Welcome back to reality. That’s exactly what Thursday and Friday were like. I started my new role which meant back in to a routine. I had to make sure not only could I fit in my work outs, organise my meals but that I was getting enough sleep. I’m a big believer in sleep. A couple of years ago I went through a stage when I really struggled to sleep – I was so stressed, I let every little thing worry me, I was overly cautious and careful and I just couldn’t let my body relax at night. I would end up falling asleep around 2am – to have my alarm go off at 5am – so 3 hours sleep. I kept this up for about 4 months until I totally crashed. I ended up in tears all the time, having anxiety attacks and not a happy chappy – to the point where I had to go on medication – not a great outcome. Anyway – more about that later – when you sleep is when your body repairs itself – its basically when all the good shit happens. It helps concentration, memory, help immune function – so you wont’ get sick, and the one you’re all waiting for metabolism. Not only that it makes sure you’re refreshed and rejuvenated for the next day – and let’s be honest is so bloody lovely. So on Wednesday night I climbed in to bed around 9:30pm to make sure when my 5:30am alarm went off to hit the gym I’d had a full 8 hours. This is the thing about routine though right – it takes time to get in to one….and having been on holidays and not working for 2.5 months – do you think my body wanted to go to sleep at 9:30 – that would be a no. Not only was I not physically tired enough and not used to going to bed that early – but my brain was going 100 miles an hour thinking of all the things my new job was going to bring. I think I fell asleep around 1am – so when my alarm went off – it took extra energy to get out of bed. I knew as soon as I was in the gym those endorphins would kick in and I’d gain some of that energy back.
As the day went on – I definitely noticed the lack of sleep from the night before – concentration starts to wonder and as soon as I got home the last thing I felt like doing was cooking. All I wanted to do to be honest was have a huge glass of wine and hit the sack. 2 things stopped me from doing this – number 1 – remember I’m pregnant so there goes the wine, and number 2. Chris had just come home from having a full knee construction. Welcome – nurse Danni in the evenings. So I still had to cook and help him out – which is totally fine I just wish I wasn’t so bloody tired. I guess this is preparing me for having our baby ;). I managed to fall asleep nice and easily Thursday night – and Friday was going to be my rest day from the gym – also hugely important – so hopefully my body starts getting in to this routine pretty quick.
After returning to the gym last week after so much time off my body was really feeling it by Thursday after 4 straight days. Friday needed to be my rest day – otherwise my muscles wouldn’t repair and this is when you are more susceptible to injury. 1-2 rest days are important and not every work out day needs to be your full hour in the gym either. On a Saturday you might want to ride down to the shop or ride to breaky- Chris and I love doing this…pre knee surgery. Or maybe you want to walk to the park and do some resistant training with you bands. Thinking outside the square will make sure you are kept interested, get you out of the house and stop you having to drive everywhere.
It’s Saturday and this morning we had our first scan of our little sprog. All is looking good and it all became a little more real seeing it’s little heart beat on the screen. I had this weird feeling it could be twins – Chris has quite a few sets on his side and I’d been feeling so bloated I had it in my head. Well it’s not – just one little healthy one due 6th September. My skin continues to be bad – I’m not sure about this whole “pregnancy glow” people talk about – I’m more like a pregnancy mine field. Not much else to report on in the pregnancy world at the moment – I’m sure things will start to get more exciting in the weeks to come. At this stage I’m still eating my usual, exercising as usually – not lifting anything heavier than what I have previously though, and working. I believe that if it feels ok and right then it probably is. At this stage there’s no need to eat any more calories – the whole “eating for 2” well it’s not quite 2 adults now is it – and this is where a lot of women start to gain weight. When I get to the 2nd trimester I will add about 100 -200 calories a day but until then – I will keep doing what I’m doing – nourishing my body and my baby with good healthy food (and chocolate of course) and working out.
On that note – my lasagne is bubbling away so time for a stir (for a treat – have a look in recipes)
Love and life
the Figure x Danni
