The Fit Skool | by Kelly

May 25, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
2 Comments

WIAW: The most tiring day

Monday was a busy, hectic, exciting, exhausting, all in all CRAZY day for this pregnant lady. I’m officially 33 weeks and pregnancy exhaustion is setting in…. or is it? I’m not sure if it’s 3rd trimester symptoms or exercise, or chasing my monkey toddler around all day but something got me on Monday and my 3pm my body was like whatttt is going on?!

I figured I would share my food journal with you from Monday because it was on the fly eating and I honestly had a hard time keeping up with my calorie burn. It’s usually so easy to over eat but on this day I couldn’t keep up.

My day started out early. I woke up at 6am and I knew I had to be organized and ready to teach so I quickly got my bag packed and my breakfast made.

2 eggs, sautéed spinach & pan fried potatoes. (thank goodness for leftover potatoes) I also had a few sips of iced coffee.

I was out the door at 7:05 am to teach Group Power. I had to end class a few minutes early to head to an ultrasound so I tried to cram as much of the workout as I could in 52 minutes. We did great and boy was I sweaty and tired!

I rushed to my Doctors appointment and scarfed down a banana and this SQUARE BAR in the car.

I pretty much didn’t taste either one but I know they were good!

I was so happy to hear that the baby was GREAT It was even better to see my little guy who was sucking his thumb and covering his face. I was sad we couldn’t get a decent picture but that’s not what we were there for. We wanted to know that he was making proper gains and continuing to grow strong which he was. (I’ll give you a better update tomorrow!)

After my appointment I came home to pick Ava up and head back to the YMCA for class #2.

I was tired after this class and all Ava wanted to do was run around and roll around the floor because I wanted to leave and she didn’t. I had to bribe her to get her close to the garage by saying we can go look at the pool through the window. Thank goodness for little tricks.

We got home and I shoveled down this salad from Firehouse deli!! UMMM amazing.

I had the Bailiwick Salad had mixed greens, chicken, roasted red peppers, artichokes and balsamic dressing. My taste buds were happy and so was my belly. I also had a piece of avocado toast for some extra calories & healthy fats.

After lunch Ava turned into a monster. I mean this girl was climbing things she shouldn’t have been, throwing toys, spilling water, slamming doors, CLIMBING OUT OF HER CRIB basically not following any rules. I stayed calm and tried to distract her but she would pull away from me, moan, kick, yell, and tell me no. I was too tired to argue so I put her in the stroller and took Cooper for a walk.

The last thing i wanted to do was move my legs, all i wanted to do was sit on the couch but I knew she would be strapped in and fine. She drank some milk and ate a couple oatmeal cookies and she seemed happy as could be. We strolled and I let Cooper smell every piece of grass out there, because I really didn’t feel like walking. Ava smiled and waved at the mailman and all was good.

We got home and the chaos returned. I snacked on an orange.

It was juicy and amazing.

Finally I decided to turn the TV on and we had some quiet time which turned into a nap. WOOHOO. I carried Ava upstairs and I finally got to pick my feet up for a second.

I snacked on this RAWXSIE Bar.

UMM delicious and satisfying. I love that it’s a CLEAN TREAT and I get vitamins and healthy fats.

I also snacked on a bunch of these smoky chili & lime chickpeas. I’m loving the Good Bean snacks this week!

I probably should’ve napped at this point but I wasn’t relaxed so I did some computer work.

Once Ava woke up we ran to the store to grab some groceries for dinner. When we got home I decided to eat leftovers..

BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potatoes & Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Marc had ordered a meatball parm sandwich and I probably should’ve got myself one but to be honest I really wasn’t feeling food so I didn’t want to waste money.

My appetite was pretty strong around 8:15pm and made myself a Yogurt bowl with raspberries and granola. It hit the spot.

Again I was hungry at 9:30… this is getting old guys, at this point I’m like just fill this belly up. I had 1/2 a piece of cheese pizza. Sorry I didn’t snap a pic but it was eaten cold right out of the fridge. My body needed more carbs!

This was a physically and mentally exhausting day but I’m not gonna lie the food was good

For some more food inspiration check out the What I ate Wednesday Crew over on Arman’s Blog today!

Your turn: What’s something delicious you ate this week?

