Fit and Healthy Plus Size Pregnancy: Clean Eating

You have heard me talk about it so many times. I eat clean healthy balanced meals and lifestyle. Because I am trying to CONTROL THE WEIGHT GAIN DURING MY PREGNANCY (click to read more on how I am doing it!) ! And it really does make a difference, what you eat to how much, especially while pregnant, determines how much you gain. But what does it really mean?

What Is Clean Eating?

1. Eat plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked.
2. Eat unprocessed lean meats that have not had anything added. This includes fresh chicken and fish and even lean, humanely raised beef and game. (which actually taste different and AMAZING! I splurge and get grass fed beef on occasion)
3. Enjoy whole grains instead of the processed or refined variety.
4. Eat smaller, more frequent meals about every 3 hours.
5. Follow an 80/20 healthy eating.

There really is not wrong way to eat clean! It wasn't until I started following the 21 Day Fix program that I started to see real and true results in my own body. My skin is brighter and glowing (and it isn't just a pregnancy glow!) I feel better, have more energy and I do not deprive myself of things that I want! I personally use the 21 Day Fix Nutrition approach when I go shopping. I try to stick with my container approved foods as much as possible. If you are ready to start trying 21 Day Fix Program and change how you see foods, GO HERE! And let's get started! 

How to Start Eating Clean:

Start with a slow and steady approach. Instead of throwing out everything that you have in your kitchen right now, just start replacing items when you run out of them. Making it a transition. It will be easier on you and your family and your budget! So if you need bread this, look directly at the ingredients and select the breads that have ingredients you know what they are and can pronounce.  (100% whole grain, no added sugar and identifiable ingredients such as whole wheat flour, salt and yeast). Or if you ran out of white rice, pick up a package of brown rice this week (I love brown basmati rice).  Another easy switch is from instant oat meal to old fashioned or steel cut oats. It doesn’t have to be difficult to make the transition to clean foods. 

Clean Eating for Beginners Tips:

• Start slow and within your budget. Don’t worry about drastic changes or being “perfect.”
• Teach yourself to properly read labels. Focus on the ingredient list. Select foods with fewer ingredients—and ingredients that you recognize as real food.
• You do not have to buy all organic foods! See above!
• Understand that you will make mistakes. The important thing is not giving up.
• Don’t stress over minor things. Keep the bigger concepts in mind and always work to improve. It’s about choosing the healthiest choice—not depriving yourself.
• If you do have something that doesn’t mean your definition of “clean,” don’t throw in the towel. Make your next meal clean. That’s the difference between a diet and a lifestyle change.
• Live 80/20. Meaning 80% of the time you are eating as clean as possible and that allows you to have a 20% indulgent meal. This is what is meant to be a healthy lifestyle! Go on a great date. Have a comfort meal one week. The goal is to do the best that you can! 

Hey MOMMAS! Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Listen To Your Body

You know what, MAKING A BABY IS HARD WORK! This weekend I was totally toast. I was burnt out. And I finally listened to my body and slept a lot of yesterday away. And it is exactly what my body needs.

When you fill your body with good whole foods, your body will thank you with being regular. When you exercise, your body will thank you with feeling stronger, and having energy. When your body is tired, it will tell you, and it is your job to listen to it.

Even if you aren't pregnant. The number one rule is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY NOT YOUR MIND! Have a workout where you don't think you can do one more rep but you end up having the strength for 2 more, yep, your body will always be right. Your mind is what is the liar! Don't listen to your mind, listen to your body.

Having a healthy and fit lifestyle means appreciating your body enough to take care of it and that also means listening to it. Your body is amazing. It can do amazing things. Respect it and it will take care of you in return!

Hey MOMMAS! Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Our Gender Reveal!!!

Yesterday it was confirmed that we are having...

...

....

A GIRL!!! 

Here are our reveals that we did! We did 3 different ones, why not HAVE SOME FUN! Check them out and let us know what you think! 

(Kids Gender Reveal)

Hey MOMMAS! Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Gender Reveal Ideas

Today is the day that we find out if we are expecting a little boy or a little girl into our family. I am really hoping for a girl, because well, my mom is so excited to make cute little girl clothing, but after 2 boys, I am ready for a girl! And of course Matt is hoping to make it a trio of boys! The more men the better he says! But we shall see today. I'm looking and looking at all the ideas on cute gender reveal ideas and here are a few of my favorites I found over at PINTEREST!

(Diary of a Fit Mommy)

HERE'S WHAT WE WENT WITH! 

