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Halfway There! // Baby Number 3, 20 weeks

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Wait, didn’t I just make our pregnancy announcement for Baby Number 3!? Sure as heck feels that way! But here we are, at 20 weeks and 5 days already.

And you know what that means?! It means that we finally had our 20 week anatomy ultrasound! Funny enough, the day leading up to the appointment was a complete disaster. I’ve had a nasty sinus infection for days and both kids were losing their minds (AKA – it was naptime). Oh, and Chad couldn’t make it from work, so I was flying solo.

But all of the crazy was washed away when I finally laid eyes on the teeny human who’s been kicking me from the inside!

If I’m being honest, for the first time this whole pregnancy, it finally felt really real. Like, I finally put a ‘face’ to this pregnancy. Does that even make sense!?

Well here’s what else is going on this pregnancy:

Nausea / Morning Sickness. 

Still frequent. It sucks. But it’s hit or miss, which I’m not certain is a good thing because it can take me down out of nowhere.

Cravings.

Still protein-packed foods like beans, beef, lentils, etc. Oh, and fish sandwiches. And chili. So odd, I know. Oooh! And avocados.

Aversions. 

Grilled chicken still. I think the thought of poultry just grosses me out, but when I eat one of Ari’s nuggets from Chick-fil-A, I’m like “eh, this isn’t bad at all.” Other than that, I’m mostly alright with food. I’m not overly hungry, but I’m also not starving myself.

Working out.

I’m not going to lie, this is pretty hit or miss; but it’s still more than I worked out with my other two pregnancies. I am still teaching cycling and still coaching gymnastics at the YMCA, but I’m also registered to take a bunch of fitness classes. My biggest struggle is getting to them because they are mostly in the evenings and I’m always wiped out by 6pm.

But chasing two kids around (and even MORE kids when I’m at work — sometimes 10 at a time!) is definitely keeping me active!

Exhaustion.

I. am. so. TIRED. I recently told someone that I totally underestimated how exhausting pregnancy is when you’re in your 30s and chasing around two kids under 5.

I totally underestimated how exhausting pregnancy is when you're in your 30s and chasing around two kids under 5. Click To Tweet

Guys, it’s EXHAUSTING. I’m so tired and I know there’s no end in sight (thanks to a soon-to-be earthside crying baby). I’m just kissing my sanity goodbye. Well, what’s left of it anyway.

Gender reveal?

Well I was team “green” for the first 20 weeks, but now I kind of want to know. I had the ultrasound technician write it in an envelope and so this will be “To be determined/discussed.” 🙂

 

Overall, it’s just really real now. I’ve always been happy, but now I’m really and truly excited! 

End of Summer Health + Fitness Update | and a BIG announcement!

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Guys, I am proud to say that I didn’t let the hustle and bustle of Summer get me off track with my health and fitness journey. Wooo hooo!

Weight Watchers Update  //

I’m at my lowest weight since Remy was born. Not my goal weight, but significantly closer. I’m down 30.5 pounds since I started WW last November. It’s a good feeling and I’ve been working my booty off to achieve it.

I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again — I love that with WW I can still enjoy things like donuts because I’m not ‘counting calories.’ I mean, I’m not eating donuts everyday; but, gosh darnit, I’ll eat a donut every so often if I want to! 🙂

Oh, and HUGE shoutout to Pink Blush for making me feel gorgeous in this amazing dress!

Workouts  //

I’ve consistently been working out (and earning those WW Fit Points!). I’m a little sad to say my workouts have consisted of very few runs. I just… I just… haven’t been feeling it. Especially not in the crazy heat.

When I did run this Summer, it was with the running group MRTT (or, Moms Run This Town). I have to admit, it’s way easier to get motivated — especially to run — when I run with this awesome group of ladies!

But I’ve been doing a LOT of cycling and kickboxing to ‘switch it up.’ And I’m noticing I’m getting SO much stronger and it’s absolutely helping me build back my endurance.

