4 Months Postpartum Update

4 Months Postpartum 

So this is just a really quick postpartum update! I am not dieting, just eating how I normally do, choosing healthy options but still eating pastas and carb-y things like that. I have tried cutting out those things before, but I just ended up with a decreased milk supply and felt hungry all the time. Breastfeeding is no joke...you turn into this like starving crazy person. We have started Elba on some oatmeal cereal. I gave it to her for the second time yesterday and she really seemed to like it. I think once she starts up on more solids I can start weaning her a little bit so I can have a little more time during the day to do anything instead of needing to pump or breastfeed a million times a day. Don't get me wrong, I love that I was able to breastfeed, some moms don't get that bonding experience and I am so grateful that I stuck with it through the mastitis. It is a learning curve for both baby and mom, but once you get the hang of it you really enjoy those times where it is just you and babe. However, I can't wait to get like 3 hours of my day back that is often spent pumping. I have no food in my freezer...it is filled with stored bags of milk so she will be set for the next 20 years. 

As for the way my body is looking and feeling...I am definitely seeing more progress and I think I will see more progress when I don't have to sit and feed her all of the time. Once she is more mobile and getting around on her own...I know I am going to miss hanging out on the couch and just spending time with her. I am still wider and still thicker through my hip area which I don't like, but like everyone says, it took you 9 months to grow a baby give yourself 9 months to get back to where you were. I think I am within like 3 pounds or something of where I was when I got pregnant, but it isn't the same weight distribution. I was leaner and more muscular before getting pregnant and weighed close to what I do now. I am still hanging onto some fat which is expected with breastfeeding so I am just being patient and working out when I can and choosing healthy options. I can't wait to get my diet back on track though. I usually prefer a lot of veggies in my diet, but she gets gassy with most vegetables...I have tried everything and she just has a sensitive tummy with a lot of the veggies I usually eat so for now just trying to maintain a well balanced diet, but not driving myself crazy about it!

Let me know if any of you guys are on a postpartum fitness journey! We can motivate each other! I would love to hear about how everyone is doing with their postpartum experience! Feel free to chat with me below...always love to hear from you.

XO Sydney

3 Months Postpartum Update

3 Months Postpartum

So here is a quick little update for myself and for everyone else if you were interested. I love looking at other mom's postpartum updates because we all come in different shapes and sizes and it is always motivating to see where everyone else is at with their postpartum fitness journey. We can all motivate each other and support each other. 

I am slowly starting to see my obliques come back so that has been exciting! My most difficult area without a doubt has been my lower abs...which is expected. Your uterus doesn't even completely go back down to normal size for like 2 months after giving birth so I am not too hung up on my lower abs right now. I am working them out as best I can and just trying my best to remind myself it will take time. Another tough area for me right now are my hips, also expected. They are still wider than they were before birth, but they expand when you are pregnant so I am slowly waiting for the last bit of weight to come off of my hips and for my hips to go back down to size, but that can take a year or never go back down so we will see! So far my abs have come back together for the most part, when I push on my belly button I can still feel a bit of separation so again, that will take a bit more time.

My linea nigra (dark brown line running up to belly button) is still somewhat there, it didn't get too bad during pregnancy so there isn't much of it left to fade anyways. I am still hanging on to a little bit of weight to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but those pounds will likely stick around until I am done breastfeeding. I have about 6 pounds or something to get back to pre-preggo weight...I did put on about 10 lbs over the course of 6 months in order to get pregnant in the first place. I did gain the normal amount of weight during pregnancy, but because I was put on bed rest my workouts had to be haulted...so I am much softer and way less toned than I would like to be right now. 

I am seeing progress though! The human body is amazing. 

If you guys wanna keep following along with my postpartum fitness journey or enjoy reading my posts please subscribe with your email over on the right hand side of my page! I have been receiving a few emails from people who follow me through pinterest and through instagram, but I would love to get to know my fellow blog readers:)

XO Sydney 

Snippets From the Last Week or So

Here are just a few pictures from the last week and a half or so....just some fitness, food, and random ones.

Fitness: These are just a few of the workout results from the past week or so, it is more for my benefit having them on here so I can look back and see where I was at during a certain time in my pregnancy.

