Mindset Growth: Taking Control of my Life
I know how it feels to not want to get up and after it when you are feeling exhausted. I have a diagnosis that often leaves me feeling fatigued and many other unpredictable symptoms. It wasn't until I started leaning into what I could control in my day-to-day life that I found success. I struggled for months trying to navigate the unknowns. As someone who always enjoyed going to the gym, I didn't find it as enjoyable when I had zero energy and could barely manage lifting weights that were once so easy for me. I feel like I was just going through the motions of my life and letting my diagnosis control me.
I could be wrong, but I feel like when you are pregnant you are also living in a season of unknowns. Trying to balance your old life with your changing body and feeling so overwhelmed. Pregnancy is full of a lot of unknowns, but what you do will either make your pregnancy manageable or miserable. I can't speak for you, but I can assume you want to be able to manage your pregnancy symptoms, and all anxieties surrounding pregnancy and birth.
What made the difference for me was how I approached my day. I stopped obsessing over the things I had zero control over and gave my worries to God. I kicked my old routine that I held on to for so long to the curb and found a new one that served my changing body. I wanted to hold on to my old life and body that could work all day, go to the gym, and still have the energy to interact with friends and family. Now, I had to pick and choose where I put my energy. I started to take control over my meals, water intake, and started incorporating workouts that didn’t leave me feeling worse. I started to switch my mindset from “ oh I can't do that” to “what can I do”. Even when I feel like I'm out of touch with my body, I find ways that are going to help me thrive in this very unpredictable time.
For me, I try to aim daily (but not beat myself up if I don’t) for balanced meals, which are based around high protein, healthy fats, and slow digesting carbs. Prioritizing real foods, but I do throw in some protein powder every now and again. I am not aiming to be perfect, but realistic with myself, which decreases my chances of binging. I prioritize my water intake. This looks like drinking water BEFORE my coffee in the morning. I know, I know, old me would have never. I used to finish all of my coffee before I would drink water and eat my breakfast, but now I drink a cup of water before my coffee and slowly sip my coffee and eat a high protein breakfast half way through my cup of coffee to balance my hormones. When it comes to my workouts, I don’t over do it to the point I have to skip the gym for the next few days. I now go to the gym four times a week instead of six and base my workout on how my body is feeling. For instance, If I am feeling tired, I will do light weights with more reps. My goal is to maintain being consistent in the gym even if it looks different from day to day. I have made it a priority to get 7,000-10,000 steps in my day. This also looks different everyday. Sometimes I can go for a long walk and get all of my steps in while other days it's broken into two walks. Lastly, I prioritize my sleep, I know the old me could have thrived off of 5 hours of sleep, but the new me feels better with more sleep so I prioritize being in bed by 10pm. When I get the proper amount of sleep, prioritize healthy meals, and stick to a manageable workout schedule I feel less stressed mentally and physically on my body. At the end of the day, I know I did my best to serve my body, which helps me bear fruit in my life. Life is a lot more manageable and enjoyable when you take control of it.
Pregnant mamas, If I can find a routine that is manageable, I know you can too. That is why I have designed a three month, 1:1 program that serves and supports you to seek a lifestyle that supports maternal health and baby's development. If this is something you are interested in I will leave the application form below for you to fill out!!
With love, Kayla Sue
