Training...

...if you can call it that. For now, most of our training consists of just simply eating right. Of course, I'm doing this because of the baby anyway, but I don't think I've ever had so much protein in my diet in my life. I'm tracking my food, my calorie intake, my protein & other nutrient levels religiously, every day.

I'm also exercising frequently during the week; first there are the labor preparation exercises, which are really boring and a giant pain to remember to do (but must be helping my back because my back hasn't hurt in months). Then there is the aerobic exercise. Running is out, as I wasn't doing that on a regular basis before I got pregnant. It's all snowy and icy out anyway. I do ride the bike either in the basement on the trainer, but that's getting a little uncomfortable. The recumbent stationary bike at the gym still seems to work for me. But mainly I've been getting in some decent snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Funny how much faster I burn calories with the increased pregnancy weight and the increased heart rate. Last Tuesday I went skiing for just under 2 hours, and burned 1,224 calories. In under 2 hours. Without being short of breath. Simply amazing. I've taken the last few days off, just to make sure I'm not over doing it.

Being pregnant, I'm not as flexible (putting on the gators that go over my boots is getting to be a production). I can't do much weight training (but I can do squats without weight - that's one of
those labor prep exercises) - but since I have gained weight (the 'normal' amount for being almost 7 months pregnant), I figure if I just keep up my normal activities like squats, deep knee bends, lunges, etc. then I am effectively doing weight training just by hauling my new self around. But boy oh boy, I cannot wait to get the old me back.

I'm eating some 70-100 grams of (mostly) lean protein a day. Lots of calcium, lots of dairy & eggs. Almost all whole grains, and almost no processed foods. I imagine I'll have this diet while I continue to nurse the baby, well past the PMC. I'll be able add in the stuff I've had to cut from my diet for the pregnancy, though, like sushi, soft cheese and sausages. More variety would be lovely. I don't think I've ever eaten so much fruit in my life as I am eating right now. Or drank so much water.

I've found the Livestrong website is a great way to track my dietary intake as well as track my calorie expenditures during exercise. It's not perfect, but it does also have an iphone Application so I can keep track of foods while I am out. Very handy - otherwise I would forget. I can also add my exercise while at the gym.

I don't think Ken is getting much in the way of exercise these days. Given his schedule at work and the shortness of the days, he's not outside much. On the weekends he's trying to get some projects done before the baby comes. I did manage to get him out for a good snowshoe last Sunday. And now he's doing most of the shovelling, which is what I used to do, so I suppose that counts too. Lots of lifting with the legs.

I think March will be a tricky time. Last year, I started riding during March. This year, I'll be 8 months pregnant during March, and nearing full term. I definitely wont be on the bike. I'll have to just watch. But maybe Ken will be able to get out.

This will also be the first year where it's unlikely Ken & I will be able to train together. Unless we can convince my mom to watch the baby some evenings & Ken can get out of work early - if we could ride from her house for an hour and a half while she watches the wee-one, that might work. It'll take some coordination, though. Life if changing, but I think that with a little planning and forethought, it could work.

Now that I think of it, the bike club has rides that leave from the train station where Ken catches the train to and from work. I could maybe drop the kid off with my mom, meet Ken & we could ride from there, and then pick the kid up afterward. Just Might Work. There are options, anyway. But they all involve a babysitter. It'll work out somehow.