Food and Yummies: Here are a couple random shots of some yummy food we have made, eaten, and bought over the last week or so. In no particular order...

Coffee date with my man!

These kabobs were so good! I am going to be putting the recipe on here soon. They were amazing and super easy to make!

Smoothies for lunch!

I was really craving an iced coffee and so Zack made sure it happened ;)

Breakfast!

We weren't to hungry one night so we decided to get Banzai Bowls for dinner. SO good, they are amazing.

Random Ones: A few random pictures from the last week or so...

I have been burnt out on the scent of my homemade cocoa butter stretch mark cream so I made a mango coconut one and it smells amazing. Zack loves the smell too and it has definitely been a nice break from the chocolatey scent I have been using for the past 6 months! It goes on so smoothly and sinks into the skin right away. I love it!

Snuggling up with my giant polar bear cuddle bug.

Date night for Zack and I :) 

So these pictures are kinda for myself to see what I was up to during a certain time in my pregnancy. It will be interesting to look back and see what we did and be able to tell our little girl everything we did while she was cooking in there!

xoxo Sydney 

Get Fit Like Fido!

I've collaborated up with DogVacay, an online dog boarding community, to talk a little bit about staying fit and healthy and some tips and fun workout ideas to incorporate into your workout schedule or to just mix up your daily routine!

As I mention in just about every blog post...I love my pup, Oak, and I constantly work out with him.  Having a healthy and fit dog has been beneficial to myself, especially during this pregnancy because it helps motivate me to get out there and stay active. However, I do love circuit workouts and although my circuit workouts have been more sparse since being pregnant I do love to incorporate them into my workout schedule when I can. 

DogVacay came to me with this cute idea to share with all of my readers. They teamed up with Certified Fitness Trainer & Registered Yoga Instructor & dog-lover, Julia Chan to create a workout that benefits both yourself and your loving pup!

Below I have included the DogVacay's Get Fit Like Fido circuit workout for you and pup! I am a fan of circuit workouts myself.  I love circuits that incorporate squats, jump squats, burpees, push-ups, lunges and more for that all-over body workout. You will be sore everywhere after a circuit workout, but it is the best kind of workout in my opinion and also often the quickest! It is important to warm-up and cool down with any workout...even this one below.  Maybe just take the doggy friend on a walk around the block first to loosen up those muscles and get some blood flowing, that's my favorite warm-up at least. I am always ready for a circuit workout after I go on a walk with my dog. The time frame can range to fit your schedule too. You can warm-up and get your heart rate pumping or do a lighter walk and get some stretching time in too. Cooling down is just as important and the circuit workout provided by DogVacay's Fit Like Fido has a few ideas for you! Some of these moves include some yoga positions for those yogis out there. I know I will be making use of the yoga positions with being pregnant to strengthen my muscles instead of overworking my body on a daily basis. 

Anyways, I thought this was a really cute idea that was brought to me and I thought I had to share it with you guys! Even if you don't have a dog and you are one of my readers that loves to work out it might be fun to just try the circuit anyways, maybe it will help you get out of a workout rut. Circuit training always gives me more energy, however, I can't say the same for your dog. Your puppy will likely be ready to pass out for the day. 

Save this image to your phone, your computer or wherever and you have it with you on the go!

XOXO

Sydney 

14 Weeks Pregnant Update and Catch-Up

We are finally settled up here and everything in San Diego has been handled.  Zack will be driving back and forth to work for the next week, but then he starts his new job up here the following week. Things have been so busy and scattered that for my 14 week picture I also have some less than perfect mirror pictures after waking up in the morning. I will be posting the proper picture for the 15 week update this week also. I am behind on my posts so I am just going to bombard you guys with a bunch of posts within the next few days!

So here is the 14 week belly shot in my extremely attractive pajamas. We have still yet to unpack everything and I am having to take these in the mirror in my Dad's living room. Zack and I are staying in one of the extra rooms here at the beach while we continue the house search.  Like I said, I have the chalkboard and will be back to doing chalkboard updates for my 15 week update! Yay!

How far along: I am 14 weeks and I believe 6 days pregnant in these pictures...waited til the end again...

Symptoms: I have stopped throwing up, but I am having headaches and really bad lower back pain randomly, near my tailbone. My boobs hurt, but they are slowly feeling a little less painful.

