Pregnancy Chalkboard: 12 Weeks
By Kate Horney
How far along? 12 Weeks, 3 Days
Maternity clothes? See, the beauty of being a personal trainer is that even my “WORK” clothes involve spandex… still holding out with the yoga pants! My jeans no longer button (note: this happened a couple weeks earlier than the “crap these don’t button anymore” moment when I was pregnant with jackson)… but the bella band works wonders! š
Best moment this week: I’ve had coffee AND chicken this week (both without gagging!) I think it’s safe to say that morning sickness (at least for now) is starting to make it’s way OUT… and I couldn’t be more excited! š
Miss Anything? I’m still super low on energy. I’m missing the days of not feeling like I’m ready for bed at 4pm. š Growing a human is hard work! But I’m resting when I can, and looking at all of this as practice for when baby #2 makes his/her arrival. (talk about sleep deprived & tired- oh boy!)
Movement: Felt a few flutters this week, but the honest truth is that I still can’t tell if it’s baby #2 or gas. (TMI?)
Food cravings: I am a fruit monster. I’m talking berries 24/7, people! I’ve had some strange cravings for frozen waffles (what in the world?!) that seem to die with protein pancakes, and I’m also craving (and eating) lots of cheese, as well as my homemade pizza (again, with tons of cheese).
Gender prediction: Everyone is saying girl this time, but I really have no idea. What do YOU think?
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender (pink or blue? pink or blue?) and watching the baby continue to develop.
Biggest Struggle: Energy! I started a hashtag on IG #firsttrimesterenergyzap as a joke, but it’s kind of stuck. It’s completely normal to feel tired when you’re pregnant. I mean, let’s face it- huge changes take place in virtually every system in your body, which can make even the most energetic mama feel extremely tired.
Throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first trimester, your body works tremendously hard. You’re making the placenta, which is your baby’s life-support system. Your hormone levels and metabolism are rapidly changing, while your blood sugar and blood pressure levels tend to lower. This all contributes to your sense of constant fatigue.
Solution: I’ve found 3 things to help with the #firsttrimesterenergyzap and extreme tiredness:
- Listen to your body’s signals. I take a short catnap when Jackson naps at least once/week, and I almost ALWAYS have an early night. (If being in your PJ’s at 7pm is wrong, i don’t want to be right). You’ll need more sleep in early pregnancy, so rest and get plenty of sleep whenever you can. Even a 15-minute nap can make a difference.
- Make sure you’re eating well. A healthy diet made up of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats fibrous fruits & veggies and lean meat can help you to keep your energy levels up. I know that eating well while you’re feeling sick isn’t easy, but try to eat little and often, as having an empty stomach can make you feel even more queasy and tired. Keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel by nibbling small amounts of bland, dry food during the day.
- Don’t stop your workouts! Even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing, make sure you stay active. I know it’s crazy, but I haven’t missed a single 5am workout since getting pregnant. Do I always feel like getting up & out of bed? Of course not! But I feel better afterwards, and I’ve noticed that my energy levels are higher throughout the day on days that I’ve worked out. Even just going for a walk can make you feel better and boost that low energy!
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P.S. Are you a fellow pregnant mama?
Don’t fall into the “eating saltine crackers on the couch” trap!
Your baby is a REASON to make a healthy choices priority… not an excuse for why you can’t!
If you’re not sure where to start, join us over at the BeyondFit Life Club where I upload all of my personal workouts (100% safe during pregnancy) and share all the best fit mom recipes, tips & tricks!