Bump Update: 1 Week Postpartum

I am 1 week postpartum. I can't believe that I have a week old baby. I was so anxious to get her out and now she has been with us for 1 week. But on the other side of that, it feels like she has been with us forever. It is a very weird feeling since she hasn't been with us forever but she just fits right in. 

Transition to a family of 5 has been a little rough. Mason was scared at first of her, but quickly got over it. He is eager to help me and her. He loves her so very much. Collin on the other hand, he has turned into a little gremlin. He is not liking the attention being on someone else. So he has been acting out. But he also loves her so very much. He will give her kisses and hugs and asks to hold her all the time and will give the cutest little smile when he does but man, the other times, he says no to everything we ask him to do and he has just been a trouble maker! 

I am enjoying having a little girl. It has been fun to dress her up in very pretty things and the BOWS! I can't get enough of the bows. Yesterday we had our family and newborn photo session. Again, Mason was great, Collin was a pill and Elyse was AMAZING! She was quite the little model. She feel asleep for most of it and the photographer was very impressed! 

Recovery: Recovery has been pretty easy compared to my other 2. I didn't tear so I don't have any stitches to deal with so that has been nice. I finally started feeling better on Tuesday. My body ached less basically. My biceps and back were KILLING ME from the actual labor up until Tuesday. Plus I was having a hard time walking because my hip was out of alignment. I saw my chiropractor on Tuesday and since then, I have been SO MUCH BETTER! 

Weight: Pre-pregnancy weight:237.7. Weight morning of birth: 264.8. Current weight this morning: 251.6. I'm not concerned with weight. I am still very swollen right now. I actually swell more after labor than before. I know that I lose a chunk at first and then through good eating habits and exercise the rest will come off.

I won't be doing these every week. I am going to transition to every month after this post so that I can write about both Elyse and my postpartum journey. Which I will be sharing more of here! Be sure to check back often to keep up with everything that is going on! 

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!

Week By Week Pregnancy Progression

I have been collecting my weekly bump updates so I could make this great little video of my weekly bump progression! AND I AM SO EXCITED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU! Check how much my belly changed over the past 42 weeks!

My main goal during my pregnancy was to be as fit and healthy as possible. Exercising 5 days a week. Following my 21 Day Fix nutrition program. In the end I was on point about 85% of the time. Yes, I had some sweets and treats. Yes, I missed some days of working out but over all, I did very well. I gained a total of 26 pounds, hoping most is in my belly with the pregnancy and that over the next few weeks my body releases the excess weight. And once I get the all clear from my doc I will be back at my daily workouts and getting my body in even better shape than it was in. I am so proud of what I accomplished, living a healthy and fit plus size pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and these sound like some of the same goals you have, but don't know where to start, or want daily motivation, support and accountability, LET'S CHAT! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! I want to work with you. Support you and help you be as healthy as possible for both you and your baby! Send me an EMAIL or request to join my FREE GROUP (and get my free Clean Eating Guide!) and let's connect!

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!

Hello October!

HELLO NEW MONTH! Who loves October? It is seriously one of my favorite months! The change in weather, the change in leaves. THE BEST! And as the weather is getting cooler, there is so much more opportunity for doing your exercise outside and enjoying some fresh air. Since it is the beginning of the month, don't forget.

1) GET YOUR MONTHLY WEIGHT IN: Take your beginning of the month weight TODAY, or tomorrow! BUT ASAP! Get those scales out of their hiding places and get your weight, then put them back away. Do not get in the habit of weighing yourself every day. The scale is a liar anyways and not what you want to be watching. Especially if you are doing a new workout that involves strength training. You might gain weight at first. So just weigh yourself once and be done for the month!

2) TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS: Take time to get your measurements done. THIS IS THE MONEY MAKER (as it were!) Because as women we actually will lose inches first over weight. And doesn't it feel great knowing that your tops are feeling looser for an actual reason. Seeing those numbers go down is so rewarding!

3) TAKE YOUR MONTHLY PICTURES: Set up those cameras or have your spouse or partner take them for you. This is where you are actually going to SEE the difference and seeing is believing right!?! Make sure you get those pictures taken, even if no one will ever see them. You will and they are great to compare from month to month to show, "HEY I really am losing weight!"

4) SET YOUR GOALS: the last thing you want to do, and it is a BIGGIE, is to decide what your daily, weekly and monthly goals are. Write them down and put them where you can see them everyday. Your mirror in your bathroom is a perfect place to remind you everyday to work hard to reach your goals so you don't give into those temptations around you.

You are worth all this hard work and I know that as you continue to trust your program. Follow the food and nutrition guide that you will get results. These programs really do work but it all has to be done together.

If you don't know where to start on your weight loss journey, I would love for you to join me. And since I have this postpartum weight to lose, we WILL be doing it together! Send me an EMAIL to chat and let's get you started today on your journey!

