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Monday, May 4, 2015

Blog Revamp

This post will be short, because it is pretty straightforward.

I have decided that my blog, as well as my Facebook page, needs an update. With everything going on, I had trouble keeping up on fitness related posts. While I was "taking a break", I realized my focus had changed. My interests are still partially health-centric, but also family/home oriented. So, to reflect that, I will be changing the name of both pages, and posting more in these areas.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Regrets During Pregnancy

I'm pretty sure every mom has some regrets when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. It's normal. I figured I'd share mine. (Note: My regrets are not meant to shame anyone else. It's just my thoughts on my own personal experience.)

1. I regret not eating healthier. As a health nut who would rather have carrots than candy, I never thought I'd say this. Unfortunately, I craved horribly fatty foods, and carbs, and loads of yummy stuff that I shouldn't have eaten. I'm not saying I didn't eat healthy foods too; in fact, I craved them as well. But, I ate way more junk food, and I feel like crap for it. My one saving grace is that for the last few months, I have been a little more careful about what I eat.

2. I regret not being more active. I have always been pretty active. I used to walk every single day, and do home workouts, and was a pretty fit, healthy person (that includes while I was pregnant with my first child). This time, however, I let it all go. I did walk a lot in the beginning... until the pain and nausea set in. I would walk my daughter to school and cry on the way home because I hurt so bad. Or I'd be heaving the whole mile back to my house. Eventually, the "morning sickness" (what a lie!) went away, but the pain never did. So I limited myself to going to the school and sitting on my fitness ball (which helped ease my back and leg pain).

I am trying to be a tiny bit more active now. I sit on my ball sometimes, and I dance a little. Plus, I totally count going up and down the stairs a million times a day as a valid form of exercise (they are steep and I am front heavy lol)!

3. I regret stress. I think everyone in the world could say that, but for me, it was like I got pregnant and immediately tripled my stress level. I had scary pains, and crazy life events, and daily worries, and it all got the best of me. Every time I solved one issue, two more would hit. It's kind of calming down now, but I still have insomnia because once I lie down, I start to think and worry.

My regret isn't about how many stressful things I have going on (although some of them do suck). My regret is that by being so stressed out, I could unintentionally harm myself or the baby. Luckily I did not, but if I could go back and find a way to just relax and not worry so much, I would in an instant. (If you are pregnant and super stressed, try to find ways to calm down a little. Take baths, or read, or something. Enjoy the miracle you are going through, because it doesn't last long.)

4. My final regret has actually not happened yet, but I fear it will. I regret not being vocal. I am naturally a very quiet person, and I do not assert my dominance. I know what I want during childbirth and afterward, but I feel like I'm going to be trampled by well-meaning people who insist they know better than me.

All my power was taken from me with my firstborn, and I really don't want that to happen again. I am trying to make a "birth plan" (you know, those things they tell you to write but it's rare they are actually followed) that is at least somewhat specific on key points, like interventions and breastfeeding and such. Hopefully that will get me started in the right direction.

In closing, (and this goes for everyone, not just moms) do not be afraid to voice your regrets. I used to say that I had no regrets because everything was a learning experience, but that's not really healthy. Eventually it eats you up inside.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Hospital Decisions

I am almost 34 weeks pregnant now. And I am scared out of my mind. Let me tell you why.

With my firstborn, my whole pregnancy went well. I was healthy, baby was healthy, and my biggest fear was dying (I was 18, and watched the worst possible movies while pregnant lol). I had no doubt that my baby would be born perfectly fine. I did not ask about epidurals, or take any classes, or think about what might happen if there was an issue. At 39 weeks, I had my final ultrasound, and something was wrong with my baby. I met with a doctor I had never seen before, and he told me I would need a C-section or to be induced, which may end up turning into a C-section anyway. I decided to skip induction. It was a terrifying decision for me, and I was such a mess that I could barely sleep.

The next morning (yes, I had less than 24 hours to let it all sink in), I was so nervous. I woke up at 5am, and felt like I was frozen. The whole way to the hospital (one I had never been to before, due to my hospital of choice not doing "emergency procedures") I was shaking. My nerves were shot, and I ended up throwing up all over admissions. I was lucky enough to have two family members with me, and they took care of everything and got me cleaned up. Then, I went upstairs... to about 7 people waiting. My baby's father had brought not just his immediate family, but 2 of his friends without warning me. I didn't really know what to do, and it made my stress worse. Labor ended up starting as they were prepping me. It was a horrible experience, and I now realize it was because I had no control at all.

This time, I am a tiny bit more prepared. I want a natural birth, but I know I may not be able to due to complications. Every doctor I have seen says they will let me attempt it, but I may not have as much freedom as someone who has not had a C-section. That's okay. I am thankful that they didn't immediately say no, and for the opportunity to do things the way I want.

