The Wait is Over!

True Morris Beaudoin 4-22-16

Finally in week 39, our son, True Morris Beaudoin, decided it was time to make his appearance. The whole week I was just feeling done with pregnancy. I managed to fit in 2 crossfit workouts early in the week and plenty of walking with my dog. However, when Thursday 4/21 arrived, I felt exhausted and opted to pass on crossfit. I walked my dog several times. On the second walk on Thursday night, I noticed my dog was sticking really close to me even off leash. I had been told my dog might know about labor signs before I did. I had minor cramping throughout the day, but nothing that would have tipped me off on what was to come. Sure enough, when we returned home from our walk, I had my first noticeable contraction. I still was not sure if it was the real deal, but I told my husband I no longer felt up to meeting him in Concord for frozen yogurt. I suppose this should have been enough of a sign for me! After that, things kind of blurred together.

After 16 hours of labor, True was born in the water--I was so tired! This is about 5 hours later...

First family photo a few days later

The short version of my labor story: I labored at home from about 7 PM Thursday until 7AM on Friday as I could not go to the birth center until my contractions were spaced to a certain amount. It was the most excruciating pain possible. I also had back labor which is really brutal. I did all of this with not one bit of pain medication. In the morning, Mark drove me to the birth center. There, I labored for about 1 hour out of the birthing pool and was 5cm dilated when we arrived there. Finally, when the pain was too much, I transitioned to the birth pool where I labored until 11:02. True was born in his amniotic sac (my water never broke) on Friday, 4/22 which happened to be a full moon day. He weighed 7lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. I was able to stick with our plan for a natural birth and had no complications. Oh, and I should mention, we were discharged from the birth center at 4:00 PM on the same day! I attribute much of this to the excellent care we received through the Concord Birth Center as well as my own commitment to working out throughout the pregnancy. I also should mention my awesome prenatal yoga class that I took at Ohana Yoga for the second and third trimester. It was a great opportunity to get breathing techniques and for positive camaraderie with other pregnant women. I think there was only one week in 39 weeks that I missed a few workouts (due to a cold/flu). While my food choices certainly left much to be desired during pregnancy, my healthy habits prior to conception helped set me up for a complication free pregnancy and delivery.

Babywearing has been a must during the first few weeks at home!

One month later, I am finally starting to resume working out. I walked a bit with the baby carrier post- baby, but it is now time to focus on building back my strength and endurance. This was my longest break from exercise in 4 years, so I am eager to get back into a routine. However, it will be different with the baby as getting to a gym is basically impossible until he starts daycare in August. With that said, I decided to join my friend Aimee’s accountability group and complete the 21 Day Fix starting on 5/30. I can do the workouts at home and shakes are an easy option to prepare when I have limited time during True’s naps. I have already tested out some of the workouts and it is a terrific option while True peacefully swings in the Mamaroo next to me. I feel better knowing I have done something for myself while still making sure my son is cared for.  I can’t determine a set workout schedule as I fit in what I can when he decides it is time to sleep—so home workouts are perfect right now. I am VERY eager to get back to Crossfit Ironborn and my friends at the gym, but until then, I have found a solution that works for our family. Stay tuned in June for my results. I should note that I am feeling pretty good already as I lost the bulk of the baby weight in the first three weeks after True’s arrival while not doing anything (besides not sleeping and constantly caring for a newborn)! Now, I am tackling those extra lbs I put on in the first trimester due to drastically shifting my diet at that time. It will take some effort, but I am confident I can get back to where I want to be and perhaps surpass those goals. I also am planning on getting a new wardrobe once I reach my goals as I am so tired of my maternity clothes and everything I wore before getting pregnant. It is just time to reset!

2016 is all about fitting my workouts and lifestyle choices into my new role as a mom. Yesterday, I popped True in the infant seat option with the BOB stroller and leashed Penny. We went for a 2 mile walk and that jogging stroller certainly adds an element of strength to our walks! It is imperative that my husband and I demonstrate healthy choices for our son as soon as possible. I hope True will enjoy working out as much as I do!

