34 weeks...

This week was awesome!!!! I switched up my workouts and focused on different full body lifts this week. I was actually just wanting a change in workout routines and remembered a few awesome workouts that I found in Muscle and Fitness a while back. I searched through my workout logs and found about 5 full body circuits to choose from. I was so excited…honestly forgot how much I loved these circuits! I chose to do a circuit using only dumbbells, another using only barbells and one using only the Smith Machine. Energy was pretty good this week…still waking up to pee 4-5 times a night and that is effecting me a bit but overall I am feeling good.

I also had my baby shower on Saturday! It was truly a magical day LOL I felt like a preggo princess and was overwhelmed by the love, kindness and generosity of my wonderful friends and family. This shower was mainly close family and friends from High School, college and after. I love the moments where you realize again just how great your friends are! It was a co-ed shindig…all the ladies enjoyed the traditional shower things like games, “oooohs” and “awwwwws”, while the guys brought diapers, beer and watched sports on TV.

Overall, this week was about being thankful. I am so blessed to have a strong support system and so many people that love me, my husband and our little miracle. I’m smiling again, just thinking about it!!

G-LOVES: Best workout gloves EVER!

So I came across an amazing young lady named Hedda Royce who was doing something new and different in the fitness industry. She created G-LOVES, a totally unique brand of workout gloves for women and I was completely intrigued.

I have used workout gloves for years during my lifts and always had plain black, or a dull gray…maybe I had one or two pairs that I thought were kind of cute because they had a splash of red or blue somewhere on the glove. They always got the job done but never were completely comfortable and never made me feel like I was adding an accessory to my workout outfit.

Enter G-LOVES…not only are they the most comfortable and functional workout gloves I have ever had, they look great on! I scrolled through the options on the G-LOVES facebook page and couldn’t help but smile at the hot pinks, bright purples, zebra prints, cheetah prints and LACE! These may sound overly girly but they are definitely NOT! Hedda knew exactly what she was doing when designing these hot little accessories. G-LOVES are the perfect combination of sexiness, sass and strength all wrapped up in one awesome workout glove. My favorite thing about my bright purple G-LOVES with black lace are that they keep me smiling through my entire workout LOL Seriously, these are built to last and just like the slogan says, they’ll keep your hands soft while you are building that hard body.

Go get yourself a pair! www.g-loves.com

33 weeks...

I KNEW IT!!!!! Last week WAS the calm before the storm LOL This week was tough. No, it was borderline insane, with a few flat out miserable moments. As always, I did everything I could to find the positive in each moment BUT it was a challenge to say the least.

I was preparing for my final two fundraising projects of the school year, to be held Thursday and Friday. Everyday, I felt like I never had enough time. No time to finish phone calls, spreadsheets or lock in the details...no time to breathe. Nights were difficult as I struggled with sleeping and was up 4-5 times a night to pee. Besides the busy schedule and sleepless nights, this week just happened to be one of the hottest we have had in a while. I work in the valley, so that meant temperatures of 90+ degrees for a very pregnant Phys. Ed. teacher with 90% of my classes outside. Let me tell you a little formula I figured out…hot weather + walking around all day + 8 months pregnant = seriously swollen feet and ankles!! Even my legs looked swollen LOL

Physically I felt slower this week and honestly, I don’t like that at all. My loving and patient husband continues to remind me that it is ok to slow down (physically and scheduling wise) but I was and still am having a hard time accepting that.
Last night was the first of the two fundraisers. I was on my feet all day teaching classes and didn’t take a break before the fundraiser started. After about 3 and a half hours of prepping food, selling food and serving food, I glanced down at my ankles. I let out a yelp when I saw what looked like tree trunks! One of my students heard me scream and looked down, then MADE me sit with my feet elevated for 20 minutes. I was cracking up because the student and parent volunteers literally did not let me get up for 20 minutes. Even though I hated sitting down, I appreciated that they cared so much about me to make sure I chilled out for a little while.

I had planned to attend the second fundraiser the following evening, but after the ridiculous swelling, I decided that I better just set up everything and then ask another teacher to be the lead so I could rest. Thankfully, a wonderful colleague of mine stepped up to the challenge and led our volunteers Friday night. Both fundraisers were successful and I learned again that I must listen to my body! I must be okay with slowing it down especially when my body is giving me “red flag” signals. If I ignore them, I will just pay for it later and I don’t want that!

