32.5 weeks, not long to go now!

Published on August 30, 2010 in Pregnancy. 2 Comments

Here I am with 8 weeks to go. I am REALLY struggling today, the fatigue has come back big time and I get short spells where I can do stuff and then I’m pretty much useless! Nausea too, again just in the afternoons like the first tri. I threw up the other morning too.

Overall I think my pregnancy thus far has been pretty text book. Morning sickness from week 6-14, then a nice cruisy patch of about 9 weeks in the 2nd tri before my feet started to become really sore. As it is now I’ve pretty much given up walking for exercise as it just makes them sore for the rest of the day.

Third tri and I’m getting some swelling of the feet and ankles, and now some annoying carpal tunnel which affects me a bit in the morning but by arvo it’s fine. I have had virtually no back ache, leg cramps or heartburn thus far.

Can you believe I only just scraped in for my glucose tolerance test?! So was very close to being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Seems unfair considering I eat rather well and am active (well not so active now)!

Yeah so I have given up the walking and am just doing pilates occasionally, that’s about all I am doing! That combined with walking up and down stairs to my office, jobs around the house and in town, is enough at the moment with my current energy levels!

I have a couple of deadlines I need to get done (supposed to be today) but my brain space has limited capacity! It will have to wait until tomorrow.

Oh we finally got our cot and change table after a whole lot of rigmarole – my sis in law’s friend kindly picked it up from Adelaide for us and delivered to sis in law at Pinnaroo – she kindly delivered it to us (2.5 hours drive) and upon opening it we discovered we are missing a box! So the cot only has ends – no sides or base!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Getting it sorted…

So now I have a change table anyway. I have sorta packed my hossie bag – I figure we only live 1km away so won’t matter if I forget something!

Really looking forward to getting into my Body Blitz Blueprint program when I get done and dusted with labour and childbirth!

Speaking of programs, here is the link to Belinda Benn’s Get Lean Program – it launched today. Check it out…

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram

Have a great week everyone!

Sue

PS A couple of weeks ago I received a gorgeous baby package in the mail from one of my clients, Nic – her kids even made us some cards :) So cute, and so thoughtful. My public thanks Nic. x

My interview with fitness model, Belinda Benn

Published on August 27, 2010 in Nutrition Articles, Transformation, inspiration, motivation and weight loss. 0 Comments

It seems fitness model Belinda Benn and I have a few things
in common. We’re both in our 40′s, both Aussie, and we
both love helping others achieve their fitness and fat loss
goals.  Being 32 weeks pregnant, one thing I definitely don’t
have right now is Belinda’s abs! But they’ll come back…
 
In light of the upcoming launch of her Get Lean Program,
today I have something quite special for you. 47yo fitness
model Belinda Benn provides us with a sneak peak into her
fat loss secrets as well as some great tips on skin care.
 

 
Sue: Belinda, I’ve read your story and seen you in the magazines – how did you transform your body so dramatically later in life.  I read you never exercised before the age of 37 – is that true?!

Belinda:  Sue, yes it’s true!  I was a coffee drinking, sugar addicted executive.  I was so busy trying to be a “super women” with my career, husband and all my other responsibilities that I had stopped caring for myself – doing things “just for me”.   One day while trying bathers on in a department store dressing room I was shocked to see cellulite and saddle bags (amongst other things) and I realized the body I had in my 20’s had disappeared without me even realizing.  Soon after I set myself the goal of learning to surf and before I knew it I was eating healthily, losing weight and feeling in the best shape of my life.

Sue: I think we can all relate to the dressing room story at some stage or another – probably unbeknown to them retail stores do an amazing job drumming up business for weight loss companies!

What was the hardest aspect of your transformation?

Belinda:  The hardest part was not knowing how to eat right – for energy, longevity and fat burning.  I knew nothing about nutrition.  I started getting fitter but the big change didn’t come until I got my diet straightened out.  It took a while but once I got on track I couldn’t believe how much food I could eat and not put on weight.  I had been eating the wrong foods, at the wrong times in the wrong combination!  When I think back to what I ate in my 30’s it’s shocking – I lived on coffee, milk, sugar, Arnott’s biscuits and fatty foods!  

Sue: I know you get asked this all the time, but how on earth do you look so young? 

Belinda:  Early in my career I worked with Shiseido, the Japanese skincare company and they taught me about holistic wellness.  Which simply means, looking after the total person – inside and out.  We all know things like stress, toxins, over eating, too much alcohol, not enough sleep or a lot of sun, ages us prematurely.  I neglected myself and over indulged like a lot of people do but once I realized, I made some radical life changes – and thankfully it paid off in a big way.   I believe that doing the right things, consistently, adds up to big results over time.

