Pregnancy Week 38: Stepdown Snatches

Another Tuesday and I'm still pregnant! I was noticing with my MIL that because Asher came at 37.5 weeks, we act like Baby #2 will come along any day now, even though I am 1.5 weeks away from my due date still. Well, that day is not yet here, so I decided to try out snatches while I could. This morning's workout took me a while to get started since I had been experiencing intermittent mild contractions overnight and even though I was not currently having any contractions, I wasn't sure if I should even be doing any activity "just in case". I picked up the 8 kg (18 pounds) and did a few snatches. At this weight, it was light enough not to be very taxing aerobically or strength-wise, but enough to help me go through the functional movements that are so important to healthy movement and this exercise itself.

Activity:
KB snatches
20/20/10/10 (8 kg) R/L alternating with 15/15/15/15 R/L (10 kg) x 5, for 600 total snatches. This felt great during and afterwards!

Breakfast:
Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 2 handfuls organic baby spinach, 4 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed, 1/2 C blueberries)

Lunch:
Homemade chicken soup with carrots and dates
Handful Organic dark chocolate chips

First Dinner:
Chicken (from lunch) with stir-fried Chayote squash, celery salt

Second Dinner (10:30 p.m., I got hungry!):
Leftover stirfried chicken with Chayote squash in celery salt

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 36: Off-center KB strengthening

Today's workout was all about training one side of the body at a time. This helps facilitate stabilization on the non-working side and equalization of strength from one side to the other.

Activity:
See-saw press (10 kg) x 8
Lat pulls (12 kg) x 10
Single Leg Deadlift (10 kg) x 10
Unilateral suitcase squats (12 kg) x 10

I repeated this cycle 10x, then:
Turkish Get-ups (10 kg) x 5 each side

Breakfast:
1/2 bowl Vitamix drink (leftover from yesterday)
8 ounces Mona-vie drink w/ glucosamine

Lunch:
1 scrambled omega-3 egg w/ sauteed spinach
8 ounces Mona-vie drink w/ glucosamine

Dinner:
Bowl of Curry ground beef with mushroom medley, red bell pepper, kale, garlic
1/2 paleo GF chocolate chip raisin scone

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 36: Still Running...

This morning's run was a little slower than the previous few runs, but still felt great-during and after!

Activity:
30 min run with Asher in double stroller, mostly level terrain

Breakfast:
1/2 of large bowl of Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 2.5 bananas, 1 Fuji apple, 2 kiwi, 3 stalks kale, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 4 Tbsp chia seed)
1 GF paleo Chocolate chip raisin scone

Lunch:
2 sunnyside up Omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado
Handful roasted mixed nuts
10 ounces Mona-vie w/ glucosamine

Dinner:
Paleo Stir-fry chicken with celery and yellow bell peppers
2 GF paleo chocolate chip raisin scones (fresh from the oven! I have been replacing 1/2 to 3/4 C of almond flour with ground flaxseed and chia seed for the extra Omega 3 and fiber)
8 ounces Mona-vie with glucosamine

Fluid: 7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 34: Quick KB strengthening

I had a quick, fun workout this morning with the 10 kg KB. Here's what I did:

Activity:
Pullups 2 x 4 (narrow grip), 2 x 3 (wide grip)

then,
KB bent over rows 10 x 10
KB Front Squat 5 x 5 R, 5 x 5 L
Side planks (advanced position) 10 x 18 each side

I followed that with Tracy Reifkind's Shoulder smoker using the 8 kg:
Clean, Military Press R/L 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1

Breakfast:
1 sunnyside up omega-3 egg with 1/2 avocado
1/2 large bowl Vitamix drink (1 c cultured coconut milk, 1 banana, 5 stalks kale, 1 honeycrisp apple, 2 kiwi, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 4 Tbsp chia seed)

Lunch:
Bowl of leftover Paleo Salmon Chowder
Handful cashews
Handful organic Thompsons Raisins

Snack:
Handful organic Thompsons Raisins

Dinner:
Bowl of Paleo Curry beef with kale, assorted mushrooms, onion, garlic
1 GF paleo chocolate chip banana scone

Cheat dessert!!! 1/2 slice of Almond Roca Chocolate cake...YUM

Fluid:
8 cups water

Pregnancy Week 34: Run Baby Run

Asher and I set off for a nice brisk run this morning! He was bundled up in his footed pajamas and fleece jacket, with his quilt tucked tightly around him, and had a paleo scone in his little (cold) hands. Later on in the run, I put his mittens on, which meant we had to stop every now and then so I could help him take bites of his scone...This was a welcome break for my feet, which felt achy and sore earlier during the run than usual.