In addition, I’ve hit up several yoga classes. I have to admit, I’ve been really missing yoga. When I’m on my mat, I’m in the zone. I feel strong and confident and powerful. And then I’ll go weeks without a yoga class for no reason other than it hasn’t really fit into my schedule. Bummer, bro.

Coaching Gymnastics  //

So I’m definitely not tumbling. Ha! But stretching and conditioning with these girls is making a noticeable difference in my core strength and flexibility. It’s been nice to build relationships and workout with these young gymnasts — and we both are building confidence in ourselves! Win-win!

PS. If you’re local to Akron and are looking to enroll your child in gymnastics, email me and I’ll let you know which classes I’m teaching! 🙂 

A BIG Cycling Update  //

I’m really excited to share this with you! My love of cycling has grown tremendously over the last year. And I’m happy to say that in October I’m going to get certified as an indoor cycling instructor!

I owe it to my incredible coworkers at the YMCA for helping me to pursue this dream of getting certified! And helping me to get put onto the Fall schedule for our cycling classes at the Riverfront YMCA location!

So yeah. I guess if I was MIA this Summer (both on the blog and IRL) this had something to do with it. I was busy, ya’ll! Busy being a goal-getter! 🙂

How did you do with your health and fitness goals this Summer?!

 

 

Our Summer in Pictures

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Guys – something amazing happened this Summer — we had fun — and I stepped a bit away from this here blog. I did, however, start posting all kinds of photos to my Instagram stories as a way of ‘photo-blogging’ my way through the summer months!

In case you aren’t following me on Instagram (which, why aren’t you!?), here’s our Summer in Insta-stories:

 
























 



I worked out a LOT.







We visited the farmers market often.






Adventures at the zoo!


We spent a lot of time eating samples at Costco.






My children had a blast at the YMCA — both while I was working and while they
(well, specifically, Ari, was in swim lessons!).







We went to Kentucky to visit my parents.














We celebrated my nephews first birthday!





We took a BIG family vacay to Hilton Head!


































Basically, all of these pictures and I’m all “OMG I can’t believe it’s nearly September!” And now we have exactly ONE WEEK left of Summer break before our new school year starts. I’m absolutely going to make the most of this week and get one more ‘hurrah’ outta Summer! 😉

Summer 2017 — you kinda rocked. 

Elevate, Play with Lark, SOAK, and Eat Local! // Embracing the Chaos

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We’ve been so crazy busy lately that we’ve hardly had a chance to slow down. It’s my own fault, really. I’m a chronic over-scheduler. It’s a blessing and a curse, friends. It really is.

See, I thrive on the crazy; I need the busy days. I need them because they make me feel accomplished. And slowing down just isn’t in my vocabulary. At least, not in this current season of my life.

So here’s what we’ve been up to as of late:

Lots and lots and lots of playing with the kids. Lucky for me, we have a standing playdate at the YMCA every day but Sunday (because, well, I’m there for 4-6 hours a day). So both kids really love (and need) this time with their friends.

But it’s been HOT, friends. Like, hot and crazy humid. Which has truly limited our outdoor play. However, I have felt a bit more comfortable playing outdoors with the kiddos knowing that Miss Bea is wearing moisture-wicking baby clothes from Lark.

If you haven’t heard of Lark, their mission is to make quality baby clothes that can easily endure the daily life of an active infant or toddler. They have developed a proprietary natural, eco-friendly moisture wicking fabric. Safer for babies sensitive skin than some of the synthetic wear that adults wear when outside or working out! Awesome, right!?

Well Miss Bea is truly comfortable in her rompers and bodysuits from Lark. And I breathe easy knowing the fabric is not only breathable, but free of synthetic fabric and chemicals, and is made in the USA!

And you can get free shipping on any order using this code: SHIPPING. Go support this awesome business, friends!

Living in my SOAK sandals. So I am weird about shoes. See, when I find shoes I love, I live in them. Like, I wear holes in my flats because I wear them every day and literally nothing else. So when I was offered a pair of slides from SOAK, a company right here in the United States, I truly didn’t know what to expect.

