Busy day today - church then to my parents for swimming (the kids will swim - I will watch) and boating.
Quick report - 2050 calories yesterday, up 1/2lb today. I am swelling - could barely get my wedding ring off last night. Probably from being out in the heat at the park.
Also, the walk yesterday was very casual (we were following the 18mo so no elevated heart rate or anything). I could have just passed entirely to "rest" at the picnic tables, but that seemed excessive.
AND, I do realize I've been writing a lot of incomplete sentences. I'm bugging myself but keep doing it anyway!! :-)
Nice work on the pizza and ice cream consumption, Michelle! I've been working on coming around to the conclusion that no food is "evil"--some is just more nutritionally beneficial than others. So I've been thinking that if I want something and it fits within my calories, then I have permission to eat it if I want it. I think that's a healthier mindset than wholesale restriction.
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Good day yesterday. Exhausted by dinner time but it WAS a busy day. When I got in bed last night I thought, "Oh, no - more foam rolling in the morning." LOL!! I'm hoping that over time it will hurt less! I officially hit my target calorie goal yesterday for the first time.
Cals - 2085. Weight - steady from yesterday.
Monday is my official weigh-in day (even though I started repair on a Thursday). GOOD NEWS - from last Monday to today I'm up exactly *1* pound, which is exactly how much I am supposed to be gaining each week!!! That is nothing short of miraculous for me considering the sheer volume of food I've been eating. I could go on and on, but I'll leave it at that for now... :-).
I've been foam rolling about 4x/week for around six weeks now, I think. It's been the past couple of weeks when I started noticing that I really have to dig to find the tender spots, which is good. Hip flexors are the worst now, when it used to be my IT bands.
I hope getting back into exercise helps your energy level!
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
I've been foam rolling about 4x/week for around six weeks now, I think. It's been the past couple of weeks when I started noticing that I really have to dig to find the tender spots, which is good. Hip flexors are the worst now, when it used to be my IT bands.
Good to hear that progress does come! And my IT bands are definitely one of my worst areas right now.
I've noticed that I've been sleeping a little better than I was prior to starting all of this. I've always gone to sleep quickly, but would wake up in the night at some point and have trouble going back to sleep. I'm at the point in pregnancy where I do have to get up once in the night to use the bathroom, but usually I go back to sleep pretty fast, which is a definite improvement.
Energy was poor in the morning, but better last evening.
Well, I started week 5 activity yesterday. I have a few excuses about why I started a day early, but I'll skip them because the bottom line is really that I just wanted to.
I did my mobility work and then chose my easiest step aerobic dvd (yeah, it's old school but I like it and it gets the job done). I was concerned that my heart rate might elevate too high after the time off, but it didn't - I was right there at 65% (maybe 65-67, but close enough). Good energy throughout and better energy the rest of the day also.
I was supposed to hit around 2400 calories but failed at that. Lost my appetite around 1700. I did make it to 2250, but the last 400 felt like I was shoving in food I didn't need or want - blech. Take home point: Work at eating more earlier in the day today and see if that helps.
Weight this morning is up a pound. That means I'm up 1&1/2lbs since Monday. Not dealing well with that psychologically. It could be related to a couple of things - 1. I finally found the Morton's Light Salt and have been using it pretty liberally for the past 2 days. 2. It is HOT here so maybe I'm swelling from that. 3. I started exercising again so maybe I'm retaining fluid from that. or 4. I'm gaining fat too fast. Either which way it doesn't exactly motivate me to push in ever more calories. I will say though, that last week at this time my wedding ring fit fine and this morning I can't even get it over my knuckle. So hopefully I'm just swelling.
Swelling/bloating sounds like the culprit, Michelle. How frequent are your prenatal appts? If you're truly concerned about your weight gain, you could talk to your doc about it, but I think you're stressing needlessly.
Also don't forget that some of the extra weight is simply food weight, since you're increasing caloric intake weekly. It does add a bit.
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Swelling/bloating sounds like the culprit, Michelle. How frequent are your prenatal appts? If you're truly concerned about your weight gain, you could talk to your doc about it, but I think you're stressing needlessly.
Logically I think you are right. I realize that I'm hypersensitive about these things. I see the doc every 2 weeks now. Saw her last Thurs and she was happy with my gain. We'll see where I'm at next Thurs. Pressing on!
Did better at front-loading my calories so far today (larger PWO meal). Appetite is good so far and so is energy level.
I must have done a few squats yesterday - ouch! :-) Workout was good, energy was good, appetite was good. Got all of my calories in (a bit bloated as a result). Weight is up another 1/2lb today for a total of 2lbs since Monday. I'm trying to keep it in perspective - I want to heal so that after the pregnancy is over I'll be able to lose weight on a reasonable amount of calories and be healthy at the same time. Also, the fact is that prior to beginning repair there were SEVERAL weeks where I gained 3-4lbs in one week on 1200 calories or less (plus exercise). On paper I should have been in a deficit that would have me LOSING around 2lbs/week. Now that gets frustrating. That's why when I read the umpteenth book or article that states that weight management is merely a simple matter of calories in vs calories out I get a WEE bit edgy. *It is far more complicated than that!!!*
Calories - 2425 (am I out of my freaking skull?!?!), weight - up 1/2lb.