Sue:  Since I am talking with an expert then, a lot of people find that their skin becomes slack after weight loss and they suffer stretch marks.  Did you have those problems? 

Belinda:  Yes I did!  When I started losing weight I began exfoliating every day.  The Japanese had taught me about this and it really works.  I also made sure I included foods in my diet that improved the elasticity of the skin.  In fact, that’s one of the reasons I wrote my Fitness Model Skincare Secrets so I could help people with concerns like that and prove that getting older doesn’t mean we have to age prematurely. 

Sue: What makes your Get Lean Program different from everything else out there?

Belinda: Sue, as you know, many diets start out super strict.  Then as our motivation wanes we go back to our old habits and the weight comes back on.  I have discovered that the easiest and most effective way to achieve a lean physique is to work with the natural harmony of our body’s physiology. From my experience, it takes roughly four weeks before our metabolism jumps to the next fat burning level.  So, the process of obtaining our ideal lean physique should be viewed as fat burning “phases” that we control through establishing new eating habits, rather than a “diet”.  For this reason the Get Lean Program is divided into three, monthly phases: Momentum, Acceleration and Peak.

The Momentum Phase begins the process of increasing your fat burning metabolism. Your body will adjust to new eating habits and these changes will enable you to maintain your diet while gradually reducing your caloric and carbohydrate intake.

The Acceleration Phase will help reduce your body fat % while maintaining the energy levels necessary to work and train hard.  Your body will adjust to producing efficient energy from fewer calories and you will see acceleration in your fat loss.

The Peak Phase will help you reach your optimum lean physique at the end of Month 3.

Many physique competitors use a similar system to prepare for competitions.  But this program takes that science and makes it doable for anyone who wants to lose weight!

Sue: I noticed that you focus a lot on the mental and emotional aspects of losing weight – why is that?

Belinda:  Often it’s not eating healthy or working out that’s our biggest challenge – is our own self-image and self-esteem.  If we allow negative thoughts from the past to contaminate our thinking then that will continually undermine our efforts for success.   Personally I have done a lot of work to change my thinking, from feeling like I am over the hill, old, not sexy anymore, it’s too late or I’ve failed in the past (add in a few of your personal favorites here) and replaced those with new thought patterns of self-confidence and a can do attitude.  We all have moments of weakness and self-doubts, that’s normal.  But there is a lot we can do to get our thinking straightened out!  For that reason I will be giving away my “Think Lean – Get Lean” audio recording with every purchase of the Get Lean Program next week.  

Sue:  Belinda, once last piece of advice for all my readers please!

Belinda:  Transforming your body can seem like an insurmountable task.  But if you take one new positive step forward every day (no matter how small) and tomorrow do it over again – your habits, body and life will progressively change.  Positive change will become a way of life and one day you will catch your reflection in the mirror and realize – there’s a new you! 

 
F.REE FAT LOSS REPORT

If you haven’t get grabbed your copy of Belinda’s free report
Eat to Get Lean – here’s the link. It’s only available until Sunday
so be quick: 

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram

 
P.S. Next week be on the lookout for my Get Lean
Program launch emails. If you purchase the program
through one of the links in my emails I’m going to provide
you with an awesome 50% discount on our instant
training programs along with an additional 15%
off everything in our Products Store (excluding
ebooks), in conjunction with Belinda’s
launch. So don’t purchase from any other link if you want
to pick up these discounts! I’ll remind you next week.
 

Free fat loss report and competition winners

Published on August 25, 2010 in training routines and weight loss. 0 Comments
First – quick heads up - the f.ree stuff from Dr K I’ve been telling you about
is closing down as of 2pm Thursday so please, if you haven’t already,
grab literally hundreds of dollars worth of fat loss gifts here:

www.idealbodiesonline.com/defatloss

Don’t miss out on this brand new angle on fat loss training that has been proven to be super effective. You don’t have to pay a cent to get this great info right now (and you can always unsubscribe later on):

I’ve spoken with Kareem personally, and the next couple of weeks he is going to teach you all kinds of stuff, such as:
  1. The Final Answer To Fat Loss – TS + EST + HRSMS = Rapid Fat Loss (video)
  2. A Killer Method To Make Every Exercise Rip Up Your Core (article)
  3. A Lunge Tutorial (video)
  4. The reason your muscles aren’t turning on… (video)
  5. The secret to staying fit once you get there… (this is easier than you think)
  6. The science behind DEFL and why NBC decided to feature this exact program on TV
  7. Workout demonstrations that will give you an insane metabolic burn so you can start losing bodyfat right away…
I told you he was serious.  Please, join us!
 
