I've definitely started to pop out. Nobody can deny it or just tell me I look normal anymore. And my workouts are definitely modified. But about 3 or 4 weeks ago, right before most people noticed I was starting to show, my body definitely started changing. My stomach was out a little, my glutes had gotten a bit larger (chest too), but I hadn't gained any weight. At first the self conscious, brainwashed-that-thin-is-in girl inside of me was kind of excited that I wasn't blowing up like a balloon right away. But then I went to work out and it hit me. If I'm not gaining weight because I'm not eating the right foods to get the good nutrition the baby and I need, then sooner or later the baby will still take what it needs at my own cost. And if I'm not eating the protein I need, its going to start taking my muscle.
Now I have spent that last couple years working hard for that muscle and I am not going to give it up without a fight! Abs, yes, those have to go a little. But arms? No! I've always had a weaker upper body and love that I actually have built an incredible amount of strength recently up there. (Incredible for me anyways.) So, as much as I wanted to use my pregnancy as an excuse to eat ice cream every night without gaining weight (which I was doing...), I had to address my nutrition. I am going to be gaining weight and I want to make sure that it is good weight. And since I can't continue with my previous eating habits, or I am just left waaaaaay too hungry, I made a few new rules for myself. 1. Protein: I need it everyday! Sometimes I tend toward a vegetarian lifestyle and totally leave out the protein. And although I am eating tons of fruits and veggies when I do this, if the baby isn't getting enough protein, it's going to take protein from somewhere else. Since my last vegetarian kick, I've had to be more conscious of my protein intake. Currently it's usually chicken sausages or eggs, but on days when I feel like neither, I'll put a little bit of protein in my fruit smoothie.
2. Cravings: Give in! It's hard for me to tell when I have cravings, because if I feel like something I eat it. I've always been this way. If I don't, then I end up eating 15 other things trying to find a substitute. But if I were to narrow down my cravings, I would say that they have been bananas (read: potassium), eggs (read: protein), apples and peanut butter (read: more protein). I believe that my body is craving what it needs and there is no reason for me to deny it. Now if I start to actually crave ice cream, I'll probably assume that I need sugar and calories, but fruit and peanut butter kind of take care of that one.
There is just one thing I cannot get the hang of.... How many times a day am I supposed to be eating. I would say eat when I'm hungry, but lately I almost always feel hungry! I am eating constantly! And on the random occurrences when I am actually full, I continue to eat because I'm used to it... Fruit is a good thing to go towards during these times.
This whole pregnancy eating thing is just comical! I have one hungry baby!
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