Being Fit, Fab & Pregnant: Nothing to Fear

When I was pregnant with Olivia, I was far from being fit. I was barely 3 months post back surgery, and had just finished physical therapy. I wasn't even close to having a regular workout routine, and was now on a journey of weight gain on top of a weak core and healing low back. I had fairly constant low back pain throughout the pregnancy, which made it even more difficult to exercise. Nine months later, I ended up gaining 50+ pounds!

Fast forward to the present...I worked hard on my fitness transformation from October - January, and continued twice a week personal training and healthier eating habits. I FELT GOOD. I set new goals for myself, and even planned on getting on stage for my first figure show. When we found out we were having our second little one, I was honestly scared. It wasn't because we were going to have 2 kids, but moreso because I knew my body was going to change again - and it actually frightened me. I thought about the 50 pounds I had gained with Olivia, and I thought about all the hard work I had put in to losing that weight. Some of the negativity I received during my initial transformation was really all that was going through my mind. It's like I knew these same people would be happy that I would be gaining weight again. But then it hit me...I am so much more fit than I was last time, so what am I so afraid of?!

My good friend, and personal trainer, revamped my meal plans to allow for my growing energy needs. We kept our twice a week strength training schedule, and I just listened to my body when it came to cardio. The first trimester was very exhausting; so much of my time that I usually spent on the elliptical, was spent sleeping. Nonetheless, I stayed strong. I finished a 52-floor stair climb (a total of 1, 197 steps) on March 31st, and have managed to still keep up with my group workouts at the gym - and this is on top of chasing an almost 1 year old around, and working 50 hour weeks.

I am now 15 weeks pregnant, and still weigh less than my first pre-pregnancy weight - fabulous, right?! Some folks who don't even know that I'm pregnant are actually complimenting me on my weight loss...FANTASTIC! I have the energy to keep up with my Olivia, my patients, and my exercise routine. I no longer fear my changing body, because I know now that I am in control. I treat myself every once in a while, but have overall maintained healthy eating habits. I've got lean muscle mass that burns 3x more calories than fat by JUST EXISTING.

So what are you all waiting for?! No, no, no, I'm not pushing you to be pregnant - I'm challenging you to be the fittest you can be TODAY. No excuses, because my pregnancy sure isn't one. You are the one in control, and you have nothing to fear.

<3,
Fit Mama Jaye

What Are You Snacking On?!

Since I posted my fitness transformation photos, many of you have asked me what my meal plan involved. I did have a previous post with some breakfast ideas, so now I'm going to focus on everyone's favorite: SNACKS!

We all love to snack - when we're stressed, when we're just hangin' out by the food spread at a party, or at our desks at work. Snacks are great! They keep our bodies fueled until our next meal. It's the type and quanity that truly count, and if you steer in the wrong direction, these snacks can work against you. There were 3 main snacks that were included in my meal plan, and that I'll be sharing with all of you. Enjoy!


GREEK YOGURT
High in protein and low in fat, when compared to regular yogurts. My favorite brand is Chobani, and they have a variety of flavors.

EZEKIAL/SPROUTED BREAD
This is flourless bread, so it is low on the glycemic index. I paired a slice with my omelettes in the morning, or with my greek yogurt for a snack. Cinnamon raisin is my favorite!! Try it with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

PROTEIN PANCAKES
Oh, the infamous protein pancakes. These saved me day after day when I would have long hours in the operating room. They provided sustainable energy, with minimal sugar content, compared to your average protein bar. Here's the recipe:

2 egg whites
1/2 cup instant oats
1 scoop of any flavor whey protein powder
water to the consistency you desire

Just cook them up like pancakes over the stove, and store them. Trust me, you'll thank me for this one!

I hope you are all staying on track with your goals for 2012. Stay focused, stay motivated, and work towards the best shape of your life!!

My 12-Week Fitness Tranformation Revealed!

Just 12 weeks ago, I embarked on a fitness journey, unsure if I would reach my goals, avoid re-injury, or even enjoy it. I left all of my favorite processed foods behind (can I get an 'I love SPAM', anyone?!), and only ate pre-measured, pre-cooked, unprocessed foods. It was a well-calculated nutrition plan provided by my personal trainer. I went from minimal cardio during the week, to 4 days of cardio consistently, with hour-long strength sessions on 2 of those days. This new mom was on a mission.


I went in for my first strength session, which was preceded by a weigh-in and some "before" pictures...in nothing but a pair of shorts and a sports bra! I took one look at those pictures and felt sad, embarrassed and just the complete opposite of anything close to sexy. Reality hit hard. I was 6 months post pregnancy, and I still didn't fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, and shamefully continued to use my maternity slacks, until I just hid under bigger scrubs. My self-confidence was at it's lowest.

START OF PROGRAM: 164.4 POUNDS

That first session went well. I was undoubtedly weak, but it felt good to get some work in without my back or my shoulder screaming for mercy. In my first week on the nutrition plan and regular exercise, I lost 7 pounds. Think about it - there are 3500 calories in just 1 pound of fat. Cleaning up my diet, portioning my food and moving my butt resulted in a 24,500 calorie deficit! Indeed, 7 pounds is hardly noticeable, but it was a start, a great start. And the pounds just kept coming off.


The weight loss and strength gain were fantastic motivators to keep going. I unfortunately came across folks who outwardly doubted the program, asking if it was 'safe' or if I was 'eating enough'. Believe this - I would NEVER do anything to my own body that wasn't safe or deprived me of my health or well-being, especially now that I am a mother. I felt anger at the very thought that I was perceived as putting myself at such a risk. Taking multiple deep, slow breaths, I used this frustration as MORE motivation to prove just the opposite: I was on a journey to better myself, to put myself in the BEST possible place to provide for my new family.


At 6 weeks, I had shed 16 pounds of fat, and I was back into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I was getting stronger with each session and had energy, lots of energy. I found my routine, dedicated myself to those early morning cardio sessions, and started this blog. At 10 weeks, I had already lost a total of 24 pounds, and am now 1 size smaller than I was before pregnancy. People actually began to notice, and I felt more confident, healthier and happier.

6 WEEKS: 148.8 POUNDS

As the 12 weeks came to a close, I prepared myself for my final transformation pictures - same pair of shorts and same sports bra. This time, I was excited to put them on and stand in front of that camera. 3 months out of my life and I've changed my relationship with food, developed healthier eating and exercise habits and even managed to inspire a friend or two to start their own journey. And trust me, I'm not stopping here. My journey has just begun. Has yours?

12 WEEKS: 134.4 POUNDS

<3, Fit Mama Jaye