Being Pregnant and Working Out

If you know the hubs and I, you know we basically live in the gym at night. We even met at the gym! During our first conversation I asked him, "So, are you training for something?" He replied, "No. It's just a lifestyle." The heavens opened up, the light shone down, and the angels started singing... Oh wait. But seriously - that worked out well perfectly for both us. Normally, we spend about 1-2 hours in the gym each night. We lift weights and do cardio 5-6 days out of the week. It's our thing. The gym to us is like our 2nd home. Literally. Health, nutrition, and fitness are a huge part of our lives. Hence the "Healthy Lifestyle" tab at the top.

Workin' on our fitness with the sweet headband Sister and Brother gave Brad. HA!

 Obviously, some of that changed (at least for me) when I got pregnant. Because of more than one reason, the Doc told me I shouldn't work out. I was allowed to walk...on the treadmill...at a "slower" speed and an incline. Bo-ring...at least for me! I'm used to more of a hard core/body building type of workout.

Anyways, so now I'm pregnant and couldn't work out for the entire 1st Trimester! Once I hit 12 weeks and we knew everything was safe, the Doc cleared me to start working out again. I had to ease myself back into it because it had been 3 months since I had lifted. At 16 weeks, the Doc told me I was "all clear" and could get back to my normal gym routines and lifestyle. Finally!!! The hubs even looked at the Doc and said, "You just made her day. Seriously, you have no idea." Ha, he knows me well! The huge grin on my face might have given it away.

So, now I'm back. Back in the gym. Back to lifting weights. Back to running (intervals). Back to feeling like ME! Back in my comfort zone. I love it. There is nothing like getting to the gym after a long day, sweating out stress, and getting that workout "high." Don't worry, I am modifying my workouts for pregnancy. There are some lifts I just can't and shouldn't do. I can't lift as much weight as I used to as well. I'm working out to stay healthy and fit and because I love it, but I'm doing it safely.

Why do I believe and love working out so much? Here are a few things I believe (and would never "push" on someone else or "judge" them for their different opinions. I believe these things. Not everyone does! and that's perfectly okay.)
I believe...

• ...that God gave me one body and I should be taking care of it to the best of my ability. This includes fitness and healthy eating.
• ...that my husband and I have a stronger relationship because we have something that we both love and believe in - health and fitness. We go to the gym and work out together, as a couple!
• ...that as a soon-to-be mother, I need to be providing my baby with healthy, non-processed foods now - while I'm pregnant. I'm supplying my baby with his/her nutrition right now as well as in the future.
• ...that it's my responsibility to pass on the love for a healthy lifestyle to our babies. I/We will be their model after all! 

So, here's to being pregnant and working out! and ignoring the funny looks at the gym. Yes, I'm 20 weeks pregnant and I'm still gettin' at it!

Top: the gym / before baby   Bottom: mud run / baby bump on the way to the gym!

 All that being said, even being pregnant will not be keeping me out of the gym. I am planning on writing my weekly workouts. They will change as I get farther into my pregnancy, but I'm sure other "gym" moms would appreciate knowing what has worked for me as well as get a few ideas!

Gym Rats ~ Stylin the Headband

The Bishops...we like to laugh...a lot. (And by "the Bishop" I mean, Dad and Momma B, Sister and Brother Bishop, Sister and Brother Pilcher, and of course the two of us.) In fact, many of us (ahem...Matt and Karen) tend to encourage/cause situations that result in minutes...hours...even days of laughter. Love it! You know those deep, belly hurting laughs that may, or may not cause tears? Yep, that's our family. And it's awesome.

Back in February, Matt and Karen gave Brad the coolest headband. Ever. It's peachy-pink. It's striped. Its for the gym. It has his name on it. Epic. (His excitement about the headband can be seen below.) (If you haven't caught on to the sarcasm yet, go get some coffee and then come back.) ;)

As Karen would say..."Olivia Newton Brad."

So, since Brad was given this headband, we decided to make full use of it. And yes, I said "WE." For your amusement and maybe even some laughter...please enjoy the following "headband" photos.

And yes, these photos were taken at our gym...while people were watching, staring, and pointing.

Doing work!

The "Gym Diaries" may, or may not continue...

Shoulder Workout ~ #1

You know when you see that woman...or man...that has nicely rounded shoulders? We call that toned and rounded part of your shoulder, the cap, or shoulder cap.

You can tell when someone has been working on their shoulders. It shows! Shoulders are an important part of your training. Here are some of our favorite shoulder exercises that will get you on your way to a nice, tight shoulder cap!

*Side note: This shoulder workout is just one of the different variations of shoulder workouts that we do. For each exercise, click the bold name to see a video on how to perform the exercise. Correct form is VITAL to not hurting yourself and for performing the exercise as intended. Watch the videos!

Shoulder Workout ~ #1

1. Seated Arnold Press: Sit on a bench (with a short back) with your feet planted shoulder length apart, firmly on the ground. Hold a dumbell in each hand in front of your chest. Your palms should be facing your body. Twist and raise your arms outward into a "goal post" position. Palms should be facing out now. From the "goal post" position, press the dumbells upward until your hands are straight up. Bring the dumbells down into the "goal past" position, then rotate them in towards your chest so that you are in the starting position. This should be one, fluid motion. Repeat this 12 times (reps) for 3 sets.
2. Front and Lateral Raise: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, with your arms extended towards the floor and palms facing the fronts of your thighs. Raise the dumbbells in front of you until they are at shoulder height, then lower back down to the start. Next, lift both dumbbells up and out to the sides to form a “T” with your body. A front and lateral raise =1 count. Do this 10 reps for 3 sets.
3. Bent-over Rear-Delt Row:
   Stand with your feet together and hold a dumbbell in each hand, with your palms facing your thighs. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward from your hips to bring your torso 45 degrees to the ground. Keep your back straight and your chin up as you bend at the elbows to bring your arms up – at the top of the move your upper arms should form a straight line with your shoulders. Reverse to return to the start. Repeat this 12 reps for 3 sets.
4. Seated Barbell Press: Sit on a bench (with a back) with your feet shoulder length apart on the floor. Hold a barbell in your hands with a wide grip. Raise the barbell to your chest. From that position, raise the barbell straight up, then back down to your chest. Repeat this 12 reps for 3 sets.

Get those "boulder shoulders!"