pregnancy and workouts – missing the normal

Posted: August 17, 2010 at 7:04 pm

Howdy blog pals! I figured I would throw that in there since I’m a southern gal and all. Even though I never say it in real life. Or even “y’all” for that matter. Enough greetings talk. I need to mention that I had no clue Eat, Pray, Love evoked many strong feelings of like or dislike for the book and what it shares. I’m only about 30 or so pages in and enjoy it so far. Nothing life altering and nothing “come onnnnn” about it yet for me. I will certainly open my perspective up for your viewing pleasure as I work my way through. I’m interested to see what I will think of it myself after all the comments from today’s earlier post!

Today officially began the weeks of busy. Like most of you mentioned, many of the items I have coming up on the calendar are fun. Today would be one of those. I headed to the largest children’s consignment sale in the state today. Over 1000 sellers, hundreds of thousands of items to peruse, and way too many moms looking for bargains. I’ll give you a sneak peek to what it looked like.

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I spent 1.5 hours loading up on items…then 1.5 hours in line to pay. It made for a busy morning, but I can’t complain. I left around $200 poorer BUT with so much loot! 8 pairs of shoes, over 20 outfits, and numerous books and toys for M. Some winter/fall maternity clothes at a deep discount but still like new for me. And her birthday present! A little kitchen set just her size with lots of play food included.

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I almost decided to count running around like a mad woman and hauling a heavy clothing filled laundry bag there as my workout. Then I figured I might as well take advantage of my at home DVDs and tossed in some Turbo Jam for a good sweat. I could lie and say that afterwards I felt amazing. I did, but that would omit a bit of the truth as well. I couldn’t help feeling a bit exasperated at the thought that I still have awhile to wait for my typical training intensity.

I simply love training. And hard. The classes I currently attend satisfy me and give me a great workout, but they don’t fulfill me quite like my normal time spent in the squat rack or doing plyo drills. Most of you probably have no idea what my normal training looks like since I’ve had to cut back since the start of the blog. Some like Lisa, Julie, Jess, and Mellissa know that side of me though, as they were around back in my competition prep and O2 journaling days.

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The planning of workouts and deciding whether to do supersets, how to set up circuits, and which weight training split I want to use leave me like a kid in a candy store. Incorporating HIIT drills and being capable of busting out a stepmill workout for over 30 minutes left me higher than Bob Marley. Rocking out pushups with a 25 lb plate on my back, squatting more than my bodyweight, doing set after set of pullups, and seeing the muscle definition gave me such inner strength in reflection of the outer. I loved that feeling! Not because it made my body leaner or fitter. I liked pushing myself and seeing what I could do. I didn’t need those workouts to feel strong or love myself, but I enjoyed them and they gave me a stronger sense of self. There I said it. I. Miss. It…Dearly.

I know it will all be worth it and soon enough I will find myself in the gym working back up to those goals with a zeal like you have never seen before. Then you can witness first hand my passion for weights and intense cardio. And changes like these…6 weeks post baby M to 9 months later – pre competition prep.

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Please don’t be afraid of me then. 😉 I do plan on getting in new challenges in the form of running post-pregnancy as well. I just love physical challenge. It will never cease as a defining part of me. I can miss it, but I can also thrive where I’m at right now. Which is why I always make an effort do what I can and have fun. Then, in another 5-6 months…let the games begin! 😀

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41 Comments to “pregnancy and workouts – missing the normal”
  1. Heather says:

    About 3 yrs ago I got really sick for about 6 months and could barely walk a mile without falling over. The doctor told me it was Lyme’s Disease. A year later I got a call from a state medical official telling me it WASN’T Lyme’s and they don’t know what it was.
    So I wasn’t able to lift or do cardio that whole 6 months and that was HARD!!
    I just adjusted my diet a little and slowed down my schedule. I also prayed a lot!! I missed those exercise induced endorphins!!

