Day 18

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that I gained some weight. I can hear all the people reading this collectively sigh and say "Duh, you're pregnant!" Some weight gain is necessary in order to help a child grow. But did you know that at 12 weeks, the average fetus weighs .5oz ? Add the additional weight (blood, breasts, placenta, water weight) and I should have only gained about four pounds. Last appointment I had gained EIGHT stupid pounds!!!

I was so disappointed in myself. With Lucy, I exercised every morning through the nausea and exhaustion. I walked the dog EVERY SINGLE DAY for at least 30 minutes. The best thing I did for myself was stop buying junk food at the store (chips, candy bars, any sort of temptation). With this pregnancy, I did everything opposite.

I suppose I could use the excuse that I didn't have the time now that I'm chasing a toddler 17 hours a day. Or that its been too rainy to walk the dog through the muddy woods. But I'm not going to. I'm just going to come out and say it-I got lazy.

There's no reason for me not to get exercise. While the "family gyms" aren't in pristine condition, they do exist. I can bring Lucy and still get a work out on a cadrio machine for 30 minutes a day. I have Yoga DVD's that I love, I have the Wii Fit (which isn't really much of a work out compared to what I use to do, but its still better then sitting on the couch surfing channels) and yet I found an excuse every day for the last 6 weeks on why I couldn't work out.

So yesterday the warmer weather started to get me inspired. What is the best way to get some fresh air and spend at least 30 minutes sweating a few days a week? Then it hit me - the old track my stroller-robics class used! I knew a few moves that I could do to maintain/build muscle strength and I knew I could get about 3 miles done in an hour. So I sent an email to friends and asked them to join me.

It was such an awesome start to my day. Four Mommies showed up with four amazing toddlers. We walked, talked and laughed. Before I knew it, an hour was up. I had planned on walking more, but today was just a start. I was afraid to overdo it after six weeks of not doing anything more then a short walk with the dog. But I felt G-R-E-A-T afterwards. I was so positive after getting some fresh air. The whole energy in my body seemed to shift from "lazy" to "super-woman". I felt more refreshed that I've felt in weeks, all this I attribute to exercise.

Lucky for my doggie baby, I didn't lose that positive energy all day. After lunch and Lucy's nap, I strapped on the backpack with all 27lbs of Lucy and headed on a 30 minute hike with my family. I forgot how much I love walking the dog and pointing out things to Lucy. Now that the animals are starting to graze in the fields, its even more fun for us. We get to see sheep on a pretty regular basis for the rest of summer :) I can't wait for the cows!

I am a person who lacks positive energy when I don't exercise regularly. With Jon gone through the fall, the last thing I need is negativity in my day. I am so pumped that I found a way to bring back the happy me. I know its only been one day, but if I keep up my schedule for at least 2 weeks, I'll be back on track (no pun intended). I realize that losing the weight I already gained is impossible and slightly unsafe, but that doesn't mean that I can't tone up my legs and arms. I am determined to be healthy for this baby. Besides, every pound I gain throughout this pregnancy is a pound I have to lose. I am determined to get back to pre-pregnancy weight after this baby. I did it with Lucy and I will do it again!