Week 38 & Week 39 Workout Recap

A few final maternity photos:

Sunday- Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit & Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Prenatal Pilates

Wednesday- AM Elliptical  & Walk w/Penny X 2

Thursday- Crossfit & Prenatal Yoga

Friday- Crossfit & Walk w/Penny

Saturday- Prenatal Pilates & Elliptical

Sunday- Prenatal Yoga & Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit & Walk w/Penny & Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Walk w/Penny X 2 & Prenatal Pilates

Thursday- Walk w/Penny X 2

Friday- Baby True is born!

Saturday- REST

~Laura

The Waiting Game

As we are now only 15 days from Baby Boy Beaudoin's due date, it has become a bit of a waiting game. We do have some things to finish up around the house along with final projects in the nursery. However, I finished up many of my punch list items, so I feel that I am more prepared for his arrival than the last time I posted.

Working Out

My ninth month has been very similar to months 7-8 in terms of being consistent with 6-7 workout days per week. I have had to modify more and lessen weights at certain times. Nonetheless, I'm still putting in the time and showing up for those workouts. During 35 weeks, I got a nasty cold/flu that Mark brought home from his trip to California. That killed my energy levels for a few days, but eventually I was able to overcome that. I'm grateful it happened then and not when it is time to deliver the baby! Prenatal pilates, yoga, crossfit, and walking continue to be workout staples for me though I do look a bit funny waddling around at times. I hope the baby appreciates all my workout efforts!

Fuel

I need to eat better. I know I do. But, this little carb monster in my stomach just does not want to. I started each week with a goal of having more smoothies and protein. Unfortunately, it just never seemed to stick. I reverted right back to the gluten-free granola, soup, and occasional Dunkin Donuts flat bread sandwich with hash browns. Today, I made a conscious effort to get up and have eggs. I was able to do that, but it was a challenge to avoid the gluten-free waffles I had in the freezer. I'll continue to try again this week as my midwife keeps emphasizing quality food. It is super frustrating because if you know me well, you would know that for the 4 years prior to this pregnancy, I was eating very healthy foods! It is difficult when you have hormonal changes that alter your entire palate. Hopefully, once the baby arrives, I will be able to get back on track quickly.

Nesting

We have finished many of our house projects and need to finalize the nursery. This weekend we will finish the wall decal and a few other loose ends. I completed my teaching certification and wrapped up the online course I was teaching last term. My work colleague has been trained extensively, so hopefully that will be all set once the time arrives. Birth center bags are packed and birth classes are done. We had a great babymoon trip to Portland, Maine over Easter weekend and Penny had a chance to play at Paws on Pine while we were gone.

Week 34:

Sunday- Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit/ Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Prenatal Pilates / Walk w/Penny X 2

Thursday- Crossfit/ Walk w/Penny / Prenatal Yoga

Friday- Walk w/Penny X 2

Saturday- Elliptical / Prenatal Pilates

Week 35:

Sunday- Rest

Monday- Rest

Tuesday- Crossfit / Walk w/Penny

Wednesday- Prenatal Pilates / Walk w/Penny X 2

Thursday- Crossfit / Walk w/Penny

Friday- Crossfit / Prenatal Yoga

Saturday- Prenatal Yoga / Prenatal Pilates

Week 36:

Sunday- Rest

Monday- Crossfit / Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Prenatal Pilates / Walk w/Penny

Thursday- Crossfit

Friday- Walk w/Penny X 2 / Prenatal Yoga

Saturday- Prenatal Pilates / Elliptical

Week 37:

Sunday- Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit / Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Prenatal Pilates / Walk w/Penny

Thursday- Crossfit

Friday- Stationary Bike/Elliptical / Walk w/Penny X 2

Saturday- Prenatal Yoga

~Laura

The Home Stretch

We are nearing the home stretch before Baby Boy Beaudoin’s arrival! The time has gone by faster and slower than I would have expected. It feels faster when I think of everything that needs to be completed. It is slower when I am trying to waddle around and get things done. With just over 5 weeks until his projected due date, I still have been able to work out, teach a class, and meet all of my work obligations.

