Embracing My Pregnant Body
Hey y’all! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! We did. It was rainy, but that was fine with me. I just wanted to chillax anyway. Ha! We hosted our annual church picnic on Friday night. It rained, but finally stopped and it was a lovely evening with fun games, great conversation and booming fireworks. Oh, and a sweet friend brought glow sticks for the kids, so that was a hit too.
I’ve been pondering writing this post for a while now, but I have held off because I think there is a fine line between the struggle I have felt and complete selfishness and thoughtlessness toward the precious women who would give 300 pounds to have a baby in their arms. That is my heart behind this post. Our journeys are all different and we all have differing, yet similar struggles as we walk through life together. I pray that my journey will be an encouragement to you today.
The short-version backstory: When I was pregnant with both my boys I didn’t work out. I hated working out. I was bored and I never saw the results that I wanted, so I just didn’t do it. With both pregnancies I gained 70 pounds…even though I changed the way that I ate with Cameron. I would do it all over again for my babies without a doubt.
BUT, I knew that there had to be a better way to keep my body from packing on the pounds.
I have to interject right here that Ernie has NEVER EVER said a single thing to me about my weight. He loves me unconditionally. He loved me at my largest. He loved me at my smallest. He loves me now. He encourages me to take care of myself, but he has never made a single negative comment about my body. I’ve given him children and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t get to say anything other than, “I love you”, “I’m proud of you” and “Thank you.”
I knew I really needed to do something for toning and strengthening my body to prepare for having another baby and I really wanted to be able to continue working out throughout another pregnancy. My eating was pretty much on point, so this was a puzzle piece I was missing. Last Fall, Ernie convinced me to just try CrossFit. I thought he was nutso. For reals. But I took the plunge and I haven’t looked back. It has been the very best decision I ever made for my fitness. I love the never-boring workouts, lifting, sweating, competing {with myself}, the coaches and the amazing people I workout with.
When I found out that I was pregnant I let my coaches know early on. They let me do what I feel comfortable with and they help me modify workouts and find solutions. It’s such a huge blessing in my life. I’m now 26 weeks and I’m working out at CrossFit 4-5 times a week. It is my stress relief. It is my thing to do just for me.
Working hard on fitness has presented a different set of mental and emotional challenges. Instead of not caring at all and eating everything in sight and not exercising, I do care. I care a lot. I care for myself and I care for my baby.
5 Things About Embracing My Pregnant Body
1. It’s hard.
Just saying that outloud is a big step. On one hand it feels selfish to say, but on the other hand, I think it’s okay to just acknowledge how I actually feel about it. I’m growing a baby y’all. I’m ridiculously thrilled and excited to meet this little person. The changes are occasionally hard to accept.
2. Keeping the right perspective.
I would gain seventy pounds all over again for a sweet baby if need be. And if that happens, it’s okay. I’m just doing my best to make healthier choices this time around. It’s easy in the present to have tunnel vision without seeing the big picture. I’m reminding myself that I have the rest of my life to work on what I look like.
3. Avoiding obsession.
It would be very easy to constantly worry about what I’m eating, the pounds I’m gaining or not gaining, the exercise I’m doing and on and on. There’s always something to obsess over. I’m not that person. How I nourish {or don’t nourish} my body now not only effects my baby, but it can also effect my milk supply. {And it can effect my health in the future too.}
4. The comparison game.
My sister and I have had the privilege to be pregnant together twice now. She’s an incredible mom. She eats very healthfully. She’s a birthing rockstar and she never gains 500 pounds like me. I have told her a couple of times that I hate her just a little bit – kidding, of course! But I am at a place in my life where I’m completely over the comparison game. Guess who I compare myself to? Myself. I do this when I work out and when I set work related goals. I have found great joy and satisfaction in NOT comparing myself to others.
5. It’s more than just about me.
Carrying a baby is so much greater than we often realize. It’s about another life. Another precious human with a soul. THAT is where my focus has to be.
