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Monday, March 23, 2009

The Healthy Side of It

Since becoming pregnant, I have often been focused on two aspects to this "condition": What I cannot do (or eat or drink) and how I feel. The first one has a somewhat lengthy list: No alcohol, drugs, sushi or trampolines. Which really puts a cramp in my weekend activities of getting wasted, free-basing crack, and jumping on a trampoline while eating raw fish. The second probably has consumed more of my thoughts since I have so often felt nauseous and barf-tastic.

However, in the past few days, I've been thinking about new behaviors and habits that I've been forced to pick up along the course of this pregnancy, and I am thinking that some of these things should be a part of life no matter what:

1. Taking vitamins everyday.
For those who know me, you know that I hate taking vitamins because swallowing them makes me gag, they kinda upset my stomach, and I usually forget about them after a few days of vowing to religiously take them (and they thus become expensive medicine-cabinet decoration). But now that I take a daily prenatal vitamin, as well as an Omega-3 fatty acid pill (good for baby's brain!), I have actually gotten used to them, and now me thinks they're not so bad.

2. Drinking more water.
I've actually always been a pretty good water drinker, but being pregnant requires a woman to really up her intake of water, so lately I have been drinking about 80-100 oz of water a day. Certainly the consequence of this is that I feel like I spend half my day (and night) peeing, but I think all this water is good for me.

3. Eating healthy.
Again, pre-pregnancy, I always thought of myself as a good, balanced eater, but since becoming pregnant, I think I am a better eater. I definitely eat more fruit, veggies, and whole grains. Sure, I also love me some Oreos and Snickers, but I am seriously going through the contents of the crisper faster than usual!

4. Eating smaller quantities. More frequently.
Basically, right now, I am eating something all the time, but it's small amounts throughout the day. This helps keep the nausea at bay, but also, I am frankly hungry ALL THE TIME! But supposedly, this is also a key to long-lasting weight control, which I've known, but knowing and doing are two separate things, right? Now that it's become habitual, I hope it will remain that way.

5. Avoiding drinking.
Usually, I would think of this as an abomination, but I actually think that the hiatus from drinking has several benefits, not just healthy ones: It's cheaper, it ensures that Jerry and I always have a sober-cab, and I have discovered that I still like my friends even when I'm sober (man, they must be keepers, huh?).

6. Running.
In the years that I've been running, I think I began to take running, and the benefits I gain from it, for granted. And I just figured when I got pregnant that my running would remain a constant. I didn't estimate how much harder it would be or how my physical limitations would change, but none of this has diminished my enjoyment of it or how much I need it on a regular basis.

All of these are things I'd like to carry over into my everyday life after the baby is born. Well...I'm not gonna go completely "dry" (pertaining to #5 there), but I think I could manage to drink 2-3 drinks at a party instead of 10 and that would be beneficial. But we'll see. Maybe a new mother needs her crack, booze, and trampolines, right?

37 comments:

Carolina John said...

be sure you're getting enough folic acid, too. Our doc put kelley on prenatal vits plus folic acid and daily aspirin regimen.

and now that our oldest kid is 4, she still doesn't drink much at all, and she used to be all kinds of "bottoms up". it really changes your perspective that much. I also like the fact that you expect to still be able to go to parties. it could be years before you go to parties again! 8 pm, 7 days a week you will be tending to a sleeping baby, and you won't want to do anything else.

enjoy the pregnancy! i don't mean to sound like a downer, but i had the same expectations you had.

Wes said...

You think you are peeing a lot now. Wait till baby is using your bladder for a trampoline :-)

X-Country2 said...

I was going to mention the bladder=trampoline part too. I hear that's a real bitch. :o)

Brianna said...

The babies using your bladder as a trampoline is just a way of your body appreciating the baby when they're on the outside and you're middle of the night wakings are to take care of the baby - you'll be so thrilled it isn't for peeing that it won't seem QUITE as bad. :)

P.O.M. said...

My bestie is pregs right now too. She said all she can think about is dirty martinis. ha ha.

B. Kramer said...

New moms are cheap dates. While you may need your crack, booze and trampolines, you will need far less of it. For the first day or two anyway.

