Pregnancy and Fitness

As most of my readers know, I started this blog to track my journey to a healthier me.

I wanted to record my workouts, my weigh-ins, and also build a strong community of other bloggers with similar goals.

All of that was right on track... that is, until I found out I was pregnant!

All the health articles I read have the same conclusion: as long as you were active before, it's OK to remain as active during pregnancy (just get the OK from your doctor).

Confession: I have not ran a single mile after my 5K in May

Why?

I found out I was pregnant during my training.  At my doctor's appointment, I asked him if it was OK to continue running.  Not only did he say it was OK, but that he wanted me to continue running and complete my 5K as planned.

So what turned me away from running?

I had the WORSE RECOVERY EVER as documented in this post.

Because of my legs turning into bricks, I took about a week off from exercise.  Also around this time, I had to increase my visits to my chiropractor.  My rehab sessions were almost done but my X-Rays showed we had more work to do.  I had another 6 weeks of INTENSIVE (read 5 days a week) adjustments and stretching.  I'm proud to report that the curves in my spine have improved by 90%!

So because of the babying recovery of my legs, my chiropractic appointments, and being pregnant, I stopped working out all together.

Sound like excuses? Yeah they do.  Because they are.

I know that being overweight pre-pregnancy comes with a lot of risks.  I have to pay special attention to the amount of weight I gain, the amount of sugar intake, and overall wellness.

And as we all experienced (I hope it's not just me), just because I know something, doesn't mean I always do it.

But lately I've been getting more motivated.  Maybe it's the fear of Gestational Diabetes, or Preeclampsia, or other pregnancy complications.  Or it could also be that I want to get a head start on being a healthy role model for my child.  I didn't have the greatest examples of healthy living growing up and I hope to provide something better.

Honestly? It's all the above.

The other week I went to a Pregnancy Yoga class. It was good to move around and stretch, but I don't think I'll be going back.  For one thing, it's expensive.  So I might just buy a DVD and do it at home.  Also, for the amount of $ I paid, I didn't get a lot of instruction.

Now I know that some yoga instructors refuse to physically touch students (liability?) but this instructor didn't give back any feedback, which is what I look for in any fitness class.  The studio could have popped a DVD into a TV and had us practice on our own- it wouldn't have made a difference!

After seeing how good I felt after moving and stretching, I realized that I do need to get back into a routine.

I plan on getting back into a fitness routine (not weight loss!).  Perhaps taking a walk on most days of the week and working in some light strength training.

If you have kids, did you exercise while pregnant?

Three Things Thursday

1. Thanks to everyone for entering my GIVEAWAY! It will stay open all weekend (ending Sunday at 6pm, HST- 9pm West Coast Time).  Before I hosted my own giveaway, I participated in quite a few other blog giveaways.  And they always ask us to tell our friends, but it never made sense to me.  I would think, “hello, if I tell all my friends, then my chances of winning get smaller!” but then I had this lightbulb, “ hello, if I tell all my friends, then they will share with me and my chances of winning get bigger!”  So be sure to tell your friends, so you can share the goodies. Or not. You could keep them for yourself.  There is no judgment here =)

2. I haven’t been running in 5 DAYS!! I went running on Saturday and hurt my foot so bad, I’m kinda scared to go running again.  What happened you ask? Well, after a great run at the park, I stretched for a bit and then hopped into my car to drive back home.

The hubbs was at a men’s rally hosted by our church so I had a small window to freshen up before I had to pick him up.  Well, during the drive home, I started to feel a slight pain in my right foot.   Almost like a cramping sensation.  By the time I got to our apartment complex and parked the car, my foot hurt so bad I literally hobbled to the elevator and to our front door.  I was in TREMENDOUS pain, and couldn’t put any weight on my right foot.  It felt like my foot had become this solid crystalized club.

So instead of jumping in the shower right away, I grabbed a bag of frozen green beans, put my foot up, and iced that sucker.  I also grabbed a can of corn and rolled my foot over it to help release the muscle.  It worked, but my foot was still in a little pain through Sunday…

On Monday I decided to lay off the running and get some cross training in.  I worked out on the elliptical for 45 minutes, no pain (well, in my right foot anyway).  Then when I was walking on Tuesday, I felt a little bit of the pain RETURN.  Ugh, I decided it’s best I try to stay off my feet for awhile.

