300 extra calories?!

The concept of the extra calories during pregnancy has been in my head a bit more this week. Earlier this week I received a newsletter for expectant moms reminding me that the perk of being pregnant is the 300 extra calories I get to eat every day.

This type of email bugs me a bit. Over the past few months I've done some searching of information about pregnancy and nutrition. Although there are some good sources out there it seems there are more places that merely mention this magical number of extra calories you deserve or get as a reward for being pregnant. It bothers me that many women might not give it much more thought and may just see that number and run with it, or eat with it in this case.

I've noticed a few things for myself that I feel are worth mentioning. Keep in mind, this is what I've noticed and it probably won't hold true for everyone.

First, what's the deal with the 300 calories?

Basically, that's the number of calories your baby needs to grow.

Second, is there something we should know about the breakdown of those 300 calories?

All calories are not equal (this goes without being said) but there are certain things pregnant moms need more of; folate, calcium, and iron. The folate usually comes from prenatal vitamins but the calcium and iron come from the foods you choice to eat. Personally, I have noticed I feel hungry on days when I haven't had extra protein early in the day. Which brings me to the next question...

Third, are you really eating for two people?

Heck, if I were only eating 300 calories a day I'd be dead by now. I laugh whenever I hear the phrase, "Eating for two." If I were eating for two of me I would probably gain 80lbs and be on bed rest for the next 4 months. I'm eating for a baby and a mom who isn't working out as much as before.

In January and February I was very hungry, a lot. There were a couple of nights when I ate 1/2 a pizza at dinner. But, during those 2 months I was working out about 4 hrs more per week and had a lot more intensity. Overall, I'm eating about the same as I did before. This might make some wonder if I'm eating enough but I tend to think I am. My baby is growing up well and I've been feeling relatively strong too. Keep in mind, with 3-4 hrs less working out per week and less intensity I'm sure my body is using less calories than it is when I am actually training for an Ironman.

Fourth, do we really need those 300 calories?

As I just mentioned, I am most likely using less calories per day than I was last summer. So maybe every pregnant lady needs to sit down and ask her self a few things before the arbitrarily extra calories... Was I getting more calories than I needed before? Have I cut back any activity since I became pregnant? Are there certain foods I should be including in those extra calories?

*** On a side note, Michael just walked in the door, as I am writing this. He went flying to Llano today to get some BBQ. He told me to close my eyes because he had a present for me. I had already seen a box in his hands and replied, "Michael, I know I've been eating more beef but I really didn't want a box of BBQ."

"Are your eyes still closed?" He walked over and opened the box.

"Oh my Gosh, you brought me an apple pie." :)

Time to hop off the soapbox! (I have pie)

Even if I don't need those extra calories I can still say I am quite excited to get some pie. After all, I too want to have a little treat too myself while I am pregnant.

Can you still see my abs?

During my 2nd semester of my senior year in college, my friend Carmen and I took weight lifting together. We had more than met our requirements for graduation so we decided it might be fun to overload our schedule a bit with some fun stuff, we also took a drafting class.

While we were weight lifting Carmen told me that her goal was to get enough abs to see the line down the center of her belly. I don't know that I ever got to that point my senior year but I've never forgotten that comment, it is my measure of being fit or unfit.

Carmen and I are now both pregnant for the first time, she's about 8 weeks ahead of me. It's funny how many of my friends from college are also pregnant right now... although I have a feeling I'm the only one of us who's wondering if her abs have disappeared yet.

The picture above was taken yesterday morning. I'm pretty sure the line is gone from the center of my belly. I'm also pretty sure there are plenty of people out there who don't think I look 22 1/2 weeks pregnant.

Therefore, Michael asked me to show off my pregnant belly look (see picture 2). Before I got pregnant I used to buff out my stomach real far whenever I was full and joke about eating too much. Michael asked me to do that again yesterday morning. Here's the result...

I'm pretty sure most people would agree I look pregnant in that picture. Of course, I'm sure my belly will stick out a lot farther in a few months but that's about all I can do right now. You'll just have to keep checking back to see how big is actually becomes.

Okay... enough of the goofing around. Here's what it looks like when I am not trying to buff it out. Do I look pregnant yet?

Today I had a friend point out something very useful. She reminded me that being told I look chubby and not pregnant is not so bad. After all, I'm still working out and my baby is healthy. She's correct, I'm very appreciative that Baby G is doing well!

Stomach Measurements

On Tues I had another doctor's appointment. Michael didn't go to this one, we'd been told last time that this appointment would be relatively uneventful. It was as promised, the biggest activity was measuring Baby G's heart rate (about 140 bpm right now) and measuring my stomach. I found this to be mildly amusing... yes, my stomach is actually getting bigger, what a surprise.

Since I feel as if my stomach is getting big, I decided it was time for the MG vs MG comparison measurement. I keep telling Michael my stomach is bigger than his and he tells me it's not even close. So we grabbed a measuring device (ie serial cable) to com pair our stomach girth at the belly button. Nope... I was not even close. Guess Michael was correct, I'm not huge yet.

