Weighing In

I've discovered that fertility is greatly influenced by your weight, and this is definitely a concern for my husband and me. I am definitely at least 15 - 20 pounds overweight, and he could stand to lose 30 or more pounds for sure. So, we've got to figure out a diet plan to suit our lifestyles, so we can drop the weight at a healthy pace and get in better physical condition!


Not only does it greatly increase our chances of conceiving, its also just really good for us. And what better motivation than our future child to kick our butts into gear!

So, the plan we will develop will consist of a few strict rules to follow, to get us back on track.
1. Practice portion control.
2. Try the "grazing" approach - 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones.
3. Stick to low-cal low-fat foods, rich in nutrients.
4. Drink lots of water!

But, it doesn't only take a healthy balanced diet to lose weight, it also definitely takes some exercise. And not only will that help me get into great shape, it will get me into a routine I can continue through pregnancy so that I can benefit my child even more! I had no idea that the benefits of exercise during pregnancy were so great!

1. It makes you feel better!
Exercise boosts your energy level, and releases endorphins that pump you up! It removes common aches and pains, especially in your back, and those effected by poor posture. It reduces constipation, loosens up your joints, and helps you sleep better at night.

2. It prepares your body for birth!
Being in great shape helps your muscles and heart, which can ease labor and delivery. Breathing exercises during a work out helps you manage your pain. And working up some endurance really helps should a long delivery be in the cards for you.

3. Helps you "snap back" a lot quicker!
By exercising before, during, and after pregnancy you can expect a lot quicker results when it comes to fitting back into those nice-butt jeans you haven't even seen since baby started cooking! So you can get back to feeling like yourself, and have a better attitude to take care of your new baby.

Exercising also benefits baby, once he or she is on board. Studies have shown that exercise during pregnancy can result in lower fetal heart rates (good thing!) It can also reduce the baby's birth weight into a healthy range, and prevent premature labor!

So, the goal for the coming weeks is to try and get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, consisting of aerobic activity, stretching, and weight training. We'll also implement a healthy-eating lifestyle. I'll report my findings and we'll see what we can come up with! Wish me luck!