Activity: 35 min run with Asher in double stroller, moderate pace, mostly level terrain

Breakfast:
large bowl Vitamix drink (same recipe as yesterday)
1 GF paleo chocolate chip raisin scone

Lunch (at New Seasons health food store):
paleo Salmon filet "sandwich" with lettuce, tomatoes, pickle, avocado, yellow mustard
1 GF paleo chocolate chip raisin scone

Dinner (not hungry yet):
Slow cooker Beef cooked in coconut milk, organic chicken broth, onions, kale, curry, sea salt & pepper, dried ginger
1 pear
3/4 banana w/ almond butter

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 33: Thursday Run

Asher and I had a nice morning run! The rain even stopped while we were out.

Activity:
35 min run with Asher in double stroller, mostly level terrain. Wore SIJ belt. Felt great.

Breakfast:
1 GF paleo Raisin scone
1 GF paleo Chocolate chip scone
1/2 large bowl Vitamix drink (1 C cultured Coconut milk w/ probiotics, 1 banana, 2 carrots, 2 kiwi, 5 stalks kale, 1 honeycrisp apple, 6 Tbsp ground organic flaxseed)

As I looked down at my half-empty bowl of Vitamix drink, I thought to myself, "I used to be able to eat this entire bowl!" And then I realized that my stomach space has been greatly reduced since my uterus is way up above the belly button now with a growing 33 week old fetus! It sure doesn't take much to make me feel full these days!

Lunch (not hungry):
1 Ruby grapefruit
1 GF paleo chocolate chip scone

First dinner (not hungry):
1 med bowl of chicken broth with winter melon, carrots, peas
1/4 tilapia filet

Second dinner:
1 sm bowl of slow cooker Flank steak with carrots, garlic and chicken broth
1 GF paleo chocolate chip scone

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 32: KB strengthening, Press pyramid

Friday's a great day for a fun little workout!

Activity:
Upside-down KB clean-press pyramid (12 kg) R/L 5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5
Single leg deadlift (12 kg) x 10
Ab Roller x 10

Repeat cycle 5x

Breakfast:
Medium bowl Vitamix drink (same recipe as 1/5/11)
1 GF paleo Cranberry Walnut chocolate chip cookie

Lunch:
Large Romaine lettuce salad with tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers (ran out of spinach!), balsamic vinegar & olive oil
1 Ruby red grapefruit

Snack:
1 Fuji apple
4 pieces of 70% dark chocolate with mint squares

Dinner:
Trout, cooked with sea salt and pepper
Vegetable stirfry (cauliflower, celery, carrots)

Fluid:
8 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 30: Tuesday KB Snatches!

Yay, I have been looking forward to this workout all week! I used the 10 kg for today's session....felt Great!

Activity:
High volume KB snatches 10 kg, 15/15/15/15 R/L x 10 = 600 snatches

Breakfast:
1 Bowl of sauteed brussels sprouts seasoned with garlic powder, dried dill, sea salt and pepper
2 GF paleo Cranberry Walnut cookies

Lunch:
1 large bowl of Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 5 stalks kale, 1 honeycrisp apple, 2 kiwi, 6 Tbsp ground organic flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)

Dinner (leftover "mish-mash"):
Roasted red pepper and spinach sausage with leftover broccoli and red cabbage, leftover brussels sprouts
1 pear

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 29: KB strengthening

Quick and dirty KB workout, yeah!

