The Weather Cooperates

Because of crappy weather and scheduling issues, I haven't been getting much exercise. But today it's gorgeous outside--sunny and warm! So it's the perfect day for a walk.

Unfortunately, with Baby's due date just a little over two months away, I am pretty much overwhelmed with my "to do" list. But rather than spend the whole day doing chores and other household tasks, I'm going to promise myself a walk outside--even if it's a very short one.

My diet has improved a bit. I am making a more conscious effort to eat veggies and fruits, and I've slowed down my consumption of refined sugars. Sure... I still have a bowl of ice cream occasionally. But at least I'm not eating three or four different treats throughout the day.

Another Walk

It's starting to get hot outside, so today I was sweating during my [amble] walk. Hubby accompanied, which was nice. We spent a bit of time chatting about Baby's upcoming arrival. (Only 9 1/2 weeks to go!)

I am still obsessing about losing the baby weight after Baby arrives... and I've been polling every mom I know about it. "How long did you have your jiggly stomach?" "How long until you lost the baby weight?" Most of them tell me that it's at least 8 weeks--usually more--before they get rid of their extra tummy... and then another couple of months to actually get back to their previous size.

They do say "Nine months on... nine months off" when it comes to dropping baby weight. But I am determined to be the exception to the rule. Mostly I want to lose the weight because at this point I hope to get pregnant again in the not-so-distant future, and I really want all the weight off before we start trying to have another baby.

Healthy, Fast Meals

With Baby on the way--and thoughts of losing baby weight on my mind--I've been thinking about ways to prep healthy meals quickly after we have a newborn in the house. If all the baby books and my friends-with-kids are correct, I'll have almost no time (or energy) to cook during the first few months.

I may be able to put some of the cooking responsibility in Hubby's hands. In truth, he's actually a better cook than me. But he's more of a homestyle cooking guy... his idea of a meal is fried catfish, mashed potatoes and some lima beans. Not the worst food in the world, but definitely not conducive to weight loss.

I've been checking out the whole Once A Month Cooking (OAMC) philosophy. It basically means spending a 24-48 hour period shopping, prepping and cooking enough meals to last for an entire month. These meals are then frozen and pulled out as needed. There are variations on this theme, including cutting it back to a 2-week cooking session or gradually stocking a freezer by doubling or tripling recipes whenever you cook a meal.

I've been hounding Hubby to buy a deep freeze. As soon as I get it in my house, I'm going to try the "gradual stock" method. Whenever I cook something relatively healthy that freezes well--like marinara sauce, salmon cakes, veggie soup or black beans & rice--I'm going to prep a double-batch and then freeze the extra. With any luck, by the time Baby arrives I'll have 20 or so frozen meals that will be quick and healthy during hectic days.

Why do casseroles sound gross?

Hubby has leftover chicken and rice from dinner last night, and I am trying to put together a casserole to take to my dad. I've been browsing for recipes online, including my favorite site www.allrecipes.com. You'd think there'd be hundreds of chicken and rice casseroles. And, indeed, there are. Unfortunately, they all sound gross to me.

Maybe it's pregnant-lady tastes. Or perhaps it's because I haven't eaten a chicken and rice casserole in years. But every single recipe looks disgusting. Most include some type of "cream of" soup... such as cream of celery or cream of chicken. Frankly, the idea of eating "cream of" and rice just kind of nauseates me.

It must be pregnant-lady syndrome, right?

Either way, maybe I'll just turn the chicken into a nice potpie and eat the rice myself over the next few days. That may be the best way to use both ingredients with little waste, and avoid making Dad anything with "cream of" in the ingredients.

Unless someone here has a great chicken and rice casserole recipe?

Feeling Blue

I think I may be feeling a bit depressed. I don't know if it's because:

• I'm not getting enough exercise.
• My hormones are kicking into overdrive.
• I'm stressed about the upcoming changes in my life.
• I miss my mother terribly.

It's probably a combination of all those things. I know that eating right and exercising will help me combat some of this sadness--and might even give me a burst of energy. But I just can't seem to get my tush out of my chair today.

I'm definitely going to make an effort to take a nice brisk walk tomorrow. But for today, I think I'll just plop on the couch and watch some TV. Not surprisingly, that sounds like a really appealing activity.

