Hard Work Pays Off

As the big day approaches, I'm constantly reminding myself of the words above. I've heard over and over again, "it's going to be the worst pain you'll ever experience," or "I don't wish that pain on anyone," or "just hope it's a quick one!" Of course, they're always followed up with, "but don't worry, it'll all be worth it." Well, by the time I heard the warnings I'm already freaking out, and the last encouraging words carry way less meaning. I have learned to take some advice with a grain of salt, because trust me, I get a lot of it!

To build my confidence and strength, there are a few things I have maintained throughout my pregnancy;

• Yoga- Pre-pregnancy, I used to attend a hot yoga sculpting class. So, I took this exercise down a notch, and started attending a yoga class, more focused around balance, flexibility, and strength. There are so many benefits to pre-natal yoga! Not only does it relieve stress, which in turn improves sleep, it also decreases back pain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These are symptoms I have not come across throughout my pregnancy. Until recently, I have slept very well, zero increase in my stress levels, and my back pain is at a minimum. It's only recent, as I approach my due date, that sleeping has become a struggle, and I'm experiencing some pain in my pelvic region. I am however, free and clear of pregnancy diabetes, and my blood pressure is normal.
• Running during the first and second trimesters- This is only recommended if you were a runner pre-pregnancy, and my doctor cleared me to run. A precaution I took was to keep my heart rate around 140, as directed by my doctor. I did go above 150 a couple times in my first trimester, but quickly worked to get it back down to the recommended rate. Running was a quick way to give my body and heart a boost when I felt tired or stressed. Some people run throughout their entire pregnancy, and I do admire those people! But everyone's body and pregnancy is different, so you really have to listen to your body and of course your doctor.
• Indoor Cycling during the third trimester- As my pelvis started widening and preparing for birth, running started to put more stress on my hips. My solution to continue cardio exercise...indoor cycling. This has been such a great work out for me during these last months of pregnancy! Not only does it relieve stress on my joints, but I'm able to really work up a sweat and go for at least 30 minutes non-stop. Benefits include; controlled weight gain (I've gained 33 lbs so far, at week 37), less fatigue, and a shorter labor.
• Walking- Once I couldn't run anymore, I don't only cycle, I also continue to go for walks with Stefan and the dogs whenever I can. Since I have a lot of discomfort in my hips, the longer I walk, the more pelvic pain I experience. So I really walk for as long as I think I can handle. The benefits of walking increases blood circulation, eases joints and muscles, and helps the baby move in to position.

Pregnancy has been quit the journey so far. I have had many ups and a few downs, but overall, I truly believe exercise has been what keeps me sane. So far, I haven't experienced any pregnancy cravings, or over the top moodiness. There have been moments of unexplained tears here and there, but I'm always trying to stay in tune and in control of my emotions as much as I can. I can honestly say, I have been very happy throughout my pregnancy, and have had many uncontrollable, peeing-my-pants kind of laughs!! Which Stefan can contest to ;) 

The words below hold so much truth! For the past 8 months, even in the most quiet times, I have never felt alone. I know my little girl is always here with me, and she always finds ways to remind me she is here :) She solely relies on me to keep her safe and healthy, a job I do not take for granted. The day I get to hold her in my arms, is already the best day of my life.

Guess What...