See more at our Gender REVEAL Announcement post! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Summer Activities for Kids

After going through Spring break and honestly, surviving. I am already starting to look at some fun summer activities for kids that won't break the bank! Check out this link fun activity ideas! Oh this is just the beginning of summer fun for us in the Allen house!

12 Summer Activities for Kids

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Bump Update: 18 Weeks

I can't believe that I am already almost half way! I thought in the beginning how slowly this pregnancy was going and then BAM! It's almost the end of April and I am almost half way. Happy day! 

I am seriously so excited for FRIDAY! We get to find out the gender of this baby and I get to share it with you all (hoping that the baby is willing to show us! I will be downing an Icee before we go!) This past week went pretty well. We had some great family time over the weekend. And both Mason and Collin love saying "Hi" to the baby. Mason loves talking to the baby all the time! My weight is starting to go up, I gained 2 pounds in the last month, so half a pound a week, for a plus size girl that is pretty AMAZING! I am loving this healthy and fit pregnancy. It is totally different than when I was pregnant with Collin. I had the exercise down but not the eating. Now combining the two I am having the healthiest pregnancy yet! LOVING IT! 

Total Weight Gain: 5.5 pounds 243.1 pounds.

Symptoms: Headaches/migraines. I had a bad one on Monday and couldn't eat anything. Made me sick to my stomach. My appetite hasn't really been good since. But still eating healthy when I can!  

Baby’s Size: Sweet Potato/Artichoke

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops still good to go on regular shirts! 

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new.

Gender: ??? FRIDAY! We find out! 

Sleep: I am only waking up once a night to go to the bathroom. But started having some crazy weird dreams!  

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly or back! Sleeping through the night. 

Cravings: Peanuts. Like trail mix. Yeah, totally loving on that stuff. I do pre-portion it out though so I don't eat the whole bag in one sitting cause that would not be good! 

Aversions: nothing yet

Excited About: Feeling the baby move a ton! Finding out the gender on FRIDAY! YAY! 

Workouts: Getting in my workouts 5 days a week, which is awesome! Still getting lots of massages from Matt for that. I have been doing 21 Day Fix yoga, Cize, Diary Of A Fit Mommy's Fit For Two 2nd Trimester and the Beachbody On Demand Active Maternity 2nd Trimester workouts. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

How To Add Healthy Carbs To Your Everyday Life

This week in my ongoing group we are having our educational theme week! KICK THE CARBS! It is all about learning why bad carbs are bad and how to add more healthy ones to your diet. Todays post is on healthy ways to add carbs to your everyday life! Try these tips for adding healthy carbohydrates to your diet:

1. Start the day with whole grains.
Try a hot cereal, like steel cut or old fashioned oats (not instant oatmeal), or a cold cereal that lists a whole grain first on the ingredient list and is low in sugar. A good rule of thumb: Choose a cereal that has at least 4 grams of fiber and less than 8 grams of sugar per serving.

2. Use whole grain breads for lunch or snacks.
Confused about how to find a whole-grain bread? Look for bread that lists as the first ingredient whole wheat, whole rye, or some other whole grain —and even better, one that is made with only whole grains, such as 100 percent whole wheat bread.

3. Also look beyond the bread aisle.
Whole wheat bread is often made with finely ground flour, and bread products are often high in sodium. Instead of bread, try a whole grain in salad form such as brown rice or quinoa.

4. Choose whole fruit instead of juice.
An orange has two times as much fiber and half as much sugar as a 12-ounce glass of orange juice.

5. Pass on potatoes, and instead bring on the beans.
Rather than fill up on potatoes – which have been found to promote weight gain – choose beans for an excellent source of slowly digested carbohydrates. Beans and other legumes such as chickpeas also provide a healthy dose of protein.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Never Miss A Monday

Happy Monday Mamas! I hope all of you had an amazing weekend!!!! Well, I personally take Sat and Sun off from working out. My goal is 5 days a week but still do something active with the family on Saturday. 

Today, is WORKOUT DAY! Here are 4 simple rules to help you stay on track! For me personally, if I don't workout on Monday, I will miss Tuesday, it is always a given and I don't know why, but that is what always happens. So I make it a huge goal to NEVER MISS A MONDAY! And as we know, exercise while pregnant is so important for us and the baby!

