@ 20 weeks pregnant - my introduction

bigbadbrandini

bigbadbrandini

Cathlete
I'm just now introducing myself on this forum at 20 weeks. The ultrasound showed a healthy boy today, and I'm so excited!

This is my first, so with no experience and plenty of excuses, it has been kind of rough. I had a lot of morning sickness and especially fatigue that prevented me working as much as I normally did (4-6 times per week). Or it could have been pure laziness, but I have worked out at least 1-3 times per week, which makes me feel okay. I can still do some Cathe workouts, yoga and walking. I just modify where needed. I've been getting better at getting more workouts in, or at least going for a walk.

My downfall is my diet. I have now become completely careless as to what I'm putting in my body when before finding out I was pregnant, I ate as much cleaner. At my last check up, I had already gained 10 pounds in the last 5 weeks since my previous check up. The problem, I think, is that I crave certain foods much more than I used to. Very bad foods, especially chocolate. Any advice would be appreciated!

Brandie:)
 
Congratulations, Brandie, on your healthy pregnancy. Don't beat yourself up too badly. 1-3 times a week on the exercise is great given you're pregnant and you've had morning sickness. I know that I barely exercised at all during 1st trimester. Then I increased the exercise to about 4-5 times a week during the second and most of the third trimester--because I felt a hell of a lot better. Now, in my last month, my body is starting to feel uncomfortable, and I am tired from hauling around the extra weight. I still exercise 4 times a week, but I have slowed down considerably and am doing many easy modifications. Anything you do though is better than sitting on the couch.

As for diet, do you like fruit? I am 8 months along, and I have basically overdosed on fruit during this pregnancy. At 8 months, I am registering a normal weight gain of 23-25 pounds. Also, I have had the chocolate craving, and I feed it (in moderation, of course). Since it is the chocolate and not the sugar I crave, I take only the darkest of chocolate, very bitter (If you don't already, you can develop a taste for this, just as people do for coffee). The Endangered Species Black Cat Bar is 88% cocoa, while the the Dagoba Eclipse is 87% (I believe). There is very little sugar in these bars, and they satisfy that urge for full-bodied chocolate. Because this chocolote is full-bodied and bitter, you can suck on a square and eat it more slowly than you would a square of sugary chocolate. Two or three small squares should do the trick.

Chocolate cravings in pregnancy are extremely common; About a year ago, many studies were being publicized which suggested that women who eat chocolate during pregnancy actually deliver happier and better adjusted babies. So enjoy your chocolate!
Manmohini
 
Thank you so much Manmohini! I have been getting better at eating right and feeding the chocolate cravings in moderation. I appreciate your advice on dark chocolate. I'm going to try to find some of the kinds you mentioned tonight.

As for fruit, I love fruit and have been eating it generally mid-day and afternoons. My morning sickness has pretty much disappeared now although I still have to avoid spicy foods or else they give me nausea. In the last few days, I've been getting heartburn from almost anything I eat, which I've heard is common in the 2nd trimester.

Last night I did the Butts and Guts Leg Blast Premix, but had to skip the hammer punches and side punches, oh, and the plie squat jumps after walking lunges. I just plie squat in place without jumping. Thank goodness I'm just a little sore today! :)

Brandie
 
Congrats on your Healthy baby boy!! I agree you shouldnt beat yourself up about not excercising as much. Your body is changing so much and hormones are shifting its hard to stay motivated. Do what you feel up to, you will have plenty of time to make up for it later. I am 33 weeks along. I worked out a lot more in my second trimester and now than i did in my first. I can still do some cathe but have to modify no high impact. I do a lot of hiking and yoga and that feels good for me. I wouldnt over indulge but i truley believe everything in moderation. Good luck with everything

Melissa
 
Congrats to you and welcome!

I'm 36 weeks now, but I guess all I can say is that I remember turning the bend at about 20+ weeks. I felt like myself again and began eating better and working out quite a bit more. Sounds like that's happening to you too. That's great.

I also amped up my protein and calcium and found that I had more energy and didn't get many bad cravings much at all. I actually craved citrus and cottage cheese big time. I keep a regular supply of single pack mixed nuts & fruit (trader joe's), lowfat mozzarella string cheese, apples, and protein bars. I haven't had much chocolate at all during this pregnancy, only little chips in lowfat ice-cream.

I started watching my sugars at around 20 weeks and stopped eating regular yogurt etc. I switched to greek yogurt (has very low sugar) and added honey, fruit, granola or sunflower seeds. It was summer and tasted wonderful in the hot weather. I also made smoothies with some safe for mom's protein mix (more natural) and frozen fruit, that keeps me satisfied and feels more like a treat. The reason I started watching mys sugar intake was to keep my blood sugar levels in check, it really helped -- I read a little too much about gestational diabetes & thought it might help me avoid it (not sure if that's possible though). I didn't have the highs and lows with exhaustion that so many pregnant friends have experienced. My energy level was wonderful, I felt like I just happened to be pregnant, otherwise I felt great and pretty normal -- still do. I'm much less hungry now that the growth spurt is over! FYI in months 7 and 8 I was ravenous and baby and I grew a ton in 6 weeks -- ~16lbs -- half my overall gain so far!!

Anyway, hope this helps, have a great pregancy! :)

Steph
 
I am almost at the half way mark,and just starting to feel the energy to exercise. I did KPC yesterday (without the jumping).I have no interest in anything sweet,just salty.I am at my pre preg weight now( lost about 10lbs).Most of my wight gain is in the 3rd trimester.

Suzette
 
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