Working Out

As you will see in my workout log below, I have been generally consistent with my workouts. I am getting in a mix of crossfit, pilates, yoga, walking, and other cardio. Walking often is the hardest which is interesting as one would think crossfit would be more challenging. However, the way I can break crossfit movements down and rest appropriately makes it more ideal. Walking is a necessity as my dog needs her exercise but it definitely winds me sometimes. I enjoy the prenatal yoga class that I attend at Ohana Yoga as it is a great opportunity to connect with other future moms. I am certainly the most high-strung (shocking, I know ;)). My Wednesday Cardio Mix class is going to be off the table for a bit as we have birth classes for the next 3 weeks. Also, after the class last week, I think it is time to take a break from that one. I am bummed, but it will feel that much better when I can jump back into the class. As I have to drop certain exercises, I try to find replacements to maintain my level of physical activity. I’ve found in the third trimester that I have some sciatic pain on the right side that seems to be worse during yoga and sleep than any other time. Over the weekend, I had a prenatal massage and she identified that was a problem spot for me.

Still able to do a Push Jerk/Split Jerk 1 RM @ 85lbs

Fuel

My food choices have not changed much since the last blog post. I am eating gluten-free granola with almond milk in the AM and then grazing on easy-prep food throughout the rest of the day. I put in an order for Trifecta Nutrition paleo meals for this week. They are already prepared and just require heating up. I am hoping this will help me eat a bit better for a bit. My desire to cook (which I LOVED before pregnancy) is generally at an all-time low. I try to cook here and there so Mark has some decent food to take to work.

Nesting

My fantastic work friends hosted a baby celebration at work last week. It was great to connect with my friends who I have not seen for some time. They all contributed to Baby B.’s expanding library which I am super excited about! We need to get started assembling things like the car seat, strollers, and other baby gadgets. The nursery is getting closer to completion. Mark is going to make some lighting changes and we are awaiting the delivery of some custom shades. The other components are mainly decorative (art, mobile, accent table, and crib sheets). I am optimistic that we will have everything ready in time for the baby; however, if not, we do have the basics covered and can put on the finishing touches after his arrival. We are also trying to fit in as many date nights and friend nights as possible before we face the challenge of finding a babysitter!

Delicious cupcakes at work baby celebration

Nursery details

Nursery...in progress

Baby Boy Beaudoin Countdown: 5+ Weeks!

Week 31:

Sunday- Prenatal Yoga/ Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit/ Walk w/Penny/ Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Prenatal Yoga/ Cardio Mix

Thursday- Rest

Friday- Crossfit/ Walk w/Penny

Saturday- Prenatal Pilates

Week 32:

Sunday- Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit/ Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Prenatal Pilates / Walk w/Penny

Thursday- Crossfit / Walkw/Penny

Friday- Prenatal Yoga

Saturday- Elliptical

 

Last week I felt really great!

Week 33:

Sunday- Walk w/Penny

Monday- Crossfit/ Prenatal Yoga

Tuesday- Prenatal Pilates

Wednesday- Walk w/Penny / Cardio Mix

Thursday- Crossfit

Friday- Crossfit / Walk w/Penny/ Prenatal Yoga

Saturday- Walk w/Penny X 2 / Prenatal Pilates

Penny wants in on the photo

~Laura

Food & Family

Food and family. As the holidays rapidly approach, I wanted to take some time to share a post that I have been contemplating for some time. Whenever I go for a run, or have some time to consider where I am today (food and health wise), my thoughts drift back to this concept of food and family. This is not to throw my family under the bus, as they most certainly are not alone in their food and lifestyle choices, but it does give perspective on how some people (like me) struggle more with emotional eating than others. I write this in hopes that families will consider all options when making a decision between grabbing a fast food meal vs. popping into the market and selecting some chicken and a quick assemble salad.

