. "That has made all the difference."

All you fit mommas-- what else would you add to this list?

Moral of the story is, if you're not pregnant but maybe thinking about getting there, go ahead and get yourself in shape now. The less you have to change & focus on once you get pregnant, the easier it will be to maintain. Surround yourself with the knowledge & people who are going to support you in an active pregnancy, & never be afraid to speak up to your doctor about your goals & concerns. As your body changes, cover it in what is comfortable, especially surrounding your work out.

Happy fit pregnancies, y'all!

#fitness #pregnancy #maternity #activewear #cookies