I'm pregnant!...Yes, I was as surprised as you probably are, but it's honestly the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
For you experienced pregnant women, I'm in my 18th week today, and for everyone else, I'm in my 5th month.
We found out last week, we are having a little girl. Her name will not be disclosed until her arrival, so you'll have to wait ;)
Since I found out I'm pregnant, these last couple of months have been a roller coaster. Between the hormones, morning sickness, my ever-changing body, managing pregnancy brain, and doctor's visits to ensure our little girl is healthy, I'm finally settling in. The first 3 months were pretty brutal...I don't think I went one day without taking a nap or at least laying down once during the day. Some mornings I would wake up feeling just fine, and others, I felt like I would never get out of bed. Since I work a full time job, you can only imagine how hard it was, and still is, for me to get out of bed in time to get ready for work. I have learned to always carry a plastic bag in my car, as I've had to resort my make-up bag (don't worry I emptied the make-up out), and left over napkins to throw up in on my drive to work. Other times, I'd be in the bathroom at work dry-heaving as quietly as possible trying not to gross out anyone in the stall next to me. I know, I'm probably grossing you out right now, but I think you get the idea.
As far as my work out routine, I'm no super women, and have taken a week off here and there due to lack of energy. Besides that, I'm now taking a 1 1/2 hour yoga class once a week, running with my boyfriend and the dogs another night, and the other 2-3 nights attempt gym time. When I say attempt, I always bring my work out clothes to work, and depending on how I'm feeling by the time work is over, I'll head to the gym. I have also recently picked up tennis again, and can't wait to start going more often. As you know, tennis is a non-contact sport, so I can head to the courts with my boyfriend and get in a great work out! Not only is it a good sweat, but it's fun!!
I wanted to share a couple photos from a beautiful 4.5 mile hike my boyfriend and I did in Malibu on New Years Eve (another great pregnancy work out ;-)).

Hope everyone had a fun and safe New Years Eve, and very happy New Year to all of you!! :)

Cheers to Being Fit N Gorgeous

Changing Things Up

This blog is mainly about fitness and healthy eating. For this post, I'm going to change things up slightly. There are a few pictures that I want to share with my audience.
As most of your know, I have 2 dogs; Belle and Bubba.

BELLE- Great Dane

BUBBA- Pomeranian

Just recently, Belle's spirit was sent to doggy heaven. I have grown up with horses and dogs my entire life, and after having lost a horse, and several dogs throughout the past 27 years, this was still the hardest thing I've ever had to endure.
The day I went to look at the litter of puppies, Bubba was already in my life, and I wanted to find him a friend...a very large friend! ;) I was living on my own and wanted another partner to share my love for hiking, running, walks on the beach, trips to the park, and snuggling on the couch in front of a good movie with.
When I approached the litter of black Great Dane puppies, one in particular stood out to me. She was, of course, the runt of the litter. I'm always attracted to the imperfections, because all I want to do is give them a good home. I stood there holding her, while she buried her nose in my neck, almost as if she needed me more than I needed her. Instantly, I fell in love!
A few days later I went to pick her up. I took Bubba this time, so he could meet his sister. It was about an hour drive home, and she sat in my lap the whole way. When I pulled up to her new home, I realized I forgot to buy a collar and leash. So I took her for a little walk around my complex, weary of her wondering off. Much to my surprise, she was on my heels throughout our entire walk. A few times, she would get distracted and trip over my feet! It didn't take me long to realize her clumsy disposition, and it was the cutest and most entertaining personality trait about her.
The last time I ran outside (not on the treadmill), she was by my side. I think it's part of the reason why I've resorted to the treadmill. One of the many memories I'll have to push through.

Here's my final words for Belle: "You will always be in my heart. Not a day goes by that I do not think about you and all the love and loyalty that you gave me. You are irreplaceable, a true love in my life. Thank you for all that you have taught me and making me a better person. You have brought pure joy and happiness in my life. I love you."

Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do the day I lose Bubba! Luckily, I will have him in my life for several more years to come.
A special thanks to my mom and dad for being here and supporting me through all of this. Love you both.

A quote from one of my favorite movies/books:

Cheers to Being Fit N' Gorgeous

Healthy Spin on Deviled Eggs

So I tried this recipe about 2 months ago, and am thinking about making it again for everyone at work tomorrow. When I made it the first time, EVERYONE was asking me where I got the recipe. Needless to say, it was a big hit.
For those of you who love deviled eggs, but hate the fact that they are not the healthiest thing to eat, this recipe is perfect. Deviled eggs are usually mixed with mayo and egg yolk, loaded with fat and cholesterol. This recipe cuts the egg yolk and mayo in half. It comes from kraftrecipes.com, but I have made a couple modifications.

