How to love your body through Pregnant or Not

    Da...Daa....Daaaaa!!!!!  So  you are pregnant.  This is supposed to be a happy time in your life. You start to take on that glow...  well!  Not everyone! I think that might be more so showing off your happiness rather then a glow. Although for my situation, I was actually glowing from the increase in oil production on my forehead!  One thing about pregnancy that I was not prepared for was the way my body changed from just looking pudgy to, "she might be pregnant" to "WHOLLY MOLEY! Are you having twins"  I swear I heard that at 12 weeks and at 18 weeks I was told, "You must be delivering soon."  So with all these changes in our bodies how to we adjust to the transition?  

  

    After receiving lots of emails on this topic, as well as, dealing with the battle of the Bulge (actually multiple bulges) I decided to write out tips on how I coped.  It wasn't easy with everyone telling me, "Oh, you workout. You wont gain much" or "You will be all belly."  Not sure if they got the memo from my jeans but they stopped fitting after 6 weeks.  Pretty sure my entire body began to grow ASAP!  I started growing very quickly into my new pregnant body despite my efforts to eat clean and workout.  There were many times when I had to reset my mind to focus on the reality of being pregnant rather then.... OH MAN! I had to buy a size Large Maternity Pants (means my hips are a 45-46 inches). 

   

    After my, what seemed like a million, mind reset moments I figured out how I made it through pregnancy loving my body and how you can too! 

How to love your body through Pregnant or Not

Focus on how you feel and not what you weight
    Does your weight really matter if you physically feel good? I quickly realized that I allowed myself to feel a certain way based on how much weight I gained.  I started to get frustrated that my weight skyrocketed because most people were telling me that you were only supposed to gain x amount of weight per week. What I didn't realize is that everyone gains their maternity weight differently.  Our bodies will do whatever they need to do in order to prepare for the birth of a miracle its creating. 

    In order to live an energetic life while being pregnant we must eat to nourish our bodies because our bodies will take what it needs to grow the baby first and leave us with whatever is left over.  I knew I needed to maximize what I could do to feel energized because I had to work to support my family. My baby depended on me to feel good, to get the nutrition we needed, to rest, exercise and think positively.  

*Try putting yourself in your daughters (or someone you cared about) shoes. Would you want her getting down on herself because her body is changing or would you rather her focus on how she feels and resetting her mind to cope in positive ways?  So why should you act differently? 

Wear clothes that fit and don't freak about the size

Omgoodness!!!!  This one is HUGE!  I can't express to you enough to buy clothes that fit.  Stop trying to fit into your pre pregnancy clothes and buy clothes that accent your growing tummy.  It was really hard for me to feel good about my body when I was trying to squeeze into clothes that really didn't fit.  Once I bought clothes that fit my body I could start to embrace the transformation. 

Change your Mindset

Your thoughts are everything. They form your mindset, moods, attitudes and habits. This is why when you lead change, your success is directly dependent on your mindset.  Something I did to help create a happy place in my mind is whenever I had a negative thought I would say 3-5 positive affirmations that would debunk that negative thought.  I've been doing this for 2 years and now its almost like instinct for me to say something positive soon after a negative thought arises.  I'll be honest some days it takes a little more time for me to feel the positive thought but with consistency it creates a happier environment in your mind.  
Example: 
Statement: 
"Seriously! Its been 3 months and I am still in my maternity pants." 
Positive Affirmations: 
"It took me 9 months to gain this weight so I need to be patient. Its only been 3 months" 
"If my daughter were in my shoes would I want her beating herself up" 
"I may be in my maternity pants but I feel Strong."
"I may be in my maternity pants but I am healthy and I'm a great mom"
"I may be in my maternity pants but I've lost 40 pounds already" 

Surround yourself with positive reinforces (be careful to not be around negative mental enablers)
This goes for anyone!  The minute I decided to Detox and divorce my negative friends was the moment that my life changed.  I went from living a dramatic lifestyle to stress free in a matter of weeks.  I had no idea how much being around negative people could change your own mindset.  You can be a positive person but if you surround yourself with people that do not promote personal growth then you will remain a floater in life.  You will just float along without direction, a specific goal or passion.  Divorcing friends is hard but it is 110% worth it.  It has allowed me to set up boundaries that I never had and the time to create new amazing relationships.  