I have also made a big decision about visitors. Last time, people showed up at the hospitals (both my delivery hospital and the children's hospital) without me knowing they were coming. We had visitors every single day, a few of which were unwelcome. It felt like I wasn't allowed to have privacy, and that wasn't really fair. My daughter was sick, and it was like a parade. I also felt guilty for saying I wanted time alone, even though it was needed.

This time, I have decided to make a list. There will be specific people who will know when I have my daughter, so that they can visit. This is my personal time to bond with my daughter, as well as my fiancĂ©'s. We are not a circus. I am going to be very picky about who I put on this list, simply because there are people who may not understand the word privacy. I do not need random people showing up because someone told them. We will also not be posting pictures or anything on social media until we get home.

I am not a horrible person. I just want to be comfortable and keep the situation as stress-free as possible. If someone wants to visit at the hospital, they can ask, and they either go on the list or I'll request that they wait until we are home and settled. It's not a personal vendetta. It's what's best for us to keep us calm and relaxed so we can enjoy our newborn.

I hope no one takes offense to this. I am really not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, I am just trying to keep sane in an intense situation. Thank you for understanding.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

New Years Resolutions

Christmas is over, and immediately you start hearing about New Year's resolutions. You don't really get much time to think about it. Everyone usually falls back on the same generic few: lose weight, make more money, eat better, etc. But, they don't really think about how to achieve their goals, and usually fail.

This year, I want to do something different. I am choosing one resolution, and I am going to plan out how to do it. As I am about 6 months pregnant, my goal is to get back into shape after I am cleared to work out again (around June/July). Full disclosure: so far I've gained about 20 pounds, which isn't so bad to most people, but I only gained 18 with my first child, and it came off immediately. So, I'm a little nervous about this time!

My plan is to start P90X3 or Turbofire as soon as I am cleared. In the next week, I will come up with a stricter plan. Some issues I will possibly face are: not being cleared for longer (due to complications), not being in control of my meals (I live in a household where I no longer cook), and not having time or space to work out (again, not my house, and baby stuff will most likely take up a lot of room lol). Some ways to overcome these are to make sure I start as soon as I am cleared (while being safe), eating smaller portions or fitting in at least one healthy meal per day, and using the space I have to the fullest.

I have more small goals for this year, but this is my big one. What are some of your resolutions, and how to you plan on reaching them?

Monday, November 10, 2014

Heartburn and Stretch Marks, Ugh.

I have three new loves in my life: Tums, coconut oil, and my stability ball.

I have never had heartburn in my life. Acid reflux plagued me when I was younger, but it went away before I hit 20 years old. Even pregnant with my daughter, I didn't get it (but to be fair, with her everything was easy). Now, even water gives me issues. WHAT??? I finally broke down and got Tums a few days ago, and I am an idiot for not doing so sooner! Anyone that knows me knows I am stubborn, and I insisted on finding a natural remedy. Yeah that didn't work out.

I also lucked out last time when it came to stretch marks. I only gained 18 pounds, and it was so gradual that my body adjusted nicely. Not so lucky now. I am so horrible... I actually refused to even look at my body for about a month. Never mind that I can barely fit into my clothes, NOPE I'm not growing except my belly. So not true. Once I FINALLY stopped being in denial, I started trying lotions. Eew. The one I had for pregnancy was gross and slimy, and I could feel it even after showering. Any other lotion I have didn't feel like it was doing anything at all. Crap.

So, the other day I was scrolling through Pinterest (my favorite thing to do lol) and I came across a recipe for Coconut Oil Whipped Body Butter. I already loved coconut oil, but now I have a new appreciation for all it does for me. All you have to do to make it is scoop some out, break it into little chunks, and whip it with a hand mixer. It doesn't melt, and it only takes a tiny bit to moisturize. I used it for the first time last night and it not only moisturized, it soothed my very angry skin.

The final issue I've been having (now that my nausea is gone) is hip and back pain. I have scoliosis, so sitting in one spot usually bothers me. However, I can no longer stand for more than a few minutes without my back and hips hurting. Plus, sitting on the couch hurts my hips worse. I figured out a solution: my stability ball. I originally bought it for working out, but now it's been sitting in a corner because I've been focusing on gentler exercises. I spent most of last night rolling around on it, stretching out my hips and watching tv.

Don't judge me. My poor little body doesn't know what to do about growing a baby, and at this point I'm willing to do anything just to be comfortable (including build a pillow fort just to sleep at night). To all my moms-to-be, I feel your pain. Don't be afraid to look foolish to get comfy!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Sharing=Success

Good Morning!!!

I am wide awake and full of excitement! All because I have something to share.

As most of you know, I am a Beachbody coach. Every week, they host a call to help coaches grow, not just in their business, but in their personal life. At least that's how I view it. Everything they share can be carried over to most situations. But I have a specific point I want to talk about today...

Sharing=Success

Wait, what??

