Reward Yourself

Happy Friday morning!  

How has everyone’s week been? I killed a monster to-do list yesterday and it felt GLORIOUS.  Everything is in place for the big move!  I confirmed the movers in Seattle and here in CA, got all of our utilities squared away/appointments made, I pick up the keys next Thursday and our stuff comes a few days later! In case you couldn’t tell – I’m very excited. J

I actually had my first *awesome* prenatal yoga class yesterday.  I’ve tried a few different ones and, for the most part, its just an hour of stretching.  Not to say I don’t need to stretch, but I still want a workout!  This was the first “prenatal” class that actually got my heart rate up.  I’ve been going to regular vinyasa classes and just modifying as needed – but the belly is making me have to modify about 75% of the class lately haha.  Yesterday’s class at Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary was a winner.  

Because I’m trying to dwindle down my grocery stash in the fridge before I move, I’m trying to just use what I already have, but I thought yesterday’s accomplishments deserved a farmer’s market reward:

monstrous sweet white grapefruits and

kumquats!  Amazing little orange balls of glory.  There also might have been a pile of bean and cheese nachos shared between me and Colleen….maybe.

We’re up early this morning to go to the gym with the brother-in-law.  He has requested my assistance getting familiar with the free weights section of the gym…he’ll be sorry. ;-)

Then we’re off to a doctor’s appointment, dress shopping for some maternity pictures this weekend (!), a workout, and off to work.  Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Don't Knock It Till You Try It

Good morning!  I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.  It’s a little wet and blah over here this morning….

I couldn’t decide what I was in the mood for when it came to breakfast this morning, so I had a little bit of everything:

vanilla greek yogurt with strawberries, banana, and cinnamon + waffle topped with peanut butter, raspberry jelly and an egg + tea.  That’s not a pregnancy combination, I swear...I didn't even come up with it myself.  Don’t knock it till you try it.  J  You get your carbs, protein, healthy fats….its a winner. 

Since its so gross outside, I’m switching up the exercise routine for today.  The plan is to roll out the yoga mat at home and do a podcast followed by some light weights.  There are a ton of yoga podcasts available on iTunes, at Blissology, Yoga Journal and Gaiam TV.  Most of the free ones are 20-30 minutes, so they are great if you just want to try yoga and see if you like it or you only have time for a quickie workout at home.  Changing it up always keeps your workouts fresh so you don't get bored and your muscles continue to be challenged.

Here's a 7-minute workout quickie that you can even do by your desk today (please modify moves as needed according to your fitness level):

-run in place for 30 seconds

-jumping jacks for 1 minute

-pushups for 30 seconds

-jump squats for 1 minute

-bicycle crunches for 1 minute

-15 burpees (with or without the pushups)

-plank for 1 minute

-side plank for 30 seconds each side

-15 more pushups....don't you feel awesome?!

I feel a baking itch coming on too.  I found a recipe for Blueberry Quinoa muffins!  If it works out, I’ll post the recipe for you guys tomorrow.

Have a fantastic Monday!  xo Shaina

Back to Bikram! Or not.....

Morning!  Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start. 

Last night, I decided I was going to get back into Bikram Yoga.  For anyone that doesn’t know, I have a serious love for Bikram.  That was my main form of exercise when I lost 35 pounds and it just feels SO good.  Maybe not at first J but after about 5 classes, I really fell in love. 

 (and she's pregnant!)

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I haven’t been to Bikram in about 5 months and I was really missing it.  When I was having trouble getting pregnant, one of the things my naturopathic doctor recommended was taking a breather from the serious heat that comes with Bikram.  She said something about it being dehydrating and my bodily fluids being out of balance.  I don’t know – but it worked!  After I got pregnant, heat and nausea didn’t mix so well….so my hiatus continued.  After being out of the hot room for several months, I was a little apprehensive to go back and not be “used to it.” 

Last night, I decided to just do it. 

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(lululemon athletica manifesto) 

I emailed two different local studios to introduce myself and find out which instructor on their team was especially knowledgeable in the pregnancy adaptations.  Major sad face this morning when I read the *second* email I got back saying “We love that you want to try but no.”  Wah waahhhhhh.  I just assumed it wouldn’t be a problem since I have been practicing for years and have seen so many pregnant ladies in my classes. 

In their defense, they don’t know me since I haven’t been to their studios as a regular, don’t know whether I’m really in shape or not and don’t know my medical situation.  They are only trying to err on the side of caution, which I completely understand – but BUMMER!!   I might try one more studio (Bikram Headquarters in LA – if anyone is going to let me in, the man himself might) but if they say no, then its three strikes and I’m out.

This whole pregnancy thing has been a big lesson in learning to honor my body – SO so important.  It’s so easy when we are on a mission to lose weight or get in shape to get really excited in the beginning and push a little too much….and get injured.  Sound familiar?  My plan was to use Patrick’s deployment as time to make my body look like a supermodel,  but my plans have changed slightly – now I’ll just be an 8-months-pregnant supermodel.  ;-)

My workouts used to consist of runs (which I can’t do right now and miss SO much), circuit workouts that would get my heart rate up a little higher than I should have it right now, lifting heavier weights than I should right now, and Bikram Yoga – and this would usually happen 5-6 days a week.  I’ve had to seriously alter my forms of exercise and that’s been a learning experience for me…frustrating at times because I want to do MORE.

If I’m out for a long speed walk, my legs just want to go faster.  So I’ll run – for about 5 seconds until my bladder feels like it’s going to pop and I learn my lesson.  I go to regular yoga classes instead of Bikram (still fantastic but not what I *wanted*), go hiking, lift lighter weights but a lot more reps, and listen to my body when it tells me we’re not working out today. 

Some days you just need a nap instead right?!  Case in point:  whatever is going on with your body, listen to it!  Take rest days; go for a lighter workout on some days – its okay.  Push yourself on the days that you can and give your body time to recover and recharge for the next killer workout. 

Have a fantastic Tuesday everyone!  xo Shaina