We also took some new pictures of my stomach growth progress. I'll post those up tonight or tomorrow, when I'm at my house computer.

Maturnity Clothes

After my doctor appointment today I ventured over to the maternity store to see what they had. Yesterday I was told, "You don't look pregnant, you just look chubby." I did not really know how to take that but thought it might be time to actually buy something that fits around my belly instead of just wearing loose clothing. A few weeks ago I joked with a few people that I was going to find a shirt that said, "I'm not fat, my baby is." The comment yesterday made me curious if such a thing exists.


Apparently there are some close ones; the shirt in this picture and another one I saw that read "Mommy... and me" Maybe that would stop people from saying they don't believe I'm pregnant. Or maybe not, the lady in the store even looked at me and asked, "You're pregnant? Are you past 3 months yet?" Good grief!

Of course, I'm sure the day will come very soon when my brother jumps for joy as my belly sticks out farther than his. He keeps telling me I'm going to get huge. He happened to call my cell as I was in the dressing room to try a couple of shirts on. I told him there was a round pillow in the dressing room to Velcro around your belly. Of course, I tested it out and looked at myself in horror, how in the world could my belly possibly get that big in another 4 months. If that happens I will be huge!

Turtle Outswims the speedy male ITU guys

The blurry turtle in this picture was spotted swimming in Lady Bird Lake (aka Town Lake) about 30s before the ITU men were flying through the water next to his location. Good news for the turtle, he'd already dove deep into the water before the washing machine of speedy guys passed by.

I'm pretty sure this turtle is a stronger swimmer than I am. Good thing nobody challenged me to race the turtle, that might have been embarrassing, especially since the turtle has never been taught how to swim. Just for the record, I think I could have taken him with my paddles and pull bouy.

Yesterday was the first time Austin has hosted and ITU triathlon. Michael watched the race from his position in transition and I did my best to run around the course cheering for the few people I knew.

Among this small group was our homestay for weekend, Andrew McCartney, from Victoria Canada. Michael and I had the pleasure of hosting Andrew this past week and were impressed with his overall character and easy going nature. Keep your eye out for him over the next few years and be sure to root for him if you ever see him at a race, he is a genuine person and has a solid head on his shoulders.

Unbreakable

I just walked into the door from a run that did not go as planned. After 1 mile of struggling with exhausted legs and tough breathing I stalled, contemplating the usefulness of the run. I turned another direction and walked 3 miles instead.

As I wondered around the neighborhood I had some time to clear my head and convince myself I am not weak. This actually took quite some effort to do, after all I'd just given up after running less than a mile. I can try again tomorrow but what will happen in 2 or 3 months when it is hotter and my belly is larger? What if I start to quit more often or stop running all together? This might seem humorous to others but to me this fear is a logical one.

After all, I am surrounded by people who tend to push themselves to their limits all the time, physically and mentally. I don't want to feel that I am using pregnancy as an excuse to be soft. Part of me wants to believe that it won't be my limiter, that I'll be able to disprove all the people who tell me I'm going to get huge, stop running, or loose the energy I used to have.

Yesterday morning I watched Unbreakable while I was on the trainer. There is one scene when Bruce Willis is loading up the bench press with as much weight as he can find, to test his physical limits.

To a certain extent I believe there are a lot of us doing the same thing, in our own way. For some the test occurs at work. Others try to fit in an endless amount of activities or try to balance an active social life. Athletes will try to push their bodies harder and farther.

The question then becomes, will you realize your limits before you actually break?

Although I cut the run off and walked home, I was still doing something. I stopped early enough to give my body some rest and leave the option open to head out tomorrow morning and see if I'm feeling good. Maybe learning to adjust is more valuable than trying to see what it takes to completely run myself and baby G into the ground... hopefully that is the case because it's the argument I've used to justify today's 'workout'.

Spectating Must Haves

As I look forward to a season of spectating and volunteering at races it's time to mention some of those must have items. Magazines run these type of filler articles all the time, is it wrong to do that on your blog?

The picture in this post was taken at the Splash & Dash on Tues night. For those of you who aren't from Austin, you can learn more about this popular Austin event at http://www.highfiveevents.com/events/splash-n-dash/. BTW, don't forget to sign up early for June because the event is getting pretty popular.

Michelle L and I are showing you a few things you'll need to spectate and volunteer at your next event.

First, you'll need some hydration; water bottle, can of soda, or whatever you can get a hold of. Since I'm pregnant I've decided to carry about 80 mL around with me to all events. (BTW, I'll have this with me to watch the Cap TX Tri on Monday).

Next, you'll want something to protect your eyes from the sun. Hats, visors, and sunglasses are good for that.

Keeping cool is also a necessity, Michelle and I both opted for some dryfit shirts. Note, mine is currently hanging from my Camelpak since I've decided to show off my huge belly.


Which brings me to the last essential of spectating, sunblock. Michelle L is showing off the built-in type of sunblock, dark skin. For those of you who happen to be unlucky enough to have pale skin and grow up in areas with 300 days of overcast per year, I'd recommend SPF 40+ for every occasion. Without the correct skin protection you might end up looking like Magda by the end of the summer.