Calories - 2425 (am I out of my freaking skull?!?!),
No, you're pregnant. I think you're doing great.
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Horrible mood yesterday. Workout went well. My appetite tanked after my 2nd meal of the day (PWO meal). I kept eating and made it to 2150, but didn't have the stomach for stuffing in another 300 cals after that (physically or mentally). Up another full pound today for a total of 4lbs gained since Monday. I'm frustrated and discontent and lacking wisdom. I know this could have happened on far fewer calories (it's happened many times before) - the calories could be irrelevant OR they could be the cause. There is just no way to know so it's impossible to base my future actions on results because I don't know the CAUSE of the results. UGH. I know I'm swelling - I can see it and feel it, especially in my legs. But on the other hand my hips and thighs have definitely expanded as well (I can see that, too, and my clothes are tighter in that area, which is where I always gain the greatest percentage of weight when I gain). Blah, blah, blah. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Sick and tired of listening to myself think. Sick and tired of whining and complaining. Sick and tired of being obsessed with this nonsense. Sick and tired of not knowing the RIGHT answer of how to proceed. SIGH. I just really want this to quit being complicated. Maybe it's not and I just can't see it because the fog in front of my eyes is too thick. Praying for wisdom today.
*HUG* Being pregnant, its summer, you could easily be retaining fluids. When is your baby due?
Your a pregnant mom with several kids, I can see why you would be exhausted. I only have 3 kiddos and can barely keep up some days. Don't be so hard on yourself. You're are doing great working toward a healthy goal.
*HUG* Being pregnant, its summer, you could easily be retaining fluids. When is your baby due?
Your a pregnant mom with several kids, I can see why you would be exhausted. I only have 3 kiddos and can barely keep up some days. Don't be so hard on yourself. You're are doing great working toward a healthy goal.
Thanks. :-) I felt better after my rant, believe it or not. As of yesterday I have 9 weeks to go (hopefully more like 7 or 8!). My due date is August 29th. My kids have ranged from 2 months early (the first, ironically when I was eating and exercising normally) to 2 days late, so it's hard telling when it'll happen. Overdue is certainly better than premature though!!!!
Monday is official weigh-in day. Dropped back down a bit so I'm officially up 2&1/2lbs since last Monday. Not too bad. Was nauseous yesterday evening/night and still a bit this morning. That's unusual for me even in pregnancy.... I would say maybe it's related to constipation, but otoh I've been chronically constipated for most of the last 10 years, so... Anyhow, upping the water today is my priority. I drink just shy of a gallon a day, but I'm going to go a bit over a gallon and see if that helps.
Calories - 1850 (it was a rest day so I didn't come up too far off). Weight - down a pound.
Hey Michelle! Just wanted to stop in and let you know I just read your journal and will be following along. I've dealt with/am dealing with a lot of similar issues and have found your journal/experiences to be very helpful.
I think what you're doing is really brave and you should be very proud that you're strong enough to do this.
I've been trying to read everything I can find re: rest, overtraining, proper recovery, etc, because it's all stuff I really struggle with.
I've been trying to read everything I can find re: rest, overtraining, proper recovery, etc, because it's all stuff I really struggle with.
Thanks for stopping by. I don't know your history, but my advice is to start taking care of yourself now - if you wait it only gets worse! I'd love to follow your progress. I certainly don't have all of the answers by a LONG shot, but baby steps....
Well, I've missed a couple of days of checking in. My husband is on vacation and we've been BUSY to say the least. I'm keeping up with my workouts and such, but just haven't made it to the log in a few days.
Week 6 Day 1
Wow, week 6 already??!? Goodness, I need to go check the MRM to see if there's anything I need to change this week. I think it's food-focused though, and I'm not really following that aspect of the program since I increased my calories so quickly.
My calories yesterday are a mystery. We went out for lunch for our 14yr anniversary. I had a salad, and then I came home and looked up the calories online. Well, I found the salad in a couple of different spots - one said it was 370 cals and the other said over 1000. Hmmm... wee bit of a discrepancy there. Oh well. Unfortunately I had no appetite whatsoever after my PWO meal yesterday (that seems to happen on cardio days for some reason....), so even if the salad was 1000 cals I just hit my total max for the day (didn't go over it).
I'm still in a quandry over the whole calorie issue. The past several days I've been eating mostly based on hunger - I eat until I am FULL, but not until I'm stuffed to the point of being uncomfortable (which is what I had been doing last week). Consequently, I'm coming up about 200 - 250 cals shy of what I "should" be eating. The scale looks better - today I weigh the same as I did on Saturday (5 days ago). HOWEVER, now am I setting myself up to not be able to lose properly later on?? Should I really be eating until I'm stuffed? I just don't have the answers.
If you're feeling full easily it could be because there isn't much room in there with the baby. I know my last pregnancy I had a hard time eating the last few weeks.