Keep a picture of your ultrasound with you (or something that represents your baby) 
I know for me having a baby has been THE MOST valuable thing I have ever done in my life.  I think we can get caught up in the negative self talk that we forget what is actually happening.  WE ARE CREATING LIFE inside ourselves.  Having a picture to remind yourself of the reason behind the body will ZAP those negative thoughts and reroute you to a place of peace.   

Yes! Stare at yourself naked before you shower and tell yourself 3 things you love about your body.  

This is another big one! At first it was a little difficult but I went from saying, "I'm glad my arms are still small" to "I LOVE my Giant Belly!" To hear yourself say that you love things about your body and to view your body in a new light is a beautiful process. Don't hide from the transformation.  A lot of women told me that they never looked at themselves naked but this is the only time you have to look at yourself as a Miracle Maker. Plus how can you expect (hope) that someone else will find your body beautiful if you can't stand the way you look?  I know for my situation, I was understanding that my body changing could be weird for Brandon but I hoped he would see the beauty behind my body. Not only did he see the beauty but he appreciated the confidence and self love I had for myself. 

*If you go around complaining about your body don't you think that opens the door for other people to look for the "flaws" you are complaining about?  Have you ever thought someone was beautiful and then they mentioned something they didn't like and you were like, "Oh, yeah! I see what you are talking about." When in fact if they had never mentioned it you would have never even realize it.  Your perception would have been, "they are beautiful".  

    So whenever you are having a hard time loving you body try a few of these tips.  All of them apply to pregnancy/postpartum but I feel like these tips could help anyone in the journey to self love. 

*IF THAT DOESN'T WORK THEN LISTENING TO THIS SONG WILL: "Happy"

   

6 week Postpartum Update- Top 15 of Why YOU SHOULD BE PROUD!

Hello Everyone, 

  Its Measurement Monday and I have decided to do things a little bit differently this time.  For the past 3-4 years I have not really been one to focus on the scale since I have always been aware that I train to gain lean mass.  My body can look completely different if I am 135 pounds of not lifting vs 150 and lifting.  I prefer to be the body type that looks like they lift.  With that being said, since doing the measurement Monday I started focusing on the scale more rather than how I felt, what my body actually looked like, how I am blessed to be progressing and that just because my pre pregnancy pants are nowhere near fitting me after 6 weeks that its totally okay.  I am energized, healthy, happy and balanced (goal is that Rachel Novello and I will start posting picture updates every other week and the week we dont post pictures we will update with improvments or things we learned that week) 

   I wanted you guys to know that if you are being consistent, if you are getting stronger, having more endurance, feeling energized, happy and healthy that you should do like I am and make a top 10-15 list of reasons why you should be proud even though it may not feel like you are progressing (as quickly as you like). Here is my list and I hope this will help you get started creating your own. Part of transforming is mind health so let this be one step towards a healthier mindset.

