What
can I say, time has flown by since my last blog! We are about to enter my last
trimester of this amazing 9 month journey! Since writing my last blog at the
beginning of the second trimester, a lot of changes have taken place - one of
them being my body shape! Obviously I knew my body would change during
pregnancy but despite this, it has still surprised me how much of an impact it
has had on my body so far and my attitude and acceptance towards these
changes.
During
the past few months, I have learnt that no matter how controlled I try and be
with both food and exercise to ensure that I am at my optimum fitness during
and after pregnancy, pregnancy at the best of times is unpredictable on so many
levels! This is especially true when it comes to body shape! Despite going to
RWL gym on a twice weekly basis to do my tailored pregnancy programme and
continuing to follow a low carb nutrition plan, my bum and thighs have padded
out!! No amount of agonising reverse lunges have stopped this!
From
the beginning of this journey, I have vowed not to put on any unnecessary
weight other than what is naturally expected during pregnancy i.e. an increase
in cup size (every cloud...) but surprisingly my midwife has assured me that
the increase in the size of my bum and thighs is a natural change as it is to
do with fat storage in preparation for breast feeding... I never knew that
there was a link with boobs and bums!
I am
constantly having people telling me that this is not the time to be concerned
about my body shape or eating healthily or exercising as this is in fact the
one time when I can eat for two and embrace these changes. I completely
disagree, this is exactly the time when I should be even more conscious of what
goes into my body as any rubbish that I eat, I am also feeding to my growing
baby. I wouldn't feed a new born processed food so why should I eat processed
food now when the baby needs the most natural and healthiest of food to aid its
growth in these last few critical months? Furthermore, in terms of nutrition
and exercise, I have worked too hard for the past two years to use pregnancy as
an excuse to go back to square one and go back to the old size 16 me. With
continued exercise and controlled nutrition throughout my pregnancy, I am proud
to say that I am still a firm size 8 and feel more energised than ever! Yes, I
admit there days when I am very tired after work and dream of flopping out in
my pj's watching Paul Hollywood on TV baking cakes but being the stubborn and
determined mama to be that I am, I push myself to go to the gym because the
pride I feel after having completed a work out is worth every bead of sweat! If
I cannot push myself now, how am I meant to get through labour?? Gym is the
easy bit compared to what I face in February so what is wrong with trying to
get as fit and healthy as possible and into the most positive of mind sets
before D day??
I
could easily have used this time to put my feet up and relax but having been
with RWL for nearly two years has instilled me with such determination with
their ethos that continuing to exercise during my pregnancy has not taken me
any convincing as it is second nature to me now, I cannot sit down for two
minutes now as I am too energised!
Believe
me, it does take determination from within to continue to exercise during some
tough changes but what has really helped is the outstanding commitment and
encouragement from Joe, Sam and Jeff at the gym - not only do I owe it to
myself to look after my body and baby but I owe it to the guys at RWL to show
just as much commitment as they have shown us!
Although
I am about to embark on the last trimester before I meet my little man, the
journey is far from over as I am very much looking forward to the new challenge
of regaining my pre-pregnancy figure! Watch this space!
Katie x
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