Do you ever have one of those days where you can’t sit until bedtime?

May 24, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
3 Comments

Exercise & Pregnancy with Baby #2

I have written about this topic before during my first pregnancy with Ava, but it’s a topic that comes up with friends, clients, and members at the gym on a regular basis.

I am totally that girl rocking the baby bump at the gym and I am proud of it. Sitting on the couch doesn’t make your pregnancy any healthier and safer! I have experienced the benefits from my first pregnacy, I was strong, I had good energy, and I was healthy up until the end of my pregnancy. I also had a quick and fast labor/delivery and I credit my fitness.

I figured I should talk about this topic today on the blog to fill you in on my fitness journey with BABY #2.

Since finding out I was pregnant I continued to exercise as I normally would with a conscious effort not to push myself to pure exhaustion.

I have been able to maintain most of the current weights during my strength workouts (with a few adjustments here and there) this seems like a major accomplishment at this point considering I am 33 weeks. My doctor has given me the okay to keep doing what I’m doing with teaching classes and exercise as long as I’m staying hydrated, not pushing my body to my limits and I’m not getting crampy afterwards.

FIRST TRIMESTER EXERCISE:

During my pregnancy with Ava I backed off a bit from the weights during my first trimester in fear of doing something wrong or causing any issues, but I was being cautious and protective when really I could continue what I was doing.

With pregnancy #2 I didn’t have to alter any of my exercises during the first trimester. I kept up with all my classes and was able to get in some extra workouts on my own as well. I always listened to my body and if I needed an extra rest day, I took it. There was one day that I took off from work due to a migraine and that was my only issue in the 1st trimester.

Even on my most nauseous days I forced myself to work and exercise (or move). It was actually one of the very FEW things that helped relieve that torturous nasuea.

SECOND TRIMESTER EXERCISE:

As I started the second trimester, things started to change a bit. I was carrying extra weight, I was breathing a little heavier during workouts and for that reason I would say I started to scale back a tiny bit. By scaling back I mean, taking a little more rest if I feel winded, or lightening my weights to make sure I could complete the workout without over doing it.

My nausea started to go away around week 16/17 and this made working out more enjoyable and also easier. There were some days I had to remind myself I was pregnant and I couldn’t push 110%. That seriously was the hardest part. When I would see other people crushing their workout, I wanted to do the same, but knew I couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I was totally fine with that, but I just had to remind myself to take my time. I know it’s not a race and I’m not setting any new goals/records!! Pregnancy is NOT the time to push yourself to your limits.

Carrying the extra weight made bodyweight training a tad bit harder. My pushups got weaker, and planks became ridiculously challenging. Pregnant ladies are actually stronger though in reality because we are pushing and squatting extra weight…. Right?? Lets just pretend.

Each week I participated in 5-6 days of exercise. My workouts ranged from strength training, light weight training mixed with cardio, walking, elliptical, at home workout dvd’s such as (21 day fix, Hammer & Chisel, & insanity max30). During the second trimester I did less jumping and more modifying, but I was still able to move & feel good while doing it!

At the end of my second trimester I got hit with the stomach flu…. that was no joke. I didn’t exercise or work for about 7-9 days. I listened to my body and I took all the extra rest I could get!

THIRD TRIMESTER:

The third trimester started out okay. The weight started piling on and with a bigger belly it is inevitable that things get more challenging.

I am not able to squat or lunge as deep. I eliminated all core work with the exception of some plank variations.

I just recently stopped doing all jumping exercises or jumping jacks. I’ve basically allowed my body to slow down and I will have to stick to low impact training from here on out.

A few weeks ago I got hit with round 2 of the stomach bug, thanks Marc I’m getting more winded and out of breathe quicker. That’s probably because my little baby boy is smooshing my lungs!

All in all, I can’t complain about fitness during this pregnancy. If anything, I think it’s the best thing I could do to keep my body and baby healthy, to keep my mind sane and to keep my energy up!!!

I’m happy that my doctors are supportive of my job and have no issues with me teaching classes at this point!! What I love the most is being active and helping others stay fit…. it truly is amazing!

For more posts about exercise & pregnancy check out these links below:

Exercise modifications during pregnancy

The benefits of exercise during MY pregnancy

Should you exercise while pregnant

Did you exercise during your pregnancy?