Passed The Sugar Test

Whew! Just got the news that I passed my 3-hour glucose tolerance test. That means I don't have gestational diabetes. It's a huge relief, since I was really worried about it.

However, I probably should take my moderately-high results from the 1-hour test as a warning. It's time to cut back on the sugar! (It just sucks, 'cause I am totally craving candy bars and ice cream.)

I'm not a total sugar-aholic. A 1-pint container of Ben & Jerry's will last me for four snack sessions... that's basically 1/2 cup serving of ice cream each time I eat it. That's probably not too bad (especially since Hubby can eat the entire pint in one sitting!).

Nonetheless, I do need to try limiting my sugar to just one sweet snack per day... plus cut back on those starchy carbs and add some more veggies to my diet.

Another Walk

I've been averaging about two 30-40 minute walks each week. Hardly enough to maintain any kind of cardiovascular fitness. But, in truth, it's all I've been able to accomplish lately.

I'm going to seriously commit to increasing the number of walks I take. I'd love to be walking five or six days a week. Funny... my belly's going to keep getting bigger (and heavier), and now's the time I'm going to try and increase my exercise.

I did manage a 40-minute walk today with Hubby. It was such a beautiful day! We took the dogs with us--and they thoroughly enjoyed it!--and just ambled around the neighborhood. I wish every day could be this gorgeous!

Failed The "Sugar" Test

My OB just called and told me that I failed the 1-hour glucose test, which means there's a chance I have gestational diabetes. To double-check, I am supposed to have a 3-hour glucose test tomorrow. I admit that the news has left me a bit shaken.

In recent years, I've prided myself on being a relatively healthy person. I made pretty good food choices and exercised more than the average American. Pregnancy has kind of sent all my good habits out the window. I've barely been exercising, and I've been eating sweets and starchy carbs like they're about to be banned. So really, this news about the 1-hour glucose test shouldn't be a surprise to me. But it is. A very unpleasant surprise.

All that's required is a 12-hour fast for the 3-hour test, but I'm going to pay attention to my diet today anyway. Maybe I'll be lucky and I'll pass the 3-hour. Maybe this is the "scare" I need to get my diet and exercise back on track.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll pass the 3-hour with flying colors...

Short Break

Due to my mother's passing, I'll be taking a short break from blogging. I'll probably be back in a week or so.

Sugar... Sugar... Sugar

Originally, my OB/Gyn warned me to avoid too much sugar during the pregnancy. "Sugar is fertilizer for babies," he said. "Whenever you want to eat sugar, imagine a 10 pound baby crowning."

Nonetheless, sugar has been the one thing I've been craving during this pregnancy. It's strange, since I've never before had a sweet tooth. Yesterday's sugar binge included a Snickers bar and 3 TastyKakes! It wasn't one of my finest moments.

Fortunately, those types of binges are becoming fewer. Most days I limit my sugar intake to just a cookie or two... or maybe a slice of pie. Sure, it would be better to avoid it all together. But at least I'm trying to keep my portions fairly moderate.

As a result, my weight gain has finally stabilized! I was starting to worry. But I've only gained about 2 pounds over the last 4 weeks, which is what my OB/Gyn suggested at my last doctor's visit. So I'm back on track, and I'm happy about that.

Walking Weather

Today was the perfect weather for a nice, brisk walk. Well... so it's more like a waddle. But it still counts as exercise!

The air was crisp and cool, but not so cold that I needed gloves. I just wore a light jacket to keep of the chill of the wind, plus a pair of sweatpants. The sun was shining brightly, and a lot of folks around the neighborhood were working in their garages.

Spring is definitely in the air! I'm really looking forward to ditching my baggy sweatpants, however. I bought them two sizes too large so I could fit into them during pregnancy, but they make me feel fat all over (instead of just fat in the tummy).

Swollen

Cut today's walk down to 35 minutes, and felt pretty good afterwards. So far, no signs of pains or aches. I do have some seriously swollen feet, however.

Other than that, though, spent most of the day sitting in a chair. Most of the time spent with my mother is spent sitting by her bed, holding her hand, etc. I don't get a lot of activity when I'm at my parents' house.

As for my diet, it was pretty decent today. I resisted the urge to eat a mini lemon pie, a slice of coconut cake, and a huge container of French fries. And I'm planning a meal of stir-fry veggies, tofu and brown rice for later this evening. So overall, my diet is going ok today.