Routines Interrupted, by Life and Pregnancy

Oh my it has been a while since my last post. My life feels as if it has been turned upside down. I actually have not been to the gym in 2 months. Why? Because I am pregnant, and I am really really bad at being pregnant.

This was not how it was supposed to go down. I had a fitness goal that while I was unlikely to hit by my 40th birthday, I would be close. I was getting there, starting to see the difference and people were telling me so as well. I had been watching my eating (although not as strict as a bodybuilder, but mindful of my macronutrients and doing a good job of tracking). I was looking good and feeling good, and fantasizing about getting a puppy that I can jog with around town. I had always told my husband since even before we were married that when I turn 40, the factory would be shut down and we would be done with babies — as it turns out he was really good with getting things done within a deadline.

The pregnancy completely knocked me out of my groove. For the duration of my first trimester, I was turned off by any and all protein, and the thought of cooking grossed me out. I was able to tolerate eating only carbs and the only kind of food I craved between feeling sick were fruits. I was constantly nauseous, gassy, bloated, tired, and dry heaving. Instead of going to the gym, I took naps. Any time I get get a break from my 5- and 3- year olds I used on sleep. In spite of my food aversion, I didn’t lose weight, but I did not exercise except for some light walking. If I had any energy left over from the children it went to keeping my house from becoming a mental health hazard.

My previous two pregnancies have all been different than this one and from each other, though none of them easy. The pregnancy, on top of my son starting kindergarten (yet another schedule change), getting involved in PTA, has really created a bit of a scheduling and logistical challenge for me as well. I am 16 weeks now, and while I am well in the second trimester I still don’t feel completely out of the fatigue. I have more good days than bad days now, and the food aversion is gone. The nausea is mostly gone and I don’t spend all day dry heaving anymore, but I have not yet found my way back to the gym because I still feel tired a lot. I feel like I am barely keeping it together because I feel more headaches, stuffy nose, body and muscles aches, and I get short of breath just walking my son to and from school (1.5 miles total trip)! I am still bloated, gassy, and my hormones are making me crazy emotional. Not a day goes by when I don’t feel like my breast, my belly, or both will explode.

Later this week I will look forward to a visit with my OB where I will have many questions. Hopefully I will be able to get back to exercising soon.