Benefits of Prenatal Massage

If you enjoy getting a massage as much as I do, then why stop just because you're pregnant? The answer is simple! You shouldn't. There are multiple benfits to getting routine prenatal massages.

Here are a few precautions...Research shows that it is a good idea to wait until you are at least 14 weeks along, before getting your first massage during your pregnancy.  Due to how common miscarriage can be during the first trimester, the majority of massage therapists recommend waiting until  your second trimester has begun, or 14 weeks, before receiving your first massage during your pregnancy. Also, If you have any notable health precautions associated with your pregnacy, you should consult with your physician as well as with your massage therapist before booking a massage session. Some of these might be conditions such as high blood pressure, high risk pregnancy or pregnancy induced hypertension. 

Some benefits of engaging in this relaxing and healing age old practice include:

-reduction of stress and anxiety

-relief for aches and pains

-improved oxygenation

-bettered sleeping patterns 

-enhanced blood flow and circulation

-strengthened immune system 

-improved labor outcomes

-better newborn health 

For local Houstonian readers, I routinely use a wonderful massage therapist who comes to my home! Her name is Latonya and she's with Massage2You Mobile Massage. She works on lots of CrossFit athletes and is familiar with terminology related to soreness from working out. She is also quite familiar with the prenatal massage practice and I just love her! I've been using her for years. 

If you're prego, (and even if you're not, ) I highly recommend reaching out to her. The contact information is listed below.

Latonya Bell

281.509.5051

Massage2youmobile@yahoo.com

You should really treat yourself this week!

The best part is being so warm and relaxed afterwards and being able to just crawl into bed at home, smelling of lavendar...

Bassinet Bliss...thanks Housenkid.com!

I'm so excited that I found the bassinet I wanted for my daughter at a great price! 

The one I'd been eyeing is the Summer Infant Fox And Friends Espresso Wood Bassinet. I found it online for $125-$150, I was close to ordering it on Amazon, but I decided to check Craigslist first to see what someone might be selling a used one for... To my surprise, I found the exact model I wanted, new in the box for $75 through an open box returns company here in Houston called HouseNKid. I called to confirm, then showed up at their warehouse one evening this week, got my little bassinet, and was delighted to find that they sell all kinds of housewares, fitness equipment, furniture and baby/kid items for a fraction of what they sell for new! 

So www.housenkid.com is a website you should certainly check out. What a unique business idea-to sell returns and cancelled order items from places like Amazon and Overstock.com. I'm impressed and I'll be checking their inventory monthly for items I'm in the market for!

Save yourself a cent and check them out this weekend! 

#ThriftyTip

#FitThriftyMomToBe

#Housenkid

The News of My Daughter

Last Friday, we had our 20 week ultrasound to determine our baby's gender. I actually wanted to find out early, at 12 weeks, with the blood test...However, my husband encouraged me to have patience and wait till 20 weeks.  This was so hard for me. I have an extreme sense of urgency, and want everything right now.  I'm a very proactive person, and when something needs to get done, I just do it. Waiting didn't make sense to me in the least Paying the $200 to find out early certainly did at the time. But I patiently waited for eight more weeks. Then the day finally came. I was so nervous and very emotional last Friday as we headed up to the doctors office to find out the sex. I starting crying for many reasons, and very few of them could be explained through words. 

I was laying on the table feeling very nervous, as the tech started the ultrasound. She confirmed our little baby's heartbeat and movements, and then she showed us on the screen, the thighs and buttocks, then pointed to and empty area between the legs and said "I'm assuming it's a girl!"

Charlie and I were both shocked. Neither said anything at first. I just looked at him puzzled.  All along, he was just so sure that our baby would be a boy. We kept calling it him, had determined his name, had decided that his nursery would be a firetruck theme, etc. We had even bought him some darling little boy outfits. Charlie just knew he'd have someone to tinker around the garage with. 

In my state of shock, I immediately began to worry that Charlie was disappointed. I felt excited, but then I began to pre-worry about all the emotions and drama that go along with being a girl, much less having a girl.

I decided to pray. I thanked God for blessing us with a healthy child. I thanked him over and over that she was a girl. I prayed that I would have a bond with my daughter and no one could ever understand or trump. I also prayed that this little girl would continue to soften my husband's heart. I knew she would be the center of our lives and the most important thing in our world forever.

I went shopping for her that afternoon (at Ross, of course) and began to think, "Maybe I need to step it up a notch...She deserves only try best. Ha! "I got a few little baby girl outfits for her, and got really excited. I could tell Charlie got excited too! He even sent me this...

Nearly every hour of every day since the moment I found out,  I close my eyes and picture my daughter smiling at me as a baby, and talking to me to as a toddler. I envision her running to her Daddy when he gets home, just overjoyed to see him and be in his arms.