JZ Top 15 of Why she Should be Proud even If the Scale Wont BUDGE

1. I Birthed a Child Completely Natural 6 weeks ago (22 hours labor & 5 Hours Hard Labor)
2. I went from holding one infant a week before having Ahrianna to being a full time mom (minus my "Me Time" or if Brandon takes her when I nap/shower)
3. I lifted my ENTIRE Pregnancy even at the end when I was still nauseous, gained 12 pounds from swelling in the last two weeks, worked 12 hour night shifts in a hospital and even did overtime up until I was 33 weeks pregnant.
4. I ate clean 80% of the time throughout my pregnancy and since having Ahrianna I have ate clean 99% of the time (I had a few pieces of chocolate and ate a moderate amount of desserts yesterday at the Super Bowl Party).  For the most part I don't have any cravings. I think having a higher fat diet has helped with my hormones which is ultimately in control of most cravings (besides the mind game cravings).
5. I listened to my OB, Brandon and myself and did not workout for 2 solid weeks postpartum.  This one was tough for me because by the time two weeks rolled around I was desperate to get out of the house but you better believe I cried the entire way to the gym and even took a video to show other people that I struggle too with making myself a priority at times but if we take care of ourselves then we can be better parents.  I'll be honest the minute I went to the gym and came home I was recharged and ready for the day.  It didn't matter that I didn't have any sleep the night before, that my back ached from breastfeeding or that I wasn't able to get any of the house cleaned. I was energized, focused and excited to do more at home. 
6. For the last 4 weeks I have listened to my body. I have not restricted my calories (to the point of being unhealthy), I have trained with purpose, passion and patience (you must be patient when you are used to lifting like a beast and now have to lift like a newbie. I was back to doing bodyweight exercises but that was okay because I was able to have my "me time" in the gym and that felt AMAZING)
7. Not to repeat number 6 but I have been consistently lifting 4-5 days a week for the last four weeks and have stuck to limited to no cardio.  Its better to do less cardio in the beginning because you do not want to have to go to any extremes to cut during contest prep season. I try to do my cardio/conditioning with the purpose of increasing my endurance.  I never appreciated being able to run with ease, lift with power or do drills without wanting to pass out. I was the newbie in the gym again and I'm proud that I didn't let that discourage me.
8. I'm proud that the first week I started lifting again I struggled to do 15 bodyweight squats and now I can do 115 for 15 reps easily (full time under tension).
9. I started leg press with 90 pounds which felt pretty tough to doing 360 pounds + 210 pounds of my trainer pushing his entire bodyweight against it (for added resistance) today.
10. I DID A PULL-UP!!!!  I mean.... I had assistance but I don't care! When I was pregnant the thought of doing a pull-up made me want to cry and when I tried doing just a few I would be so short of breath I needed to rest for 3+ minutes.
11. I started tracking my food a week and a half ago which was a little emotional for me at first because for any of you that know me know that I have a past history of having an unhealthy relationship with food/exercise. Long story short I competed for 2.5 years straight without a break, had a boyfriend who was my prep coach (nutrition, workouts, bodyfat, posing, supplements, sleep, you name it), I went through some nasty hormonal imbalances from dieting too long, I was on Dr Phil on April 2012 (http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1821) and he sent me to an Eating Disorder Facility for 8 weeks. Once I returned home I ended things with my then fiance, moved out, met Brandon, started to prep again, got pregnant, had ahrianna and now plan to pursue my passions of competing but with an ENTIRELY different level of awareness. So when I said that tracking was a little emotional it was only because I had not done it for so long, that I had to revisit that past so I could be aware of my emotions and that for the first time in a long time I felt a small sense of fear with contest prep (if you guys are interested in this topic I can go into detail with another blog about my fears, why I am determined to do a show, whats different this time and so on.)
12. I asked for help when I needed it. There was a point last week when I was so tired I was scared to breastfeed Ahrianna.  It was in the middle of the night while I was trying to breastfeed that I almost dropped her because I fell fast asleep (just fyi: I did several things to try and not fall asleep and had her on a boppy pillow). This was quite the reality check for me. Its okay if I need help and cant do it all. I have a loving fiance who wants to help.
 This is a BIG ONE FOR ME!!!  I rarely if ever will ask for help.  I tend to be the person that helps others rather than let anyone help me.  However, I have come to realize that as much as I find joy in helping other people that other people find joy in helping me.  This is something that I am getting better at it but it definitely does not come naturally.
13. I took Ahrianna to her doctor appointments by myself after the first one and then took her to the grocery store (after her 4 week appointment).  I tell you what!?!?!  I have a lot of respect for moms out there (or full time dads).  It's not easy taking kids to appointments or out on errands for the first few times while they are infants.  Kudos to everyone that is trying to be great parents!  Its one of the hardest but best jobs on the planet.
14. That I have not had any outbursts due to lack of patience with Ahrianna, Brandon or life.  I know being a new mom with CrAzY hormones we are more susceptible to lash outs and I feel like I have been very positive throughout my pregnancy/post pregnancy (Feel free to ask Brandon or people close to me.  Its funny because my mom and my best friend swore I would be quite the spit fire during pregnancy but for the first time in my life I feel like I am present in my thoughts, I am aware of my actions and I can control them both)
15. My body is curvy the way that I like, my body is getting stronger the way that I like, my body is functioning more efficiently the way that I like and that my body does NOT define who I am........the way that I like.