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!

Welcome Baby Elyse

Just wanted to give you all a little announcement! Elyse Cheyenne was born Thursday at 1:01pm. She is 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19.5 inches long. I had quite the birth experience which I will be sharing with you all very soon but wanted to give you an update! Welcome to the world little Elyse!

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!

#1 Tip For A Healthy Pregnancy

MOVE YOUR BODY MORE AND EAT THE FOODS YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD BE EATING! 

Hey moms! CONGRATS on your pregnancy. You have an amazing journey in front of you. The next 9 months are going to be super slow but also fly by faster than anything you ever thought possible. Trust me, I know. I am currently 40 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Just waiting for our little girl to decide that she is ready to come out! Yes, I am overdue by almost one week. Thankfully, I am scheduled for an induction tomorrow because I AM READY to meet our sweet little Elyse!

Looking at the next 9 months you have heard all the stories from your friends about how much they went through while pregnant and even how much they gained while pregnant and you are determined to do better. I want you to know that IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT GAIN WHILE PREGNANT. I have proven it! I have had a fit and healthy plus size pregnancy! 

This is my 3rd full term pregnancy, (my 6th pregnancy total). With my first, I didn't exercise, or rarely did, and ate whatever I wanted because I WAS FINALLY PREGNANT after 8 years of TRYING AND FERTILITY TREATMENTS! And I KNEW that I would lose all the baby weight I gained just from breastfeeding because all of my friends did and my sister in law, wow she lost 75 pounds just from breastfeeding. Well, I was wrong! I gained 55 pounds with Mason. I weighed a total of 255 pounds. The day after I had him I was down 16 pounds and there I stayed for 10 months until I seriously made changes to what I ate, then I started to lose weight.

With #2, Collin, I was determined to not gain as much. I had gone through two miscarriages at that point and had gained some weight back from after losing it with Mason. I was starting out 27 pounds heavier with #2 than with #1 (food became my comfort during my miscarriages). Just before I got pregnant though, I started exercising again, and running in races, and even signed up for my first half marathon. And I always said, "Come hell or high water, pregnant or not, I am running that half marathon!" So just after my 4th race I found out I was pregnant with Collin. I continued running and training for my half marathon and completed it at 29 weeks pregnant. Then stopped running at 30 weeks because I WAS DONE! TIRED! I ended my pregnancy with Collin at the EXACT same weight I had given birth to Mason. And the day after I had him I again lost 16 pounds and was stuck at 239 for forever. 

After yet another devastating miscarriage at 14 weeks along that almost took my life, battle with deep depression I again was back at my 255 pounds. And then I found my answer. I finally found a program that incorporated only 30 minutes of exercise but the most important thing...IT TAUGHT ME HOW TO LOOK AT FOOD IN A WHOLE NEW WAY! No more cutting calories, no more restricting food groups. NO MORE Denying me sweets and treats. I finally found the key that worked for me. I lost 20 pounds in just 5 months. And then I got pregnant again! I was determined to continue eating the same way through my pregnancy and still exercise only 30 minutes 5 days a week. Now at the end of my pregnancy I have only gained 26 pounds. Less than both pregnancies. Even though I am ending 9 pounds heavier at 264. I have worked really hard to control my weight gain. Keep it steady and this is how! 

MY #1 TIP TO HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY IS ALL MOVING YOUR BODY AND CONTROLLING THOSE CRAVINGS! 

GONE are the days of eating for 2. Or eating whatever sweets your heart desires. With so many processed foods and chemicals found in most boxed foods, and our favorite sweets, it is just better in the end to just SAY NO! And feed yourself the good stuff your body wants and needs. And here is the crazy thing.

When you are feeding your body what it needs, you won't want the sweets and treats!

I am feeding my body 6 cups of veggies a day, Protein, fruits, carbs (yes even carbs!), and healthy fats.

The key is to EAT WHOLE FOODS and just say no to sweets every day, occasionally, it's okay. If you want more information about the plan that I followed to help me eat the right amount of foods,
 CHECK IT OUT HERE. What you'll get: year membership with access to over 600 separate workouts, including an entire portal just for ACTIVE MATERNITY! Meal plans, recipes, healthy cooking shows, trainer tips and ME as your coach and mentor and virtual personal trainer! I promise you, I wouldn't share this if it didn't work for me.

26 pounds. I have only gained 26 pounds this pregnancy. I feel great. I have stayed active and I know that I will lose the weight after I have Elyse because I finally found the one thing that actually makes sense to me. That actually makes it fun. AND IS SO EASY TO FOLLOW AND MOMMY PROOF! I would love to help you have a safe, healthy and fit pregnancy. 

** Check out my 1 week postpartum bump (or lack thereof) update! CLICK HERE! 

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!