Activity (12 kg):
Double KB Clean-press 5x5
Bent over Row 5x10
Good mornings 5x10
Suitcase squats 5x10
Renegade Rows 5x5

Breakfast:
Medium bowl of Vitamix drink (split from last night's batch)
2 slices of Asher's portion of Roasted Red pepper & Spinach sausage
Handful Roasted unsalted cashews

Birthday lunch:
Paleo hamburger: 1 hamburger patty, 1 salmon filet, tomato, avocado, lettuce and mustard, 1 pickle slice
Cheat birthday dessert: 1 slice Chocolate fudge cake, split with Asher and mom

Dinner:
2 servings roasted brussels sprouts (sea salt, pepper, dill, italian seasoning, garlic powder)
1/2 ribeye steak
2 squares hershey's dark chocolate

Post-dinner snack:
1/2 Ruby grapefruit

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 29: Running & Errands

A short run today was just what I needed, and I got one of my errands done!

Activity:
28 min run with Asher in double stroller, 20 min walk to post office

Breakfast (11:30 a.m.)
Bowl of slow cooker paleo Beef shank w/ spices, coconut milk, organic chicken broth, carrots...YUM
Half of Ruby grapefruit

Afternoon snack:
Handful Roasted cashews
Half of Ruby grapefruit
8 ounces Monavie w/ glucosamine

Dinner:
Large bowl of Vitamin C vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 2 bananas, 2 handfuls organic baby spinach, 3 kiwis, 4 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)
3 pieces of beef shank

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 29: Tuesday Snatches

I decided to use the 10 kg for the entire snatch session today. I played around with repetitions since I really wasn't feeling "it" with doing anything this morning! Third trimester fatigue is really getting me, I guess.

Activity:
KB snatches (10 kg)
15/15/15/15 (R/L) x 3
10/10/10/10 (R/L) x 6
420 total snatches

While both cycles were a cardio challenge, completing snatches in sets of 10 made me feel less like crawling back into bed. These days, I'll take what I can!

Breakfast:
Large bowl of Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 5 stalks kale, 1 honeycrisp apple, 2 carrots, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)

Lunch:
Extra large Spinach salad w/ 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 tomato, 1/2 avocado. Balsamic vinegar & olive oil
3/4 Mini slice cheesecake (yes, this was a cheat dessert!! I was at my parents' house today, and my dad bought these two mini slices of cheesecake in anticipation of my birthday on Thursday (I mentioned I wanted Cheesecake Factory dessert instead of birthday cake), and was so excited about them and proud of himself, that I decided to try it. It was good! And I didn't feel bloated or tired afterwards. I also didn't feel hungry for many many hours after that huge salad and the dessert.

Dinner:
Bowl of Paleo chili (we ran out of tomatoes, so it was chili without tomatoes!) with kale, carrots and mushroom medley added, 1/4 avocado as garnish.

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 29: Rest

What a day I had yesterday! Or maybe I should rephrase that to say "What a day Adam had yesterday!" Here's the backstory: I had a hard time sleeping Saturday night since I felt like all my insides were being shoved up my throat and I was convinced I would throw it all up at any second (hence, the bucket by the bed). On top of that, if I took anything greater than a shallow breath, I felt tremendous soreness in my chest, as if I was on the verge of getting a cold. For the throw-up feeling, I tried hanging on the pullup bar, rocking on all-fours, lying on my left side, walking around....but it never happened, and after 2 or so hours, the feeling subsided. The sore "throat" feeling, however, lingers to today. It's less so now, so hopefully I can avoid getting sick!

I spent yesterday lying in bed sleeping most of the day. Those who know me know that this is very very strange behavior. Being sore and achy from doing 100 squats on Saturday didn't help much either. Adam got to hang with Asher for the majority of the day. This is usually a fun, but tiring task, since our 19 month old is always on the go. They both survived, and are better for it, I think!

I decided to take another rest day instead of going for a run today. My legs don't feel as heavy and I'm not exhausted like I was the day before, but it just felt right not to try to set any records.

