A Healthier Pregnancy

I know I've mentioned before how much I enjoy serving my family healthy, whole foods.  We made the commitment to "clean up" our eating at least to an extent in January, and we were really doing a pretty good job.  I was making most things from scratch, limiting sugars and artificial ingredients, etc.

Then I got pregnant . . . and tired . . . and sick.

So I retreated back to the easy stuff - anything that wouldn't make my stomach turn to fix.  We got lots of boxed macaroni and cheese, canned ravioli, etc.  And there were many days where my entire diet consisted of bagels, cream cheese, and cereal.  Yuck.

Where many people are so sick during the first trimester that they lose weight, I did just the opposite.  I was unable to allow my stomach to empty, so I just ate all those packaged foods constantly.  And getting up off the couch was a joke far too many days.  So I gained a whole lot of weight and lost a whole lot of energy right from the start. 

Now I'm over halfway through this pregnancy and though my sickness is gone, my energy is still low due to the unhealthy lifestyle I sunk into.  Yesterday I went to the doctor.  Though she is not concerned right now, she suggested that I "keep an eye" on my weight.  I have done quite a bit of thinking and praying about it, and have come up with some steps to get back on the "healthy wagon".  I've also gone over these steps with my husband and my mom to see if they agree that it is healthy and logical for me while I'm pregnant. 

First of all, my husband and I are more than ready to get back into using mostly whole foods.  Are we against the occasional brownie mix, macaroni and cheese, or crackers?  Nope.  But there is definitely a difference between those and the wonderful benefits (as well as taste, we think!!) of foods that are not so "tampered with".  We're to re-committing to eating things directly from the garden and the farm, which should be easier right now than ever since the farmers David helps are willing to share their produce and eggs with us.

Aside from this food adjustment for all of us, here is the list I have come up with to help maintain a healthy pregnancy and hopefully to keep my weight from continuing to skyrocket.

1. Begin each day, 5 days a week, with light to moderate exercise
2. Walk at least 20 minutes with kids 3 days a week
3. Eat protein at all three meals
4. Eat fewer servings of carbs throughout the day
5. Use sugar in my coffee only on weekends
6. Enjoy desserts only on weekends (though I feel I must allow for giving in to the occasional craving or else I might not make it nor would my family!)
7. Eat a piece of fruit at night when I am really hungry for sweets
8. Load up on veggies at meals rather than the carbs
9. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day

I think this seems to be a realistic list to stick to throughout the rest of the pregnancy.  I am really hoping it results in not only my own continued health, but that of the baby's, as well.  So far today I exercised before the kids got up, we took a long walk, and I think I've done pretty well on the food side of things.  I've even had 5 glasses of water, which is already about 2 more than I drink many days.

What do you think?  I've gotten a lot of responses via facebook on how to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.  Any other suggestions?  I feel so much better today already, just having a new outlook on my health rather than saying, "I'm pregnant so I can do this (eat this, sit on the couch, etc.). I'll change after the baby comes."

I'll try to keep updating on how this new routine is working!!