Once again, Lila makes me workout

29 weeks

After enjoying a bit too much dinner last night, I was sitting on the couch, at home alone while Shawn was at rehearsal, watching SVU and playing CityVille on Facebook. While waiting for my points to accrue, I saw some newly posted pictures from good buddy Lila's husband Alex, mostly of the renovations on their house, but also including one of pregnant Lila (albeit not as super pregnant as she is now) doing a pregnancy yoga dvd in their den. Shamed into working out myself in the face of such blatant one-upsmanship, I hauled my growing booty off the couch, changed into yoga pants and a sports bra, and did 3 ten-minute segments on my 10 Minute Solutions Prenatal Pilates DVD. While it would have been only a moderate (maybe even light) workout for me in my prime, last night it was challenging enough to leave me feeling pleasantly exhausted afterward, sore in good places, and accomplished. It's amazing one what little burst of motivation can do. Tonight I am amped up to go for a long walk on the beach to get some cardio in -- gotta switch it up.

Because yeah, it's not okay that my maternity clothes are starting to get too tight -- in the butt. In the stomach, fine. My stomach is supposed to be growing still. But in the ass? Not so much. Not okay, missy.

Another lovely benefit of the workout was that it convinced me to actually go to sleep at a decent hour -- after a hot shower I Was more than ready to pass out at something like my intended bedtime. See, oh recently lazy body of soft tissue? Remember all those workout benefits that you took for granted all these months? Feel-good chemicals; better sleep; increased motivation; heightened creativity; and, soon, better fitting jeans? Remember those? Now, if I could only stop wanting ice cream all the time...

Tales from the Gym

I felt really good to get back in the gym last night. After 30 minutes of brisk hill walking on the treadmill, I felt jazzed enough to do 10 minutes on the recumbent bike, which stretched out my hips and thighs something wonderful. I had no idea how much I'd missed the feeling until I was back there again. I had to dial down my intensity just a hair about halfway through, but otherwise everything was fine. I looked like a beached whale, but at least that will keep me motivated for a while. Of course, none of that negates the chinese food I ordered when I got home. But I told myself this morning that I did better, diet-wise, yesterday than I had the day before -- salad and greek yogurt for lunch, very little sweets -- and today I would do better than yesterday. That's all you really can do, right?

Tonight we're supposed to be having mexican food with my mom for dinner. I'd better be careful during the day.

Vyla was kicking a lot this morning, from all angles. That was weird. I'm super exhausted and really glad that tomorrow is a holiday.

26 Weeks

I'm caving to the pressure of my original due date and going with Wednesdays instead of Fridays as my week markers. So today is 26 weeks, and below is the info from BabyCenter about what's going on in there:

   The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. 

Baby:

 Cucumber:

 Yesterday I went to Motherhood and bought a sackful of new maternity clothes. I love post-Christmas sales! I got three new pairs of pants, a dress, and 2 or 3 new tops, all for under $200. Plus a coupon for later and a restaurant gift card or something. So I sort of cleaned up! It's so nice to be wearing things that fit now. My pants were just getting way too tight. I feel stylish and cute again, and, especially with my newly done nails, I feel much better about myself, and that's way more important right now than I had realized.

Which reminds me, I'm finally going to the gym tonight. Brought a packed bag to work and all. No excuses, now.