It’s been 6 months since I had our little bundle of love. You can see our Fit Pregnancy Journey HERE. I was so GRATEFUL to have had such a different experience this time around.
With my first, I didn’t know what workouts to do. None of my “usuals” felt good or right, and I struggled with energy and motivation. So with this pregnancy, I was DETERMINED to do things differently.
My first trimester I felt AWFUL!! I was A MESS! You can see some of my first trimester flashbacks HERE. Even on my worst days I was able to do something to move my body, which always helped me. I also had some MAJOR food aversions and craved carbs and sweets, but luckily knowing what to expect this time around I had “standby” healthier alternatives that really helped me curb my sweet tooth and cravings, and have a healthy and EASY meal plan that ensured I was getting the best nutrition for me and my babe at these important early stages.
Around week 15-16, the fog started to clear and my energy came back. YAY! I shifted from doing weight training and yoga only (first trimester) to more cardio in the 2nd trimester which actually felt good.
I do want to go on record and say EVERY PREGNANCY AND BODY IS DIFFERENT & YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR/PROVIDER BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY PHYSICAL EXERCISE!
I’m thankful that at each stage of my pregnancy I stayed active and healthy. I had my fair share of “splurges” along the way, mainly indulgent acai bowls from the North Shore ;), but found healthy ways to satiate my sweet tooth and carb cravings. Overall, I felt strong and healthy going into my delivery.
I have been especially grateful that because I was so dialed in nutritionally and physically, I was able to bounce back from my c-section much better.
So, for all my fellow mamas, desiring to have an active, healthy, and fit pregnancy I thought I’d share some of my fit pregnancy must-haves. Here’s to us being strong and healthy throughout this amazing journey we get to be on.
Below I have all the links and descriptions for each item pictured.
1.
ROCKIN YOUR BUMP & BEYOND: A community of expectant and recently postpartum mamas supporting one another to have a healthy and active pregnancy. This community saved me! It’s a supportive group of mamas-to-be and mamas, created to provide you with workouts, meal plans, and more for each stage of pregnancy. We tackle meal planning tools and resources, recipes, supplements, as well as OVERALL support for the changes and challenges we experience during pregnancy and when adapting to life as a new mom.
It saved me because like everyone, I needed the support & community to share all the ups and downs too.
2.
SUPPORTIVE BELLY WEAR: I was very active throughout my pregnancy, but even on the days I was doing low-impact work or running errands, I was thankful for the support of my belly band. My preferred one was by Bao Bei Maternity. They also have supportive leggings for pregnancy and postpartum. They were AMAZING to help my back and tummy during and after.
3.
DAILY SUPERFOOD SUPPLEMENT: As an expectant mom, nutrition is a HUGE deal. We are forming LIFE, and providing the building blocks for their developing bodies and minds. Studies have even shown that what type of food you eat during pregnancy will not only set up their flavor profiles for what types of foods they will want to eat but also how they will store fat.
That said… I get it! In my first pregnancy, I battled wicked cravings for carbs and sweets. I did the best I could to eat clean but had SO many food aversions. I also had ZERO energy and just felt craptastic throughout. So for this second pregnancy, I was determined to fuel my body well and see what I could do to have a different experience.
Drinking a daily supplement like the one I have linked here and using essential fatty acids daily, had me feeling 100 times better, and helped me know I was giving high-quality fuel to my own body as well as my babe. I had next to no cravings and I was able to manage my sweet tooth with some tasty mashups of my favorite superfood smoothie. I provide one
HERE. Of course, with ANY supplement you want to make sure you first clear it with your physician or provider, but if you want to learn more about the one I chose you can
learn more HERE.
4.
SUPPORTIVE FOOTWEAR: My favorite supportive shoes were my Nike Fly Knits BY FAR!!! I loved the extra stretch and give they have as my feet got bigger and swelled in my 3rd trimester (one of the loveliest of side effects đŸ˜‰ ).
5.