What do you think of pregnant ladies in the gym?

**I am not a doctor or physician. Please consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine**

May 20, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Healthy Lemon Chicken

I have always been into cooking but since my pregnancy started my interest in food and cooking meals has sort of vanished. These past few weeks have been a little different and I cooked a majority of our dinners and even got creative a couple nights.

I was craving something different and something I haven’t had before so I immediately started searching the internet for recipes.

I stumbled upon a Chicken Piccata recipe and the lemons caught my eye. I’m not a caper fan so I knew right away I would be leaving that out! I tried to make the recipe my own because sometimes I don’t agree or like everything I see. I omitted the added sugar, changed the flour, and used some dried herbs. It turned out great.

If you are a fan of lemon flavor this recipe will definitely be a hit. Marc and I both enjoyed it!!

HEALTHY LEMON CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1 1/2lbs of chicken breast cut into 5 pieces and pounded to 1/2-3/4 inch thin
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, quartered
1 lemon cut into thin rounds
1 tbsp brown rice flour, or regular white/wheat flour
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp grated garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Combine Lemon slices & garlic in a bowl.

2. Season chicken with Salt & Pepper. Heat large skillet to high heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil. Add chicken and cook about 4 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and place on plate. Add lemon and 1 clove of garlic to the pan with 1 tsp olive oil, turn frequently until lemon is browned. Remove lemon mixture and add to bowl.

3. Heat pan to medium heat add butter, grated garlic, oregano, thyme, onion powder and white wine to pan. Scrape up and bits on the bottom of the pan. Add chicken stock brown rice flour and 1 tsp butter to pan. Bring to a boil and stir. Simmer for a few minutes. Add chicken back to the pan and cook another 2-4 minutes on medium heat. Place chicken on plate and top with Lemon mixture.

We served this with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans in olive oil. We’ve had this recipe twice and we loved it both times!

May 18, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
7 Comments

WIAW: I need more bacon

Hey there!!!

It’s Wednesday and I always look forward to this day. It’s the middle of the week, the weekend is closer and I get to share some food with you.

Here is my food journal from Monday!

I am happy to say that Monday I woke up ready to tackle the day. I was feeling more energized then I had been the past few Mondays! I had a large glass of water and some decaf Iced coffee to start my day.

Breakfast was whipped up quickly with a leftover baked potato that I sliced and pan fried, then scrambled some eggs & Spinach. (this picture is recycled.. I eat this meal a lot)

After Group Power I was a sweaty mess, hungry, & fatigued. Maybe I pushed a little too hard???

I quickly ate an under ripe banana, it wasn’t the best but I needed some food asap. I picked Ava up from the childcare and we went home for a quick snack.

I made a piece of toast and topped it with egg whites & some bacon. This was AMAZING and simple. Have I told you that I love bacon??????? I believe since I became pregnant we have had bacon just about every other week. I probably should just buy more then one package at a time because I feel like I’m always buying it! I also ate about 4 handfuls of Ava’s plain cheerios. I was feeling the carbs.

We headed back to the YMCA for my second class. It was another sweaty one and I was surprised at how tired my body was after!

Again, I went home starving…. I quickly ate a piece of this chicken.

Had this string cheese…

which the last 3 bites got stolen from Ava..

I also had a bowl of carrots, cucumbers and peppers.

Plus some smoky chili & lime chickpeas

This was the most random broken up lunch I have had in a long time. Food really isn’t appealing to me so I think that’s why I chose random items from the fridge/pantry and my hunger which forced me to eat easily accessible items!

My body was pretty wiped like I said earlier and when Ava napped so did I. So much for waking up energized right?? I think 3rd trimester pregnancy fatigue has taken over.

I woke up starving and thirsty. I quickly made a yogurt bowl with berries & granola.

It was delicious and I ate it in practically 3 bites.

We played outside for a bit while the sun was shining and then I decided to make some dinner.

aI think a craving for red meat struck because I was feeling a Beef Chili and it totally hit the spot. This bowl had rice, beef, pinto beans, tomatoes, cheese & avocado.

I scooped it into some romaine lettuce wraps and also enjoyed a few too many tortilla chips. This dinner left me feeling full and satisfied.

Marc and I took Cooper to the Dog Park while Ava went to run errands with my mom. It was nice to give Cooper some one on one attention!