As we dream of what life will be like, and brainstorm to carefully determine what her name will be, there's so much to do in order to prepare for her arrival! 

In our now 2 bedroom home, we are losing our guest bedroom/office to create her nursery. We are currently getting bids to convert our attached 1 car garage into a 3rd bedroom and 2nd bathroom.  Then we will still be able to work from home productively, and accommodate our guests that come to visit.

Knowing that we are having a daughter, and that she is on her way is the most exciting feeling I have ever experienced. Knowing that she will look like Charlie and I both, and will have combinations of both of our personality traits is so nerve wracking and also exciting! Let's hope she has my giving heart and creativity, but his good looks, and tough like him. This is a very joyous time in our lives, so much so, that I've forgotten to include a fit or thrifty tip in this blog. Ha! Oh well! 

I suppose this is a special post, all about my little angel, and nothing else! 

Walk It Out

My friend Lori recently told me that a friend of hers stayed in great shape while pregnant, just by walking 4 miles a day.

I used to LOVE to run, but lately I just don't feel like it. Walking, however, I can do. I did decide that it would benefit me tremendously to walk daily. I usually get in a CrossFit workout 4 evenings a week, and I began adding in a 30 min walk to my routine ever weekday morning.  It's been a great addition. For me, walking 30 minutes equates to only a little over 2 miles, but something is better than nothing.  

My morning walks kick start my day in an energizing, fantastic way, and I burn 150 calories. It's really great!! Walking is so easy. You literally just put one foot in front of the other, and you get to enjoy nature and clear your head, while getting a little vitamin D. It's a great chance to release stress, tension and anxiety, while moving around. Walking is good for the body, especially a pregnant one. Later in pregnancy, walking can also move things along, if you know what I mean. 

Be sure to stretch appropriately before and after, easing the hamstrings, quads and calves. The good news is, all you need is sneakers! Walking is free too! Your pace can be modified and you control the time frame. Bring your iPod and get inspired by some lively jams that put a smile on your face! Walk early in the morning before it gets too hot, or in the evening when it has cooled off. 

Be conscious of your sense of balance as well as your posture while waking. Carry a bottle of water, and be sure to stay hydrated.  Most importantly, as always, listen to your body! 

#FitTip 

Saving Money on Date Night ...

Dating can be expensive. This is a fact. If a couple goes out to eat twice a week, that can quickly and easily equate to $400 a month. 

My husband, Charlie, and I have found a way to cut our dating bill in half. What we do is...we closely monitor online coupon sites including Groupon and Livingsocial. When a restaurant we enjoy runs one, we each buy one deal.  Then we can enjoy a $60 for half the price. 

For example, one of favorite restaurant, Laurenzo's, periodically runs a coupon through Livingsocial. We went there recently and redeemed one of our coupons and devoured $60 worth of delicious ribs and fish, that we had previously paid $30 for. What a steal! This is great way to save money on eating out and entertainment. 

Additionally, we are very blessed to receive restaurant and visa gift cards from clients, friends and family on special occasions including birthdays and during the holidays. These really last us through the first half of the year and we are able to go enjoy a night out to eat together without spending a lot or any money. 

#ThriftyTip

"Mamaste"

Yoga is something I don't do enough of. This age-old form of exercise is a great change of pace from CrossFit or running. It is beneficial in so many ways, especially while pregnant. I have typically done yoga to help better my breathing patterns, and also to learn how to deeply relax and calm the busy, racing mind. 

Yoga will help so much during pregnancy, because we experience such radical changes including stretching ligaments, changing organs, and growing pains of all sorts, really. Yoga keeps you limber, tones your muscles, and improves your balance and circulation, with little impact on your joints.

The physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood will absolutely require us to need to breathe fully and deeply. That's life! It can get stressful, so I tend to think of yoga as a great escape while burning calories! 

Some local Houston studios offering prenatal yoga include Joy Yoga, Motherhood Center and Alcove Yoga. 

#FitTip 

Super Fun Summer Break that DIDN'T Break the Bank!

I'm excited to recap our most recent adventure. Charlie and I wanted to get away for my birthday, so we used airline miles from Frontier Airlines credit card to fly to Salt Lake City, Utah. The cost of this was $400 for one plane ticket. The other ticket was free. Hooray! We had an absolute blast and saved money in so many ways while enjoying nature and the great outdoors.  I'm happy to share these tips with you so you can cut the cost of your next vacation in half.