As a child, I was fortunate in that I had an insanely fast metabolism. I could eat anything that I wanted and remained small for my age. Growing up in the 80s/90s, we were a generation of fish sticks, bologna sandwiches, boxed rice meals, mac and cheese, frozen pizza, and fast food quick stops. Certainly, not all families ate this way, but in a household with two working parents, it was about easy and quick. Now, my mom did try when she could, and I recognize that. There were evenings of stir fry and some slow cooker meals; however, as a general pattern, we ate food that I now know was not the best. At age 11, those choices caught up to me and I was no longer "skinny fat", but gaining weight rapidly. 

Throughout middle and high school, I struggled with weight gain, restrictive eating, and mood swings associated with both being a teenager and my lack of understanding of what certain foods were doing to my overall health and wellness. I'd request certain items like salads and/or restrict my eating. When I noticed the lbs falling off, I continued on that path. However, I was severely limited with protein and good fat sources. I even had a friend once who did a daily check in with me to make sure I was eating enough. I sat down for family dinners and sometimes ignored the frozen pizza and opted for a salad. However, when I did this I could see my family disapproved whether they voiced it or not. Most of our family gatherings (as with many people) centered around food items. It was easier to indulge and make everyone happy rather than make healthy choices. To this day, when I go home for a visit, I get the "what should I buy for you to eat question?" or "Laurie eats weird, expensive foods." It is tough spot to be in. I'm not trying to inconvenience them or be burden. Since, it is usually only a short period of time, I've opted to make that time my "cheat week" or something along those lines.

College continued along much the same path, I indulged in cafeteria food for the first two years on my meal plan. However, I was much more active and walked around campus quite a bit. I somehow avoided the freshman fifteen. Nonetheless, by the time senior year arrived, the drinking/horrible food choices finally caught up to me. With that, I decided to do Weight Watchers and exercise obsessively--it worked. I was tiny my spring term of my senior year. However, the restrictive nature of my diet and exercise plan caused a great deal of stress on my relationships at that time. Then, I decided to become a vegetarian. That lasted about 3 years and consisted of many pasta dinners. As I write this now, it is apparent how food has influenced my life. Without that model of good choices growing up, I was never able to appreciate the idea of food as fuel vs. food as reward.

Post-college was more of the same. I tried diet after diet and cleanse after cleanse. While I was trying to get a handle on my health, I was a teacher and a waitress. These professions do not exactly lend themselves to making good choices. Instead of letting students get to me in the classroom, I'd go home and eat a bag of chips. If I had a profitable night at the restaurant, it was time for extra post-shift drinks. After, the regret of making these choices would eat away at me, but it was a vicious cycle that I could not seem to break.

In 2009, I took a big step in making better choices by diving into the triathlon world. I needed to eat somewhat healthier foods so as to avoid stomach upset during training. My diet transitioned a bit, but carbohydrates and energy gels definitely dominated my meals. So, even while exercising a ton, I still gained weight. That was frustrating, but I continued to slog through the races.

Then, when I quit teaching in 2011, and got engaged, I decided it was time for a real change. Or what I thought was a real change anyway. I joined a crossfit gym and learned what types of food would fuel me and help me lean down. And it worked! When I turned 31 that July, I was in the best shape of my life. I felt great and had the motivation of wearing a wedding dress in front of 100+ people in September. About a month before the wedding, we had a lot of family dynamics and situations that led me to abandon some of my knowledge. A week before the wedding, we had family and friends arrive, which was an added stress. I immediately slipped back into my bad habits. I'd been focused for nearly a year, and it took a few days to forget everything I learned. This led to me running 4 miles in the middle of the night before the rehearsal dinner because I was so upset for having a bag of crackers and wine. That may have been one of my lowest points in terms of food regret. Nonetheless, our wedding went off without any major hitches and we had a fabulous time.