The rest of the evening was spent cleaning up the house and organizing for the next day. I didn’t really have an appetite for a snack but I ate some strawberries out of the fridge

plus 2 small scoops of peanut butter.

I didn’t want to go to bed without eating something because I knew I would wake up in the middle of the night hungry!!

If you need some more food inspiration check out the What I ate Wednesday Crew over on Laura’s Blog and find some food ideas.

What’s something yummy you ate this week?

Do you have cravings for specific meals a lot?

May 17, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Rhode Island Day Trip & Nesting

I didn’t have time to post yesterday so I apologize. This blog post is coming later then I wanted but I’ve been SO busy and haven’t really sat down at my computer at all.

This weekend was fun & productive so I wanted to share it with you

I was so happy to get away this past weekend. Even if it was a quick day trip to Rhode Island, it’s always nice to visit family and get out of town for a bit. It reminds me to slow down and enjoy family time.

Saturday morning we hit the road bright and early.

Iced coffee in hand and maybe a donut for Ava and a muffin for mommy I’m guilty of a sweet tooth this pregnancy, but I’m rolling with it right now.

The trip was great and we made it to RI by 930am. I feel bad I made us stop to pee but this bladder is getting smaller and smaller each week.

We spent the day with Marc’s family and were fortunate that his aunt and grandma came to visit us. It’s so nice to be able to see them all.

Ava had a blast with her cousins.

She got to have cake and blow out candles for her Mimi’s birthday.

The kids ran around outside, played with toys and ate lunch together.

The day was great. I felt like when we got home my mind was rested and we were all in a happy mood.

Sunday Marc and I decided we wanted to be productive. By productive I mean we were nesting. That word sounds funny to me, but its the exact stage I feel that I am in. I’m making to-do lists, organizing drawers, cabinets, pantries & closets. I’m literally trying to throw everything out. If we haven’t used it in the last year it’s going in the garbage or it’s getting donated!!

It feels great to do some spring cleaning and also organize my life at home. I know once this baby is here I won’t be doing any of this stuff so I’d rather get it all done now.

The clock is ticking and with 8 weeks left I know I have to do a little each day to finish all the items on my list. Is it possible????

I sometimes question it, but I’m determined to clear the clutter and my mind!

Did you do anything fun this weekend?

How organized are you at home? Any organizational tips for this mama?

May 13, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Baby #2: Pregnancy Update Weeks 29-31

I am currently 31 weeks + 2 days and I’m feeling very pregnant! I’m also counting down the days until I get to meet this little baby boy 61 days I wouldn’t mind an early arrival either but not more then 12 days… Ava was 12 days early and that was plenty early enough for this mama.

Since my last update, I feel like I’ve definitely had some uncomfortable pregnancy moments like round ligament pain, stomach bugs, and waking up to pee in the night. I know it all comes with being pregnant so I can’t complain because this week has been great.

I’m back to my workouts & I’m sleeping pretty well. This warm sunny weather is an instant mood booster too. I love being able to spend any free time I have outside with Ava & Cooper. It’s been a great week. Now, here’s an update for you in the pregnancy world for me.

PREGNANCY UPDATE 29-31 WEEKS

The Baby is the size of an PINEAPPLE Weighing about 3 1/2 lbs. I definitely feel like my baby boy is packing on the pounds.

Weight gained

18.5 lbs

Gender:

It’s a BOY!!!

Workouts

I didn’t work out during week 30 due to the stomach bug. This week I’m off to a great start and back to my normal routine…

MONDAY Fit For Life class & Group Power class, 20 minute walk with Cooper

TUESDAY 20 Minute walk with Cooper & Boot Camp Class

WEDNESDAY 1 hour Group Power Strength training

THURSDAY Fit For Life plus taught boot camp and a 20 minute walk with Cooper

This picture was taken at 30 Weeks… wet hair, no make up, and tired!

Symptoms:

I want to say my symptoms are minimal right now but during the stomach bug last week I had just about every symptom out there.. nausea, fatigue, cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, lack of sleep.. you name it. Blame it on the stomach bug.