Competition Winners
 
I announced an in house giveaway last week, inviting people to provide feedback on our site, as well as asking what their favourite Ideal Bodies Online success story was. I had some fabulous responses, and a myriad of different favourites. There were 2 packs to give away, but I have decided to give away 4 prizes. Here are the winners of our supplement prize packs, and their submissions:
 
 
I love the whole Ideal Bodies website not only for the content – (the member’s area is fantastic and a great place to communicate with other like minded people, the FAQ’s were really spot on and straight down the line, especially going into my program, and the online store has products you just can’t get anywhere else), but the website signifies more than those things for me…it’s symbolises a real positive, exciting phase of my life…something I had wanted to do for a long time, and now almost 2 weeks into my 12 week program am realising my dream body – and feeling amazing!
The changes I want to make are not massive weight/fat loss, but honing my already advanced level of fitness and getting my body fat down to almost competition standard if possible…. and the amazing thing about Ideal Bodies is that you have worked out programs that are getting me to reach my goal, and also doing the same for people that do need to lose lots of weight and start their fitness journey from the ground up (and everyone in between).
To that end I’d have to say that although they are all fantastic and inspiring I’d have to say that Carolyn Gerdtz would have to be my favorite success story, purely because I know how hard you have to work to have a body that you’re proud of and how excruciatingly hard it is for most people to change their dietary habits…She (with the Ideal Bodies online expertise) has done an amazing job…her transformation is pretty unbelievable and shows that anything is possible – something I think we all need to be reminded of now and again (or every day!)
As far as new info goes I love reading as much as I can get my hands on about the latest nutrition and supplement breakthroughs and theories/opinions on exercise/ training, so any articles on those would be fantastic on the website.
Absolutely love your work Sue, thanks for taking the time to read this.
 
Lisa M
 
 
Well where do i start!
 
I love your website, and what got me hooked was reading your own personal success story! I myself found your website after logging onto the 12 week body blitz challenge, and i started looking at other sites in mags for motivation, i love that you have come from the same place as us and that your experience has made you want to share. Thank you very much and congrats on it turning into a successful business!
 
I also love that you offer the free 6 workouts, it was this advert in a mag that got me into your website in the first place, i wanted all the tips i could get for my 12 week transformation :)
 
I’m glad you have found a great team and i enjoy going through all the pictures, it motivates me to see that other people have done it so i can too.
 
You have great tips throughout your website, but not really any glimpses into the nutrition side of things unless you buy the plan, i would like to see maybe some snack ideas, or coming into summer healthy smoothies to be made at home with ingredients that are easy to come by.
(Please note we do have a nutrition page on my blog, and, various emails are sent out to those on our subscriber list, with nutritional information and recipes!)
 
Now when it comes to the success stories there were two that really stood out to me, they were Vanessa Maddocks and Michelle Wood, they bpth had beautiful soft figures for there after pics which is exactly what i am aiming for, the still have curves which i dont want to lose but are slim and toned and most importantly look healthy and happy!  I was very excited to read the salmon stack recipe on Vanessa’s page and i am going to try it tomorrow yum! and Michelle referred to a book on her page that i have just purchased, the 7 habits of highly effective people.
 
The only thing that was a bit dissapointing for me was that there were no before and after weigh ins so I couldnt get the sense of just how much they had achieved!
(We shall keep this in mind but remember, scale weight doesn’t take into account body composition changes!)
 
Thank you very much for providing a great website, with great and inspiring content
 
Jo R 
 

I was going to e-mail you with feedback anyway to say what a great concept IBO is and how it has changed my life – forever.  I’m into Week 5 of my program and really enjoying it.  I’m also starting to notice changes.  I don’t think I would have been as motivated or focused on my program if it wasn’t for your informative and inspiring website.  The library and forum are fantastic sources of information and I refer to both regularly.  But the thing that struck me most about your website when I  first visited was that evidence of the wonderful results you and your team achieve is right there, in your face.  The Before and After  photos prove that anyone can achieve extraordinary results if they wanted to with the guidance of IBO.  

My favourite success story would have to be Carolyn Gerdtz.   Her determination and success is totally awesome and inspiring.  But the thing that struck me most was Carolyn’s generosity and honesty in sharing her story, photos and all.  I have thought of Carolyn many a cold morning when deciding whether to get out of bed and go to the gym.  I decided to suck it up because she did. 

To be honest, I can’t think of anything else that I want to see on your website.  The fact that other people are ripping off the website and whole IBO concept is a good indication that you’ve got it right.  Sad but true.

