Pregnancy in Full Effect!

Weekly Update: At 25 weeks I'm feeling about 9 months pregnant - I hear it's common with your second pregnancy but MAN is it frustrating!   I feel bigger, more tired and just generally foggy.   I remember with my son thinking 'wow pregnancy brain really IS a thing' - well put that on top of 'toddler mom' brain and it's a mental hurricane - a great one, but something I'm finding hard to adjust to.

That being said, I'm appreciating the moments, even if they are challenging - like this one from my Mommy & Me Pilates class recently - my son was VERY clingy all class which made it hard to teach as well as to move - but another mom snapped this photo and it literally melted my heart.   A three person plank with my two sons.

And despite struggling, I'm still making a priority of my workouts.   I'm not losing weight, I'm not getting stronger, but I AM doing a lot for myself and my baby, even if my head isn't in the game (or if I go back to bed after), I know that I'm doing something healthy for us which is why I continue to push forward.

Taking these photos has also put it into perspective - my stomach literally keeps 'popping' - between 23 and 24 weeks was huge jump!!



This screen shot is from me doing a "3 Minute Challenge" video for a group of other women - the challenge was to do 3 moves (a minute each) for a week, and I recorded a different set of moves each day.   To be honest, knowing they were 'looking' for my video every morning by 6am got me out of bed by 5:55!

And this says it all - I may not be perfect, it may be hard to get up and I may go back to bed pretty much every morning..but I'm also not giving up!

I'm also working hard to continue to focus on other healthy habits, like flossing!   This one was a big one for me to finally incorporate into my days and being pregnant I'm fully aware of how much MORE important it is.

Speaking of amazing moments, a local mom friend came over for the day to record our daily routines - this is one of my favorite photos from the day - pure love!

And despite being tired, I've decided my next program is going to be the one I felt the BEST with. I am going into it knowing I'll need to modify a ton, but I also need a reason to recommit to my nutrition - not to lose weight, but to have more energy!

Speaking of energy - nothing says energy like meeting up with your fellow coaches for a family picnic! Here is one of my best friends, we went to college together but I barely knew her.  Since starting coaching we reconnected and I have loved watching her transform (this girl is done 115 pounds and amazing as ever!)

Food news!   I am getting bored and when I get bored my mind and plate WONDER! So I pulled out some oldies and found some newbies too.  Including a new favorite (even my son devoured it!!), consisting of an  Eggplant Pizza Crust.

Here is another favorite - super simple, just veggies, chickpeas, olive oil, quinoa, salt and pepper!

And a super tasty edamame and corn succotash! 

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Eggplant Pizza Crust!!

I've shared cauliflower and butternut squash pizza crusts, but this one is yet another variation and YUMMMMY.

Crust:

• 1 large eggplant
• 1/2c almond flour
• 2tbsp coconut flour
• 2tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 egg (I sometimes do 2 for extra protein)
• A pinch of Italian spices

Topping Suggestions:

• Sauce
• Sundried Tomatoes 
• Onions
• Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Mozzarella
• Ricotta
• Basil (fresh!)
• Chicken

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2. Peel and grate eggplant, let sit 10 minutes then squeeze out any liquid using a cheese clothe (in a pinch you can take a paper towel and compress to remove liquid)
3. Mix eggplant and other crust ingredients, form into a doughy ball
4. Place dough on parchment paper (between two sheets) and roll flat about 1/2 inch thick 
5. Bake for 15 minutes on parchment paper, then flip and bake another 10-15 minutes until golden
6. Top, and bake until toppings are cooked!!!

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Meet yourself where YOU are.

Weekly Update:  Two words can be used to sum up this week: Tired and Migraines.  Yep, it's been a HARD week. I'm also noticing that my workouts are getting harder despite being consistent and that I'm actually getting weaker.   Super frustrating after spending 2 years getting stronger and more fit each day.    But I continue to push forward because I know that if I didn't, it would make things that much harder both now and after the baby comes!  

It's not always easy, glamorous or fun, but I know how it does matter...so I keep on keeping on! 

And a big part of WHY is this little guy - he deserves having a mom who is healthy and a mom who has energy!

So for that, I wake up each morning before the rest of the house is awake and I press play.  Doing it in the morning means I don't have to stress about it, and because I"m home, I don't need to battle with excuses why I can't 'make it' to the gym.

This quote sums up my week - I may not be where I thought I'd be, but I'm working hard to accept where I am and be proud of my ACTIONS.

24 weeks pregnant and lifting weights is something to be proud of, regardless of anything else!