This week my symptoms are non existent. I wouldn’t count being tired as one because my job is tiring, and chasing a toddler is tiring. I have had some foot pain that started yesterday so I think I need to take it easy with some of the workouts. I try to rest when I can but lets be serious that isn’t really an option these days unless Ava naps or she’s in bed early.

I feel like my belly is getting heavy and in the way a little bit more. I can’t move as easily and my body is saying no to more exercises like jumping jacks, planks and even the slightest bit of running (like after Ava).

Food Aversions:

I’m starting to get some food aversions. Luckily it usually only happens around the early evening time. There are more foods I don’t want to eat then I want to so it’s making cooking and dinner time rough. I’m not really liking the sound of mexican or chinese food.

After eating bland foods for a week maybe I’m just being cautious as to what I put in my mouth.

Picture taken at 31 weeks + 2 days.

Food Cravings:

BBQ Chicken… give me all of it.
peanut butter on a spoon, bread, or the cookie dough larabar!
Eggs & potatoes
Watermelon, oranges, and strawberries
Brownies I may have had one when we celebrated our 5 year anniversary and on mother’s day!!!
Salads with honey mustard dressing
sandwiches and turkey burgers

Sleep:

Sleep has been great! I sleep like a rock when my head hits that pillow. I have had some really solid nights of sleep and a few nights where I have gotten up a few times to pee. Luckily it doesn’t effect me and I head right back into that deep sleep.

Maternity clothes:

I’m at the point where I wish I had more clothing options. My belly is only fitting into certain tops these days so I am just rolling with it. I only have 9 weeks left so there’s NO point in buying anything new. I love yoga pants and maternity bottoms, although pants are getting too hot to wear these days. i can’t wait to wear shorts and dresses!!

Stretch marks:

None yet!

Do I Miss anything:

I miss exercising normally. I have lightened my weights with my classes and I notice that squating and lunging is getting more challenging.

I miss laying on my belly and finding a comfortable position when I’m in bed. I also miss getting up easier. I’ll take a hand whenever I can to get up off the floor or couch

I miss a glass of wine. I wish I could’ve had a celebratory glass of wine for our 5 year anniversary with Marc. Not that hanging out with him and eating dinner wasn’t special enough but it’s nice to have a toast that isn’t with water.

Movement:

ALL day every day. Over the past few days I’ve notice baby boy moving during my classes as I’m teaching, he moves when I walk Cooper, and he moves when I’m sitting. Basically it’s ALL the time and while I love it, sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable.

Baby Items Purchased:

We purchased a rug and this one won’t get stolen from Ava. My mom also bought him a set of pacifiers, a bunch of onesies and bibs. It gets me SUPER excited for his arrival.

Wedding rings ON or OFF:

Picture taken at 31 weeks + 2 days. I’m not really liking all these selfies but to be honest I only think to take pictures when I need to post a pregnancy update!!

Belly Button IN or OUT?

OUT… I’m a little self conscious about my belly button these days. It’s popping through all my tops. I feel like everyone stares at it and I don’t need anyone looking at me!! I know it’s part of pregnancy and I try to remind myself, but it’s been a little awkward for me.

I’m Looking Forward To:

I’m looking forward to spoiling Ava these next 9 weeks. I’m going to try to fill up our days with excitement, adventure and outdoor activities. I know once the baby is here she will have to be patient with me and be able to play outside or play inside more independently, so I want to take advantage of the time I have left with just her. It makes me sort of sad for her in a way, but I know she will be a great big sister!

9 weeks and we get to meet this little guy!!!

Random Things:

Ava is constantly talking to my belly. It’s super cute that she wants to say hi and put her hand on my belly but I don’t like when she lifts my shirt in public so we are working on that

Last week after the stomach bug and my dehydration incident I’ve slowed down a bit. I was nervous when I had some contractions in the hospital and as much as I want to meet this baby boy I want to meet him once I’m full term. I’m doing my best to listen to my body’s cues and when I feel the need to chill I do!!

Our schedule is looking pretty full for the month of May. I love that we have lots of plans but I definitely need to set some time to get to my to-do list before baby boy arrives.

61 days sounds like NOTHING to me. I CAN’T WAIT.

For more pregnancy updates head over to my Baby #2 pregnancy page

May 11, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
10 Comments

WIAW: I’m getting lazy

I am usually really into food and excited about what meal I will eat next but lately I’m lazy and haven’t been myself.