Here you go:

PREPARATIONS:

1. 8 Hard-Boiled Eggs
2. 1 Large Avocado- Make sure it's fully ripened
3. 1-2 Limes
4. 1/4 Cup of Mayo
5. 1 Box of Wheat Thins
6. 8 Cilantro Leaves

MAKE:

- Cut eggs in half, remove the yolk, and throw half of the yolks away. Place remaining yolks, avocado, and mayo in a food processor. Before processing, squeeze the entire lime over the ingredients, and process together.
- Place the eggs on a serving dish, and use whichever method you'd like to scoop small amounts of the avocado mixture in to the egg whites (I just use a spoon).
- Once you've finished filling your egg whites, top each egg with a wheat thin and a cilantro leaf.

Enjoy!! YUM YUM!!

See the following website for Kraft's recipe, followed by pictures and nutritional info:

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/creamy-guacamole-stuffed-eggs-113241.aspx

Cheers to Being Fit N Gorgeous

5 Random SUPER Foods

One question I always ask myself is, what are the best foods I should be eating to get the most nutritional value. As most of you know, I make a smoothie in the mornings for my breakfast. The smoothie consists of my favorite fruits; kiwi, banana, strawberries, and blueberries. I also include liquid egg whites for protein, 100% pomegranate juice, and some non-fat yogurt. Lately, I have been adding Chia seeds, to squeeze in as much daily nutrition as possible in one drink.

After doing some research, I have gathered a list of 5 superfoods I thought were "different"! Do with it what you well...I'm planning on experimenting with these and including them in my diet.

1. Coffee!!!- Probably thee BEST super food I found. A cup of coffee only has 2 calories...not bad. Not only is it low in calories, it also consists of caffeine, which increases your mental and physical stimulation. Drink this before a big meeting, or presentation.
2. Hemp Seeds- Full of Iron, Omega-3, Protein, and much more. You can blend them in with your smoothies for breakfast, or spread them over top of your salad.
3. Chia Seeds- Dr. Oz has named this one of the top foods for women. Chia seeds are full of Fiber, Protein, and Omega-3. There are so many ways to eat these, I put them in my breakfast smoothies, or you can add them to yogurt, salads, and soups. I bought a small bag of Chia seeds at Trader Joes the other day, and it was quit expensive...if I remember correctly, $5.99 for a small bag. But if I can get healthy in the most natural way possible, it's worth it. If you check Amazon, you might be able to find them in bigger bags at a better cost.
4. Pumpkin- This one is a little weird...and probably not really thought of by many people. But after reading some of it's nutritional value, pumpkin is an extremely valuable fruit. It's high in fiber, vitamins C and E, and magnesium. Basically, it is full of disease fighting nutrients, and can even help reduce the risk of breast cancer!
5. Quinoa- Did someone say they needed more Protein in their diet? Eat some Quinoa! These "puffy ball thingys", as my boyfriend calls them, are loaded with protein.

Hope you found this blog helpful! If anyone has any recipes to share, I'm open to ideas :)

Cheers to Being Fit N Gorgeous

Injury=Pain

I know it's been a while since my last blog...but I've been slightly pre-occupied in training for my marathon and getting injured in the process! I know that's no excuse, but it's the best I could do. Oh...and I've also been transitioning in to a new job.

With only 3 weeks left of training, I was scheduled to complete a 9 mile run one Tuesday night. This is when I was put to rest, as an intense pain shot through my left leg, almost bringing me to my knees and in tears. By this time, the pain had been settle for the last 2-3 weeks, until I pushed my limits in a 1/2 marathon, resisting the urge to stop and not listening to my body screaming at me. The idea of quitting was not an option, and I just assumed I would rest my leg for the next couple of days, while icing it, stretching and rolling. I somehow muscled through my 4-6 mile runs in the following week, listening closely to my IT Band. Until one evening after work, I was scheduled to run 9 miles. About 20 minutes in to my 9-miler, I decided maybe I should just do 7 miles, as I started to feel heat building in my leg. Well, with 1 1/2 left to go, the pain was more than I could bear and my eyes welled up, as I sat on the hard sidewalk in utter disappointment. I'm still not sure if I was crying because of how much it hurt physically or mentally!