And focusing on my nutrition, while not perfect, I've been 10 times better than when I was pregnant with my son and 'eating for 2' - I literally used pregnancy as an excuse to gain weight last time.  This time I may be gaining, but mentally it's not intentional and that is a BIG distinction. 

I've gone back to some foods I know make me feel good - like peanut butter and a banana in a wrap as a go-to snack.

And this new favorite - steel cut oats, maple syrup, apple and walnuts!!

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Butternut Squash Pizza!

My favorite pizza recipe!!

This was so good to make it too days in a row!! It's replaced my cauliflower crust hands down. Butternut swash pizza crust - so decadent! Even my husband devoured it!

🔸 1 butternut squash steamed and mashed

🔸 Mix with 2 eggs and about 1/2 cup of almond flour (or any flour of your choice, almond flour I prefer because it's literally just almonds)

🔸 Add in sage, I used chopped fresh safe from my garden

🔸 Put on foil or parchment paper (sprayed), and make a circle about 1/4 inch thick, bake at 400 about 20 minutes until it feels solid to touch

🔸 Top (I used ricotta and the veggies sautéed in olive oil and honey)

🔸 Bake again about 10 min

🔸 DEVOUR!

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Migraines and Pregnancy!

Weekly Update:  I have continued to keep up with my healthy habits with a few stumbles - about 2 weeks ago I started getting headaches, then some nausea finally culminating with optical symptoms this past weekend - then it clicked. MIGRAINES!! I get them about once a month but the symptoms tend to all come together so having them separate was confusing me.  That being said it's put a bit of a damper on my workout intensity, but I'm continuing to move and listening to my body!

I'm also allowing for more sleep, and hydrating! 

You may not believe it by this photo but I have been starting my workouts a half hour later each day. It's been hard because that means I don't have time to do my personal reading (something that lifts my mind and spirit), but I'm at least able to get up and move!

Here I am squatting with 40lb dumbells - who says you can't workout pregnant? Certainly not me OR my doctor!

And baby boy is thriving - I am bigger than I had anticipated, but also focusing on being proud of my ACTIONS.  Through my 75 pound weight loss journey after having my son, I learned to focus on actions instead of results, the results and strength follow when you do things to strengthen your brain and mentality around it all.

And I'm also continuing to teach Mommy and Me Pilates a few times a week - don't let this photo fool you - my son talks as much as I move - but I love that I have the flexibility now with coaching to be able to teach classes to other moms (something I would not have had time to do had I been working my prior career), and the added benefit is that  my son sees this as the 'norm' - that fitness is fun!

Here's a quick tutorial and some before/afters of my make up routine.  Not fitness related but totally mental health related.  I have stopped wearing make up most days, but recently was reminded about how happy it makes me feel to have it on!  For no one else but myself - the routine takes about 5 minutes and puts a smile on my face all day!

And here I am contemplating my migraines - luckily the doctor did give me a new medicine to try to ease them - fingers crossed it works!

I've also been focusing on bananas and water (two natural headache remedies) as well as adding more turmeric to my days (it's already in my Shakeology, thankfully), but I've been adding it to my eggs too. It's a great natural remedy for inflammation!

I feel confident that I'm doing the BEST I can with nutrition starting my days with this and fitness.

And some food news! I made an oldie but goodie the other day - my favorite butternut squash pizza! 

And of course this amazing potato soup from the other day (soooo tasty and vegan!)

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Rough Week!

Weekly Update:  This week was HARD to get motivated!! I woke up with a headache more days than not and got some uneasiness in my stomach a few days too - but I KNOW if I stop, it will be near impossible to pick it back up.  Thanks to my all access streaming though I had no excuse -  today I picked something I could mentally handle but I still moved!

I'm also proud to say I finally got back to some food prep after a week of wishy washy food prep (see my latest posts sharing recipes!!).  

And HERE is why I am not giving up  - at 22 weeks pregnant, I'm bigger and rounder and slower- but I also know that moving will help me in so many ways (and my baby!).  So there is no excuse NOT to do it in my opinion.

And for this little guy - he's a reminder of the first year I spent being so unhappy, out of shape and tired.  I know I'll be tired again after the baby comes, but for the baby AND my son I need to be a better mom and that includes making time for MY health now and post baby.   

Recipes were posted in different links, but here are my two main meals for the week!! Vegan potato soup (creamy!!) and vegan stuffed peppers (but you can add cheese before you heat up for some cheesiness at any point!

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If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/