I think that has to do with being tired & pregnant and getting over yet another stomach bug.

I’m linking up with the What I ate Wednesday Crew over on Arman’s Blog today to share my food journal with you from Monday.

Mondays always seem like the day that my body wants to sleep in. Do you feel the same?? Ava slept kinda bad this weekend and was up early both days but go figure she sleeps in on the day I need to be up at 6am. I love how that works.

I started the day with a large glass of water and a cup of iced decaf coffee. Yes, it was leftover from the weekend, I’m pathetic.

I did however enjoy my breakfast. 2 eggs, sautéed spinach in olive oil & sliced potatoes that were cooked in a pan.

I taught Group Power for the first time in over a week. I was so excited to get back to a routine but also nervous as to how my body would respond. I lifted lighter and felt great throughout the entire class.

At 8:45am my body was like give me food. I had a banana on the way to pick Ava up from Daycare.

Once we got home I wanted to try this Square Bar which was peanut butter flavor covered in chocolate.

It’s organic and has ingredients that you know and can pronounce so I approved.

Little miss Ava wanted some and I hate to say it but I was sad to give up 3 bites of this bar. It was yummy.

I also snacked on some mixed nuts.

I taught my second class which was great. I was sweating, the group was happy I was back and we got in a great workout.

Lunch came around 12:15pm: a salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, honey mustard dressing & BBQ Grilled chicken.

I know I’ve said it before but Marc makes the best grilled chicken. Too bad I’m going to eat it all on him

I also had some tortilla chips.

I was super thankful Ava took a nice long nap for me. My body was wiped, I did some computer work and ended up taking a 20 minute nap myself. I really didn’t want to but my body fought me!!!

I woke up feeling groggy, thirsty and hungry. Bad combo..

I chugged some water and ate an orange.

I had no cravings and wasn’t in the mood for anything but I knew I needed some more calories so I opened a jar of a peanut butter.

It’s always a win right?

After I got my energy back I headed to the grocery store with Ava to grab some food to make dinner and get her some more milk. It seems like I am always buying milk!!!

I whipped up a simple and fast dinner. Grilled Turkey Burgers, Baked Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli with olive oil. This was a pretty healthy meal considering nothing looked appealing to me!

I couldn’t wait to relax on the couch this evening. My body is definitely a little weak after that stomach bug so I made sure to rest when I could throughout the day.

At around 7:45pm I plopped myself down on the couch watched a little TV and snacked on a greek yogurt with berries & granola.

It was a great end to the day

Do you ever get lazy in the kitchen?

What’s your favorite salad combo?

May 6, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Celebrating 5 Years

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

Today is a very special day in the Garofalo house. Marc and I are celebrating our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary.

Although we have been married for 5 years we have been dating for 11 years and I still can’t get enough of this guy!

This picture is genuine and I love it because it shows pure happiness.

While I can ramble on about the past 5 years and how great Marc is. I will keep it short and sweet.

Life is better with Marc by my side, he’s supportive, caring, comforting, he makes me laugh & smile and he is the best dad and husband I could ask for!

May 4, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Pregnancy & Dehydration

I wanted to discuss a topic today that I have experienced myself and that most pregnant people probably don’t think about, dehydration.

As a health & fitness professional I constantly preach hydration and drinking tons of water throughout the day. I’m always carrying a water bottle and I’m always drinking.

For the second time this pregnancy I have experienced dehydration. The first time I had the stomach flu and to be honest dehydration is almost a given when you throw up 15 times and you can’t eat or drink for 2 days.

This time dehydration crept up on me and hit me hard. Last Saturday afternoon I spent the day playing outside with Ava, running errands and having fun with the sunny weather.

I drank water here and there but when I was looking for water on our errands my bottle was empty.

I didn’t think anything about it. We played and the day went on! At around 4pm I noticed I was dying of thirst and chugged a 16oz bottle. We ate dinner and then our night started to wrap up.

Around 7pm I was feeling tired & sluggish but thought nothing of it and laid on the couch while Marc played with Ava and gave me a break.

We went to bed around 10pm which is my normal bed time, but Ava kept us up all night coughing. Marc and I tossed and turned. I got up to pee a couple times and checked on her. Around 12pm we decided to give her some medicine and lay with her propped up so she would be more comfortable. We stayed up until 1am and I peed again. I thought it was weird that I was peeing so much considering I didn’t drink anything before bed.

