*pat on the back*

I don't know if it's because I am pregnant now, or just because life is changing, but I look forward to my days off so much more now, than before. Before it was just like "eeh" I could give or take them. They were nice, but I didn't urn for them the way I do now.

Today I got up early (baah!), got the Monkey Boy fed, dressed and off to school. He really enjoys going to school. I just hope this new-found excitement lasts. I got my nonfat decaf blended ice mocha at Starbucks and headed home to exercise.

I procrastinated for about an hour playing my guitar (hey, it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a little bit of procrastination going on lol). I miss my guitar and singing. It sounds silly but once upon a time I used to play all the time at a guitar shop at open mic night, when I lived in Redondo Beach, CA. I used to write my own songs/poetry and used to be really artsy fartsy. When I was pregnant with my first son I used to play a lot and sing, and he came out being a really well mannered little chill boy, who loves Loves LOVES music, so I am doing it again. I don't know if it's superstition, but I enjoy it, and I believe the baby's ears are developed, so maybe he can feel/hear the guitar, the melody and my voice.



Anyway after I got that out of my system, I got to it and exercised.

One of the questions I have been asked pretty frequently in emails (sorry I am bad w/ responding) is how do I stay motivated to just get up and do it. I thought about it today, and I think about it like this: I just make it a part of my day, like I do brushing my teeth or getting dressed. I have to do it. I don't see it as an optional part of my day. On the days that I feel like I want to make it optional, I just think about how great I feel after doing it (huge sense of accomplishment!), and how I feel feel and look, after time. Before/after pictures are great motivation, and even publishing your accomplishments for all to see is great motivation also because people are so inspiring and so supportive! How can you not get out and do it again when you have people believing in you. It's awesome! That being said, thank you for all of your support. As you can see, YOU are a big part of my motivation, especially on the days that I don't want to do it :).

I was really ambitious today. I created another workout on EA Sports Active 2, with over 20 activities and this time a more well rounded lower body workout (including a warmup, cardio, strength more cardio and even a cool down). The goal was for about 30 minutes but keeping my HR below 130--as the first OB/Gyn recommended. I completed 28:34 minutes and burned 162.5 calories.

I completed most of what I signed myself up for, but skipped maybe 4 of the activities using my HR as a guide. I had a lot of cardio on there, and during the 10 min step aerobics segment, I had a really hard time keeping my HR below 125. I felt great, and didn't feel winded at all, but I guess the doc knows best, right? I even had to stop mid workout and let my HR drop a little (like she suggested), so it was a good idea that I didn't follow through with the other aerobic segment that I had. My goal was to keep my HR in the 2nd Zone (between 115-130 I think).



The other segments I skipped over were some squats and lunges. I haven't done either of the 2 for a while, and I was feeling it pretty good. I did 1 set if 16 of each--which was on the easy setting. I really thought it would have given me a set of 10 which is why I opted for 2 of each to begin with.

Anyway here is a summary of my stats. I had some pretty good goals for today, which I accomplished for the most part *pat on the back.*



Have an awesome day!

If I can do this, so can you...
You can do this, You are a star!

Remember Me?

Hi everyone! It's been a SUPER long time since my last post (months and months), and I apologize. A lot has happened, and a lot has changed for me (all good but some w/ a negative side note).

First off, I am able to get on today, because 2 hours ago I dropped my son (a 4 year old monkey boy) off for his very first day of school! It was bittersweet and really strange to be completely alone on a day off. What an odd feeling. I can do whatever I want whenever I want, again! Whatever on earth that is, I don't know, but I will figure it out in the next month or so (I hope).

Secondly I have some news. I found out a while ago, but along w/ the good news, came some disappointing news.

When I started my first 365 days of exercise, I had put some realistic restrictions on this goal--ie: i would stop if ___blankety blank___ happened (I can't seem to find the post that I mentioned this in *grumble*) . Well one of those "blank" things happened, and I was forced to stop...not by my own will, but per doctors orders. I'm pregnant! I am 5 months pregnant now, and the original ob/gyn I went to, told me to stop exercising how I was. She put some big restrictions on exercising for me, and it was just a let down. Anyway, this might explain part of my hiatus from this blog.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was told I could continue to do the current exercise regimen I was doing, and just not to do anything strenuous (nothing that got my HR over 150) or w/ lots and lots of jumping. She wasn't too concerned with my duration either. The doctor I had started with, this time, told me to exercise no more than 2-3 days a week, no more than 20 minute per sessions (no more than 2 sessions each day), and to keep my HR below 130. What a huge disappointment! My walks alone were 30+ minutes and my HR got up into the 140s.

I thought, "ok no big deal, I have a HRM, I'll just use that to monitor my HR," since it's hard for me to tell when my HR goes over 130 (exercising w/ my HR in the 140s-150s is easy for me, for long durations). I put my HRM on, and I guess it was picking up the baby's HR also, because my HRM just freaked out, it would jump from 180-210 just at rest. I thought at first it was my HRM, so I bought a new one, and the new one did the same.

Anyway, I saw this doctor about 4 times and just didn't feel comfortable with her. A lot of the things she told me contradicted a lot of what I learned from my first pregnancy--not just in regards to exercising (I know not every doctor is the same but she literally elevated my blood pressure and annoyed every fiber of my being) and the woman never even asked me what my birth plan was, so I switched. To her partner. lol.

I haven't had the "exercise" talk with her partner yet, but I am making an effort to be compliant with my current restrictions *grumble*. Now that the monkey boy is in school, finding the time to exercise (and blog) w/out added stress is so much easier!

I remembered that my EA Sports Active 2 had a HRM built into the leg and arm sensors so I tried that out this morning. I did only about 12 minutes and did some upper body strength. I set my goals for exercising 3 days a week (but started a 4 day/week program) and set my calorie and hourly goals pretty low. It's really disappointing to take such HUGE steps backwards, but I guess I have to do what I have to do. I'm pregnant now, and that is the biggest difference from when I started this goal. I can no longer do 365 days of exercise, until after the baby is born. Hopefully I can start over in Jan 2012. For now I will just do what I am allowed, for the sake of the baby.

The baby is due December 16th, and we are having another boy, that we are going to name Matthew Alexander, after my father (Alexander is his middle name).



My plan is to update this blog on the days that the monkey boy goes to school, if I am not working, and to exercise on my set days off (for now they are Tuesday, Friday-Sunday).

My biggest goal right now is just to keep my weight down (I've only gained 13 lbs in 5 months, which is awesome compared to my first pregnancy), as I am still considered obese, and I don't need to gain much weight for this baby. (it's a parasite and will take what it needs--believe me I have plenty to give!). My first pregnancy I gained A LOT of weight, and I don't plan to do that this time. Lucky for me, my cravings are cold fruit and cold veggies (isn't that awesome!?!). As long as my new ob/gyn is ok w/ my goals, this is what I plan to do. I will see her in a month and go over it with her then.

I will still update here on what I am doing. Exercise in pregnancy is important (although my 1st ob/gyn doesn't agree) and I am sure there are a lot of preggy women out there in the same boat that I am in, so I hope this helps to keep ya'll motivated.

On top of all of this, we are trying to buy a house before the baby is born. If we can't, then our goal is to buy a house in May 2012.

So, if I can do all of this, pregnant, so can you!

See you in a few days!

I can do this. I am a star!