Looking forward to next week, a little rest and my baby shower…

32 weeks...

This was my last week of officially teaching my kickboxing classes! I was full of nervous energy when I walked into my Monday night class but the nerves went away as soon as I started to teach. I felt wonderful punching and kicking my heart out! My smile shined as I enjoyed my last hour of leading this amazing group of students I had worked with for the last 5 years. Even though I will only be away for a few months, this last class was the beginning of a new chapter for me. I leave, just a teacher and I will return as a mom!! So crazy…

This week, I had been thinking a lot about how life was going to change after the baby. I know I would still strive for my goals but there were so many unanswered questions that caused a few moments of uncertainty for me. I wondered about my effectiveness as a trainer, teacher and motivator and how that might change after the birth of my baby. It’s amazing how God knows exactly what you are thinking and exactly what you need to encourage you! He literally gave me a personal reminder EVERY DAY that week of how I am loved, walking in my purpose, helping others and living out my dreams. Monday night, after teaching my class, I received a card from a student who thanked me for helping her to find her love for fitness again. Tuesday, I had coffee with a client who I started with 3 years ago. She told me how training with me transformed her body and gave her a passion for fitness. She is doing things now that she never thought she could! Wednesday, one of my middle school students randomly brought my roses from her garden and a hand-made card to tell me that she appreciated me as her PE teacher. Thursday, I taught my final Cardio Combo class and my students presented me with a beautiful gift for my baby. Friday, I was on cloud nine the entire day and just thankful for the confirmation that I was making a difference and LOVING it!

As far as my body, everyday it feels like I grow a little more...but that’s what’s supposed to be happening! I laugh when I see my shadow and at the fact that I can barely see my feet. The baby’s movements are a lot less “punchy” but more often feel like he is dragging something across my belly. I feel turns and see random “feet” or “elbows” making my stomach jut out. I love feeling him move, except when he sticks his foot into my rib LOL

Another week down, kind of feel like this was the calm before the storm…

30 weeks...

So my husband and I have been making an effort to go on little getaways before Champ shows up. This past weekend, we went to San Diego for 2 nights to celebrate his birthday and enjoy some quality time. I absolutely love these weekenders and truly believe that they have added to the enjoyment of pregnancy. It’s funny because while some people shy away from the gym when on vacation, we are the exact opposite! I think I got in 2 of the best workouts that I’ve ever had in that weekend! My lifts were short, only about 40 minutes each, but I made sure to superset my exercises, work hard and get my heart pumping. Cardio was AWESOME! I absolutely love Turbo Kick classes and that 24 hour Fitness in San Diego did not disappoint. Both teachers were energetic, prepared and inspirational! I was loving every sweat-filled minute LOL

Besides the workouts, we walked on the beach, tried a few new restaurants and just enjoyed the moments together. I was so glad that the weekend was so wonderful…little did I know that the following week would be a challenging one. Have you ever felt like you stretched yourself too thin but there was nothing you could do about it? Then on top of that, extra responsibilities were dropped into that same 5 day time period and you just had to handle it all. Basically, there were moments I wanted to scream, cry, pull my hair out, quit…BUT I had to get through. And I did. Something had to give, like my morning workouts which I could not get out of bed for LOL Instead of my early morning lifts, I hit the gym in the afternoon or evening. I even had to cut a few workouts due to a hurt ankle! I’m telling you, everything that could have happened DID.

One thing I had been preparing for was my job’s annual Carwash fundraiser. It happened to be the Saturday after the crazy week, but it was also one of the best fundraisers that we have had! Each year, I work with the 8th graders to raise money to help pay for their educational trip to Washington D.C. Even though my ankle hurt and I was exhausted, seeing those kids work so hard to raise money got me so excited and I was just happy that I had the opportunity to help them out. I love those moments that put the focus back on others instead of whatever I am going through. Even though my week was legitimately crazy, I have to remember that the big picture is never about me. Letting myself feel overwhelmed and frustrated didn’t help anyone but as soon as the focus was off of me and I allowed myself to give to others, I was reminded of all the amazingness in my life and was just thankful.

