bottomless pit

Ever since I hit the 3rd trimester, I feel like I'm a bottomless pit. Seriously, it is an insane feeling..hunger..true hunger!! It makes me think back to when I thought I was hungry? Um no, nothing compared to this. I feel like I can never become satisfied.

1. I never exactly know what sounds good to eat. So I want it all. I don't just want Mexican food; I want Italian too. ...at the same time.
2. I want a snack. So I look at what I brought for lunch..peanut butter crackers or a banana? I pout a little...what I really want is a Snickers candy bar. So I fight myself over whether to stick to the healthier option or just splurge. Splurging usually wins lately.
3. I'm constantly thirsty. Good thing, I've been drinking a ton of water. Lately, I feel like I have to pee all.the.time. Seriously, I think my bladder is done for.

I've been trying my hardest to keep my hunger/craving under control though. I've been eating more protein in the mornings and more carbs during lunch to keep me fuller, longer. And of course, drinking a lot of water. It's still hard though..I want to eat everything in sight..no joke.

I had a really "off" day yesterday. The number on the scale is reallllly getting to me. I know gaining weight while pregnant is inevitable, but I really didn't think I was already going to be at 30lbs gained by 30 weeks pregnant. I didn't want that. Remember my goal? 1st trimester-5lbs, 2nd-10lbs, 3rd- 10lbs. Um yea, didn't meet that goal. I remember when I was battling infertility I would get so upset when women complained about pregnancy or complained about weight gain, when I'd be sitting there thinking really lady? You have no idea how much I'd LOVE to be in your shoes! and trust me, I feel terrible for complaining. I need to enjoy these last 8-10 weeks because I know I'm going to miss it. This may be the only baby I ever have. but the mental issue I have with the gaining weight is taking over my brain!!

I'll leave with a photo..30weeks2days in all its glory!

"Skinny-ing" up recipes

It's no lie that I try to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible. Whether it be because the kitchen holds food and I'm more likely to over eat or because I'm not the greatest cook! Well..Jordan would venture to say I'm a fine cook if I follow a recipe, so I guess it's more that cooking is not my favorite thing to do.
But, cooking and eating at home is the better option all the way around. We save money by staying home to eat and it's typically healthier than a restaurant. What I hate is the cleaning up afterwards :)
So, here's what I've been doing lately: Skinny-ing up any and every recipe. I know Mama Laughlin does this too. Of course, watching portion sizes play a major role in keeping calories low too. I've been having problems with that one.
For instance, I made this tator tot casserole last night {found off pinterest} Here's how I Skinny-ed it up:

• Used ground turkey
• Low sodium corn
• Added can of green beans (drained)
• used low fat cheese
• used low fat soup
• used skim milk
• used low fat sour cream

It was pretty good. One of those "sticks to you meals" but not in the sense that you just feel over ingorged. Easy enough, too.
How do you "skinny" up your recipes?
-follow me on pinterest: amarshall627

2 Years of Blogging

I totally missed this earlier, but August 24th marked 2 years of blogging!! Yea! Sure, there have been little "breaks" here and there, but the goal has always been the same: To live a healthier lifestyle. I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm MILES away from the unhealthy person I was before I started my official weight loss journey on January 9, 2010.
In the 2 years I've been blogging about it, you've seen me:

• Me introduce myself
• Me run my 1st 5k
• Battle with the scale
• Face my weight loss fears
• Set 2011 goals
• Lose 50lbs!!
• Quit Weight Watchers
• Train for a 10k with my Dad
• Become pregnant in the midst of training for said 10k
• Suffer my 3rd miscarriage
• Battle some depression
• Seek Infertility Treatment
• Leave my job of 3 years!!
• Gain 12lbs in a year
• Zumba 2x a week!
• Struggle some more
• Start a low sodium diet
• Share Before/Now photos
• Become pregnant through infertility!!
• Finding out I'm going to be a MOM to a BOY!
• Go to Water Aerobics 2x a week!
• Battle dairy intolerance
• Achieve a healthy pregnancy

And guess what? There's SO MUCH more to come. I'm totally anxious to deliver my son in roughly 10 short weeks and start my journey into motherhood. I'm READY to get back into the weight loss saddle and lose the 60lbs needed to get to my goal weight. I'm READY to continue to live a healthy lifestyle with my little family and I can't wait to share it all with you. I'm so thankful for all the love and support I've received through this blog and of course all of my family and friends. Thank you!