Cravings:  I haven't been having any cravings at all. If someone mentions something for dinner or lunch that sounds good I will get excited haha, but no real cravings on my own which is nice. Still craving meat every so often. I think my body is just demanding protein right now.

Aversions: I don't really have any aversions this week either. I can't think of anything. I am finally feeling like myself again, yayy!

Wedding rings: On

Sleep: I didn't take any naps for week 14, I did start crying when it got late at night and I wasn't asleep yet but that was because we had been moving and cleaning all day, but apparently I was emotional and wanted to sleep. I felt like a toddler haha.

Excited for: Confirming the gender of our baby :)

Missing: Feeling comfortable in a bikini haha, I am still in the awkward phase of pregnancy where it is debatable on whether I am fat or pregnant. I am missing fitting into all of my old clothes comfortably and without having to try on a million things that only barely look acceptable for public. I have been living in workout clothes. 

 
Movement: None

Dr. update: We see him soon to confirm the gender, but the gender isn't a secret amongst our family we have only told a few close friends too, so we will see if the gender is different or if it stayed the same!

Exercise: Still exercising daily! Long walks and walking the dog to keep my baby and myself healthy! 

Moving on to Catch-Up

This is hopefully the last time I will have to combine two posts like this. Things are finally settling down and we are getting used to the adjustment and all of that so let's hope for the best! 

 Here are some things we have been doing, in no particular order. Just a few things that we have been doing in the past week! 

It includes mine and Zack's birthday celebrations (4 days apart from each other) and random pictures from throughout the week!

For my birthday we all went out with my family to Sundried Tomato in San Clemente and because for some reason I crave meat this pregnancy I ordered a steak....which I NEVER EVER do. We had a low key dinner, celebrated and then went on back to my Dad's to fall fast asleep because Zack had work the next day.

This was before we had gotten ready to go out for dinner, Zack surprised me with some gorgeous flowers including my favorite, gerber daisies :)

Here is another shot before we went out to dinner, lovin on my man ;)

On a different day (they have all become the same day now in the hectic process of moving), couldn't tell you which day haha, but Zack found a precious little bird learning how to fly in my Mom's backyard. It's mom was having a heart attack chirping up a storm as Zack held it so we put it back on the edge of the fence and it continued practicing how to fly. The little bird couldn't get itself off the ground so it needed an extra little help from Zack haha. BIRD WHISPERER. 

Apparently I am not feeling photogenic at 5:30 AM, this past Saturday (hey there's a day I know...only because it was ZACKS BIRTHDAY) I woke up early to take Oak on a beach trail walk because we live two steps away from the trail and I wanted to get on it before the 7 AM dog walkers. Zack ended up waking up and going on one with me, only he cheated and took the beach cruiser bike instead.

Nice and blurry, but also a nice and empty parking lot. No walkers this early:)

Hey I guess I am having pregnancy cravings because this is all I seem to want. I keep craving really cold teas and slightly sweetened drinks. I think it helps keep my blood sugar up without having to eat around the clock. I feel like I need to come with instructions...feed every 2-3 hours or else it will begin getting really mean and emotional. So Zack and I went to Lavender Lounge and I got a Decaf Strawberry Tea with Strawberry Choobies and he got a Sweetened Black Tea with Lychee Choobies....and yes we went back for refills and then I had to pee every 5 minutes for 2 hours straight. Worth it. 

We took Buddha, one of my mom's golden retrievers (one of our family dogs) that I grew up with on a hike with Oak. It was pretty hot out so we didn't stay out there for too long (and I had to pee, as always), but it was good exercise and it is always nice to do cardio outdoors rather than on a machine. 

My brother had his prom this past Saturday. So this is just a picture of my brother and his girlfriend taking pictures before prom. 

Zack and I then rushed back to his house which was only a few minutes from the picture location to head out with his family to his birthday dinner. Our birthdays' are only a 4 days apart from one another so that's always kind of fun. For Zack's birthday he was really craving Buffalo Wild Wings, so we went there to celebrate!