Activity:
0.5 mile walk with Asher (he walked too) on hilly loop, stop and go toddler pace

Breakfast:
Medium bowl of Vitamix drink (from Saturday's mix)
2 kiwis

Lunch:
Spinach salad w/ 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1/2 wild-caught Rockfish filet (cooked with sea salt & pepper), 1/2 avocado, balsamic vinegar & olive oil

Dinner:
4 stalks sauteed baby bokchoy
1 serving squash
2 slices steak
1/2 tilapia filet
3/4 Bartlett pear
1 square Hershey's Pure Dark Chocolate
handful dried cranberries

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 29: KB workout of the "S"

Now that I'm in my third trimester, I need to focus more on movements that will not only strengthen the musculature supporting my pelvis, but also increase soft tissue flexibility and joint mobility in that area. Today's workout addresses both pelvis stabilization (gluteals and hip musculature) and mobility in a manner necessary for birthing (squats).

Activity:
KB swings (14 kg) x 60
KB Goblet Squats (12 kg) x 10
Side planks (advanced position) x 20

Repeat each cycle 10x

Breakfast:
Large bowl Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed, 2 bananas, 1 honeycrisp apple, 2 carrots, 5 stalks kale)

Lunch:
Handful roasted cashews
2 sunnyside up Omega-3 eggs w/ 1/4 avocado
4 slices fresh pineapple

Dinner:
Bowl of sauteed brussels sprouts with Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach Sausages
8 ounces Monavie w/ glucosamine
4 squares Hershey's Pure Dark Chocolate

Fluid:
7 cups water

Pregnancy Week 28: Hilly Run pushing Double Stroller with Sleeping Toddler in the Rain

Activity:
3.0 mile run on 0.5 hilly loop, in the rain, with double stroller. Great workout for glutes on the uphills! Pace was a little slower due to the stroller and the questionable traction with all the fall leaves on the pavement.

Breakfast/Lunch:
pre-run (8 am) 1 GF cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookie
post-run (12 pm) Large bowl Vitamix (split from yesterday's batch)
Small bowl beef soup with carrots and celery
1/2 orange

Snack:
1 Fuji apple
5 slices fresh pineapple
Handful roasted cashews

Dinner:
Napa cabbage sauteed w/ bacon, celery salt
4 meatballs (grass-fed, organic ground beef, green onions, celery, sea salt & pepper)
2 squares Ghirardelli dark chocolate

Fluid:
8 cups water

Pregnancy Week 28: Tuesday Snatches with a twist

Today was the perfect day to start using the 10 kg we got a couple weeks ago! When I exercise shortly after I get up in the morning, my SI joint still bothers me a bit. After I get warmed up, I have no discomfort. However, my snatch session was this morning, so, using the 10 kg was really perfect for me today.

Activity:
High volume snatches, alternating heavy and light KB
12 kg (15/15/10/10/5/5 R/L)
10 kg (15/15/15/15 R/L)

Repeat for 5 cycles, 600 total snatches

Breakfast:
Large bowl Vitamix (1 C coconut milk, 6 stalks kale, 1 honeycrisp apple, 2 med carrots, 2 bananas, 1 kiwi, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)
Handful roasted cashews
4 ounces Mona-vie w/ glucosamine

Snack:
2 GF paleo cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookies

Lunch:
2 sunnyside up Omega-3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado
8 ounces Mona-vie w/ glucosamine
2 squares Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate (72%)

Dinner:
Large bowl of Salmon chowder w/ kale added (Primal cookbook)
Bowl of Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Pregnancy Week 27: Friday KB training

Activity:
KB clean-press (14kg) x 5
KB Single Leg Deadlift (14 kg) x 10
Ab Roller x 10

Repeat cycle 10x

Breakfast:
Large bowl Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 5 stalks kale, 2 carrots, 1 "winter banana" apple, 1 kiwi, several slices fresh pineapple, 6 Tbsp golden organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed; this made enough for 2 large bowls and 1 small bowl)
5 gluten-free paleo friendly Carrot Mini-muffins (www.elanaspantry.com), modified into 1 Tbsp-sized cookies; substituted flaxseed for eggs since we were low on eggs and I knew I wanted some for lunch!