• Reduce risk of pregnancy complications: In one 2012 study, women who participated in fitness programs four times a week were less likely to develop gestational diabetes and less likely to have unplanned cesarean sections than those who didn’t exercise.
• Lower odds of delivery complications: In another study on women in Spain, women who exercised three times a week gained less weight during pregnancy and were less likely to have macrosomic babies (or babies weighing more than about nine pounds at birth). Having a heavier baby, in turn, can lead to complications for both mother and baby during delivery. 
• Speed post-delivery recovery: The more you increase your pregnancy fitness, the faster you'll recover physically after childbirth, the more fit you'll be after delivery. In the same 2012 study, women who exercised recovered faster after labor (even after controlling for delivery method), resuming household chores faster than  those who didn’t exercise.
• Boost your mood:  Women are more susceptible than ever to depression during pregnancy, with an estimated one in two of all women reporting increased depression or anxiety while they’re expecting. But research has found that exercise during pregnancy reduces depression, releasing endorphins that help improve mood while diminishing stress and anxiety.
• Lower blood pressure: Blood pressure occasionally does go up during pregnancy, but too much and it can be a warning sign of preeclampsia. Staying active — in one study, simply walking regularly — has been found to keep blood pressure from rising.
• Ease back and pelvic pain: It’s no secret that your growing baby bump puts extra pressure on your lower half, resulting in lower back pain and an achy pelvis. Exercising, however, may result in less lower-back and pelvic pain during late pregnancy.
• Fight fatigue. Low-level tiredness plagues many women during the first trimester, then again late in the third trimester. While it seems paradoxical, sometimes getting too much rest can actually make you feel more pooped. So while you should never push yourself to exhaustion, a little nudge — say, an easy walk or try a prenatal yoga class — can make a big difference in your energy level.
• Improve sleep. While many pregnant women report having a harder time falling asleep, those who exercise consistently (as long as it's not near bedtime, which can be too energizing) say the quality of their sleep is better and that they wake up feeling more rested.
• Relieve constipation. An active body encourages active bowels. Some women swear by a brisk 30-minute walk to keep them regular, while others say even a 10-minute stroll helps get things going.

So....what workout are you doing today?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

My First Pregnancy Stitch Fix Keepers!

Ok! The other day, I got my FIRST PREGNANCY STITCH FIX! I have finally decided and thank so much to my FACEBOOK friends who all helped me realize that I was making the right choice! I am keeping...

What do you think??? Did I make the right choice???

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Amazing Abs in April: Ab Workout Variation

Want to spice up your AMAZING ABS in APRIL ab workout for the month? Check out this 6 move circuit!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

My First Pregnancy Stitch Fix

(Click the image or here to get your first fix!)

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? It is a service where when you sign up, a stylist chooses 5 items of clothing for you, based on your very descriptive profile that you fill out, sends it to you and you have a choice to get any of the items you were sent. From the reviews, sometimes a fix is either on point or they knock it out of the ball park! And on top of that they offer PREGNANCY CLOTHING! 

Ok backing up just a little bit. I have known about Stitch Fix for many years. I have a lot of friends that use the service. But when I first looked into it they only go up to a size 16, and a lot of it was boutique style stuff, so I assumed that the sizes actually ran small. The big word there is ASSUMED! I figured that I was too big to fit any of there stuff, and that I had to lose weight before I even tried their services. While at a party last month. I talked to some ladies and more than half of them were wearing outfits by Stitch Fix. I was like, dude, I have lost weight, and if doesn't work then I am out $20. It's just $20! I can do that. So I filled out my extensive profile, left major notes on my modesty requirements for my religion and that I really only wanted tops and maxi dresses as I already had 2 pairs of modest shorts for the summer. And low and behold. My package arrived YESTERDAY!

Lesson learned! Do not let your fears hold you back because you never know what might be waiting for you on the other side. And you might even be a little pleasantly surprised by the outcome! Have faith and believe in yourself!

So...I need your help! I have 3 days to get back to them and return any items I do not want to keep. Which items do you like best? Can you help me??? COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR TOP PICKS! 

Item A: Stripped top with blue lace on the shoulders. It is a thin material and would still work in the summertime. Plenty of room for the belly to grow! 

Item B: Love the teal color on this henley. Super thin and comfy material. However the shoulder area, is crochet and shows my undergarments that I need to cover up.

Item C: Navy blue maxi dress with a beautiful crochet back on it.

Item D: Floral crossover shirt with tons of room for the belly to go. Super thin and comfy material! 

