Fit Pregnancy

I am officially 23 weeks now, well over the half-way mark.  This week I have made the leap into health and wellness (something I should have done 23 weeks ago!)!  With no more nausea and increased energy I have made my triumphant return to the kitchen.  Now with 3 dinners cooked under my belt, I finally feel normal, almost entirely human again! 

Mama Pea's Thai Zucchini Impasta Salad (yummo!)

I have made a healthy eating commitment and have almost entirely cut out sugar, and for no particular reason- gluten.  And the difference is, I feel great!  It's amazing how the high-fat, high-sugar, processed junk hardly seems appetizing once I am satisfied with fresh veggies and delicious fruits!

Now, I'm still eating a bit of dairy.  Mainly Greek yogurt.  Simply for the protein, and not because I don't believe there are plenty of plant protein sources out there, but for me, most are still quite unappealing.  Greek yogurt, and sometimes eggs, does the trick for me.  I'm not sure if I will continue to eat meat on occasion as I have done several times throughout this pregnancy.  For me, this pregnancy was all about finding a balance and not being so harsh on myself when it comes to food. 

Exercising also seems to be high on my radar as of late.  For about the last month I have been able to incorporate work outs back into my life.  Swimming still ranks as my #1 favorite, but I have also taken to the treadmill.  I can now manage to run 2 minutes at a time.  To my former marathon self, that seems very defeating.  But to this new pregnant body it is quite a triumph!  It is hard and occasionally it causes pressure on lower abdomen so I have to slow to a walk.  However, I have been enjoying my walk/runs so much that I decided to download a Couch to 5k app and see how I do.  I'm not even attempting to train for a 5k, I would just like a program to follow right now. 

And of course, a Fit Pregnancy does not just include eating well and exercising.  Pregnancy is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.  I suppose that is why so many relate pregnancy and childbirth to running a marathon.  So far, I still think I would take pregnancy over another marathon any day! 

In addition to my new physical routines, I am plunging into a deep and serious commitment to read my Bible daily and pray.  I have grossly fallen out of this routine and my faith feels like it is dangling by threads.  I know that making this daily commitment will be the difference between a mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy 2nd and 3rd trimesters, and even more so postpartum!