Overall, this week wasn’t so bad…on to the next one!

Weeks 28 and 29...

Ok the reality of all this is completely sinking in now LOL in 11 short weeks (or LESS), I will have a living, breathing child on the outside of me!! He won’t be on the inside any more HAHAHA This amazing child will be born with everything he needs to sustain his life outside the womb. He will be born with a personality, fingers, toes and his own laugh. I can’t help but smile as I think of the total miracle that is taking place inside me right now. What’s really funny is that I sometimes talk to him like he has a choice whether or not to go with me somewhere. For example, I’ll say “ok Champ, you wanna go kick butt in kickboxing class with mom?” As if he could say no. Or I’ll talk to him during a tough workout and say something like “Come on! We just have to make it through this last set!”

The last few weeks of pregnancy have been…good. I have had a few up and down days as far as my energy is concerned. My husband and I drove to Arizona to go watch our cousin play softball at ASU at the end of week 28. I really enjoyed the trip and the time spent with family but somewhere in those 3 days, my body decided that it was going to get really swollen! I’m not sure if it was the heat of Arizona or the fact that we were eating out more than normal, but my feet looked like you could pop them with a pin LOL This was the first time I had experienced swelling of any kind in my feet or ankles. It continued for the entire trip and for about 3 additional days when we got back home. Every time I looked down, I wanted to either laugh or scream. I talked to a few of my friends and their words gave NO comfort…most of them said that once their ankles and feet were swollen, they stayed swollen for the rest of their pregnancy. All I knew was that I needed this swelling to go away and it needed to go fast. I’m so glad to say that after about 5 days, my feet and ankles were back to normal thanks to a ton of water, low sodium foods and regular exercise.

I’m feeling and seeing more movement from my little guy! It’s still insane to think that every time my stomach juts out, it’s actually an arm or a leg or an elbow! Each turn or kick that I feel is just another reminder that I need to be my absolute best for this baby. It’s those things that keep me on track with my workouts and eating…that AND the fact that I’m going to have to be in tip top shape in order to keep up with my little man when he starts moving around HAHAHA!

26 weeks...

I got a few new products today in the mail from my amazing Team HMB family. There were 2 new protein powders and a few pre-workout supplements in a big box with my name on it. I was so excited as I opened it up and saw what was inside! Although I can’t even use the protein powders at this moment (I have to wait until after the baby is born), seeing these things reminded me of my competitive goals for the future. I quickly went online to the National Physique Committee (NPC) website to look at upcoming dates for shows that I think I could be ready for after my baby is born. There are so many shows and I found one that I think I could be ready for…October 20, 2012!!!! You may be thinking that I am crazy for still being pregnant and thinking about show prep LOL I think it’s perfect timing to be focusing on my goals!!

I have heard 2 different schools of thought when it comes to adding kids in the mix. There’s the “better do it now because once kids come in the picture, all your dreams go out the window” and the “kids add to your life as you continue to live out your purpose, dreams and goals.” I have no doubt that when Champ arrives, life will feel more full, priorities will shift and a new “norm” will be established. However, I refuse to believe that my dreams and goals will suddenly become unreachable. I am so excited to see how our little Champ will fit into and enrich our lives! I seriously have had dreams of me running the Santa Monica stairs with Champ strapped to my chest in a baby carrier LOL I know that as long as I keep my relationship with God and my relationship with my husband my top priorities, I will be able to be the best mother and wife that I can be. This may sound backwards to some, but it makes perfect sense to me! My relationship with God and my relationship with my husband are the 2 most important things in my life. They are my foundation. In order to build something great, the foundation has to remain strong. Champ’s birth will be the first “brick” on the foundation, and definitely won’t be the last! As we begin to build and more pressure is placed on the foundation, I must do my part in taking care of that strong, bottom layer so that it doesn’t crack! I’m so glad that I have couples and families around me that are living examples of how to keep the foundation strong. I know having children will be a challenge and sometimes will feel like a juggling act, but the reward greatly outweighs the challenge. I can’t believe that I only have a few more weeks to go until I'm a mommy…