Fit Pregnancy-Related Blogs

Back in February a friend of mine asked me about fit pregnancy-related blogs and resources through Facebook! Now, there are few topicss that will get me giddy, talking for days. One of those topics just so happens to be fit pregnancy & fit mommy bloggers!

I quickly sent her a reply with a few of my favorite fit pregnancy & mommy bloggers; however, I too told her that the quick list was not exhaustive. Granted, this list that I am providing is not an exhaustive list of all fit pregnancy and mommy bloggers, it is my staple for these topics. And since I put the list together, I figure I should share my resources with you as well!

Now, the following list of bloggers are women that I have followed for an extensive period of time. You know, I like to be prepared for these life changes, so I have been following some of these women on blogland for a number of years!

I should also note that there are a few other bloggers who have shared about their pregnancies all while staying fit, however, these bloggers have focused their content on fit pregnancies!

Here are the six fit pregnancy & fit mommy bloggers that I adore! (Listed in alphabetical order)

Carrots 'N' Cake:: Are you a runner or CrossFit enthusiast? Then Tina's blog is the one you should follow. A little under a year ago she gave birth to her first son, Quinn, who is so stinking cute. And, she is a pug & food enthusiast! I loved following her CrossFit pregnancy journey, and she most recently ran the Boston Marathon! I referred to her recommendations for CrossFit accommodations while pregnant. Now I follow her as an example of staying fit while raising a small one! Visit her "Fit Pregnancy" page if you are interested in her previous posts that she wrote while pregnant! She too has many stroller exercises that I am anxious to try out in a few months!

Diary of a Fit Mommy:: I recently stumbled across Sia's blog, and am happy that I did! Sia not only provides a wealth of home exercise programs but also specific posts about clean eating! She has a few posts about IIFYM (It It Fits Your Macros) dieting, which is something I want to revisit post-baby. She has a ROCKING body, and perky personality. She is the mommy to Greyson, 15 months, but openly shares that she longs for baby #2 sometime soon! I look forward to following her fit pregnancy, though I will not be pregnant when she shares her journey.

Fit Foodie Le:: Now if I had to pick only one of these bloggers to be BFFs with, it would most certainly be Le. I would LOVE to live in Houston, so we could be besties! Le and her husband, Sonny, have two boys and are the owners of 6 Pack USA! In another life, I desire to compete in a fitness competition! Well, Le and her husband train people nationwide to do just that, and much more. Le specializes in prenatal and postnatal fitness. She shares some of the BEST recipes around, including macro-nutrient information, and just random life happenings of a mommy to two boys!

The Fitnesssista::I believe I have been following Gina the longest! AND, she is currently pregnant with Baby #2, which she recently announced. If you are desiring to follow a pregnant momma, then I would highly recommend Gina. I also recommend Gina if you enjoy yoga, Zumba, HIIT fitness, and/or Body Pump style workouts as she is a group fitness instructor for all these styles and much more! I sometimes wonder how she teachers so many different styles! She too is a military wife so her family has moved a few times, which I can relate to.

Fit To Be Pregnant:: Of course I could not forget Deanna over at Fit To Be Pregnant! She has a wealth of information and updates that one could peruse, providing specific workouts for each trimester and post-partum! She too shares all kinds of articles to help/support expecting moms! What I love most about her blog? The Fit Pregnancy Profiles features, especially since I was featured a few weeks ago. You can also read her personal posts about getting back into shape that were written after her most recent pregnancy!

Workout Mama:: Tamara's posts have become a little sporadic, however, she has not given word that she is closing down the blog. Tamara is mommy to two and wife to a firefighter! I followed her most recent pregnancy, and she more recently has shared about her experiences with post-partum depression which have been very interesting to me. If you are looking for a fitness-inspired blogger who also loves Christ, then Tamara is a good blogger to follow.

Michelyn Cynthia

Questions of the day: What topic(s) can you talk endlessly about?

What fit pregnancy and mommy bloggers do you follow?

This Momma-To-Be Can't Run?!?!

After Monday's stint with the ER, I have questioned even writing about this topic. As this pregnancy progresses, a few of my ideals and perceptions about pregnancy, child-birth, and parenting have indeed changed; however, I think many woman and their partners would agree that this growth occurs.