Thanks again.

Annmarie H

 
I’ve just printed off and read Belinda’s free report and I must say I can’t wait for the launch of her product.  She looks absolutely amazing.
 

What I love about your website is that it is user friendly and I love the easy links for the supplements and products store when I wish to purchase something.  I also like how close the website makes you feel to other people out there also trying to achieve a weight lose goal.  The message board has been a fantasic tool in keeping myself motivated.  Not just being able to share thoughts and feelings with other but the excellent knowledge and tips that are on there.  To see you so committed in helping others achieve goals is truely amazing. 

And of course the success stories on there are a true inspiration.  I have found it hard to pick a favourite as what fantastic success all these women have achieved. Everyone has had their own hurdles to overcome, and to achieve what they have done is a true credit to themselves.  Although what you have done and provided has help guide and make it possible for people to achieve success, this women have all still had to dig within themselves to do it.
I definately take my hat of to the ladies that have achieved this with children, what a fantastic effort that is.
However if I was to pick out one lady that stood out for me, that would be Michelle Wood.  My reasoning for this is that I could totally relate to Michelle’s story.  I to have suffered depression with my weight and it has been a constant on going battle. I to have worked in the fitness industry but have missed out on futhering this and some great opportunites due to lack of confidence and not feeling like “I look the part”.  Well done Michelle, you look amazing and that even shows in her smile!

There is nothing I would like to see more on your site Sue, you already provide that and that shows by your support of and sharing Belinda Benn’s program. 

Thanks for such a great program and products!

Jacqui S

 
Thanks ladies!  Please email me with your delivery address details so I can send your supplement packs!
 
Have a great day everyone. If you have any questions re Dr K’s program, don’t hesitate to email me. And look out for my own bonus gifts over the next 2 weeks.
 
Sue

www.idealbodiesonline.com/defatloss

Help, there’s an alien in my tummy!

Published on August 23, 2010 in Nutrition Articles, Pregnancy and weight loss. 1 Comment

Man, this baby doesn’t stop! I know it’s not going to be a couch potato that’s for sure.

So, it seems all of a sudden various things are taking their toll – as of about 31 weeks I’ve started getting carpal tunnel (mild thus far) ie pins and needles in hands at night, aching, stiff fingers and wrists in the morning, some heartburn, and of course the continuing sore swollen feet/ankles. I am tossing and turning all night, just nigh on impossible to get comfortable. So insomnia is a big issue once more (and not because of needing to pee all night!). I’ve had a sore throat that has felt like I’m swallowing razor blades which hasn’t helped, meaning I have been up at all hours drinking LemSip and gargling salt water. Thankfully it’s starting to improve.

I’m thinking bring on the crying baby, I can use a change.  Perhaps not just yet though.

Yes I’m well aware I’m complaining -  I’m also well aware that the end result will be well and truly worth it. Just let me complain for a bit ok. LOL!

Anyway, so I sent out an email to my database about some great offers coming up – and I wanted to also note them on my blog here.

 I’ve recently become friendly with fitness model Belinda Benn, a great Aussie lady who is now located in Panama, Central America.   Not only does she have an amazing physique at the age of 47, but she’s such a lovely person to boot.   

Belinda has a new program out, and asked for my feedback and opinion. I’ve got to say, I was blown away.   In a nutshell Belinda has put together a fantastic 90 day diet program that provides you with 90 days of menus and includes a unique and invaluable  “nutrition intuition” section.

You can grab a copy of her free report Eat to Get Lean right now: 

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram

Something astonishing to me is that Belinda became a fitness model at age 44.

44!

And she didn’t start working out until she was in her late 30s. So if you have made a bit later start than you would have liked (or perhaps you have been contemplating, but haven’t actually started yet!), here’s proof that it’s never too late!    She’s been published in many fitness magazines…

Does modeling all over the world… 

As a result, demand for her expertise became so great she’s finally sharing her fitness tips with the world.

You can start here with her free report:

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram

Be sure to watch the short video on the website. You’ll get to hear Belinda talk about her program and see how real and down to earth she is.

Ten years ago Belinda was stuck inside stuffy offices and boardrooms as a corporate executive.   She finally stopped ignoring her dreams and began the remarkable journey that took her to where she is today.   In this report you’ll see how you can transform your body too… and your life.  

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram  

In the report you’ll find a fat burning blueprint. Plus insider info on dopamine and toxic foods.   You’ll also find out what really makes you overeat (hint: you can stop blaming yourself).

Oh, and best of all, you really will EAT to get lean!

You won’t starve and deprive yourself (I’m big on that!).