Former Fat Bride

3 years difference..

 

~Allie

Recap: 2nd Trimester

Today I am 28 weeks 3 days pregnant and feeling great! Sure, I feel large and in charge, but I'm loving this moment in my life..so many things to get done and to look forward to! We had our 3D ultrasound yesterday and he is just a little doll <3 a frowning doll, but super cute none the less :) So anxious to meet him! Here is a recap of my 2nd trimester:

2nd trimester: Weeks 15-28

Total Weight Gain/Loss for 2nd trimester: 27 pounds! EEK! I'm 7lbs over my goal entering the 3rd trimester was 20lbs. Eh, such is life.

 

Maternity Clothes for 2nd trimester: Pants for sure..I'm too scared to try on pre-pregnancy pants; I'm sure it wouldn't be pretty. I usually wear a pregnancy tank and a cardigan. A few pre-pregnancy tops still fit, but I'm sure not for too much longer.

 

Gender: BOY!! Bradley Xavier

Movement in the 2nd trimester: TONS! Currently he is head down, body on the right side. I feel kicks on my left side. It's been awesome :)

Sleep: Not too, too bad, really. I did tell Jordan the other day that it's getting more uncomfortable to toss and turn, but I've been getting 6-7hours of solid sleep every night, so no huge complaints here.

 

What I miss: I miss feeling like I look halfway decent. I know I'm just being hard on myself though. That's about it though!

 

Cravings: Danishes- Cherry turnovers, chocolate donuts! So weird because I've never been a huge sweets fan. Mexican food, italian food, turkey sandwiches. Dr. pepper :(

Symptoms: heartburn a ton!! Super tired and lazy in the mornings (results in light makeup and hair in a pony tail..everyday). When I'm hungry, I'm hungry!! I want to eat right then. Very emotional..I've had a few freak outs over stress from school..OH, and I basically bawled through the whole Michelle Obama speech the other night. REAL tears..sobbing tears!! Why? No idea. I've been feeling separation anxiety from my husband..I literally want him around me all the time which is super odd for me, lol. Oh, and one more thing..HOT! I feel like I'm burning up all the time!! and I never want to wear a bra!! ha

Best Moment in the 2nd trimester: Sooo many. I've really enjoyed this time in my life. Pregnancy finally feels real and I am just so thankful. Buying nursery furniture, getting nursery together, registering for my baby shower, helping my bestie and sisters plan the shower, watching my stomach move and GROW, getting a 3D ultrasound, SHOPPING and just counting down the days until Bradley bear is here!

At a Dr's appointment

26 weeks pregnant <3 (maternity top from Kohl's)

Proud Daddy after building the crib :)

20 weeks pregnant <3

Mom and Dad to be :)

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Stressing{s} vs. Blessings

When it comes to food, I categorize myself as an emotional eater. I eat when I'm bored, I eat to celebrate acheivements, I eat when I'm sad..etc etc. But most of all, I eat when I'm stressed! When I'm stressed, I get this overwhelming feeling of over indulging because "I deserve this for what I've been going through!" I can usually get those thoughts in check because I go on a full on binge, but I'm not perfect. I'm also trying to learn to manage my stress better before the baby gets here. It's an ongoing process..I'm continuing to work on keeping a positive attitude and looking for the silver lining in all situations.

