Aloha!! We are in Hawaii for a week with 2 of our dear friends – Claire and Oli. We 
booked this last year – before we knew we were pregnant and I’m so glad we did. It was perfect timing – 17 weeks pregnant, so much more energy and no more morning sickness. I can’t image going anywhere overseas mid first trimester – feeling so awful. We are staying at the Modern – which is amazing. The rooms are great, the pools amazing, the restaurant yummy and the staff have been great. I mentioned to the concierge while making our dinner reservation that I was pregnant and next minute the assistant general manager has sent up a lovely treat with a gorgeous note. It’s the little things like this that make you feel so special.
Hawaii is such a great spot to come to as well while pregnant. No language barriers, western food and loads to see, do, explore and lots of good food places. Yesterday we hired a car – a Mustang V8 Convertible WOOHOO and drove up to the North Shore. It was a great day – we stopped at the Dole Plantation where they grow all the pineapples. Claire and I conquered the maze in record time 😉 Then we stopped in Hale’iwa for lunch. Chris and I found a gorgeous little baby shop, The Growing Keiki and couldn’t resist buying a little hand painted organic cotton onsie with a Pineapple on the front by Little Dew Drops for our little Sprog.
I gave myself 3 days off the gym or any training when we arrived. I started to feel a little fluey after the flight anyway so it seemed like a good time to give my body a little rest. It’s super important to let your body rejuvenate – and I’m not going to lie – that first day back feels amazing and I’m always pumped to get back into it.
This morning was my first work out back – and Claire joined me. When I used to live in Canberra we used to train together all the time – it was our thing – so it was awesome to be able to do a session with her. WOW she has come so far – and it was even more evident as my work outs are so modified now. It’s so great to see people persist at something and see the improvements. I remember when Claire first started training 9 years ago and could hardly squat 10kgs – now she’s squatting 75kg and bicep curling more than me. Persistence and resilience are two qualities I cherish in myself and in other people. Reaching your goals – big or small takes a whole lot of persistence. People today – especially young people are so used to having everything now and instantaneously – but unfortunately for them some things take time, patience and grunt. Hitting road blocks on the way is part of the journey and what differentiates those who really want some thing to those who don’t is whether they get back up and keep going or just give up. Resilience not only builds character but it’s what drives us for more. For me – if I hit a road block – I don’t stop and think – oh well it’s done now. I think – ah shit – ok how else can I get there or what else can I do. Pushing through those hard and tough times is what makes us stronger and oh my god does it feel better and more rewarding at the end when you’ve achieved something. I’m so proud of where Claire is with her training. In 2 weeks she’ll be doing her first half marathon as well which is amazing. 3 years ago she would never have thought she could conquer something like that – she’d come for runs with me and continue to push through – 3km, 4km, 7km but always had it in her head that there’s no way should could run 21km. She’s super ready and pumped and she’s going to smash it. I only wish I could run with her – but hey – there’s always next year.
So – what became a little evident here in Hawaii is I reckon my little 17 week belly has started popping out – YAY. I can also feel her wriggling around in there which is so cool – my boobs however (yes those things) continue to get bigger and bigger. After a gorgeous break 
at Bill’s (highly recommended – the granola is next level) a well needed trip to Victoria’s Secret was in order. I had the most amazing assistant helping me in there too – Bree was her name. She was perfect – understood my situation and recommended the best products, sized me up properly. Huge shout out to my gorgeous man though – an hour and fifteen minutes in the boyfriend chair – what a champion. I was really struggling to find some good bigger bras in Aus – I’m so used to VS that I was so excited to remember we were going to the US on this trip.
4 more nights – if only it was more –
Mahalo
Love and Life
the Figure x