So head on over there right now to pick up the f.reebie:

www.idealbodiesonline.com/getleanprogram

P. S. The report is loaded with awesome photos and graphics that make it a pleasure to read.  

P.P.S. Just a heads up: There’s no workout to go with this diet program, but many of you will already have one of our instant programs or a tailored program which would compliment this diet really well. If you don’t, I’m going to also provide you with an awesome 50% discount on our instant training programs along with an additional 15% off everything in our Products Store (excluding ebooks), in conjunction with Belinda’s launch.   There will be more information coming when the program launches next week, but if you are in a hurry to grab this program, please do so now from the link in the report, and send me your receipt so I can forward you the information with the discount codes. 

Have a great day.  Will be back later to give you some details on another great offer coming up!

 

 

Bloody hell I’m gonna have a baby soon!

Published on August 17, 2010 in Pregnancy and photos. 7 Comments

Yes, I still can’t believe it, and now there are only 9 weeks to go! 

We had a fabulous break in far north Queensland.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  We had one day where it drizzled a bit and another that was overcast but that was all. Very thankful as it made all the difference!

Here I am at Palm Cove at about 30 weeks and here’s the belly pic at exactly 30 weeks. I loved wearing sarongs, I wish it was warm here as I would be living in them. So comfy.

My feet were killing me in Palm Cove – one day I gave myself 4 foot baths to try to alleviate the burning/soreness. In the end the only shoes I could wear were runners. I managed to get back into thongs by the end of our trip though.

Here’s the awesome beach at Port Douglas.

Here we are at dinner at Vivo, Palm Cove, and dinner at On the Inlet in Port Douglas.

I managed to finish The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – after a long, slow start it did get very interesting and I couldn’t put it down. Now looking forward to the next one (thanks Jude).

I have come home to a lot of stuff to do but I feel very refreshed and not stressed out like I was! Today I accomplished ordering a new Bruin Sleigh cot and change table from Babies R Us – a mammoth task, after leaving 4 messages and calling about 8 times while I was away and getting a bit of a run around. It cost $600 – or I could have bought it locally for about $1500! Nice bargain. My sis in law is going to pick it up for us because they don’t deliver to Mildura. Then I cancelled the cot I already had on backorder from Target – this one is much, much nicer. I also had to call Dell as my computer is almost on the way out. Now I don’t know why but it seems every employee at Dell has an accent I cannot understand. Again after many phone calls, I think I have it sorted to get fixed tomorrow. I had to cancel my chiro and massage and pilates appointments this week so there was another 3 calls. Got home to find that my ob/gyn wrote out the wrong blood test form for my Glucose Tolerance Test. I vomited it up at the last one and have to do it again L But the form is wrong, so I had to chase that up too and didn’t get the call back I was meant to. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist for my regular clean and polish. I have about a thousand orders to get out tomorrow. I received 3 huge deliveries of products today that I have to pack away. Friday we are getting blinds installed in the bub’s room. I’ve got to go to the hospital fund on Wednesday and change over to a family cover. That’s if I feel ok after this round of glucose tests. Last time it made me sleep and feel sick for most of the day. We also have anti natal class that night. Damien had to fly to Adelaide today for work, and looks like will be working out of town for awhile (an hour away) which will make it difficult with only one car.

Just discovered my Blackberry battery charger does not fit into its hole anymore! WTF! Yesterday it was fine, now it’s all bent out of shape and it hasn’t gone anywhere. Gotta love all this technology.

So all of this plus catching up on the actual work!

So, there you go, I wrote that yesterday and just getting to upload the pics now.  We are heading out for dinner in a moment – I’m actually sick of going out for dinner. It’s all getting a bit hard for me now! Much rather just stay home in the warm. None of my shoes fit so not sure what I am going to wear.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Glucose tests suck!

Published on August 3, 2010 in Pregnancy. 2 Comments

Thanks for all the comments lovely ladies.  When I have a full copy of the book i will provide a copy to you.  I don’t need anymore volunteers now thank you!

I had my check up with ob/gyn – no scan, damn it! I guess I am not having any more scans unless there is a good reason.  Seeing bub not good enough I suppose. However, I found out I flunked my glucose screening test!  Me???? How frustrating!  Even worse, today I went in for the longer, scarier version. Fasting overnight, a fasting blood test, followed by 75g of pure glucose solution to drink, then 2 blood tests on the hour.  My fasting sugar was high :( 7.  So anyway, I drank the godawful stuff and proceeded to sit out in the waiting room.  Not long and I had to turn my puter off and just slump over the chair instead. Then nurse came by and I asked if I could lay down. I went into a room and that was better for about ten minutes. 10 mins before the hour was up and due for first blood test, nurse comes in to get something and asks if i am ok, just as i start to feel really nauseous. Not to mention my baby having a spaz attack – it hated the sugar surge as much as my tummy did. I was willing myself to hold it down because I know I would have to do it all again another day! Alas, will doesn’t have a hope against your bodily reflexes. Up it all came :(   Had to go home, eat and go to bed. Still feeling a bit off. Not sure what to do now, ob/gyn not there today, and tomorrow we are off to the sun!

