Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen tips for a healthy pregnancy:

1. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast. (smoothie ingredients: 1/2 c oat meal, 1 tbsp flax seeds, 10 almonds, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 1/2 c chopped spinach, 1 very ripe frozen banana, 1/2 c fat free milk, 1/2 c crushed ice, blend and enjoy) It’s really nice if you make one for the hubby so he has a nutritious start to his day, and he may forgive you for the incident in #7 a little quicker.

   

2. Stock up on a variety of healthy snacks.

• Read articles, blogs, magazines about healthy meals, workouts, fitness tips, etc. to keep you motivated, and give you new ideas.
• Get an arm band so you can have music on long walks/jogs. Sometimes the thoughts in my head are just not going to keep me moving.
• Have water with you at all times. If you live deep in the heart of Texas, like me, an insulated cup is a fantastic investment.

• GET A GOOD SPORTS BRA. I can’t stress this enough. Spend the extra money to get one that fits properly. Preggo boobs deserve more than just a S, M, L, XL. Under Armour was the only brand that carried actual sizes when I got mine. It was $65 and worth every single penny.
• If you are working out at home, even if you do have a gym membership, get some light weight dumbbells, and resistance bands. They are great to use while watching TV (just don’t leave them next to the couch so hubs stubs his toe….Momma E is guilty of that).

• Prepack your snacks and meals. This will help you know you have good snacks and can politely refuse the giant, warm, fresh baked Double Tree chocolate chip cookie offered to you at work. Pack a variety (sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy) to satisfy cravings you may have throughout the day.
• Buy a stability ball. There are so many wonderful exercises you can do on the ball, with the ball, holding the ball, etc. They are cheap, too.
• Keep yourself entertained while working out. Watch TV, walk with your friends, read a book while on the treadmill—anything to keep your mind happy and your body moving.
• Track your workouts. There are several great apps to use, or simply print out a calendar and put a big red X on days you workout. Again, it’s great motivation.
• Purchase some maternity workout clothes. Old Navy and Gap both carry some at very reasonable prices. You do not need to buy a ton as you are going to get back to your pre-preggo weight after the baby is born and be back in your regular workout clothes in no time—this is what I keep telling myself at least.
• Write down your workouts so you are not wasting time, and letting your heart rate drop, while working out.

(When you are reading the magazines, blogs, articles etc. write down or tear out the pages of workouts you want to incorporate and write them down when you have time.)