Dirty crack is another issue altogether.

Carly said...

#5 I drink more now than I did pre-kids. they have secured my place at betty ford. Kidding...of course.

Marlene said...

Great post with some points we should ALL think about on a regular basis.

Aron said...

great post jess! these are all things i have really incorporated into my training this time and i can really see the positive effects... hopefully it can flow to post marathon too :)

MN Mom said...

Speaking for myself-I have found a little less #5-isn't so bad. Maybe it's "Grandmahood" that has gotten into me.

Marci said...

Great healthy advice, thanks.

chia said...

Hrm, maybe I should get knocked up ;-).

Oh, that requires a man doesn't it? Damn.

Best Mommy Ever.

Alison said...

Great points! I (Although I wish I could say I was eating healthier...it's kinda the opposite.) I crave beer like crazy.

Erin said...

I tried to keep my healthy habits post baby but the old lifestyle came back with a vengence.

Maybe I should subconsciously pretend I am pregnant and reinforce the good habits I created.

Anonymous said...

Good job on the vitamins. I didn't do so hot with those for either boy. I still drink a lot less post kids, but I still have my moments (as I mentioned on my blog this weekend LOL).

Run Sarah said...

I think those are great points in general for eating healthy...thanks for sharing!

Shannon said...

Oh you might have to put the alcohol, crack, and tramps aside when your getting up for those 4am feedings.

I love your new healthy lifestyle...

Jess said...

Hahah Wes' comment has me cracking up! I loved this post though! It's awesome to hear all the things you're learning from pregnancy and you're right that a lot of it is stuff we can be doing normally!

Stuart said...

Good to see you're finally cleaning up your act!

About time too ;-)

Neese said...

your baby will thank you when it's a healthy happy grown young lady :)

Anonymous said...

It will all be worth it in the end.

Unknown said...

Good stuff. Funny how your perspective changes, huh?

teacherwoman said...

Yes, I have heard folic acid is really good too.

Christy said...

All good points, for sure!

sunshine said...

Awesome take on it, Jess. Plus, your baby is so lucky to have such healthy parents. :)

Anonymous said...

My wife and I have one rule - when we go out, one drinks; the other drives.

J~Mom said...

Vitamins were always very hard for me. After the third though I kept taking them for about a year. Great job keeping healthy for that sweet baby you are growing!

Unknown said...

Great post, I have really been enjoying your pregnancy posts...it's a learning experience for me.

Anonymous said...

Jess,

We created the Bloom'en Nutrition prenatal vitamin chews just for moms like you that have trouble getting their prenatal vitamins down. Our URL is http://www.bloomennutrition.com Take a look and let us know if we can help.

Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way.

lifestudent said...

I also think its funny that you think you'll be out at parties after the baby :) Brooke is 5 months old, I had my first beer on St Pats (since BEFORE I WAS PREGNANT...about 14 months). Also, I dont even remember what a party is. Or a restaurant. Or a movie theater.

Unknown said...

Maybe I should get pregnant ;)

Laurel said...

Who knows. Maybe the kid will drive you to drink more...

Glad to hear you are embracing all the positive changes.

SavvyFitChica said...

I'm affected the same way by vitamins- stomach ache, can't swallow anyway so it's just a pain all around. Someone told me once that if you cut it in half and take half in the AM and half in the PM (w/ meals) it helps. Okay, who has time to go through a bottle of vitamins and cut them in half? right...

I think it's awesome that you're learning some good habits from your pregnancy! Keep up the amazing job you're doing for your baby and your body.

L*I*S*A said...

This is such a fun journey to follow...hope you continue to feel well.

Enjoy each and every moment. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing.

Lily on the Road said...

is Wes talking from personal experience? LOL...

Oh, ya and watch the potty mouth, no one likes hearing a preggo drop the "f bomb" every other *effing* word, know what I *effing* mean? LMAO

Agate Lake Girl said...

Loved this post - you made me laugh out loud with some of your observations. Especially liked #5 - glad to know we pass the test even without your beer goggles on. :)

sRod said...

So getting preggers is the key to learning to eat small meals throughout the day? Since I can't get pregnant: does the effect rub off onto the father?