My lazy weekend, and preg pics

Published on August 1, 2010 in Pregnancy and photos. 13 Comments

Well I’ve been batching all weekend, with no car, hubby gone home for a football do. Not my scene in my 7th month of pregnancy, middle of winter.

Instead I have been poking around home washing my baby clothes and shopping with mum, and doing some work on my business projects and getting the house in order. 

I finally bought 3 maternity bras and let me say they are SO comfy. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I’m up a cup size, not too bad really. The ladies at the lingerie shop told me I was ‘tiny’. Well I’m sure they have seen it all but I definitely don’t feel tiny. Weight gain is 12kg to date which I am ok with. One week I freaked out because I went up 5lb. I was wondering if that was going to be par for the course for the last trimester but thankfully that must have been just an anomaly. 

Sleep last night took awhile to come, it was after midnight before I dropped off. I was thinking about work commitments and in the end I got out of bed and wrote down all the stuff I was thinking about to get it off my mind. I’m someone who needs a solution in my mind before I can stop thinking about it. Plus I was a bit uncomfortable, I am getting a little short of breath at times when laying down. When I go to bed my baby is always active so I lay there for about 20 mins and just watch my tummy move. It’s freaky. I’m getting some really good boots lately. I’m also getting up 3 times a night for a pee stop.

I would like to go for a walk today but it’s really crap outside. Cold and windy. Has been raining too. Tomorrow I have pilates, then I have an appointment for nails and eyebrows and then we have our scan! Bubba will be a lot bigger than last time at 19 weeks.

Well I’ve just proofed chapter 8, 9 and 10 of my 11 chapter ebook, Motivation Magnified. I shall finish the remainder tomorrow. It won’t be long before it’s released, along with our new Body Blitz Blueprint Transformation programs! I’d like to give 5 volunteers a draft copy of Motivation Magnified as I would love to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment if you would like to receive a copy.

So here I am all puffed up and pregnant at 28 weeks. I was a bit worried what I was going to wear when we go away to warmer weather but I was pleasantly surprised to find a few dresses that still fit. No shorts however so will stick with my sarong and bikini! I wonder if bub will like the sun.

Well I think it’s time to call it a night from here now. Time to eat and then relax some more.

Sue x

28 weeks gone

Published on July 29, 2010 in Pregnancy. 1 Comment

Well another couple of weeks down.  Am in the third trimester now, the home stretch! I must admit some of the time it’s feeling a bit tough – I am remembering ‘it’s not forever’ :)

What I have -

Sore feet, big time.  They hurt just standing or walking.  The combination of extra weight and the hormone relaxin (that relaxes all your joints in preparation for the birth) has really done a job on my high arched (now flat) feet. Foot massage has never felt so good.

I’m stiff all over.  My low back sometimes hurts but overall not too bad. I just need more massages, chiropractic and pilates sessions. Pilates has been great, I get lots of stretching and lots of pelvic floor work. I’m very conscious of doing my kegels numerous times every day.

Skin changes. Something that is really obvious (to me) is that any marks on my body have darkened or are more prolific. On my chest and shoulders I have lots of little red specky spots – I had some before but now I have a lot more. I’m just thankful they aren’t as far up as my neck or face! I also have noticed a very faint linea nigra on my abdomen. Very faint thus far though, nobody else would notice. My facial skin has been awesome, normally very dry, now it’s lovely and supple and not a zit in sight for the last 6.5 months!

Water retention. Starting to notice when I sit with knees bent for awhile that I am getting edema in the lower legs and feet.

Awkwardness. Big time.  Waddling, limping etc. It’s mostly because of the sore feet though. My tummy is pretty big now (must take pic today). It now starts from under my boobs. It’s starting to get harder to get comfortable in bed and sleep takes a little while to come now. Am sleeping mostly on my back still, with a pillow under my legs. I have always been a back sleeper. I will sometimes try my side though, and change possies regularly during the night. Now I need to also support my tummy not just my hips. Still getting night sweats (without actually feeling hot) every now and then.

