Pregnancy, health and a twelve week body transformation.

In twelve weeks time I will be rounding out my 37th week of pregnancy. Or I may be nursing a little boy. Who knows. I put on a lot of weight during my first pregnancy. That's probably the understatement of the century.

I don't want to do that again. I want to try and stay at least a little bit in shape, this time I want to happily pose for snap shots with baby, I want to have the energy to feed my toddler something that doesn't come out of a box, I want to be able to put my undies without help up until at least two weeks before the baby in born. All of these things are really difficult when you're dragging 20kg of lard aroung with you. 

Because you can't lose weight when you’re pregnant my plan was just to try not put on too much. Now everyone is different… but when it comes to my pregnant body, one tiny treat seems to morph into a huge ham hock, right on my thigh. You can image what Christmas has done to my ass. (You may not want to though.) So I came to the conclusion that the plan wasn't working and I needed to pull out the big guns. 

Luckily I have been given the chance to do the Michelle Bridges Twelve Week Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Body Transformation. And Michelle Bridges has really big guns. It is basically the same as the Twelve Week Challenge that everyone has been raving about, but with extra callories (win) and specific exercised for breeders. Now here I am, almost finished my first week and ready to share my thoughts. 

Last week I went through the pre season tasks, which consisted of:

• Fitness tests, measurements and the least fantastic photo shoot I have ever done. 

• Clearing my cupboards of all sugary cereals, pre made snacks, processed foods and white breads - This was easy for me as most of those things don't live in my house. 
• Setting specific goals and deciding how I was going to achieve them- This was also easy. Apart from the undies thing, I want to be able to carry Scout up the front stairs of our place with a bounce in my step. It sounds simple and a bit lame but it is something I can test every day and If I can get to 37 weeks pregnant and still do that it will be a huge achievement.

• Lastly I had to schedule exercise - Michelle Bridges says that being busy is not an excuse, sighting that John Howard made time to exercise every day and asking if I'm more busy than a Prime Minister? I retorted (in my mind, I wasn't actually hanging with Michelle) that John Howard doesn't have a toddler who refuses to sit in a pram and a hubby who is out of the house from birds fart to bedtime. He doesn't work from home when his kid is asleep and he also lives in an area which is a tad safer to be pounding the streets at night in. How the bloody hell am I supposed to exercise? Finally I realised the answer is just 'figure it out'. Do not accept defeat. So I got some exercise dvds, vowed to spend fifteen minutes a day walking up and down the front stairs of our block while Scout plays on the balcony and tried to will up the strength to force Scout into the pram, as she does her best incredible hulk impersonation, at least once a week. 

*I have given up trying to get her out of the way when I'm taking pictures for the blog, chubby hands really just make them all the sweeter. It also proves that the biscuts are actually tasty.

As far as the food goes, it's pretty good. All my shopping lists are ready for me, all the recipes are there and the meal plan is varied enough to keep it interesting. There have also been two days when the lunch is last night's leftovers which makes it nice and simple. Pac Man is also doing the eating plan with me (the shopping list and recipes feed two) and neither of us are hungry but I am craving sugar and he is craving salt. The thing that I'm enjoying is just having no guesswork; I know exactly what I’m supposed to be eating. I have broken the rules a few times, nibbling some cheese off Scout’s high chair, eating the free biscuit that comes with my coffee but that’s all good as I actually realise that these things are treats rather than just absent mindedly eating them. There are also some really great recipies like the Anzac Biscuits pictured above. 

*I was not paid to do this post but I have been invited to do the program free of charge. All opinions are my own. 

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Comments

[Diaryofamadcrafter.wordpress.com]

Your belly looks so big and beautiful!!! I wish you luck with everything! It sounds like you're doing a pretty good job with your goals so far (throwing out the processed sugary stuff is the first and most important step if you ask me!) it's basically like throwing temptation out! Haha

[Patchwork Cactus]

Thanks Diary of a Mad Crafter. That is actually a pic from my last pregnancy, I'm not quite that big yet but I'm getting there. I suck with temptation, It cannot exist in my world!

[Emma]

sounds pretty good. I have gestational diabetes with my third, had to have a very strict eating plan and did loose weight during the pregnancy. I hear great things with this program, maybe its time I had a good look at it.

[Monica]

I really wish i'd been more careful about my weight gain with Mia. I've almost lost it all but my shape is just not the same & those damn stretch marks! I will never forget how slow & uncomfortable i was by the end, i even had a fellow commuter push me up the stairs on my way to work as i was too slow & i could only just get my beloved havianas on my enormous feet. I love Michelle Bridges, i had no idea she had a 12 week plan for preggy's & booby feeders, i must check it out. Good luck!

[Megan]

I am doing Michelle's Pregnancy & Breastfeeding body transformation as well. I did round 2 last year and had great results and have been studying my cert 3 fitness. Well as it turns out I got a little surprise a few months back and I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with baby #5. My thoughts were exactly the same as yours that I put on so much weight with previous pregnancies that this time I am determined not to put on as much. Dont know about you but I have copped alot of flack about doing the 12wbt this time as I am pregnant & I am going to put on weight and should not be dieting. Well it is not a diet as such but a fantastic way to follow a terrific meal plan and safe exercises for pregnancy that will help to ensure I dont put on too much weight. I want to be pregnant...not fat. Good luck with your journey I am glad I found your blog, it will be great to have someone else going through the same thing. :)

[Anita silk]

Good for you. You are an inspiration to pregnant women everywhere . And you look absolutely radiant . I have a 4 mth old girl and did pointe work till the 6 mth mark so don't worry about what others say. You are doing the right thing by keeping active and listening to your body.
Look forward to reading more of your blogs. And seeing pics of you and your new babe.

[Monique Helliwell]

Hi I am currently 26 weeks and like you got huge (22kg) with my previous pregnancies. With this baby being the third I didn't want to end up that big again as I doubt I will find the time and energy to exercise to get it off.
I am also doing the 12wbt Pregnancy and Breastffeding Program and it is awesome. I feel great about myself (even if it is only week 2) and what makes me even happier is I know my baby is getting loaded with clean healthy food instead of junk.
I look froward to reading your blog and hearing of your little bundles safe arrival

[Leanne]

I have been thinking that I wanted to Di Michelle's 12 week challenge after having bubs no 2 but wasn't sure if it would work with breastfeeding so it's great to see that there is a plan for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Thanks for sharing your story!!