I think it is going to be hard to tell what your true maintaince levels are untill after you have the baby. You should ask Leigh about that. Do you plan on nursing?
If you're feeling full easily it could be because there isn't much room in there with the baby. I know my last pregnancy I had a hard time eating the last few weeks.
I think it is going to be hard to tell what your true maintaince levels are untill after you have the baby. You should ask Leigh about that. Do you plan on nursing?
There certainly could be a space issue at this point. My appetite is awful again today. Tomorrow is a weight training day and those are usually my hungriest days so hopefully that will be true again. It's sad to have no appetite! :-) And yes, it'll be hard to know maintenance until after the baby is born. I just hope to not have to repair again prior to going into fat burning. I do plan to nurse (typically 8-12 months), BUT I have had low supply with each and every one of my babies and have therefore had to supplement a lot, so... I'm always hopeful that this time will be different but realistically it's doubtful. My doc thinks it's because of my hypothyroidism, but if you read around the web that isn't *supposed* to matter as long as you're properly medicated. ANYHOW, if I don't develop a full milk supply then I won't be needing the extra 500 calories....
Okay, huge disclaimer in that I've never been pregnant and therefore never breastfed, and I haven't looked into this at all. But do you think you could be a low milk-producer because of the lower calories?
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Okay, huge disclaimer in that I've never been pregnant and therefore never breastfed, and I haven't looked into this at all. But do you think you could be a low milk-producer because of the lower calories?
I'm certainly hopeful that the extra calories will help! However, I was eating enough when I had my first and still had the low supply problem. But, that was also complicated by his prematurity AND that was BEFORE I found out about the hypothyroidism. So, time will tell...
Still terribly busy - another day of running around today. But we're doing some visiting so I'm hoping to do some sitting there! Can't wait until tomorrow when I get to stay home!! I *think* maybe the stress of the extra busy-ness has been affecting my appetite. It could all be imagined, but too much stress (good or bad) seems to do that to me. If you subscribe to the adrenal fatigue theory, then when you use up what little cortisol you have too quickly, your appetite plummets. I dunno, but we had dinner guests last night. And after sitting around (finally sitting!) for a couple of hours chatting, my appetite picked up and I ate 700 cals after dinner. We'll see how today goes.
Yesterday's calories - 1850. Not great, but it was a "rest" day from purposeful exercise, so not too bad. Scale - down a pound. My ring suddenly fits well again so apparently my swelling has gone down (probably because it's much cooler here this week).
As far as breast feeding and supply goes, I did have experience. Successfully breast feed my first two, always had more than enough milk (and I was thinner for both of them.) The 3rd came along and he wanted so much more than I ever produced. He literally exhausted me. I actually gained weight after he was born trying to keep up with his demand (men , the first two were girls.) The day I gave him a bottle at 3 months was the last day he never breastfed again (but that's another painful story.)
I've been reading your blog and finding it very interesting. As one who doesn't have any EDs, I just ate without thinking, gaining different with each child, 45, 25, and 35 lbs. For the first, I started a vegetarian, yet couldn't stomach the sight of a bean. I ate french toast for breakfast everyday and have a plain Burgerking burger for lunch. By dinner I was fine.
I think pregnancy is a great time to heal one's body, if one is able to get a lot of rest. For someone dealing with lots of other children and homeschooling, I think it's a bit harder. I applaud you.
Pregnancy is such a difficult time in a woman's life and on her body, but in my experience, it's the few months after that are the hardest. That's when the real recovery needs to be done, and when I see "hollywood" having babies and back in the gym and dieting within days, then immediately afterwards skinny again, I feel they truly miss letting the body heal. Not that staying fat and happy is the answer either.
It can be really difficult with the bfing doesn't work out, can't it? I've cried over supplementing with each and every one of them, even though after awhile I knew to expect it.
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but in my experience, it's the few months after that are the hardest. That's when the real recovery needs to be done
That's a good point. After my last pregnancy the doc made quite a point of saying that he routinely sees a lot of problems (especially fallen bladder) in women who don't rest the recommended 6 week postpartum. My history has been to jump back into exercise at 4 *days*. But this time around I'm going to shoot for 4 weeks and see........
Thanks for the comments. Your picture looks familiar - I must have been reading your log recently! :-)
I was sooooo tired yesterday I almost cried!! I've definitely been pushing waaaaay too hard. I don't mean exercise per se, but just generally being too busy and not taking time to rest. This is something I struggle with continually. I MUST make the time to rest this week!!!!!!!!!
My appetite was much better on Friday, not as good yesterday. This morning I gained 2&1/2 pounds since the day before. Obviously I'm swelling again, because I didn't eat that much in one day! AND, as I said I've been really pushing and have had a ton of NEAT lately (not for the purpose of burning calories - just trying to get stuff done AND do fun stuff while my husband is off work).
So, the number one goal for this week is taking time to REST.
Week 4 Day 4
, the first two were girls.) The day I gave him a bottle at 3 months was the last day he never breastfed again (but that's another painful story.)
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