The point of this list is to NOT TOOT my own Horn but to show you that when we take the time to look outside our physical expectations that we can really see the beauty and value in the Journey to reach those goals.  I hope you join me in making your own list so that you also can feel proud of where you are..... EXACTLY IN THIS MOMENT!

This video is proof that there is so much more to life then physical expectations (this is not me saying those goals are not important but that we can start to prioritize where our energy is used. Its a shame if we spent our time feeling upset for not being thin enough, lean enough or muscular enough when we can HAVE A BLAST just knowing that our goals will come if we stay consistent, listen to our bodies, stress less and love more!

 

Fit Pregnancy Motivator Questionnaire Sheet

Do you feel that you had or are having a Fit Pregnancy? Want to share your story and inspire other women to do the same?  This Questionnaire is a great way for you to connect with other expecting moms so that we can change the perspective that women can't workout during pregnancy.  Be apart of the change with this Fit Mom Movement... 1 Birth at a Time.

If you want to share your story please fallow these Directions:
1) Copy and Paste this to a Word Document
2) Answer Questions
3) Add additional information and your Social Media that you would like us to share
4) Send your Questionnaire filled out with one to two pictures to ts.fit.mom@gmail.com
These pictures shouldrepresents your fit, healthy and/or happy pregnancy.


Basic Info
Name
Age
OccupationNumber of Kids
Favorite Season
Are you pregnant now


1) How did you get into fitness?

2) How was your pregnancy? Did you have an easy or challenging pregnancy?

3) What did you do for fitness during your pregnancy (examples: yoga, lifting, walking, cardio, dance, ect)?

4) Was it difficult adjusting to your new physique and how did you manage it?

5) How was your nutrition during your pregnancy? Don't sweat it if your nutrition was not exceptional. I'm pretty sure I craved powdered donuts so bad that if I didn't have money I would have robbed a doughnut shop (totally kidding but it was pretty intense). Also was your nutrition different based on which trimester you were in?

6) Any funny stories that happened during your pregnancy that involved fitness? An example may be, "I knew I was done doing squats when I peed my pants doing them while I was in the gym."  haha!

7) How did you manage maintaining a fit pregnancy when you were not motivated to workout or eat right? I know we all have had days where we ate like crap and didn't workout but this is about balance so what did you do when you knew getting some exercise would make you feel better but you didn't want to?

8) What would you tell another expecting mom that says, "I was told to eat whatever I want and don't workout because its not healthy for the baby."

9) While being pregnant what would be the number 1 or top 3 things that you learned about yourself?

10) If there is one thing about your pregnancy that you hope to do differently next time what would that be?



*You may add additional information such as quotes,suggestions, ect.
*Also please send a Pregnancy photo that represents a healthy and happy you.

 

The Day My Pregnancy Test Said.... YES! You are Pregnant!

May 12, 2013 (sunday "Mothers Day") 
I realized I was 8 days late on my period and Brandon kept joking that I had a baby sobotka in my belly.  Immediately I had zero thoughts of being pregnant but his constant jokes had me second guessing.  Later that day, I went to the local CVS and bought the cheapest pregnancy test I could find.  I was pretty sure I wasn't pregnant so I figured I might as well get a cheap pregnancy test. I went home around 3pm to take the test even though I knew that the most accurate readings were the first pee of the day. To my surprise, within LITERALLY 2 seconds the test read positive.
Thoughts raced through my head but at the same time I felt very calm and safe.  Was I really pregnant? No, I can't be! I have an IUD that is 99.99% accurate. Wait.... but that means there still is a 0.01% chance and Brandon did say he had Bionic Boner with Super Sperm. Omgoodness!  Even though a part of me wanted to be in denial deep down I knew I needed to call my OBGYN and find out what the next step should be.

Happy Mothers day to me.