Are you ready for your first fix? CLICK HERE to get scheduled today! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Is It Safe To Do Planks While Pregnant

I have been getting asked this question A LOT lately! Is it safe to do Planks or ab work while pregnant? Yes, but you have to listen to your body and be very careful! During pregnancy you are more prone to develop diastasis recti, which is a separation of the abdominal muscles. Diastasis recti results from the growing uterus pushing against the abdominal wall, which is susceptible to separating because of a hormonally-induced softening of the fibrous band that connects the recti muscles. 

You are more prone to diastasis recti if you are over 35, have poor abdominal muscle tone, have had multiple pregnancies, delivered a baby with a high birth weight, and engaging in aggressive abdominal exercises, especially crunches, during pregnancy. 

Be sure to talk with your doctor first and ask him how to monitor your belly for the signs of diastasis recti. I personally do not do any standard crunches or standard planks during pregnancy for this very reason. I modify them and really listen to my body.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Bump Update: 17 Weeks

 This week has been amazing. I seriously feel like a totally different person now that I have my energy back! And on top of that I had an amazing weekend with my gals down in MIAMI for the 2016 Pure Synergy Diamond Retreat! Such great memories and friendship were made there. You can read more about it HERE!

Also this week, yesterday, I got my first STITCH FIX EVER! And it was with PREGNANCY CLOTHING! YAY! Oh and I fit in all of them! For a long time I put off doing Stitch Fix because I didn't think I would fit in anything, but I did and DO! YAY for hard work to change my lifestyle and make healthy choices so that I can naturally lose weight!

Matt has said he wanted me to show off my belly and wants to get me cute pregnancy clothing. So why not have a stylists pick something for me. I really love all the pieces. She did a great job, but I think for practicality we are only going to keep 1 or two of the pieces. I will have a post up about it before I send anything back! But the stylist totally listened to my requests and only sent me shirts, a cardigan and a maxi skirt (THAT I LOVE!)

Total Weight Gain: 4-5 pounds. 242-243. Yesterday I was at 242 and today I was at 243. I am still trying to regulate after my amazing weekend! 

Symptoms: None. Full of energy! 

Baby’s Size: Onion/Pomegranate/Turnip

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops still good to go on regular shirts! 

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new.

Gender: ??? It was too hard to tell. Hoping at my next ultrasound in 2 weeks we will be able to see! 

Sleep: I am only waking up once a night to go to the bathroom. But started having some crazy weird dreams!  

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly or back! Sleeping through the night.

Cravings: MEAT. On my weekend away we ate mostly vegan, as more than half of us were vegan. I had 1 meal with meat in it. So since being home I have been like, "MEAT! GIVE ME MEAT!" 

Aversions: nothing yet

Excited About: Feeling the baby move a ton! Getting to hear the baby's heartbeat tomorrow at my monthly check up. And getting my first Stitch Fix pregnancy clothing! 

Workouts: Getting in my workouts 5 days a week, which is awesome! My right shoulder has been hurting me, no idea why but getting lots of massages from Matt for that. I have been doing 21 Day Fix yoga, Cize, Diary Of A Fit Mommy's Fit For Two 2nd Trimester and the Beachbody On Demand Active Maternity 2nd Trimester workouts. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

When Is It Ok to Ask If A Woman Is Pregnant

As a plus size lady, many people really don't know/can't tell that I am pregnant. It is the whole "Is she pregnant or fat and getting fatter?" mindset. Which really sucks. Because honestly I really want to scream it from the rooftop that "HEY, I'M PREGNANT! YAY! Celebrate with me people!" (And I personally don't think I am fat at all. I am fit and healthy and doing what I need to do to keep my weight gain in check! I am proudly showing off my bump with form fitting tops!)

But there is a rule of thumb. Honestly, there is! I am hosting a FREE Healthy and Fit Mama's group and many of the ladies, haven't said one peep about being pregnant. (I don't know how they do that because I can not keep a secret like this quiet for long!)

So...have you ever asked a lady if she was pregnant? Then found out that she wasn't. (she is probably feeling pretty hurt and you are equally embarrassed!) I have a pretty good pregnant eye, and can spot when someone is, but I have learned my lesson to not ask that dreaded question. You never know what someone is going through.

So here is the rule of thumb:

DON'T ASK!

Most women are very insecure about their weight when it comes to being pregnant due to the rapid weight gain and their changing body. Some find themselves in a state of shock or panic to see the numbers rise and their midsection growing, so always be aware and sensitive to this fact.

When a woman is pregnant and is ready to tell you, she will. But don't go asking.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!