SPORTS BRA (NURSING FRIENDLY): Whether you choose this sports bra or not, be sure that you go try on a few sports bras. I tried many and liked few, but really appreciated having my Boob Maternity Sports Nursing Bra, which has also transitioned well into postpartum.
6.
CLEAN WHOLE FOODS MEAL PLAN & RECIPE GUIDE: As I shared above, having great nutrition during pregnancy is SO IMPERATIVE. Through my
Rockin Your Bump & Beyond support group and wellness studio I compiled SIMPLE clean eating recipes and plans with minimum prep so that you can feel confident nourishing yourself and baby with a clean whole foods plan, that will help you feel healthy and more energetic.
SUPER HELPFUL SIDE NOTE for DURING & AFTER PREGNANCY:
(Consider trying this option now if you’re overwhelmed with trying to prepare healthy meals now)
Try a clean foods meal prep service. I like
Sunbasket (farm to table), but there are lots of others.
Sunbasket does dietary considerations and everything from them is SUPER yummy. Consider also adding this as an option to your baby registry or “wish list” for once baby is here. Instead of relying on friends and family to help with cooking, and expect anything other than casseroles, ask them to gift you a few
Sunbasket meals. That way you can choose the food, and healthy meals will be delivered right to your door! That means better quality fuel for you and baby that you will both need for energy and healing.
7
. YOGA BLOCKS & STRAPS: Whether doing prenatal yoga and workouts or just needing to stretch and maintain movement and flexibility having yoga blocks and straps can be SUPER useful tools to stretch and reach when you’ve got a growing belly.
8.
A BIG WATER BOTTLE: My preferred one is a
HydroFlask so that it maintains it’s cool throughout the day. Hydration is SOOOOOOOO important for us mamas-to-be and mamas who are breastfeeding. I found always having mine filled and at my side kept me from feeling more fatigued than normal. Plus it’s just soooooo much better for you and baby!! (I also LOVED adding
Ultima (grape is my favorite) or
Hydrate to mine for a little flavor. Both electrolyte blends add a super yummy flavor and don’t add lots of extra sugar or yucky additives like sugary sports drinks.
I have some amazing ways to make my favorite electrolyte popsicles too on the
BLOG HERE. During pregnancy, these are a STAPLE in our home.
9.
Essential Oils: I’m not a rep, but I LOVE me some essential oils. My go-to is
doTERRA. I trust the quality, but I know there are other high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils that are great too and whether it was Deep Blue (great for all the aches and pains during pregnancy), or all the oils I used making my
Padcicles, or all the oils I diffuse around the house to decrease stress and keep me healthy during, or diffused and rubbed on me to help with labor and recovery, having some great therapeutic oils on hand were a God Send! Here is a list of the ones I used/use most regularly.
- Serenity (combines essential oils renowned for their ability to lessen feelings of tension and calm emotions, and support a restful sleep when used aromatically)
- Breathe (a blend of essential oils including Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Ravensara. Maintains feelings of clear airways and easy breathing while minimizing the effects of seasonal threats)
- Deep Blue (is perfect for a soothing massage after a long day of work. Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus work together to soothe and cool)
- Eucalyptus (ideal oil to promote feelings of clear breathing and open airways and for creating a soothing massage experience.)
- On Guard (provides a natural and effective alternative for immune support when used internally, and when diffused, doTERRA On Guard helps purify the air and can be very energizing and uplifting.)
- Lavender Essential Oil (calms swelling or inflammation of the skin, supports cellular regeneration)
- Helichrysum (used for it’s rejuvenating benefits for the skin)
- Frankincense Essential Oil (supports tissue regeneration, prevents scarring)
Cool! Very useful article for me. I want to keep my body strong during the pregnancy. I recently joined a yoga class and I noticed some of the girls wearing bracelets or necklaces while we were doing the session. I've got also yoga mala bracelet Source here, to read mantras. That’s cool that they are called mala beads, and that they have spiritual meaning! That’s really cool that they are supposed to help you develop a stronger focus. Thanks for the information!