Now that we are nearing the close of 2014, what have I learned through all these experiences? Knowledge is power. Support from your family and partner is everything, It is so much harder to go at it alone. Being a part of a community that embraces healthy choices is beneficial. We joined a our local CSA this year and that was a fantastic experience that I highly recommend. As of November, I joined two gyms (crossfit and my local gym), and created a workout/lifestyle choice plan for my co-workers and I to complete throughout the holiday season. Twitter and Instagram are great resources for motivational articles and pictures--I keep tabs on those daily to foster better choices. I feel that I am on the right path, but I know it will be easier if my partner, friends, and family are there with me. Every family, and every situation is different, but as the holidays come and go, remember it is about the time spent together and not the pumpkin pie.

Laura

June-30 Days of Clean

In June, I focused on cleaning up my diet and adding in plenty of morning cardio. As you can see from the photos in this post, I did  a lot of cooking. I'm glad it was cooler in June than now or I would have been very hot cooking all those delicious meals. I had 30 clean eating days and 29 sessions of fasted cardio. While I did not weigh or measure myself over the month, I noticed clothes getting loose, skin clearing up, and energy levels amped up.

Paleo Pizza

Wow! Just 30 days and I did not even go to the extreme of Whole 30 this time. I cut alcohol, most sugars, dairy, and grains. I stopped eating potato/starchy carbs and fruits by 2PM. Due to my knee injury, I did limited intensity for most workouts and focused primarily on upper body lifting. Morning workouts consisted of modified crossfit, swimming, yoga, pilates, and some interval training.

Egg, Sausage, and Vegetable Casserole

Zoodles

Despite the adjustments to my workout schedule, my knee continues to be a pain (literally and figuratively). Luckily, nothing is torn but I definitely have some funky tendinitis, etc. going on in my left knee. The physical therapist was able to pinpoint the cause to a weak core and weak hips. So, the next step is training my body to move in different ways to take pressure off the knee. I'll be in PT most of the summer and opted to switch from crossfit to pilates for a month or two. I'll still swim/yoga/walk in the AM, but since I can't run, squat deeply, or lift heavy weights with my legs, it seemed like I needed to change my emphasis for a bit. I am super bummed because I love crossfit (and running!) and the camaraderie of the gym, but this was the right thing to do in this moment. I earned brownie points with the physical therapist for signing up for pilates! Looking for a studio in the area? Try out Concord Pilates as it has some wonderful instructors.

Keep your eye (and social media feed) open for I Tri Training posts again in the fall as I am signing off the blog for the summer. I am going to focus on healing, enjoying some time with friends and family, and training our new Golden doodle puppy, Penny, who we bring home on July 27th! I'll be on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, so feel free to continue to follow me through those mediums. I'm also hoping to have a fresh look to the blog in the fall with the help of a fabulous graphic design friend. Enjoy a safe, happy, and fun summer--it is the most wonderful time of the year!

~Laura

Penny at 5 weeks!

50 Bricks & Tennessee Vacation

Alex, Laurie, and Sara. Sibling love!

Last Thursday, I returned from a five day trip to see some of our extended family in Tennessee. My immediate family drove down from Duluth, MN (including my Grandma!) and I flew from New Hampshire to meet them in Knoxville. It was great to catch up, play some cards, and enjoy some warmer weather. The picture above is of my brother, me, and my sister at the nature center in Knoxville.

While in Tennessee, we rented a house in the Tellico Valley area, which was a decent area to try some rehab jog/walks. I did ample stretching, and wore a knee strap to alleviate some of the strain. The first one on Sunday was OK.--pretty slow. I think Alex was bored by my recovery pace, but he stuck with me. I did a longer, 30 minute, session on Monday that felt a little better, but then I had tenderness after the jog. As a result, on Tuesday, I just did a quick 20 minute HIIT workout and skipped jogging. On our last morning there, I did another 30 minute jog/walk and again had the tenderness after. Overall, I am not pleased with where I am at with how my knee feels. During the flight, it was uncomfortable to find a good way to sit that did not irritate it. I'm going to have to find an alternative for awhile as I cannot skip exercise, but running and squatting seem to bug it the most. Cycling, swimming, and yoga seem to be the logical choices, so I anticipate a few changes to my training regimen in June.