See, I have super high arches in my feet and it makes wearing anything slip-on quite difficult (and sometimes painful). But I’ve worn these every single day for the last 30 days and I’m in love.

A post shared by Rachel L (@itsahero) on

They’re comfortable, incredibly stylish, and crunchy-mama-friendly! Yep, not only are they made in Maine, but they are made from BPA-free recycled materials!

And so versatile! I’ve worn them with dresses and to my yoga classes! Seriously the only shoe I’ve needed (well, except for my running shoes to, well, run!).

Check out their full line of slides here and use code CHIC15 to save 15% off!

Yoga. Not quite #yogaeverydamnday, but my fire for yoga has been reignited, thanks to a couple of amazing yoga classes.

Last week I went to Elevate Akron, an annual outdoor yoga event here in my amazing city. It was powerful, friends. So powerful! I realized that all of the cycling, running, and strength training I’ve been doing has totally made me more physically fit — in ways I didn’t even realize before! I am so much stronger than I’d recently given myself credit for.

Oh, and I’m certain that the stretching and conditioning alongside the gymnasts I coach doesn’t hurt!

But then I decided to go, solo, to my first Yoga on Tap/Balance and Brews event. See, here in Northeast Ohio, we’ve been on the beer + yoga train for a long time — at least the last 4 years! But, sadly, I’ve never been able to actually make a class.

Well, that changed yesterday. I was elated to find out that Melissa of Balance and Brews was teaching a class right here in my own town, at HiHo Brewing Co.!

It was a great class and ended with a complimentary beer (the Smash Smash Pilz Pilz double pilsner was the bomb!).

So many markets! Guys, I’m a sucker for a good farmers market. Throw in some hand-crafted goodies? Double-sold.

Between the Cleveland Flea, the Akron Honey Market, and the Countryside Conservancy Market in Highland Square? We’ve been biz-zeeee! Busy getting delicious food, ya’ll!

Cycling. Kickboxing. and Gymnastics, Oh My! I’ve been working out non-stop and, like I said, I’m feeling so much stronger! One thing that’s truly been helping is how much I’ve been trying to remain committed to my schedule of workouts. At times it’s been a struggle, but it’s also been a saving grace during the crazy moments. As much as, in those moments, I want to just hide or cry or sleep, I find myself working out all of my frustrations and it’s helped me tremendously.

Sure, we’ve been busy. But it’s been perfect. Perfect chaos! So tell me — Do you thrive on chaos, like me? Or do you prefer to have unscheduled days and relaxing weekends!?

 

 

 

Accountability // Health + Fitness Update #2

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It’s been a whole month since my first health + fitness update, so I guess it’s time for some accountability. Right? Ugh. Right.

Here’s the thing — the scale? It’s only moved a tiny bit. Like, only a pound and a half lost in 4 weeks. But? I’ve gained strength + muscle and I’ve lost inches. So NSVs for the win! Right? That’s what I’m trying to convince myself.

But here’s the truth: It’s been really, really, hard. I’m good most of the time. But those ‘special’ days/nights/moments? They are my downfall. I take the treat yo’ self mantra to the extreme, ya’ll. My only saving grace has been that I’ve been kicking butt on my fitness points — for the most part.

Get moving, stay moving  //

Up until, literally, the last few days, I’ve been kicking bootay at keeping myself very active. But I randomly got hit with a teeny bout of depression over the weekend (perhaps it’s hormonal? I’m not sure), and it totally knocked me on my butt. I struggled to get out of bed, let alone get myself moving or to the gym.

But up until then? I was kicking butt and taking names — hitting the gym and fitness classes two times a day; hitting 10k steps; the works. And, although the scale would beg to differ, I could literally feel the difference.

I’ve been stronger, leaner, and, overall, happier.