Just a  picture of Oak on Zack's parents porch which I posted on Instagram already, so if you follow me on there then you have already seen this adorable little face ;)

What We Have Been Eating

Here are just a few pictures of what we have been eating. Morning sickness edition. I haven't been able to stomach anything that wasn't carbs for the past week. This week it is definitely easing up and I am slowly re-introducing veggies back into my diet, pathetic I know haha.

So in no particular order, here are a few meals from the past week or so...

Cantaloupe makes a yummy snack and it wasn't so overwhelming that it didn't upset my stomach, we split it in half and Zack and I each ate a half. 

Because I seem to hate cooking for myself these past two weeks, this is just my favorite GF Amy's Mexican Food dish that I had for lunch one day.

For dessert this past week I blended up strawberries and mangos and left it pretty chunky using the lowest setting on my Vitamix. The fruit was frozen so it was like a chunky fruit bowl with sprinkled granola on top.

For breakfast this past weekend I made scrambled eggs and we had a left over potato and onion that needed using so I made potatoes with onion and topped it off with a side of avocado. After this meal I felt my morning sickness kick in and now I can't stand avocados unless they're in the form of guacamole. I can't explain it...it just is. 

For a night where we had no clue what we were going to make I boiled up some brown rice spaghetti and heated up some spaghetti sauce in a pan with a habanero chicken sausage from aidells.  

There is nothing glamorous about this dinner. Yeah, that is a full on huge plate of ranch. We even got so classy as to leave the pizza on the cutting board to minimize dishes. We were that lazy. This is an oven cheese pizza from Amy's...we went as far as to add our own pepperoni. Not my proudest moment this week, but it happened and it was carbs and it was all my body was able to handle. 

We made our typical tacos another night, I was able to eat two. Normally I can eat three small ones if I am really hungry, but I could only get 2 down barely. I didn't have a big lunch that day so I knew I needed to eat so I ate both of them. It is just ground turkey meat with McCormick Taco Seasoning "Hot", pico pica hot sauce, sour cream, homemade guacamole, cheddar cheese. The guacamole has lime, onion, and cilantro in it already to make them easier to eat and not have ingredients fall out everywhere. 

Another lazy night...I am sensing a pattern here. We actually did not have tacos back to back nights but these pictures are in here randomly. We always have left over taco meat so when we didn't know what to make one night for dinner (aka when I couldn't make a decision on what I wanted) Zack suggested we use the leftover. So we used the leftover taco meet and made "fresh" tacos with tons of tomatoes and cilantro and no avocado, no sour cream, nothing. Just the taco meat, some tomatoes, lots of cilantro, and some cheese sprinkled. 

Apparently I really wanted a "brothy" soup this past week and so I made our chicken soup without any parsley and with minimal ingredients. There are other posts including this soup that says everything that is included in it. 

And a lunch time snack, the other day lunch sounded disgusting so I made myself a strawberry smoothie before I went back to my Physical Chemistry class that is in the afternoon. Once I got to class I regretted it, because there are only 6 people in the class total and I think every single person could hear my stomach growling. Distracting....

What have you guys been eating lately?

Have a great Tuesday evening!

-Sydney- 

Phone Pictures & Foodie Things

Here are just a few meals that we have eaten over the past few days/week randomly chosen from my phone, as always they are all gluten-free!

Meat Loaf, Fried Zucchini, and a Salad 

Homemade Tortilla Soup topped off with some Cheese, Sour Cream, and Crunched Tortilla Chips

Zack made some Butternut Squash this past Sunday

My favorite "Ice Cream" Mango Sorbet in the Vitamix!

Yesterday Zack and I were craving Sees Candies, I do NOT usually like chocolate, the only time I will eat it is when it's peanutbutter or mint chocolate. So....I caved and got the yummy peanut butter chocolate and the dark mint chocolate patty. 

And....I also got the exception chocolate, sometimes I crave the keylime pie chocolate, it's probably because it is sour haha, so that was eaten too...Zack got carmel, butterscotch, and the bordeaux!

Nighttime cuddles with the puppy love...

I was out of class in the late afternoon yesterday, so when I got home we went straight to Ulta, then to Sees Candies, then to Ralphs for a small grocery trip for fruits and veggies. We ate the meat loaf, zucchini, and salad...watched some Dexter on Netflix and took puppy love on a walk. That was basically our whole night!

How was everyones Monday?

-Sydney-