Harder than expected

As with most things along this journey, I underestimated how difficult it would be to continue to exercise (while pregnant). My ambition got the best of me. Where I usually have no problem following through with things (especially things I'm good at), this was a whole different beast to tackle. 

My hour of exercise every day has dwindled to "whenever possible, whenever I feel up to it".  It's been rough and a hard blow to my ego. I didn't expect to feel this sick throughout pregnancy. Certain symptoms that were supposed to get better in the second trimester have not (headaches, dizzy, nausea, exhaustion). Throw in a busy post-holiday work period and work travel, and my goal becomes even more challenging (as with anyone, pregnant or not).

I'll have one week where I meet my every day goal, and then a whole week of absolutely nothing.  

The biggest thing I had to give up was running which breaks my heart. I can't even wrap my head around moving my body in that way right now. Considering jumping hurts (think pain, jiggles, weird shifts in weight)....running which is basically a bouncing motion feels completely off limits. Maybe I wasn't enough of a serious runner beforehand to maintain it now?

My change in body image has also brought a whole new slew of emotions. The first picture is at 14 weeks. Unfortunately not a clear "baby bump" yet with most people mistaking it as "getting fat". I haven't gained much visual weight elsewhere, outside of my tummy area.

I actually haven't put on much weight at all - currently at 154 lbs (maybe +7lbs from conception). But the way my body is changing, the way my clothes do not fit, and the way I feel makes it feel like +20 lbs. There's been a big shift of weight, bloat, resources...whatever you want to call it, to my tummy and boobs.

Now at 17 weeks pictured below, the bump is becoming a little more clear (although I got the stink eye from someone in the locker room this week for struggling to get tight clothes on). People are fun. 

I already have two post-pregnancy fitness goals in my head (there I go with the lofty goals again). 

• Run a 10k in early October (the same race I did in 2015, but from 5k to 10k)
• And lose all the baby weight by New Years Eve (to fit into a slim party dress)

Ambitious? Maybe. I think I can tackle them. Especially keeping in mind that the little guy/gal below needs a healthy, fit, active (bad-ass) mom to raise them.