Jess

So, we're into week 3 (right?). Week 2 went as well as week 1. I was proud of myself for maintaining the daily walk since we had family visiting from out of town. Despite that, I didn't miss a walk. I've been getting more than 10 cups most days, which is good because that's the minimum amount I should be drinking based on my current body weight. The pre pregnancy clothes are getting closer to fitting. Things are a bit more organized (clothes are at least put away, rather than piled wherever) and we're almost done packing for the Sept 1 move.

Thanks, MamaT! Things are going well so far. The daily walk and hydration goals are happening every day. The organization one is coming along. I haven't worked on cleaning/organizing every day, but more days than I did before. As far as a specific plan to fit into my prepregnancy clothes, it's pretty much breastfeeding and walking. I actually started the daily walks about two weeks before the challenge began because I wanted to do something. I ended up with postpartum preeclampsia, which did a number on me in terms of stamina and energy, so I'm easing back into things with the walking. So far my postpartum belly is still shrinking, so I think that'll be enough to get me to at least fitting in my old clothes. My maternity clothes are really too big (my shorts and pants have to constantly be pulled up), but my old clothes are too small, and I don't want to buy new clothes at this point, because I'm noticeably getting smaller from week to week. The week before the challenge started, I couldn't button my old shorts, last week I could button them, but they were not at all flattering. I haven't tried them yet this week. We're also in a transitional stage with our living situation. We're moving in with my in-laws for two weeks before we move into our new place on September 1. That's part of why I'm only committing myself to things I think I have a reasonable chance of doing. Once we're in our new place I'm planning on adding in some bodyweight exercises, at least some pushups and squats. I do also get a fair amount of "exercise of daily living" type activities. The baby doesn't like to be put down for very long, so I usually have her on me in a wrap or sling while I'm doing the dishes or laundry or packing in preparation for the move(s). With her on my front it works my back muscles, and with her wrapped on my back (which I do when I know I'll be active for a longer period) really works my abs, including the obliques. I tried a couple knee push ups yesterday, but they were quite difficult and I'm pretty sure I didn't get full ROM. So, I'm going to be starting with wall pushups. That should also help strengthen the transverse abdominus, which will help close any remaining diastasis in the rectus abdominus from the pregnancy. Right now I usually walk 1.25 miles a day. I'm hoping to increase that when we're at my in-laws (since I'll have to find a new route to walk). We've already mapped out a couple of great walking routes at the other house, complete with hills. And I think there's a hiking trail nearby that we'll have to explore.

Yesterday my 6 year old niece patted my tummy and said, "It looks like there might be another baby in there." Awesome. Well, I am still wearin maternity clothes at this point. Hopefully not for much longer. One of my goals is to get back into my prepregnancy clothes by the end of the challenge, but I'm hoping it's sooner than that. Eventually I'd like to get even smaller, but I'm breaking things into smaller goals for now. I might throw some body weight exercises into the mix before this challenge is over.

You could take measurements and count inches lost (or gained, as the case may be). I'm personally going more by how my clothes fit.

Thanks, mist. I will keep an eye on that thread. So, time to update. So far so good. I've been walking about 1.25 miles per day and I'm starting to get a bit faster at it. I think I'll stick with the same distance this week and will increase it next week. I've been getting in at least 10 cups of water each day as well, usually more (which is good). I signed up for a free ecourse on organization and decluttering, which has had some helpful tips.

I had a baby about 7 weeks ago and thought this would be a good way to feel like me again. So, my goals are: 1. Walk every day to rebuild endurance lost during pregnancy. 2. Fit back into pre pregnancy clothes. 3. Drink at least 10 cups of water per day. Breastfeeding is thirsty work. 4. Get more organized. Things are chaotic and messy right now. We're moving September 1, so I would like things to be organized and more tidy at the new place. So far this week I've walked every evening. I wear my baby in a wrap for the walk, which adds an extra 11 lbs at this point, so that means I'm burning more calories. I'm starting with easy goals so as not to overdo it while still adjusting to life with a baby.

Hello! I'm 29 and pregnant for the first time. I'm about 5 months along and have finally gotten to where I have enough energy to exercise. Most pregnancy workout recommendations are boring and lame or not a very good option for me for one reason or another. I tried a couple videos, but I find them long and boring and can't make myself do them more than once. I decided that body weight circuit training was probably my best bet, as I could do it inside my house and not have to go anywhere. In my googling for circuit training routines that didn't include lying on my back (not a good idea past 4 months in pregnancy) I found Nerd Fitness and the Beginner Body Weight workout. I've only done it a few times, and so far it's kicking my booty in a good way. I'm only doing it twice a week at the moment because the leg work makes me sore for a few days and I need the extra time between workouts. I live on 5 acres in the woods and I have three goats, so my "off" days currently include hauling a 5 gallon bucket of water across the yard for the goats (3-4 days a week - my husband does it the other days) and stacking firewood once or twice a week. Soon I will get to do gardening, helping install a fence, and helping build a barn. I'll be doing less of those things for a while once June rolls around (I'm due in late June), but I plan to be as active as possible for as long as I can. Prior to getting pregnant I'd been doing a traditional foods type diet. Whole foods emphasis, limiting sugar and grains, and whole fresh dairy. I tend to have some inflammation issues that grains and refined sugars exacerbate, so I generally try to limit those. We get milk from a nearby farm and plan to start milking our doe this summer. Since getting pregnant my diet has been worse in many ways because for quite a while carbs were all I could stomach. Even still I have a hard time eating much protein. That's one of my biggest challenges. I'm trying to find sneaky ways to up my protein intake to 80-100 grams per day (which is recommended for pregnant women). I've started trying different egg dishes, as the way I normally prepare them is unappetizing at the moment. I tend to want a lot of starches and sugars right now. I'm trying to choose fruits and starchy veggies to help with that and consume them with healthy fats (cheese or peanut butter with an apple, butter on potatoes), but I give in to my ice cream and chocolate cravings a fair amount. Anyway, in looking around I haven't found any other pregnant women here, but thought I'd join up anyway. The strength training is awesome and will help with labor when the time comes. That's my main reason for starting - I want to be strong for the birth and after. So, I have from now until June to get things going. I can't do loads of cardio (light cardio is usually recommended as a pregnancy workout) because I'm carrying the baby high and it infringes on my lung capacity. So, strength training it is! And, I just wrote a book on here.