Keep tracking those points  //

This is where I’ve been slacking. I do track, but then by the weekend I’m forgetting to track and feel all blah and off course. I really need someone to text me “track your food” once a day so that I can respond with “okay, okay! Fine!” 🙂

Transformations  + the “When I’s”  //

Here’s one of the things that has been changing during this ‘transformation.‘ Ya see, I finally am starting to embrace where I’m at. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop moving forward; but, for all of my life, I’ve been always been a “when I” girl. You know: “When I” am at my goal weight, I’ll be happy. “When I” fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans, I’ll be happy. “When I” weigh xx pounds, I’ll be happy.

But why not just be happy in the now!? Why drudge through the days waiting for the “when I” moments? I could be miserable waiting for god knows what; or I can embrace the journey and love the process.

So that’s what I’m doing. Hell or highwater. Even if I occasionally have to remind myself. I am going to work on being happy right now.

Will you help me and hold me accountable!?

Accountability // Health + Fitness Update # 1

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It’s been one week since my fitness update. And I feel amazing! Don’t get me wrong — things have not been perfect. Nope. In fact, I’ve barely been home to make dinner; I’ve been slacking on things around the house; and I’ve generally been a crazy person.

But I feel amazing.

In fact, I had gained three pounds over the Memorial Day holiday. Yep. That’s what happens when you go to a wedding and have family parties literally all weekend! But I did my Weight Watchers weigh-in Tuesday and I lost 6. SIX! This is: a.) the most I’ve ever lost in a week. Ever. and b.) it wasn’t easy. Not at all.

I know I’ve mentioned previously how much I love that WW allots points weekly to focus on the ‘bigger picture,’ and this week was a testament. I mean, I had days where I went way over with my points (and used my allotted weekly ‘wiggle room’); but I also had days where I was right on track. One thing was consistent — I consistently moved — Every damn day.

In fact, my fitness goal of 108 points was surpassed tremendously — I earned 116 fitness points! Those fitness points can essentially be ‘used’ towards food; but, I didn’t use all of them, thankfully.

The key to my success was this: I tracked everything. When you hold yourself accountable and actually track — whether it be through an app or writing it down — what you eat? It changes the whole freaking game, ya’ll. I mean, I looooove food. Love it. And I have an affinity for craft beer. But tracking it all still held me accountable. I was able to see how much or how little I was eating and where my ‘points’ went!

And that automatically makes a gal make better decisions. But I still lived my life like a normal person.

AND I STILL LOST SIX POUNDS. Crazy. pants. ya’ll.

So let’s real-talk this out — Here’s what my fitness routine looked like last week (PS. My weigh-in days are Tuesdays):

Tuesday = an easy walk with the kids but not much else.

Wednesday = 30 minutes of running.

Thursday = Treadmill workout; quick-walking pace + steady incline.

Friday = an easy walk with the kids in the double stroller.

Saturday = 45-minute, butt-kicking, cycling class.

Sunday = 30 minute run, outside, by myself, in the rain! ♥

Monday = 45-minute, butt-kicking, cycling class (again).

Also, I regularly met my own personal goal of 10k steps per day. I just made sure my booty got up and moving!

So, in short, I moved + I sweated a lot. But I also ate mostly healthy and still indulged on occasion. But from hereon out I’m not going to refer to it as ‘indulging;’ I’m going to call it living. Because that’s what it is. It’s living.

Other developments:

You’re looking at the newest head-coach of the Riverfront YMCA Girls on the Run, 5th-8th grade girls! We are launching this Summer/Fall and I’m SO excited to be a part of this!

Also, I’ve been doing lots of interval training, but during my rainy-day run I actually ran 22.5 minutes straight before stopping. This is huge! I thought, for sure, I could keep going. But then I came upon a HUGE hill and almost died and the end. But 22.5 minutes! And then I walked for about 2 minutes (killer hill) and then ran another 8 minutes. Not bad. Not bad at all!

So yeah. This past week was a good one. A very good one, health-wise. If you’ve been following since the beginning of this blog (which I’m guessing 99% of you haven’t — because that was a long, loooong, time ago), I finally feel like I’m getting back to my ‘roots’ again. It feels… amazing.

Mostly, I am happy. I am happy that I’m finally beginning to get back to myself again. I can’t wait to keep you updated on my journey!