Hey guys! It’s been awhile since I’ve chimed in on this particular topic, but I figured it was about that time. With all the changes going on around here, it’s no surprise that my fitness plan hasn’t exactly panned out as written. (Does it ever?!)
So remember forever ago when we talked about fitness goal setting and I laid out my ambitious diet and exercise game plan? Well, let’s just say these new energy levels have totally demolished that pretty little plan of mine. We won’t even begin to discuss the food aversions that seem to be strictly aimed at vegetables… Suffice it to say, a new plan and goal is in order!
In that post I shared the importance of revisiting and revising your goals as life happens and things change. I’ve learned first hand that, even with the most drastic life changes, you can still continue your fitness journey. The destination and travel plan may change, but we can still strive to lead our happiest, healthiest lives given where we are.
For me today, my plan looks nothing like the 3+ days a week of intense calorie-burning workouts and super clean diet I was so committed to. (Ironically I wrote that post about a week before finding out I was pregnant!) But, I am learning how to listen to my body and embrace the sudden shift in priorities all while keeping some momentum toward the healthy lifestyle I want for myself and now for our baby, too!
To be completely honest, some days it’s all I can do to get out of the house. But I’ve found that a nice walk around the neighborhood (or the mall… it’s baby registry season!) helps me keep active without being too burdensome. Though there have been days when I’ve told myself the 15+ trips up and down all the stairs in the house throughout the day counted for something, I do try to get out of the house most of the time. I find that it’s the little things, those small decisions that really add up. Like walking across the shopping center to the other store instead of driving over, or resisting the urge to climb into the grocery cart to be pushed instead of walking (totally kidding… I so wouldn’t do that… anymore).
I’ve also realized that doing some of the same things I enjoyed before, just at a different pace, is still fun and totally ok. Zumba class sans the jumps is one example (now don’t ask me the last time I made it, I’m just saying… But I’m determined to get back this week!) Yoga is a little tough for me now because I’m finding my center of gravity is kind of off and the entire second half of class when you’re either laying on your back or on your tummy just doesn’t work for me right now. So I’m thinking to try the water aerobics class instead (after I’ve gotten my money’s worth from this blowout).
All this to say, it’s definitely still an adventure with completely different means and end. Weight loss is no longer the goal (I’m trying really hard not to keep tallying the pounds I’ll have to lose post-baby since we’re now going in the OPPOSITE direction) but a healthy body and baby are. My daily goal is to just do something. And when it comes to food, my goal is to make the best decisions based on what I can actually stomach. Thank God, I haven’t been sick really at all, but food aversions are no joke. So for me this is more a quest of minimizing my waffle fry intake and finding creative ways to still eat the veggies I’ve come to loathe (hello bacon-loaded quiche!) It’s been an interesting and (mostly) fun time to get creative with my exercise and eating regimen. Most of all, I’ve really come to appreciate every milestone. Even when it seems like it’s the smallest thing (like actually making it to the gym), it should be celebrated. When you take steps toward your goals, no matter how many times those goals change, it should make you feel really, really good. You’re doing something to get yourself closer to the life you want. You’re taking the initiative to make a change to be that happy, healthy self you know you can be. And that, my friends, is no small accomplishment. Little steps add up to big progress, so just keep going!