Work it, work it, work it out...

Awhile ago, I told my sister that I would write a blog post about exercise and everything that I do that I believe works or at least works for me.  So it's about time that I followed through on this. 

First and foremost (not that I'm a doctor or anything, so take this as is and by this, I mean this entire post) drink plenty of the water throughout the day and always stretch before and after workouts. 

One of my favorite people to work out with is Jillian Michaels.  I love her and hate her, all at the same time.  She kicks your ass during every workout, which I love, but at the same time she annoys the crap out of me.  I have two of her DVD's, 30 Day Shred and Yoga Meltdown:

For the most part, I switch between these on a regular basis.  The 30 Day Shred incorporates weights, cardio and abs (3 levels of workouts) while Yoga Meltdown uses your own body weight with cardio to get you into shape (2 levels of workouts). 

When I want a typical, traditional yoga workout, I choose Body By Bethenny.  I always feel more relaxed and completely stretched from head to toe after this workout.  Plus, she offers a weights portion and a "Booty Blast" bonus.  Also, yoga is great for women who are expecting - gets your muscles in shape for birthing.

I use the strength training portion of the workout on days when I don't want to do a full workout.  It's split into 2 circuits, containing 3 exercises each, performed for 12-15 repetitions each and then the full circuit is repeated.  Once you go through the first circuit 2x, then you can move to the second circuit.

First Circuit:
Side lateral raises
Bicep curls
Bent over rows

Second Circuit:
Front raises
Tri-cep kickbacks
Overhead shoulder press
Happy Workout,


P.S.  I love Sobe Lifewater.  I haven't tried a flavor that I didn't like and there are a lot of flavors.  Plus there are zero calories in each bottle.  You can get these at any fine grocery store.  I just bought a bunch from Target for $10/10.

21 Weeks - And the winner is...

A GIRL!  That's right folks, we're expecting a girl.  Those of you who guessed girl, way to go!  You win yourself a big package of pride! 

The ultrasound tech, as she was fumbling around my midsection, whispered "I think you're having a girl."  She said it so quietly that she didn't sound confident and I was hoping B didn't hear her (he did).  She kept going for what seemed like forever and finally said "I'm not 100% sure, but I'd plan for a girl."  What kind of answer is that?  I thought if they didn't know for sure, they wouldn't tell you. 

Next we saw the nurse & doctor.  From the ultrasound, they changed my due date back two days.  Originally it was July 17th, then the 12 week ultrasound moved it up to July 4th and now with all the measuring from the 20 week US, it's July 6th.  It's creeping closer to July 8th (my birthday).  The hubs said, "if I can't have a boy, then you're going to have the baby on your birthday.  It's only fair". 

I also received the infamous blood sugar fluid to test for gestational diabetes at my next appointment.  She gave me Fruit Punch instead of Orange because she heard that Orange was terrible (I have heard that as well).  We heard baby's heart beat again.  It's at 138.

After the appointment, we spread the news to our families and friends.  I sent to one of my besties, who happens to be an ultrasound tech, a picture of the crotch area of the baby and she confirmed for me (along with a few of her co-workers) that it's a girl.  So there you have it.  Not one, but multiple ultrasound professionals think it's a girl, so it shall be a girl. 

Surprisingly, my husband did remarkably well with the news.  He wanted a boy.  You could tell he was a litte disappointed but he's coming around.  He even pulled out the baby names book to look for more girl names when we got home.  

The hubs also lost a bet to his grandpa about the gender of the baby.  His grandpa said girl and the bet was a six-pack.  The man is in his mid-eighties but still enjoys himself a drink every now and then (but who doesn't).

For the longest time, my intuition told me it was a boy.  But this past week, I kept thinking it was going to be a girl (in this post there are a couple of confirmations of old wives tale that prove it's a girl).  I even prepped the hubs all week so that he wouldn't be completely crushed.  I'm excited.  There are so many cute clothes out there for a girl and what woman wouldn't want a mini-me. 



Maternity Clothes ~ My fabulous sister-in-law bought me a pair of maternity jeans and a pair of capris.  I bought another pair of cargo pants from Old Navy.  They have an elastic band and are the most comfortable pants ever.  I picked them up in the woman's section in case anyone is interested (who is or isn't pregnant) and I'm also wearing them in the picture from Week 20.

Sleep ~ Sleeping is great.  I think working out during the week helps me get to bed earlier and sleep without waking during the night.

Best Moment This Week ~  Finding out gender of the baby.

Cravings ~ fruits & cookies

Gender ~ It's a girl!

What I look forward to ~ Planning and shopping for a girl!

Milestones ~ Baby is the size of a banana.  She is approximately 9 to 10 inches long and growing fast.  She is starting to look like a doll, complete with eyelashes.  As her senses develop, she's becoming increasingly aware of my eating and sleeping habits and of light and noise levels outside my body.


Have a fabulous weekend!

Awkward and Awesome - Vol. Dos

Linking up with Sydney from The Daybook today for another rendition of awkward and awesomeness.

Awkward: 

• "Having fun yet?" - who else absolutely hates it when someone asks this question (especially at work)?
• Dropping off a file at someones desk and having that someones conversation with another someone go silent...guess these ears weren't meant for that convo.
•  How much I'm willing to talk about pregnancy here but not in real life convos.
• Wanting to stab my husband's hand when he stole the bacon chunk out of my baked beans.
• My hair in the a.m. when I go to bed with it wet.  Lyle Lovett called and he would like his hair back.
• Missing the Real Housewives of MIA premiere on Tuesday...I didn't even DVR it.  This is so unlike me.
• Spilling water down the front of my shirt and pants because apparently it's too hard to actually hit the mouth.

Awesome:

• The hubs being super, duper excited/nervous for his interview.  It's really cute actually.
• The hubs asking every day if I'm excited for our baby appointment.  My answer is always yes...I'm stoked to find out what's inside me! (Duh, it's a baby).
• Cream cheese and ham sandwich for lunch (like pickle wraps on bread minus the pickles).  I'm almost certain, I invented this.
• Rocking out in my car to all the "new" songs I put my IPOD.
•  Finding out I actually get paid 100% for 6 weeks of my maternity leave.  Yea Buddy!

Peace out,