Stressings vs. Blessings

• Stress: I was rear ended a week ago on my way to class, but..Blessing: The baby and I are both okay! My car needs repairs, but the insurance company has {surprisingly} been alright to work with.
• Stress: The fall semester of school has begun and I already feel slightly overwhelmed, but..Blessing: I know I am competent enough to finish this semester..even with a baby due two weeks before finals :) I'm blessed to have such a supportive and loving husband by my side during the semester.
• Stress: Our air conditioner went out for two days; it was over 90 degrees in our home, but..Blessing: We have a very diligent landlord that came over and fixed the problem ASAP.
• Stress: My debit card went missing..no where to be found! But..Blessing: No unauthorized charges were made. I was able to cancel the card and order a new one.

Looking back after I've written this all out, I guess things aren't so bad. Sometimes I tend to overreact. I have a lot of exciting things coming up! We are getting a 3D-4D ultrasound done on Friday at 28 weeks; I can't wait to see what my little man looks like :), I'm about to enter my 3rd trimester the first weekend of September!! (really?! Never thought we'd see the day!), baby shower scheduled for 9/30/12, nursery is coming along nicely, maternity pictures scheduled. So, really, in the grand scheme of things, all it takes is sitting back and not dwelling on the negative, but aiming for positivity.

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The Great Debate: Maternity pictures

For the past 2 months I have been going back and forth..back and forth..with the idea of scheduling maternity pictures. There was a point where I was saying NO..no way. There was no way I was going to take pictures "heavy" again. I can barely stand to look at my wedding pictures and I didn't want that same feeling of maternity pictures. That's really sad.
But then I got to thinking..I'm not "heavy".. I'm pregnant. I've gained an average amount of weight at 26 weeks pregnant. I don't feel like a complete slob..I have tons of energy and have had a really smooth "easy" pregnancy thus far. Sure, there are days where I feel like a blimp and wonder if I'm going to be able to lose the weight after delivery or if people can tell that I'm pregnant or just fat. But, for the most part, I haven't been too, too hard on myself.
At my appointment two weeks ago my doctor gave me the third trimester pamplet. He told me that by my next appointment I'd be in my 3rd trimester! He gave me the homework of choosing a pediatrician, deciding on circumsision, and attending a birth care class at our hospital. In my mind, as well as those homework assignments, I gave myself the additional assignments on working on the nursery and either setting up a maternity photo session or making up my mind....

So, I did it. I will be taking pregnancy photos on September 22 at 31 weeks pregnant. Gahhh..Large and in charge!

{recipe} Weight Watchers Shepard's Pie

One of the Recipes I tried this week was a Weight Watcher's Shepard's Pie. I, of course, found the recipe on Pinterest (<< link to my personal Pinterest). I was very impressed with this dish as I had no expectations with how well it'd taste. J and I both really liked it and it even made for great leftovers in our lunches the next day. Score.

I know it doesn't look beautiful (and my photography sucks!) but it was very good! Here's the recipe:

	2 large uncooked potato(es), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
	1/4 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
	1 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine
	1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
	2 tsp olive oil
	1 cup(s) uncooked onion(s), chopped
	2 medium uncooked carrot(s), diced
	2 rib(s) (medium) uncooked celery, diced
	1 pound(s) uncooked ground turkey breast
	3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
	1 Tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
	1 tsp dried thyme
	1/2 tsp table salt
	1/4 tsp black pepper
	2 cup(s) canned chicken broth, or beef broth

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Place potatoes in a large saucepan and pour in enough water to cover potatoes. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain potatoes, transfer to a large bowl and add sour cream and margarine; mash until smooth, season to taste with salt and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add flour, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Add broth and bring to a simmer; simmer until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.

Transfer turkey mixture to a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. Spread mashed potatoes over top and using the back of a spoon, make decorative swirls over the top. Bake until potatoes are golden, about 30 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

Here is the actual link to the recipe. Enjoy!!