We rented a cabin near Heber City, Utah for several nights. They happened to be running a Groupon, which I purchased, and we saved hundreds of dollars! This experience beat staying in a hotel, because it was cozy and romantic, and we were really immersed in nature, and all that Utah has to offer. We stayed at River's Edge at Deer Park, right on the river, where we enjoyed serene views and cool mornings.  Staying in a cabin with a kitchen allowed us to cook. We spent $60 in groceries rather than hundreds of dollars in eating out each meal.  We DID however, enjoy a fine steak and lobster dinner at Z's Chop Haus on my birthday!  It was decadent and delicious to say the least.

For activities, we hiked Little Cottonwood Canyon  and also Dutch Hollow Trail. These didn't cost us a dime, but offered million dollar views. We also tried fly fishing with Utah Fly Fishing Guides, and caught countless trout in the Provo River! I didn't think I could handle a whole half day, (being nearly 5 months pregnant) and neither could our wallets, so I asked for a discounted rate for just a few hours. It turned out to be plenty of time to master this skill, catch fish and most importantly have fun! Sometimes, all you have to do is ask...

We could have potentially spent $2k or more on this trip, but we spent less than half that. It was one of my favorite places to visit, and favorite trips thus far, and I highly recommend you consider visiting Utah. Below you can review how we saved money...

Airfare for 2 = $400
Fly fishing for 2 = $300
Cabin stay for 2 nights = $110
Groceries = $60
Birthday Dinner = $100
Hikes = FREE
____________________________
OUR Trip Price = $970


Airfare for 2 = $800
Fly fishing for 2 = $400
Pricey Hotels = $480
Eating Out = $400
Guided Hikes = $200
_____________________________
Original Trip Price = $2280.00 (or more)


And that's how we do it! #thirtfytip

Good 2nd trimester wod

It's certainly a good idea to keep moving and exercising during pregnancy. If you're going to be CrossFitting while pregnant, remember that these intense workouts need to be slowed down a bit. By all means work hard, but physicians would typically advise that you should be able to hold a conversation during the workout. Don't push yourself to the point that you would pre-prego! 

Listen to your body, and if something feels uncomfortable, modify it. I did the workout below today at lunch at a steady pace, and felt great afterwards. It took me nearly 20 minutes, but all the movements are safe.  

Written by: Kelly Gerszewski, Mom-To-Be, Level 1 CrossFit Trainer and Director of Childcare at Triumph Strength & Conditioning aka TSC CrossFit

www.TriumphStrength.com 

#FitTip

Saving Money and Hot Water

I have a great tip for saving money on your gas or electric bill for your home! You can use less hot water by lowering the thermostat on your hot water heater from 140 degrees down to about 120. This can save you up to $125 a year, or $10ish monthly. 

A lower temperature is also better for your hair, believe it or not. At the end of your shower, rinsing your hair in cold water is good for it, because it flattens the cuticle of your hair and close it, as well as makes it shinier.

#ThriftyTip

Eating Healthy for Baby

We all know that eating a healthy diet is very important for both you and baby while pregnant. We also know that it's not always as easy as it seems. Constant hormonal changes cause us to crave sweets and greasy, salty foods. 

What helps to keep me on track a good portion of the time is knowing now that I am 17 weeks pregnant, I my baby is developing taste buds. I want it to have a good balance of likings to vegetables, meats, fruits,  and other healthy real foods like nuts and seeds. 

Also, keep in mind that you really only need to consume 200 to 300 additional calories daily for baby. You are not really eating for two, as the old saying goes...

It's a good idea to eat small meals frequently throughout the day. A small meal constitutes putting the palms of your hands together as if you were cupping something, then filling it with healthy food. The size of my meals is traditionally pretty large considering the frequency in which I work out. But as long as that's lean meat and veggie salad, I'm okay with that. Reducing the size of my meals lately has been somewhat of a struggle. I have eaten to the point of feeling so full that I became nauseous several times. Oops! 

Also, accept that a treat every now and then certainly isn't the end of the world. That's life. For example, I craved lemon bars all week long, and my Mom finally brought me some. I had four small squares over two days. Now the craving has passed. When I say every now and then, I mean once every two weeks or once a month. This should not be a daily habit.

Don't forget to work out or exercise in some form or fashion at least a few times a week.  The days and I'm just not up to doing  CrossFit Wod due to fatigue, I simply go for a 30 minute walk.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Written by: Kelly Gerszewski, Mom-To-Be

Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, Director of Childcare at TSC CrossFit aka Triumph Strength and Conditioning in Houston, Tx 

www.TriumphStrength.com

New Reeboks

My feet have really been hurting, and I'm so happy I scored these Reeboks at Ross today for $29.99. They have Ortholite Performance Insoles. I'm thrilled I don't have to go spend hundred dollars or more! #winfortheweek