I first want to thank each one of your for your comments on the blog and on my Facebook when I announced that I had been in the ER! It is always reassuring to know that people are sending well-wishes and reminding me to take it easy! I did not get out of the bed all day Tuesday, and returned to work on Weds working in 30-45mins intervals with the same amount of rest.

Yesterday at my OB appointment, my physician stated that there is no way of truly knowing what caused the gastroenteritis, but that the contractions were triggered by my dehydration. I am still amazed that I had such severe dehydration (off the charts!), given the copious amounts of water that I consume on a daily basis! But, if you observed the frequency and intensity of my hurling sessions, then I guess not so surprising! Overall, I had no major concerns so I left with a clean bill of health, and the encouragement to continue to consume more solid/rich foods as the days go by.

Every day since Tuesday morning, I have progressively felt more like myself. Coach made the most delicious home-made chicken noodle soup that I was finally able to enjoy on Wednesday for dinner! I will have the last bowl tonight for dinner! And I am hoping that I can transition past toast and saltines by Saturday! Today I did stomach some of the Paleo Pumpkin Bread that I made, and it settled well with my stomach! Thinking I will try a smoothie for lunch!

Today's post was not a recap of Monday, but I felt that introduction was pertinent, especially since this week of little inactivity, Monday in particular, and the last few months have really impacted the things I stress about. 

Prior to getting pregnant, I would have sworn that I would be that pregnant lady running half marathons until the day she delivers. I was a freshman at University of Florida who picked up running as a hobby in efforts of thwarting the Freshman 15. Well, I would go on my freshman year to lose some weight, that was not necessary, only to gain many pounds my sophomore year! By my junior year, I figured out the best formula and balance, but back to freshman year...

I fondly remember my first 5k race in Orlando, FL that freshman year. I had started running in the fall, progressing from 2 miles, to 3, to even 5miles for a comfortable run. So what does one do when they pick up a hobby? Find an outlet for competition, right? So I registered for a 5K race in Orlando in the early Spring that my parents accompanied me to. I remember my outfit like it was yesterday. I wore an Adidas grey two piece running outfit - sports bra and compression shorts - with my midriff svelte and chiseled! I was rocking the Janet Jackson braids back then, and know there must be a picture at my parents house somewhere! Wow, so fun!

I must admit that I do not have many recollections of the actual race but the events that led to the finish line.  As I see the archway to the finish line approaching, I pick up my pace to a distinct sprint. Something catches my eye to my left; another runner perhaps.  I look to my left and am baffled that I am being surpassed by a female runner with a large pregnant belly! You guys, this was no pregnancy bump but a belly! I was partially miffed that a very pregnant woman surpassed me, but then I too rejoiced that she had just kicked my ass! After that day I promised myself that I would do the same thing one day.... Pass a youthful runner at the finish line!

Well, that day has not occurred and I am not sure that it will for this pregnancy.

I had planned and was even training to run a half marathon while I was home in February. As the months progressed, my runs became ever more painful.  At first I tried to shrug it off as side stitches, but the pains even occurred during CrossFit WODs when we do not run more than 5 laps at a time.

I mentioned it to one of the OBs at the box and she nodded, that maybe my body was telling me to lay off running.. Yes, this is what I figured but not what I wanted to hear. I had envisioned being a pregnant runner and my vision was not coming to fruition!

Anger

Frustration

Depression

All emotions that welled inside of me!

Then one day I had an ah-ha moment. What is wrong with me? I am seriously distraught because I can't run while I am pregnant? I was and still am active with CrossFit and my treadmill became my vehicle for long walks verse dreaded runs (I despise running on treadmills.)

I had to sit back and question my priorities. Was it really imperative that I run for all 9 months of this pregnancy?

No.

Is it important that I stay active and healthy while pregnant?

Yes, and this has been accomplished.

Will I be able to pick up my running shoes post-partum?

Yes, I have no doubt that my body will take back to running when it is time.

This is just one lesson that I have learned in the last six months, and I am sure that a multitude will surface in the last three months of this pregnancy as well as Little Miss Kemp's first year of life lifetime!

I hope that I am able to reflect back to this time when another similar situation arises. I am an avid planner, and like to believe that I am in control of situations. I have had many mommas tell me that this is my first dose of reality; that many more years will progress without being in full control. This truth frightens me, but I am actually glad that my running plan did not progress. No, not that I wanted a reason to stop running, but I needed this jolt in reality.

Michelyn Cynthia

Question of the Day: Did you have any "disappointments" while pregnant?