Around 5:45am Ava woke up but Marc took her so I could sleep because I didn’t feel well (probably from lack of sleep). I woke up around 6:45am and headed downstairs to give Marc a break and let him sleep. I felt okay but was starving. I made myself 2 eggs & toast because I wasn’t feeling veggies or anything and ate it rather quickly. I had 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup of coffee and all of a sudden felt like I was going to throw up. From that point on my day went downhill.

I spent the entire day on the couch nauseous, tired, and sick to my stomach. I felt like i was getting the stomach flu again. I was on edge all day, unsure if I was going to throw up. My stomach turned and I couldn’t drink or eat much. I forced myself to eat some lunch and to drink some fluids but it was torture.

Around 4pm I decided to call the doctor. He told me I could go to the hospital for IV fluids or I can try to hydrate on my own. I chose to do it myself. I had a baby that I needed to take care of so I forced water in my mouth, I tried vitamin water but he said I don’t care what you drink just DRINK. So I tried and I thought I did a good job but then I sat down to eat dinner with Marc and Ava and I felt awful. I headed back to the couch and was frustrated.

I couldn’t believe I was experiencing this again. I was a little worried because I had lower abdominal cramps and that made this whole experience more nerveracking.

Marc told me to go to bed but I said I couldn’t because I was so uncomfortable and sick that I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes.

Around 8pm I gave in and took Nausea medicine. I knew if I couldn’t drink or eat everything would just get worse and I needed to sleep too.

At around 8:45pm I felt some relief so I drank 8oz of water and I had a piece of bread. I finally felt like I could go to bed.

I fell asleep around 9:30pm and slept pretty well considering. I only woke up once to pee.

When I got up at 6:45am I felt a little better but was still dying of thirst. I went pee and noticed my urine was super dark. It alarmed me because I usually have healthy looking pee haha.

I decided to call the doctor and he told me to go to the hospital for IV. I had a feeling that would be the case but I didn’t want to mess around.

Dehydration is a VICIOUS cycle. It makes you nauseous, it makes it difficult to eat or drink, but it won’t go away until you drink even though that’s the last thing you want to do!!

I knew I couldn’t get better fast without help so I headed to the hospital at 8am. They immediately gave me IV and I had to lay there for hours. After the first bag of IV finished the nurse came in and told me I was having contractions.

I panicked a bit because I’m only 30 weeks and it’s too early for any of that. She said the doctor is going to keep you and give you another bag of fluids and see how things go.

I was nervous. I know the contractions were probably from the dehydration but still the mild cramps meant something and I wanted to feel normal again.

When she started my second bag of IV she also gave me some nausea medicine and I slowly began feeling like myself. It felt great.

I was able to drink some juice and eat some saltine crackers. (not my favorite, but it worked!)

Around 11am the nurse came in and told me the doctor would check me since I was still having some scattered contractions. I prayed and prayed that nothing was wrong and that everything would be better soon.

At 11:45am I was released!! It felt amazing when she said you can go home!!!

It’s now Wednesday and I’m still on the mends. Talk about miserable right?? The last 2 nights were quite miserable but I will spare you the play by play details and just tell you I was running to the bathroom every couple hours in the middle of the night. I was so nervous about the baby the whole time because the cramping I was experiencing felt like labor contractions.

Luckily after speaking with the doctor she confirmed this was all because of the stomach bug and the baby was fine unless I was cramping all the time.

I saw the doctor this morning and all is well with the baby!! She confirmed it was a stomach bug and I was nearing the end. I believe I caught it from my husband who was sick this whole past week

I know this post was long but everything is that much harder and longer during pregnancy and I wanted you to get a feel for that. Pregnant women have a tough job.

I’m happy to say that I will be at home resting for the remainder of the week. That’s what the doctor ordered and my body had already told me to stay home and focus on me.