    • Tina says:

      I couldn’t imagine not being able to do ANYTHING! That must have been hard. I’m so thankful I have healthy pregnancies without bed rest. I would go insane.

  2. Me-Linh says:

    Consignment shops are the best! My mom did the same thing and would come home with bundles of goodies.
    Good times, good times.

  3. I love that feeling too so I can’t imagine how tough it is to NOT do those things! But I know as soon as you have beautiful baby #2 that you will be right back at it, better than ever!

  4. Hallie says:

    I’m really looking forward to reading about your post-baby workouts with your more recent “happy weight” attitude you wrote about on my blog. I do feel strong when I’m lifting weights or finishing a tough workout, too.

    Umm…I really love sugar and I need to cut back. When I finally do, I’ll let you know how it goes. Is that what you meant? 😉

    • Tina says:

      I’m excited to share it all. It really is so exciting to see those changes and accomplish new things. I had a “happy weight” attitude when losing weight with my daughter as well. I don’t give myself any expectations. I just do what I love, eat well, and see where it takes my body. I was actually SHOCKED at the changes my body made last time and I credit it all to not being obsessive about food and workouts anymore. I’m hoping that attitude works to my benefit again. 🙂

  5. I think it is awesome that you used to train like that! I love great muscle tone! I have to work out for me and unfortunately there have been times when I could not do what I wanted to do. I am now doing what works for where I am physically and I feel stronger than ever…even if I really am not. I love that you already have goals set. That is what keeps us going!

  6. hey!!! i was around during your 02 days too 🙁 anyyyways, right now i am cutting back on some foods that I love al for the comp prep. I know I am not giving up these foods forever at all! damn right I am having some ice cream right after! but for now, it is cut out…all for a goal, so I am okay with it!

    LIFTING makes me feel strong. getting that strong, confident feeling, its like none other!!!

  7. woohoo on the loot! I have been wanting to try Turbo Fire (heard it was awesome), never tried Turbo Jam. It would be hard for me to imagine not being able to lift the way I currently do. I hear you on planning out the workouts. There’s just something sort of fun about it and seeing how hard you can push. Honestly, lifting makes me feel strong – that and mastering hill repeats.

    • Tina says:

      It is fun! I already have things planned out tentatively in my head. It’s basically the same as post M but I can’t wait for it. And Turbo Jam is great but I bet Turbo Fire is much more intense. And therefor more awesome. 😀

  8. Nicole, RD says:

    You are shopper extraordinaire! I love it! Consignment shops are the best! I think you look wonderful in both photos, honestly.

    I think I’ll be cutting back on running…my Achilles is hurting and I need to give it some rest 🙁 Too bad because I’ve been working really hard to increase my activity!

  9. homecookedem says:

    Running post-baby?! Count me in for that challenge!! 🙂 I absolutely LOVE running!!

  10. tina you are such a hot mama 🙂 i’ve had the hardest year having to give up running so that my knee can heal…but i know that it’s best to stop so that later i can workout and hike when i’m older 🙂

    • Tina says:

      That’s what helps keep me going. Knowing the reason behind it and it’s not forever. Love your attitude with your knee. It must be hard but you do what you gotta do.

  11. I won’t be afraid of you I promise! I love working out and the rush I get after so I can kind of relate to you on a smaller scale 🙂

  12. Woah – rock those muscles! I’m a fan of no pain, no gain workouts too. Weight lifting always improves my mood and consistently gives me more challenges. Right now, I’m nursing an ankle injury and all I want to do is run to train for my race…it’s frustrating. But you seem to have a great perspective on it and attitude about.

  13. Ameena says:

    Thanks to a knee injury and now arthritis I had to cut back on my running, which I loved! But I’ve taken up yoga instead and I can honestly say I am in better shape than ever!

    Love your before and afters…you look amazing!

  14. I’ve had some injuries that have sidelined me for months at a time, which was incredibly hard. It just makes me so much more thankful that right now my body is capable of training for a marathon! Now THAT makes me feel strong!