I think I may roll my foot outward when I run because when I look at the bottom of my shoes, the outer sides of the soles are worn.  I did a little research on Runner’s World, but I don’t have high arches (or don’t think so). But after watching this video, I think I definitely am an underpronater. Any advice?



So today I plan on working out on the elliptical again (low impact on my foot) and add in some great strength training moves.  This weekend the hubbs will take me to a running store so I can get my gait analyzed.

3. I’m in a rut, meal wise.  I am definitely a creature of habit.  Example? Every day this week I had Greek yogurt for breakfast and a piece of fruit.

You all know how much I love my Chobani Greek yogurt, but I need some new breakfast ideas. And dinner ideas.  Something easy and fast would be great! And healthy too =)

Do you have any great meal ideas?  Family recipes that make your family worship you? Can ya help me out? I’d love to read through your fave meal ideas/recipes.  If you like, you can even post a link to your favorite recipe in the comments section.

I hope you all are having a fantastic Thursday!! One day closer to the weekend... I know I can't wait =)

Not a Fat Head

Today I convinced the hubby to go to therapy (running) with me again.

The original plan was to go to Ala Moana Park, where you can see previous pics posted here

However everyone and their mom was at that beach. We drove through the park and decided to hit Kapiolani Park.  I didn't take these pics, but they give you an idea of what it looks like.  It's right next to the Honolulu Zoo.


View Larger Map

It was a great run. It's flat and the path just goes around the park.  We started along Kalakaua, up Paki (D), crossed Monsarrat and ran passed the Honolulu Zoo.  Thank God the animals were clean today.  I would have suffocated.

We made our way down Kapahulu Ave and looped back to Kalakaua (just a big circle, check out the map above).

I felt really good after our run.  I keep feeling like I can push myself further so I really need to figure out how to get over my mental blocks.  That will be my goal for next week.

After our run, we drove up to Diamond Head to admire the view, and of course take some pics:

Now the hubby is napping, I'm about to go find a place for dinner after church and we'll be out again soon. 

And I don't know why his head is so big in this pic.  He is not a fat head, I swear.

I'm cheating on my treadmill. And I like it.

So much for Wordless Wednesdays.... maybe next week? LOL

First things first- check out this rad giveaway: EAT, DRINK, AND BE MEIRI

OK... on with the post!

After work today, I decided to go for a run.... but after a morning that started out all rainy and cloudy, I wasn't sure if it'd work out.  On Monday, I made plans to go walking with a friend but it started pouring 15 minutes in! Needless to say, I had my fingers crossed!


The sky was overcast and dark gloomy rain clouds hovered over me. I arrived at the same park as Monday, around the same time.  As I started out, it sprinkled a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle.  I even convinced myself that if it started pouring, I'm gonna have fun running in the rain.

Fortunately for me, it started to look like this:

And this...

Any Hawaii 5-0 fans out there?  Do you remember this spot? Kono sat here with a little girl who's mom was kidnapped by Russian gangsters/her daddy... they had shave ice (snow cones) on these benches...

Sorry it's so blurry! I was dodging other runners....

After a quarter mile, the path turns onto another part of the park named Magic Island.  I have no idea how it got this name, but it was pretty magical....

This is looking back towards the first 0.25 mile I ran

Can you spot the surfers? They look TINY



Proof that I was there. Yes, I was the idiot who took pics when I was "resting"

The pic above is of a portion of the beach protected by a sea wall... it's calm and shallow, perfect for keiki (children)! see those runners in the background? the sidewalk curves around to where they are... I had fun runny down that manini (tiny) hill LOL

Famous Diamond Head, Honolulu Harbor and not-so-famous moi

This was my view as I headed back to where I began... I must say that I don't think I could ever run on a treadmill EVER again. Don't know if I can handle staring at a wall for my entire workout. 

And if you're wondering why I was so amazed by a park on an island where I've lived for 3 years, this is the second time I took a run outside. The first time took place on Sunday.  I guess that speaks volumes of the extent of my running "experience".

I'm really inspired and motivated to start running here after work...on most days when I can.  I can never take for granted the beauty that surrounds me.

And as I round out this post I leave you with one more image... the sunset as I jogged back to my car...Good night dear friends!