YBC® Editorial Director LG is back with her last post of the second trimester—one more trimester to go! I hope you’re enjoying this new series - comment below and let me know! XO Candace
And just like that I’m over halfway through my pregnancy. People keep asking if it’s flying by, and in a way it is - though it doesn’t seem like it when I’m craving a glass of wine or some yellow-tail hamachi. This time around, I’m so busy taking care of Teddy and working part-time that I just have zero time to sit around and think about the fact that I’m pregnant. Plus, it’s another boy that’s close in age, so I am not thinking much about buying more clothes and toys because we pretty much have everything except for another crib and carseat, and a few other things. Comparably, the first time around, I was constantly analyzing every sensation, change and movement of the baby and this time, I’m just used to it!
Nutrition
Ok, the holidays were a disaster in the sense of nutrition! I at all the things and so much sugar that even I was just over it by the the New Year. I recommitted to tracking my pregnancy macros and have been doing really well. I know I’ve said this before, but I would track for a day or two and then go back to eating all the things and then it was Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s so….can you blame me? Or relate? But now, I have tracked every day (ok it’s only been a week) and though I’ve gone over on one of the macros each day, I’m not bothered and I feel so much better in terms of mood and energy (sleep is still hit or miss from pregnancy insomnia). Breakfasts are usually a protein shake or Perfect Bar, then off to the gym, then an egg, avocado and whole wheat sandwich, or box of organic, grass-fed mac n’ cheese (yes, a box - IIFYM!), and dinner is steak or chicken, and veggies. I do still indulge in dark chocolate or a cookie here and there, but hey it does fit in my macros! Current cravings: mac n’ cheese, any cheese, and fountain Dr. Pepper (which I rarely drink - I’ve probably had two or three this whole time but I’m craving it all the time).
Mentality
I feel so much better lately. Let’s face it. Traveling with a child for the holidays can be exhausting and stressful. Now that we’re back on schedule, I’m excited that we’re moving into a new home in a month and I’m excited that I can feel baby 2 kicking so much and I’m really looking forward to meeting him. I have talked to my therapist about how I am concerned about coping with a newborn and a 19 month old, and those treacherous (but wonderful) first few months. Not to be overdramatic but I think I have some PTSD from my ‘fourth trimester’ with Teddy when he was colicky and I was suffering from postpartum anxiety. It was really a horrible time mentally and physically and I’m a bit nervous that it will return. However, this time 1) I know what to expect and 2) I now have resources ready and available. With Teddy, I had a very myopic view of motherhood, mostly from Instagram, which, this just in, is not real-life. I also had no mental space or physical energy to call my insurance and research mental health specialists in my area to talk to and tried to just ride it out for a terrible twelve weeks. This time, I definitely feel better equipped!
Workouts
I’m not gonna lie - I’ve been killing the game as far as workouts go. I may have mentioned before but going to the gym also allows me to put Teddy in the gym daycare which he loves, and the gym is located across the street (literally) from my apartment, so I have no problems or excuses when it comes to going. I want Teddy to have that socialization and interact with other children and adults, and it allows me an hour or more to myself.
As many of you know, I’m an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and I’ve recently taken a few courses in prenatal exercise and postpartum exercise, as well as spoken to my OBGYN, and I have a lot more knowledge on healthy exercises that I can still maintain while pregnant. Since my belly is still at a manageable size, my workouts are pretty close to what they were pre-pregnancy, minus the bodyweight plyometric exercises (burpees, jump squats, jumping lunges, jumping rope) and any intense cardio (which I never really did anyway).
I will say, due to the increased level of the hormone relaxin, I now dedicate a solid 15 minutes to warm up and 15 minutest to cool down and I still get really sore after lifting weights. At this point I think I’ve gained about 15 pounds and I know the lion’s share for me will come in the third trimester but I think this time around, not sitting at a desk all day long and instead chasing Teddy around or working out has been hugely beneficial.
Also, some exciting news, Candace and I are working on a prenatal and postpartum workout plan so stay tuned for those! If those exercises are something you’d be interested now, or even in the future, let me know in the comments below!
Next up, the third trimester and the light at the end of the tunnel! And if you’re looking for more pregnancy or mom-fitness you can always check out my blog, www.thatgingerlatte.com.