  15. I completely understand the urge to sweat (not at competition intensity though! maybe someday?). I’ve had to scale back my workouts significantly over 8 months for two reasons: 1) I stress fractured my pelvis while training for a half marathon and 2) I lost quite a bit of weight and need to gain it back. It’s SO hard to resist those urges! Like you, I LOVE training because I love seeing how far my body can go. I love the results and the FEELING of accomplishment. Your story is proof that you CAN scale back for an extended period of time, and then jump back in the ring when your body is ready. Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Tina says:

      I can relate to having to put on weight. That’s what I had to do after my comp. I had to gain about 20 lbs (10 of it was water that naturally came after show day) in order to get my cycle back. I was a mental basketcase sometimes. But I refused to be too negative and always brought myself back to reality on WHY it had to happen. I’m sure you do too. 🙂

  16. wow, that consignment sale must’ve been insane!!!! sounds like you got a good deal though. that’s like one of my favourite things in life, whenever someone compliments me on something i’m wearing, i’m always like “thanks, it only cost $20 at the Gap…”

    ugh, i know what it’s like to not be able to workout (in my case, running.) the longest i went was 1 year. (hip issues, long story.) i just admire your attitude so much though: missing it, but thriving where you’re at right now! love that positivity 🙂

  17. consignment score!!! nice use of your $$$!!

    the entire pregnancy, i puked. like 10x a day. I could hardly walk, i could hardly breathe, i could hardly live some days…it was such a radical 180 from my former self and my current self. and also new motherhood, up round the clock, skylar lived at breast for the 1st year..somehow i made it thru, defin not doing the workouts i used to, but i got my body back the day after i gave birth. not to sound like a bitch, but the least of my worries was babyweight. I hardly gained any b/c i was so sick. the real challenge for me was adapting to my new life! i had to cut back on workouts, me time, computer time, you name it..life of a mom…you know what i mean 🙂

  18. Consignment shops and estate sales are my obsession! I love vintage clothing and will dig for hours. Your pictures are my kind of fun!!

    I’ve been cutting back on running lately. My legs have needed it!
    What makes me feel strong isn’t something physical, is getting through hard emotional times in life. Kind of like getting through the dark to the light. Does that make sense?

    Have a fabulous day Tina!!

    • Tina says:

      Those definitely make me feel strong too. Thanks for reminding me of that. I have gone through some very difficult things and come out so much better. Even earlier this year with having to have faith and patience on conceiving while battling mental demons trying to rear their ugly heads again about body image. I fought and fought to not slip back into a negative place and that felt amazing to get through. You really gave me a good perspective to start my morning with. Thanks! 🙂

  19. Just a quick comment on Eat, Pray, Love. I can understand how the book can be divisive in some ways, though I personally found it incredibly engaging and powerful. My post this morning is actually about some of what I learned and took away from the book/movie: http://www.nourishing-the-soul.com/2010/08/journey-into-loneliness-lesson-from-eat-pray-love/ Hope you enjoy it!

  20. Shannon says:

    Nice job at the consignment sale! How gratifying to come homw with so much for such a reasonable price. And I love the kitchen set…I loved my fake food and play kitchen when I was little!

    I had to quit running at about 20 weeks because pelvic/groin pain was making even walking painful. Amazingly, the pain is gone. But my belly just feels to big to run at 33 weeks. I miss it a lot, but know this is temporary…and for such a great cause too 🙂

  21. Girl, I know EXACTLY the feeling! I just wrote about that “high” in my blog yesterday and how lifting weights is my new passion and that is one of the times I feel the sexiest, strongest and most confident! It’s addicting! Seriously! 🙂

    It’s so awesome how there are “seasons” in our life–a time for taking it a bit easier (pregnancy and having a baby!!!) and then afterward getting right back into the swing of things full force. I think both “seasons” have something great for our bodies and teach us different things! Both are empowering!:)

  22. Since being pregnant, I’ve re-defined what it means to be strong. Before it used to mean that I could do certain things on the gym machines, but now, I think carrying a baby makes my body feel strong.

