Wow, I am amazed at how fast the time has flown by since that first day finding out I was pregnant to now, being 39 weeks along and just waiting to meet my new little girl!  People are always asking what I did differently this time vs. last time and if it made a difference in everything…and my answer is yes!  I learned from the first time around that a) I didn’t want to gain as much weight, b) I wanted to keep my normal workout routine up for longer and c) I wanted to adjust my schedule so that when the end approached I had down time and time to recover!  The first time around its not that I wanted to jump back into work, working out, basically everything – I pretty much expected myself too!  This time, I am giving myself the time to be hormonal, sad, adjust and just enjoy my growing family!

Not gaining too much weight  AND maintaining my workouts

These to go together!!!  During my first pregnancy I gave into those not so healthy cravings on a regular basis, saying “I’ll work it off afterwards or breast feeding will help me lose the weight”.  And in turn I gained close to 45 pounds, suffered major post partum depression and wasn’t able to breastfeed.  So, this time around I allow myself my cravings but in moderation and I kept up with my fitness routine, which helped not only with the weight gain but also with my overall mood/hormonal balance.  I kept teaching my classes (including Step) right up until 38 weeks!  It felt great.  I modified the step, watched my heart rate, and stayed super hydrated and bonus, kept the swelling that commonly accompanies summer pregnancies away until these last few weeks.  I also kept up my weight training program, only scaling it back at the beginning of my 9^th month and doing more cardio just because it feels good.  The research I did to write the fitness/nutrition portions of the book totally changed my outlook this time around.  And the weight gain – 32 pounds!

Schedule

As all new moms can attest, time is no longer yours once you have a baby, add another into the mix and you are really lucky if you get a shower daily!  In my case, I am also juggling my business!  And I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I love what I do for a living – I help others reach their goals, and bring happiness into their everyday life.  And, my career and my children blend beautifully.  However, as I approached the end of my pregnancy and beginning of “Mom of 2” I knew I had to look at everything in my life and choose what do I want to keep doing, stop doing or put off until later!  I am not sure how it will all balance once baby #2 is here (yep, her name is a secret for now), but I am giving myself the opportunity to just live in the moment, adjust and not be hard on myself!  And yes, this time around, I made sure to take time off!

Delivery

I would love to do a VBAC this time around.  Yet, with my new outlook at the end of the day what I really want is a healthy mommy and baby.  If a c-section is the option to make that possible than that is the best delivery option for me!

I can’t wait to check back in with everyone!!!

Related articles

• Limiting Weight Gain during Pregnancy (9monthsin9monthsout.com)
• Pregnancy Weight Gain: What’s Too Much? (everydayhealth.com)
• Not Gaining Enough Weight (everydayhealth.com)
• Pregnancy and you: Pregnancy weight gain – know the factors (mayoclinic.com)

Ju-Ju-Be “Be Spicy” in Chocolate Brown

So I got this bag in the mail as a gift, and really thought I wasn’t going to like it, until I started exploring it!  The chocolate color is great, plus it has Teflon so the stains don’t stick.  Once you open the bag you will see the linings are solid and many mesh pockets.  The changing pad – the most comfy I have ever seen…there is memory foam inside, plus it is made of the same anti-microbial fabric.  The inside of bag – neutral color, no more searching through the blackness of your bag trying to find the binkie your baby needs NOW!  The best part of the bag – the front mommy pocket!  You can fully un-zip this pocket and once you do you will find a pocket for your cell phone, keys, sunglasses and so much more.  Another great feature – NO PLASTIC!  All of the attachment pieces for the handle, zippers, even the feet on the bottom of the bag are made of medal – this bag is sure to hold up.  However, this is the only reason I didn’t give the bag a 5 – it is a little on the heavy side with nothing in it.  Once it is loaded with all the baby stuff and mom stuff it is quite heavy.  The fitness side of me is telling you – use the stroller straps provided (also made of heavy duty cloth and metal) or switch shoulders to keep your nice mommy posture.  You’re working hard to get those abs back, stand up straight and show them off!

“As I sit here looking at the picture of the ultrasound of my second daughter due in August, I reflect on how my passion for helping moms has gotten me to this point in my life. It all started with creating the Mom’s N Babies Getting Fit program for the Marine Corps in 2001 to help active-duty moms stay fit for deployment. It continued while I served as Gold’s Gym Internationals Pre-Postnatal Fitness Expert for six years. Currently, I serve as an Elements Pre/Postnatal Advisory Board Member and as a monthly contributor for Oxygen magazine (“Fit for Two” column). For the past decade, my passion has revolved around helping moms stay healthy during their childbearing ages. Truly, I have been helping those moms feel like “HOT, SEXY, WOMEN!” – myself included!

Throughout the past few years, you may have seen one of my articles in Max Sports & Fitness or even tried one of my workouts. And let’s face it: they really work. I am living proof! In 2008, while pregnant with my daughter Alexandra, I found a group of women who shared my passion for everything pre/postnatal and we decided to write a book for moms, by moms! And so ACSS Transitions was created! Our group of healthcare professionals – Angel Miller (certified nurse midwife), myself (fitness and nutrition expert), Shelia Kirkbride (psychological and rehabilitation counselor) and Dr. Stacia Kelly (stress management and hypnosis), who are all mothers – know the challenges women face in finding reliable information that is useful rather than overwhelming or scary!