Insomnia and peeing a lot – again. 2nd tri was a little better but now I’m back to waking numerous times in the night and having to pee. So I’m back to getting up at anyime between 3 and 5am. So I now have to have the morning or arvo sleep again.

All these symptoms are normal for pregnancy so there is nothing out of the ordinary.

What I don’t have:

Stretch marks – plenty of time for that to happen and my skin actually doesn’t feel that stretched yet. It is however starting to get itchy every now and then which is a sign that it is being stretched.

Heartburn – I woke once in the night and had a bit of neck, back and jaw pain which felt a little like heartburn but that’s it. Again plenty of time for that to happen as my uterus gets bigger and bigger.

Carpal Tunnel – no sign.

Hip pain – no sign.

Hemmoroids – yay. What else can I say. I’m sure hoping I don’t get these!

Dizziness – ok I’ve had one or two very mild dizzy episodes but that’s all.

So, we’ve had 2 pre natal classes which have been really good and interesting. Last night we learnt all about labour and the different positions that bub can get into and what each one involves. The midwife offered to check our tummies to tell us what position bub was in at the moment – of course they can still move around a lot, particularly with still quite a few weeks to go. I was first cab off the rank and my little bub is sitting nicely in the anterior possie, head down, and back to the side (this is what the bulge is on one side of my tummy apparently).

Unfortunately we miss out on the next 2 classes because we are going away. We miss the birthing video, a talk by Professor Pettigrew (my OB), and the session on pain relief – which I’m none too happy about! However, they can loan us the birth video, and they said we could go in and have a one on one chat about the pain relief stuff so all good.

So, yes, we are off to FNQ on Wednesday! Our final ’baby moon’! 2 nights Cairns, 4 nights Palm Cove and 5 nights Port Douglas. I wanted to go somewhere warm - it appears warm, however as per our usual luck, there seems to be lots of rain with that!

Back to the classes, the midwife informed us that one of the ladies from the week prior had already had her baby at 29 weeks! Oh dear. Better get my bag packed. Our baby room is starting to take shape. We have a pram (thanks to everyone who helped with recommendations!), a portacot, a proper cot on order, a car seat, a bassinette and bath courtesy of Jodie (thank you!), a bouncinette and play gym, a baby monitor and some other bits and pieces. Still to get the change table and a nice comfy chair for feeding.

So, that’s my preggo round up. Not a lot else happening as I’m not in the gym or dieting so can’t report on that. I’m still working away slowly on my projects that I need to be done prior to the arrival of bub. Getting there.

Might pop back in with a belly pic soon.

Sue

x

6 months pregnant (26 weeks)

Published on July 16, 2010 in Pregnancy and photos. 6 Comments

Well, another couple of weeks down.  Today bub decided to cause me some aches and pains – I’ve been in bed much of the day.  Well, I woke and got up at 5, and all was ok.  I did a bit of work, had coffee and my breaky.  By 7am I was feeling a bit weary again and also getting a few cramps in my tummy.  I had pilates at 8.30am so I went back to bed for an hour.  When I got up I still had the cramps, and an aching lower back.  I have missed my last two pilates sessions due to other reasons so I didn’t want to miss another – I went anyway.  It was all good, until I finished, and the cramping and back ache came back with a vengeance.  I went back to bed but couldn’t sleep because it was too painful.  I had Damien rub my lower back and get me a hot wheat bag and some panadol.  The massage seemed to help and eventually I went to sleep.  I didn’t wake up until 1pm, so it’s been a bit of an unproductive day.  The cramping is all but gone (not painful anymore, just kind of ‘there’) but I just feel a bit worn out.  Damien has bronchitis too, so we’ve all been doing lots of sleeping lately!

I forgot to take my belly shot this morning, but this is one we took a few night’s ago – I thought I should have one a bit more dolled up than the regular tracky dak ones.

 Yeah so the weight gain keeps on keeping on.  I’m nearly hitting the 140′s now.  So that makes it nearly 11kg!  I defintely have a rather large belly on me now.

My appetite is still huge.  After I had breaky this morning, I did pilates, and then by 10am I was starving so I had a toasted avocado, ham and cheese sanga.  Apparently that wasn’t enough so then I had some watermelon and a protein bar!  I’ve really got a thing for watermelon lately, just loving it.  And oranges still.  Anything juicy.

Next week we start our anti natal classes!  Then I have some blood tests and my sugar test on Friday, and the following week will be my next scan.  I suppose I had better go and do some baby shopping soon and then also think about packing a hospital bag!  Yikes, it’s getting scary!