  23. Tina!!! Holy crap look how hot you are! Seriously! You have officially convinced me to get back in the gym and get back to weights. I know it works but somehow in my head I have convinced myself otherwise.

    That consignment sale sounds dangerous! $200 isn’t bad for all that you got. I could have easily bought more than that, and I’m not expecting a child! 🙂

    I’m really looking forward to the 30 Days posts — only a couple more weeks!

    • Tina says:

      Yay! I can’t wait.

      And yea – I could have done a LOT more damage. I did when I was pregnant with M because I didn’t realize how much was too much. Oops. Hehe.

      I love weights and what it will do for a body. You should definitely give it a go. 🙂

  24. The sale looks insane! But, it seems like you got some amazing deals!

    I love that back / shoulders pic! Amazing!

  25. Nichole says:

    Fitness mama Barbie. You take such good care of your body it is going to bounce back in no time!

    That consignment sell looks ridiculous!!! How fun, good thinking of hitting that up.

    I have been sick for a bit now and it’s thrown me off my game. I try to keep telling myself to hang in there and fight the good fight.

  26. Woohoo for bargain hunting! That’s amazing that you came away with so much – I love that feeling!

    I have been very lucky to be blessed with only minor injuries, so I’ve never really had to cut back on training much. I don’t think I would take it very well because it’s part of my daily routine (except for Saturdays of course!) One thing I have tried to cut back on is gum, and I haven’t had much luck so far!

    PS. GREAT back & shoulders pic! 🙂

  27. Hey there. I completely feel ya on the workouts. I am currently 7 months preggo and really miss the squats, the lunges, the thrill of picking up the heavy weights and just hammering out a really solid workout. Right now I am mainly walking and just making sure I make healthy choices in my meals. I used to be on O2 also but gave it up in favor of following blogs and I just go tired of the drama on the site.

    Good job on finding saving at the consignment sale. I went to my first one a couple of weeks ago and feel in love with them lol!!

    Have a great Wednesday!

    • Tina says:

      How cool you were on O2 too! I left because of the drama as well. And people were becoming too obsessive. It drove me nuts!

  28. 6-7 years ago I was in a car accident as I was told I could only do recumbent bike!Those were the days I spent 4 hours in the gym at a time…so I was devastated! It ended up being the best ting that happened to me, I cut back on my workouts and my body stopped holding onto inflammation from over training….but at the time it was tough!!!

  29. I am there now! I just have to have faith that it will all work out in the end….

  30. Vicky says:

    oh boy, can i relate on missing my normal workout routine… i’m due this friday but nothing’s moving yet. Can’t wait to get back to normal even though it’ll be a while before that happens with 4 kids.
    you’re finding out what you’re having next week right? i know yu think boy, but i’m getting a girl vibe here 😉

    Happy hump day!

  31. aw I bet that is so hard to scale back from somethign you truly love.

    You did it (and are doing it) for something truly amazing, so it will all be worth it.

    And then, when the time is ready, you can push yourself all you want!

    (back pic is awesome!)

  32. Mandy says:

    Somehow I just now found this post! LOL!

    Anway had to comment since our passion for working out is how we first met and became friends 🙂

    You have always been amazing, dedicated and beautiful. You never cease to amaze me. <3

    I LOVE working up a good sweat and hate it when something gets in the way. I don't workout as long as I used to before Bella. I used to spend 90 minutes to 2 hours in the gym almost every day, and now its more like an hour 5-6 days a week. But I'm okay with that. I'm healthy and strong and love giving myself new challenges 🙂 I have to be careful with running, and that is always hard for me. I love it, the rush, the sweat pouring off me 😉 But, my knees only take so much and my body always reminds me of that. And it never fails…it is always hard for me to listen!

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