Pregnancy Week 32: Rest Day

I took today as a rest day. The headaches that were frequent during the second trimester had been fairly rare during this last trimester, but for the last 2 days, I've had a headache that would start in the early afternoon and last all evening. Tylenol helped for a period, drinking more water didn't seem to change things noticably either. This morning, I woke up with a headache, despite taking Tylenol before bed and around 3:30 a.m. (when I couldn't go back to sleep). Today was a great day to take a break....but only after I had done a little activity! ;)

"Grease the groove" activity:
Pull-ups 4 x 4 wide grip and narrow grip

I had another Myofascial Release session today, and felt good (ie. no headaches or other physical distress) for the rest of the day. This type of bodywork has been helping my SIJ issues (and my posture)...I no longer wear my SIJ belt to sleep as I did during my first pregnancy (I think I wore that SIJ belt 24-7 (except not when bathing) starting week 20 of my first pregnancy!), in fact, I only wear the belt when I run, and that is preventative as I expect moderate ligamentous laxity this far along in the pregnancy.

Breakfast:
Medium bowl of Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 2 handfuls organic baby spinach, 1 stalk kale, 2 oranges, 1 kiwi, 1 honeycrisp apple, 6 Tbsp organic golden ground flaxseed, 1 frozen banana)
1 GF, paleo Chocolate scone

Lunch:
Large spinach salad with cucumber, red pepper, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, celery, balsamic vinegar & olive oil
Handful of nuts including raw walnuts, raw pecans, and roasted cashews

Dinner:
Slow cooker beef flank steak w/ carrots, celery, ginger, garlic, cilantro, chicken broth
Sauteed string beans with garlic
2 pieces "Aplets and Cotlets"

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 31: Hilly Loop Run

I bundled up in multiple layers and set out for my run this morning. Originally, I had woken up early to do a KB workout, but Asher woke up at 6:30 and proceeded to have two breakfasts and a poopy diaper before we got out the door.

Activity:
3.0 mile run on 0.5 mile hill loop

Breakfast:
1 GF paleo Cranberry Walnut Chocolate chip cookie
Large bowl of Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 4 stalks kale, 1 carrot, 1 honeycrisp apple, 1 kiwi, 6 Tbsp organic golden flaxseed meal)

A few hours after my run, my pelvis felt pretty loose and my pubic symphysis was fairly uncomfortable. I did a self-mobilization and put my SIJ belt on snug. I had to move around pretty deliberately the rest of the afternoon with the belt on, but was able to go to dinner without the belt, feeling no discomfort. So far, the trend seems to be that the day after I have bodywork done, in my case, myofascial release, if I run, my pelvis will feel "loose." If I kettlebell, however, I will have no problem (have not tested this theory with lunges or full squats).

Lunch:
Large spinach salad with 1 roma tomato, 1/2 avocado, leftover chicken, balsamic vinegar & olive oil
2 pieces "Aplets and Cotlets"

Dinner:
Impromptu dinner at a Chinese buffet
Various vegetable/meat dishes with the least amount of obvious gluten (ie. broccoli & beef, Chinese broccoli, seafood medley with vegetables, sauteed string beans)
Sampled various desserts (now, the desserts had not only added sugar, but obvious gluten....this was my cheat dessert!)

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 27: Tuesday snatches!

For the past couple of days, I've felt like my tummy has become larger (baby is growing, yay!) and have wondered if today would be the day I stopped snatching the 12 kg and started using the 10 kg...I practiced a couple times and found that if I did two things: emphasized the hip hinge by really sitting back, and moved my arm laterally towards my thigh on the downswing, I could avoid compressing the belly and yet load my hips to give more explosive power for the overhead portion of the movement. What a fun workout!

In the afternoon, I went to a Myofascial Release session for bodywork to prepare my fascial system for labor, delivery and beyond. Prevention is always the best choice, and preparing my body and mind through physical exercise, manual techniques, visualization/awareness will help with not just pregnancy and birth, but overall function and quality of life. Obviously, there are occasions when preparation and/or prevention is not an option; however, with the mindset of striving for healthy choices and actions during daily activities, the likelihood increases that we will be as prepared as possible to meet any challenge!

Activity:
Snatches 15/15/15/15 L/R x 10 = 600

Breakfast:
2 sunnyside up Omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado

Lunch:
1 large bowl Vitamix (1.5 C coconut milk, 5 stalks kale, 2 bananas, 1 honeycrisp apple, 1 kiwi, 4 slices fresh pineapple, 6 Tbsp golden ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)
1 Lindor milk chocolate ball
1/2 C sauteed string beans w/ bacon
1/4 C sauteed broccoli

Snack:
2 gluten free paleo cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookies

Dinner:
1 Turkey drumstick
1 Fuyu persimmon
8 ounces Monavie w/ glucosamine

Fluid:
9 ounces water