My mum has been away for the last 7 weeks and so now she is back I will get together with her and my sis and go shopping for baby stuff.  Mum last saw me at 19 weeks so I think she might notice a rather large difference!

Nadia is back from the US and so we have been back to our very early morning walks in the dark.  I love getting it done and dusted before the day has even begun.  We are going around to Nadia and Pete’s for dinner tomorrow night.  Tonight we have visitors too, and the folks around on Sunday night.  Plenty more eating opportunities coming up!

I’ve already planned in my head my attack as far as training and diet goes after I have bub.  Of course, this is with me being as green as grass as to what motherhood will bring, but my plan is to be back in shape by my 42nd birthday (April).  I am going to follow my own diet plan – the Body Blitz Blueprint Diet Plan – keep your eyes peeled for that one folks, it will be released in the next month or so!  

The first 6 weeks will be getting to know bub, and just getting into a routine and letting my body heal.  Of course it will depend on what sort of birth I have too as to how quickly I can get back to being active.  I’m happy to just include walking within the first six weeks anyway.  It’s more the diet I am keen to get back on track with.  I may not be able to breastfeed so I may not get the additional help from that as far as welght loss goes.

Training will start just before Christmas with a bit of a conditioning program, and early in the new year I will get into proper traning, and will then change my diet to the other new one I will be releasing (am very excited about this one – it’s very different).

So, that’s it in a nutshell.  Still trundling away.  14 weeks to go if we last the distance!

Sue

x

24 weeks

Published on July 3, 2010 in Pregnancy, food and photos. 4 Comments

Hi all, things are ticking along ok, though it seems to be slow, when I think I’m not far off 6 months pregnant it gets a little more real.

I’ve recently rediscovered a breakfast that I used to have many years ago, before I became so carb conscious.  Weetbix, crumbled, soaked in prune juice to soften a bit, topped with half cup cottage cheese, low fat natural yoghurt, some walnuts and a chopped fresh medjool date.  Yummo.  Sometimes I put a few slices of banana in too, and top with some crunchy bran cereal or rice flakes.  It’s a bit of a carb hit but it’s so good. 

Since being pregnant, my body so far, has reacted pretty much how I thought it would.  I knew I would put on a reasonable amount of weight, for a number of reasons. 

  1. I was so active prior to getting pregnant
  2. I was dieting when I got pregnant
  3. I was quite lean and light when I got pregnant
  4. I had morning sickness, insomnia and ‘run over by a truck’ exhaustion for the first 14 weeks
  5. I had to eat to stop myself feeling sick
  6. I was constantly hungry
  7. My baby didn’t like chicken and vegetables anymore – he/she much preferred lots of fruit, bread, potatoes, avocado and cheese kind of things
  8. I was unable to keep up any sort of regular exercise program due to the exhaustion and insomnia 

I’m think that no matter how good a shape you are to start with, your body will do what it needs to, to ‘catch up’.  ie to lay down the fat it needs for pregnancy. 

I think it’s important to be fit, active, eating a good diet, and be in good shape well before you get pregnant if you want the best chance of returning to something similar to what you were prior.  But being in that shape prior has no bearing on how much or how little weight you will gain during pregnancy. 

I haven’t had any heartburn yet, and I feel quite good, but just starting to feel a bit on the uncomfortable side.  I have these boots I wear out and you should see me trying to get them on.  I have to lay back on the bed and pull down because bending over my belly in jeans gets me too short of breath – and hot!  I’m still tired a lot, for instance yesterday I was up at 4.30am, went back to bed for an hour before getting up to do a pilates class.  I then went back to bed around midday for an hour and a half.  I was zonked again by 5ish, and was in bed by 9.30pm, and slept through until 7.30am.  I have had a bad cough however, and that wakes me numerous times during the night.  I thought it was getting better, but last night was pretty bad again – barking like a dog.  I also keep waking up dripping in sweat.  I have a towel by the bed to wipe myself down.  I’ve noticed the bottoms of my feet and half way up my heels are bright red now, palmar erythema I believe,  just another symptom of pregnancy.

Pilates has been good, I’m going to go twice a week once I get back from Adelaide.  Just walking, stairs and some bodyweight lunges and squats, and incline push ups for other exercise.  I’ll be off for a walk soon. 

The little tacker has been very active – apparently space is starting to get a bit tighter inside and my uterus is the size of a bloody soccer ball now!

Anyway here I am at 24 weeks.  I’m not going to buy anything major until I get to about 28 weeks – I’m a bit paranoid you see.

Hope you have managed to have a look at our new workout database, and the free workouts we have designed for you!

Have a great weekend everyone.  I’m off for my walk. 

Sue x