In other fitness news, I have been quite active on Pinterest gathering recipes and quick, at-home workouts. I found those workouts to be useful and convenient in Tennessee. I think my family thought I was a bit odd doing jumping jacks, abs, and push ups around the rental house, but it worked for me! Feel free to check those out on my Feel the Burn board. What are your tips to fit in quick workouts on a tight schedule? Also, keep your eyes out for my Vega product review in June.

You'll notice in the title that I mentioned hitting my 50th perfect brick. I hit that benchmark on May 25th (hoping to squeeze in a few more in May), which signals 1/3 of the 150 brick goal I have set for 2014. Preferably, I'd like to hit that before the end of the summer or early fall. For my goal, a perfect brick is morning fasted cardio, frequency pushups and clean eating for the day. June is going to be a big month for bricks as I don't have holidays, travel, special events, etc. weighing me down (literally!). Therefore, I am going to attempt to take full advantage of a month where I have ample opportunity to eat clean and work out consistently. I am ahead of where I was tracking on 2013, so I am optimistic that I can meet my goal.

Workouts for 5/19 - 5/25
Monday- Pinterest workout, 20 minute jog/walk
Tuesday- 20 minute HIIT workout, short walk/sightseeing walk
Wednesday- 30 minute jog/walk and Pinterest workout
Thursday- Rest
Friday- Rest
Saturday- AM xfit
Sunday- AM yoga/pilates and 60 minutes cardio machines

Laura

Defining Moments

July has tested me. I turned 32, I bought a house (and am in the process of moving), and my grandfather passed away. All these things happened in a two week time frame. To say I hit my limit for stress would be putting it mildly. So even with all of my progress last year, in terms of improving lifestyle choices, my current situations pushed me out of my positive habits and I slipped right back into the comfort zone. And why not? I've had about 20 years of bad habits compared to a little over a year of making healthy and informed decisions. Add into the equation a heat wave for the summer season and it has been a recipe for disaster. It is too hot to cook healthy foods at my apartment, I am living half in the new house and half in the apartment, and since the passing of my Grandpa, all I've been wanting is comfort food and beverage. No I have not become a recluse hiding in my room with a bag of chips, but compared to the lifestyle I had been leading for the past year, I have been indulgent.

Therefore, I have to choose if I will let these situations in my life define me. I have to make a decision to get out of bed for early morning cardio sessions. Once the heat spell passes and we are settled in the new home, we have a killer kitchen for cooking delicious paleo foods. In theory, it sounds so easy, but to put it to daily practice after lapsing for many weeks--well, it is a challenge.

Luckily, I belong to a gym that presents us with challenges at different times throughout the year. Starting Monday, I'll be spending 6 weeks working towards the goal of #WhiteMountainStrong! If you follow my blog, you may remember that in the spring of 2012, I won the transformation challenge for women at our gym. Though it was only a year ago, I do feel that I am in a completely different mindset. Last year, I was working towards a bride body. This year, I am battling with home ownership and the loss of the greatest male role model in my life. I'll need all the support I can get from my friends and workout buddies. I signed up for a half marathon and a century bike ride, but even with those goals--sometimes it helps to be surrounded by people who are also working for a common goal.

I owe it to the man our family lost last week to work towards my maximum potential. My Grandpa was a WWII paratrooper veteran who married his high school sweetheart and worked without complaint at a paper mill for 42 years. He and my Grandma celebrated their 67th year of marriage in January while my Grandpa was battling his final stage of Alzheimer's disease. Despite the fact that he has been mentally gone for years, to lose his physical being was devastating. The things that I remember about him were his vibrant, youthful nature. He smiled often and put everyone else around him first. I know he would want me to be healthy, active, and enjoying life. So that is what I must do...

*In memory of Morrie Kane who passed away July 10, 2013 at the age of 91*