After about 5 weeks of rest from running, I'm still having a hard time sleeping on the left side of my body, because my IT band starts to ache from the pressure :(

My advice to any of you who want to train for a big event, such as a Marathon...TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!! Something I should have done from the start.
Roll and stretch before and after each run. Make sure to warm up properly and cool down. Ice right after long runs, and heat later. Get fitted for running shoes, and don't be cheap. Eat healthy, take Glutamine to help repair muscles, and drink lots of water.

In order to rest my IT Band and let it heal, I'm taking on other challenges in the meantime. Stay tuned :)

Cheers to Being Fit N Gorgeous :)

Shamrock Shuffle 1/2 Marathon

Sunday, March 17th, I ran in the Huntington Beach Shamrock Shuffle 1/2 Marathon! This was a training race for me, to prepare for the big one.

I started off my morning with a banana, and on the way to the race, at 6:30 in the morning, my boyfriend and I stopped for some Starbucks coffee. I took mine black, with a little cream. Kept my breakfast light, and energizing.

This race was much smaller than your average event. With about 29 participants, there was no dodging crowds, or getting stuck behind a group of slow runners. But don't let the size fool you, I was still just as nervous as ever! I think I went to the bathroom 2-3 times when we arrived...I pee a lot when I'm anxious! ;)

Well...the count down began, and before I knew it, we were off. I managed to stay up front, keeping on track with my goal pace (8:30-8:45 min/mile) About 2 miles in to the run, I was averaging 8:32 min/mile. Right where I wanted to be, and was feeling GOOD!
All of a sudden, I started to get warning signs of a side ache. THEE worst!! I'm not sure if it was the coffee right before the run, or if it was my nerves. The only way to completely get rid of a side ache, is to stop. I tried every technique, slowed down my pace significantly, breathing in through my nose and out my mouth...nothing seemed to work. When you keep pushing through a side ache, it starts to hurt so bad, it almost takes your breath away. So...I walked :( I walked for about 3-4 minutes, until I knew it was completely gone. The last thing I wanted to do was pick up the run again, and have it come back.
Once I knew I was relieved of the "ache", I resumed my course! Striving to make up for lost time, I managed to keep a solid 9 min/mile pace for the first 6.5 miles! :)

Lately I've been having these sharp pains in my left buttock. I did a little research and thought it might be my Piriformis muscle. The pain occurs whenever I land on my left foot, it shoots up my left thigh in to my booty. Either that, or it's my IT band...which after running the 1/2 marathon this last Sunday, and identifying the problem areas, I'm thinking that may be the source of my problem.
Here's a blog post from a runner, describing in more detail, the Piriformis syndrome:
http://blog.timesunion.com/running/piriformis-syndrome-a-real-pain-in-the-butt/8122/

Anyway, it's been a struggle to get over. I've taken a couple days off here and there, when it's really bad. I also went and bought a foam roller, now making it a priority to roll out all of my leg muscles every night before bed, and stretch. I trying to stay away from taking too much time off, as it might set me back with my training. So I'm focusing on taking care of my body in other ways.
Long story short...the pain was brutal on Sunday. I really messed up when I didn't take the time to warm up or stretch, especially since it was so cold outside!

Total Distance: 13.2 miles
Total Time: 2:06:40
Average Pace: 9'32"/mi

Here are a couple pictures from my run: (the little Pomeranian in the pics is mine, he was my cheerleader!)

 The night before the race, my boyfriend and I went to his cousin's wedding! It was a beautiful event :) We had a great time. I also cut my hair!!

Cheers to Being Fit N Gorgeous