This idea is super simple. When you have a goal, SHARE IT. You will be more likely to reach it if you have people holding you accountable. Obviously, you don't want to share with everyone (I'm pretty sure telling only your enemies will end in disaster). But, if you share with even one friend, and keep them updated on your progress, you are around 33% more likely to succeed than if you keep your goal to yourself (according to this study, which also shows more success when you write down your goals. I will touch on that shortly).

If you are having trouble finding someone who is supportive, or if you feel your goal is unattainable (don't be afraid to dream big), please send me an email. I am absolutely willing to be your partner, as long as your goal isn't to kill someone, haha.

As for writing your goals down, this is a great idea. Write it down, and put it somewhere you will see every day. A great tip: if your goal is in the health and fitness area, check out the Beachbody website. You can input your starting stats, as well as take a before picture, and track your progress. Also, they offer recipes, workouts, and an easy way to connect to people who are working towards goals like yours. If you are interested in signing up for free, please do so here.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

It's Not Okay

I have something to say... I'm sick of the world being sick.

That sounds horrible. I swear I started out writing this somewhat decent post about how it's okay to be scared and overprotective. The title was supposed to be "It's Okay". But every single word made me want to scream. Not because I don't believe that; because I didn't want to say it at all.

I want to talk about judgment. It's a bad, ugly thing, and I can't stand it. It surrounds all of us. We judge people, and events, and even ideas. It brings so much hatred, and that is unhealthy. The best part is, we have NO RIGHT to judge. It makes us feel strong and powerful, but why? What is the point?

I do my best not to judge people. I am constantly judged: my looks, the way I act, my entire life. People look at me and automatically think they have me figured out. That is not fair, and I refuse to put people through that. It hurts... it doesn't just hurt a person's feelings, it hurts your wellbeing. You can't be healthy and loving while looking down at others, even if you don't know them.

Right now, everyone is talking about Ebola, and how it is spreading. Can't deny it, it's happening. My problem is, everyone has an opinion. Most of them come from fear. Fear is understandable. However, when you start bashing people who are living through it, or trying to combat it, you stop helping. You become a voice of hate at a time when everyone should be fighting to be strong and united.

We are part of an epidemic. Our hatred and judgment makes the world sick. Be part of the cure. Love someone. Be nice to a stranger. Help a person in need, instead of automatically writing them off.

 A little love goes a long way.




Thursday, October 9, 2014

Subscribe!

Just a quick reminder: I don't always share my posts on social media, so you may be missing some of my entries. If you enjoy my blog and don't want to miss anything, please subscribe via one of the links on the right side of your page (either email subscription or through the Bloglovin site).

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Surprise!

Ok, so it's time for my big announcement...

I'm pregnant! YAY!

I was told every pregnancy is different, but totally didn't believe it until now. With my daughter, it was so much easier. Barely any sickness, no pain, no drama. But this time around, it's the opposite. I'm sick almost every day, headaches and side pains, to the point where I've gone to the hospital to make sure everything was okay. Plus, there's crazy drama and ordeals (for more info, see my previous post titled "Please Read" & follow the link)

Anyway, I'm now 14 weeks along, which is when things are supposed to get easier. And they have... kind of. No more sickness, but lots of gagging for no reason. I'm not tired all the time, but still need naps a few days a week.

Still, it's a super exciting time! My daughter just turned 9, and I've been missing the baby and toddler phase. As soon as I found out, I started my registry, and started tidying all the stuff I already have. I feel like a crazy person!

I'm very happy and nervous about this stage in my life, and every so often I will share what's going on with you. In a few weeks I find out the gender, so you will get an update then!

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Upcoming

I'm a total slacker. I haven't written anything in quite a while. I'm also barely working out (I walk 2 miles almost every day, but I refuse to count that). I'm telling you this, mostly for accountability, but also as an icebreaker for me to jump back in.

Truth is, I've been sick. Like, sick enough where I can barely move, but can't sleep. I'm finally feeling a little better, and the first thing I decided to do (after catching up on housework, lol) is blog. You should be happy I love my readers so much!

Since I am nowhere near done everything I have to do today, this is going to be a short and sweet post. No editing, no formatting, nothing. Just me and words.

So, as for the title of this post, I have made a super decision. Coming up is... Reviews! Yay!

I have not decided what I will be reviewing fully, but I am going to start a new "toothpaste" regimen which I will keep you updated on. It involves baking soda, sea salt, and coconut oil. Also, I'm trying my hand at making my own apple cider vinegar since I go through so much of it (I'm a vinegar addict). Fun stuff.

I'm sure I'll find other stuff to review, especially with Halloween just around the corner... I'm pretty sure I'm going to see that movie Annabelle, you know, the one with the doll that's bound to give me nightmares. I'll tell you how that goes.

If you have anything you want me to review, leave a comment. Also, if you make wares and want a review with a free plug, email me and we will set something up.

Also, I do have a HUGE announcement that I will be sharing in a few weeks, so keep watching!