How I recovered from the stomach flu & dehydration:

Sip small amounts of water
Drink Electrolyte drinks
Eat Ice Pops or Ice Chips
Where comfortable clothing and try to stay at a comfortable temperature
Rest and lay down (Laying propped up helped me)
When I couldn’t keep fluids down or drink anything I called the doctor and went to get IV fluids

I literally had to force myself to drink water, it wasn’t easy but I knew that was the only road to recovery. I tried ice pops even when I was gagging and nauseous at the sight of them. I felt better when I wasn’t lying flat on my side. For some reason sitting or being propped on my back felt the most comfortable. I stayed in sweatpants for days and I called my doctor when I didn’t feel I was making the progress I needed to.

Have any other pregnant ladies out there been dehydrated before or caught the stomach flu??

If so how long did it take you to recover?

April 28, 2016
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

The TERRIBLE Two’s

Ava is almost 2 years and 5 months!! That sounds crazy when I write it and time is flying by as usual.

I haven’t done an update in a while but I felt the need to. She’s become such a smart, caring, fun little girl and I can’t get enough of her.

My love is strong but to be honest these last 5 or so months have been some of the most challenging days for me.

Not only is my strong willed, independent girl getting smarter, she’s getting wiser, she’s learning how to talk back to mama, how to manipulate daddy, and knows how to push ALL of my buttons.

I mean buttons I never knew I had!!!

They call this phase THE TERRIBLE TWO’S

All you moms out there know what I’m talking about.

Ava is a ball of energy and I knew that from day one. She’s a firecracker and I LOVE IT. I couldn’t imagine her sitting still because that’s not me. I always heard about the Terrible two’s from my mom and other moms. I also experienced it when I was out at stores, malls, and kid activities and watched other parents deal with crazy toddlers. I thought to myself, my sweet little girl would never fit the bill.

The terrible twos are real though and well, I was wrong.

Everything I’ve seen other parents have to deal with has happened to me. My toddler runs away from me, she’s hit me in the face, she says no and yells really loud in stores when she doesn’t get her way. She rolls on the floor and causes a scene and will pretty much throw a tantrum if you don’t give her what she wants. Basically she’s embarrassed me and I was blindsided by the whole thing.

I know it all. The kicking and screaming sounds bad, and believe me, it is. But it doesn’t happen all day long. It happens when Ava is tired, hungry, doesn’t feel well or has to use the bathroom.

Although her vocabulary is AMAZING she still has a difficult time communicating to me. So as a parent I have recognized her BAD behavior happens when she’s trying to tell me something.

I’ve tried many different ways to handle her TERRIBLE behavior and some things work one day and different things work on another.

Handling the terrible two’s:

at home I can walk away from her if she is crying/screaming/causing a scene that doesn’t need my acknowledgment.
I kneel down next to her and tell her I know she’s frustrated but if she needs help or wants to tell me something she can. If she continues the tantrum I will ask her yes or no questions. Do you need to pee? are you hungry? Are you tired? Sometimes she will answer
Ava has hit me several times, a couple times when she needed to go to the bathroom. In those situations I told her we don’t hit, we hug. If something is the matter you need to use your words to tell me.
Ava is a runner. She has run away from me at the YMCA and on playgrounds/parks. This one scares me. When it’s a dangerous situation I have to pick her up and let her kick and flail her arms because I don’t want her to get hurt. I have tried using words like “stop your feet” or freeze but she hasn’t responded well to those just yet. If I say “let me see you walk slow” she sometimes will listen.

Now… this list can go on and on and while I try to keep my reactions calm and approach her with a calm tone it doesn’t always play out that way. I’m human, I lose my patience and she pushes those buttons I was talking about.

Some days she pushes those buttons too many times and I need to yell. It usually NEVER makes the situation better but my body almost needs to let it out. Sometimes she gets time outs in her crib and when we are home I find that to be most effective. It lets her cool off and I get a break for a minute or two until she’s calm and I go in and talk to her. She sees me and says “sorry mommy” and gives me a hug. It’s always the best hug and I know we both feel so much better.

Lately I have been reading a lot of other mom blogs and blogs that discuss parenting, different approaches, and just funny blogs that make me laugh about the Terrible Two’s.

In the end I know I’m doing the best job I possibly can and that I am truly a good mom. But believe me I’ve had my doubts and sometimes you need the bad days to appreciate the good ones!!

I’m thrilled to say that over the past 2 weeks my healthy Ava has been a GREAT listener and has been making me more proud each day. A happy healthy kid is all I want and when she’s happy she’s so much fun to be around!