Thus, Nine Months In Nine Months Out, a reference guide that offers the most often requested information about prenatal/postnatal wellness, was born! Becoming a mom for the first, second or third time is an exciting rite of passage! We also know it can also be one of the most challenging and stressful of times, too!

Women want to be in the best shape they can be in both physically and emotionally while pregnant (and beyond), and they are looking for the answers. This guide provides answers, information and suggestions from the first month of pregnancy right through nine months after giving birth.

Other important topics covered in the book include proper nutrition and fitness (from mom-to-be and new mom exercise tips to boosting your energy levels with easy recipes), medical concerns (such as how hormones affect depression and anxiety, and what tests to expect at each phase) and holistic approaches for dealing with fear and anxiety surrounding labor and delivery.

For more information about the book, or ACSS Transitions, visit www.9monthsin9monthsout.com. If you are a mom, about to become a mom or know a mom who would benefit from this book, it is available on Mother’s Day 2011. And to all the strong and beautiful moms out there: Happy Mother’s Day”! MS&F

And yes, very proud to say that is me on the cover, pregnant with my daughter Alexandra.

Corry & Alex

Now comes the time when a mom asks…”Am I really still pregnant?”  The nausea is gone, the energy is returning, and I feel more myself.  Yep, here come the best 3 months of pregnancy for me…when I am still not too big, and no longer feel sick all the time.  The question I get asked most often – “Are you still working out?”

The answer is yes, I am still working out…

I teach/or take bodystep 1-2 days per week; treadmill 2 days per week, bike one day.  Additionally, I lift weights 3 x per week and teach and Pilates based Chair class.  I also walk the dogs every morning and chase my 2 year old…EVERYWHERE!

Nutrition – hmmmm…the cravings for sweet and salt have returned.  Biggest craving – Dunkin Donuts – have one every week.  Still drinking my Max Muscle protein shakes before and after my workout, eating 6 or 7 small meals and aiming for a really balanced diet.  I will admit, at night, the only thing that truly helps the heart-burn? Cherrios with skim milk.  And eggs, they are still not my friend!

Weight gain is awesome…lower than my first pregnancy and yet still in the healthy range.  AND…this baby is another GIRL!  More to follow…

Alex is growing like a weed…can’t believe she is already two!  Not quite sure she understands what the “baby in mommy’s belly is” but she sure enjoys taking care of her baby dolls!  Her latest words, or sentences are “Right here” and she points, the famous “No, I do” and of course, the ones we are so proud of “Thank You” and “Please”.

Pregnancy number 2 is wonderful – I really can’t complain!  I am finally over the nausea and feeling the 2nd Trimester energy spur!  Time to prep the house, which means a new room for Alex, and as all moms do – cleaning and nesting!  My workouts are going great, still teaching and loving every moment.  We find out soon what baby #2 will be, and although the name will be a mystery, we will let you know if we have more pink in store or a change with blue!

Hugs and kisses to you all!

Just shortly after this ultrasound at 12 weeks, if my friends, family and co-workers hadn’t caught on yet, they knew.  Everything happens so much quicker the second time around!

Heart beats

I got to hear the baby’s heartbeat today!  At only 9 ½ weeks along, I was able to hear the heartbeat, and with that the chances of miscarriage decrease to less than 1%.  I love that thumping sound, so comforting…175 beats strong!  I also talked with the midwife today about my options for delivery.  With my daughter, Alex, I ended up with a C-Section after being induced, allergic to the induction drug (well, cord that held the drug in place), and a bad reaction with pitocin.  As long as I go into labor on my own, I can deliver this baby via a VBAC (virginal bath after cesarean).  Midwife encouraged me to keep working out as I am.  I also talked to my dear friend Dr. Stacia Kelly (also a co-author of our book) about the whole hypno-birthing process, and will keep an open mind.

Working out:

Ok, this time around I said let’s just go for it, and try and keep all of my physical activity in there, and slow down as I go.  The week I found out I was pregnant, I also found out that a BodyStep morning class was available if I wanted to take over teaching…and I have been waiting for a class at 9am to make it easy on both Alex and I.  I am happy to say, even though I feel nauseous the working out makes me feel better, and I am still doing the class full out, in addition to my weight training, AND teaching my abs and back classes!  My mommies’ in the Boot Camp for Moms keep talking about baby #2.  Yesterday they were asking when we were going to start trying, and if I thought it would be hard the second time around getting pregnant?  Hmmm…keeping my little secret a bit longer!

Supplements/Diet:

I love my Max Muscle Supplements.  Currently the Nutraceutical ginger is a life saver.  Instead of sucking on ginger lollipops or drinking ginger-ale I take one every morning with my prenatal and Omega 3 Plus (also from Max Muscle), and I feel “LESS” sick.  Not sure any morning the nausea has gone away.  Currently I have crackers by my bed that I eat a couple of before getting out of bed, then I eat breakfast – Triple Whey Protein Powder (Max Muscle) mixed with water and glutamine and, either an english muffin or thin bagel.  This holds me over until my workout is done and then I drink the Iso-Extreme Orange Protein powder with XTR (both Max Muscle).  Sad to say, that is about the extent of my protein for the day, after about 1pm my body pretty much rejects protein.  So…I am living on carbs again this time around!  I can’t wait until I can add the protein back in! – prenatal, triple whey, iso-extreme and GINGER!