Lunch:
2 sunnyside up Omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado
1 Fuyu persimmon

Snack:
2 GF Carrot mini-cookies

Dinner:
Paleo chili w/ kale, carrots and mushroom medley
1 GF paleo-friendly Cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookie

Fluid:
8 cups water

Pregnancy Week 27: Wonky Run

Activity: 20 min run with Asher in stroller
The run started out great, but about 15 minutes into it, my pubic symphysis (the joint where the two halves of the pelvis meet in the front) felt all wonky. I stopped twice to do some self-mobilizations, which helped some, but not for long. Since this is the first time in this pregnancy that I have had any discomfort during running, I wasn't prepared and thus didn't have my pelvic support belt....so, our run became a walk! When we got home, I put on my sacroiliac belt (this supports the joints between the base of the spine aka sacrum, and the two halves of the pelvis), which is simply a maternity abdominal support belt that I wear low, around my pelvis. I wore this for the rest of the day and felt more supported.

Breakfast:
2 sunnyside up Omega 3 eggs
Small bowl of leftover Vitamix drink from yesterday
1 slice gluten free paleo Cranberry walnut chocolate chip bread
1 gluten free paleo cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookie

Lunch:
Very large (overestimated the amount!) spinach salad w/ 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 tomato, 1/4 avocado, 1/2 can tuna, balsamic vinegar & olive oil
1 Fuyu persimmon
8 ounces Monavie w/ glucosamine

Dinner:
Roasted brussels sprouts (quartered w/ olive oil, dried dill, dried parsley, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder; 375 degrees/30 min, then 400 deg/20 min)
Leftover sauteed cabbage w/ 4 slices red pepper & spinach sausage
4 squares of Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate 72% and 86%

Pregnancy Week 27: Run with Double Stroller

This morning, I suited Asher up in a lined waterproof windbreaker jacket (with hood!) and matching pants over his footed doggie pajamas and cloth diapers, put some shoes on him for extra warmth, brought a couple paleo cookies for him and set off in our single stroller. Five minutes into the run, I noticed that the back right tire was flat. So, back home we went. It was pretty apparent that the tube was flat, and since we don't have a replacement, I pulled out the BOB Revolution Dualie stroller we got a few months ago through REI and loaded Asher into it. Off we went! Yes, I may have gotten a few strange looks at the empty seat next to Asher, but at least I got my run in!

Activity:
38 minute run with Asher in double stroller

First breakfast (pre-run):
2 gluten-free cranberry walnut chocolate chip cookies

Second Breakfast (post-run):
2 sunnyside up Omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado
8 roasted cashews

Lunch:
Large bowl Vitamix drink (1 c coconut milk, 2.5 bananas (used the half a banana Asher didn't finish from a few days ago), 5 stalks kale, 1 carrot, 1 honeycrisp apple, few slices fresh pineapple, 6 Tbsp ground organic flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed; this was split into 2 bowls to cover today and tomorrow)
3 squares Dove dark chocolate

Dinner:
Half a small Ribeye steak w/ sea salt and pepper
Kale chips (kale, olive oil, sea salt, pepper, dried garlic; 350 degrees for 15 minutes)
1 C cantalope
1/2 kiwi
2 rectangles Hershey's special dark chocolate

Fluid:
6 cups water

Pregnancy Week 26: Wednesday KB and core

I decided to KB this morning instead of run since it was really cold, frosty, and I would be more concerned about my footing while pregnant.

Activity:
KB swings (14 kg) x 60
Ab roller x 10

Repeat for 10 cycles

Breakfast:
Large bowl Vitamix drink (1 C coconut milk, 5 stalks kale, 1 carrot, 2 kiwi, 1 large jonagold apple, 6 Tbsp organic ground flaxseed, 2 Tbsp chia seed)
15 roasted, salted cashews (I am craving fat)

Lunch:
2 sunnyside up Omega-3 eggs w/ 1/2 avocado

Dinner (unscheduled dinner at parents' house...most of choices had gluten):
1/2 tilapia filet with tomatoes and onions
3 pieces of dark chocolate See's Candies (I made this choice as a consequence of not eating a very satisfying dinner, despite the fact that the fish was very tender and juicy)

came home and made Macaroni and Cheese from scratch (Adam's Southern upbringing dictates Mac & Cheese at all family gatherings and holidays) for tomorrow....had a bowl...

Fluid:
8 cups water