Yes, my body is changing. Yes, I might whine a little about it when I look in the mirror. But I’m learning to embrace the changes. Life is beautiful. Growing a baby is beautiful. Is it hard sometimes? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely yes.
I have done a lot of thinking, pondering and praying about this season of life and the changes that it brings. I have concluded this…
Giving my body to grow another human is the epitome of self-sacrificial love.
This is the gift that is passed from generation to generation of mothers giving their bodies, their energy, their love and their middle-of-the-night hugs for their babies. The self-sacrificing doesn’t end at birth. It doesn’t end until the very last breath.
So today, I embrace my pregnant body. With joy.
XOXO
Myra
What a wonderful, healthy mindset. I imagine your body will reward you for such great care! Can’t wait to see pictures of your new little one when it arrives!
Congratulations on your pregnancy and on your new healthier ways. You have a different mindset for this pregnancy. You should feel good about it. When your body is healthy and fit, you can be a better mom. You will have more energy, recover after birth faster, and just feel good about your self. You definitely shouldn’t obsess about everything you eat, and go nuts exercising too much, but if you are in a great exercise program that is safe for your pregnancy and you love it, go for it. You will probably have a lot less problems with your pregnancy and feel better through out it. You have to do what is right for you and don’t feel guilty about wanting to stay healthy. I think a healthy looking pregnant woman is a wonderful beautiful thing. You can tell you care about your body and want to be healthy and have a healthy baby.
Hi Myra!
I just started CrossFit Protocol last week! So far I love it, although I can tell I’ll love it more after I feel more confident in my abilities! 101 is over Saturday–maybe I’ll see you in classes soon! Kudos to you for keeping on keeping on!
Lisa!! That’s awesome!!!!! Can’t wait to see you there!!!!
I am not pregnant and I still found everything you wrote to be so interesting. Your picture of your shirt was very cute too. Glad to have found your blog!
What a work Embracing My Pregnant Body Hey y’all! I trust you had a great occasion weekend! We did. It was blustery, however that was fine with me. I simply needed to chillax at any rate.
Your picture of your shirt was very cute too. Glad to have found your blog!
Hi,
This post is very useful for me. A lots of thanks for sharing this post.
Regards,
Sneha Meena
Thanks for this precious information about pregnancy. This information is really very helpful.
Your photo of your shirt was extremely charming as well. Happy to have discovered your website!
I am not pregnant regardless I observed all that you composed to be so fascinating. Your photo of your shirt was exceptionally adorable as well. Happy to have discovered your web journal!
Hi Myra Hope,
This is really great article and the firs picture is amazing .
Regards
Rosy
This is something good”” “Embracing My Pregnant Body” I am not pregnant despite everything I observed all that you composed to be so intriguing. Your photo of your shirt was exceptionally adorable as well. Happy to have discovered your online journal!
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really a great article…this will support all pragnent womens. thanks for sahring this
I just began CrossFit Protocol a week ago! So far I adore it, despite the fact that I can tell I’ll cherish it more after I feel more certain about my capacities! 101 is over Saturday–maybe I’ll see you in classes soon! Credit to you for fighting the good fight!
Your photo of your shirt was exceptionally charming as well. Happy to have discovered your web journal!
This is something great”” “Grasping My Pregnant Body” I am not pregnant in spite of all that I watched all that you formed to be so fascinating. Your photograph of your shirt was uncommonly delightful too. Upbeat to have found your online diary!
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You will have more vitality, recuperate after birth speedier, and simply like yourself. You unquestionably shouldn’t fixate on all that you eat and go crazy practicing excessively, yet in the event that you are in an extraordinary practice program that is ok for your pregnancy and you adore it, take the plunge.
Great post and about pregnancy its too useful.
I think this post is make helpfull for all praganent women…………..
thanks for sharing your expirance ………….
Every women body is change during pregnancy week by week but after pregnancy body is little bit change b/z more fat are collects but some women manage this through exercise in few month and comes in previous look.
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This post is awesome and very helpful information share on pregnant body.
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