Pregnancy Update: 23 Weeks

23 weeks, and I'm feeling great. Not a whole lot to report this week other than the usual diet, fitness, weight and symptoms. Here we go...
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Current Disposition: Feeling great! My energy is totally on point (for the most part); I have my days in which energy isn't at its peak, but don't we all? My mood is pretty upbeat, and just like my normal self. I generally feel like I'm not even pregnant, but then obviously look in the mirror and feel otherwise. 

Body: Yes, I definitely feel the extra weight but it's all part of the program. I certainly feel like my last pregnancy (my second pregnancy) with Vance was my healthiest, but this one is definitely a close second. I will talk more on this in fitness and diet. The aches and pains I was having last week have ceased, which it awesome. Again, I feel that extra weight and a little chunkier even in places like my arms, but not abnormally. ​

Weight: I weigh 143 pounds, which means I have gained 13 pounds since conception and 10 pounds since my 8 week appointment. Not bad, but not as good as my last pregnancy. Last pregnancy, I weighed 138 pounds at this point, but it also was a totally different pregnancy. I was able to control my diet a bit more and didn't gain early on (I think because I was still breastfeeding my first). Again, I'm not as concerned about weight gain because at the end of the day your body is going to do what it is going to do. At the same time, that doesn't mean that I'm totally oblivious to the scale. I certainly let myself give in to cravings, but if I do, I tighten up my diet the next day. It's not a free for all, but it's also not as strict as it was during my first pregnancy. Once again, I end up gaining the most weight in my final trimester. Last pregnancy, I packed on about 17 pounds in the final trimester. This time around, I hope that since I've gained a bit more earlier on that that won't happen again. But who knows. I feel a bit more confident about weight this time around. While never perfect in my ability to handle weight gain, my mindset has certainly improved from time's past.

Fitness: Fitness is totally on point this pregnancy. Amongst my three pregnancies, this pregnancy has been the fittest pregnancy that I have had to date. My first pregnancy I never exercised. My second pregnancy I exercised about 4 times per week; sometimes 3; it really depended on what I had going on. This third pregnancy, I have really committed to getting myself to the gym every single morning, and I totally feel better because of it. Sure, maybe the scale is higher than it was during my last pregnancy, but overall, I feel stronger and healthier. Again, my workouts are mainly a 30 minute tabata class, spinning and sometimes a 3 to 4 mile run or walk (I only do this once per week). I am working out almost every day. On my worst week, I had taken off two days, but generally will get in a workout every day or at least 6 days per week. How have I stayed motivated? Honestly, my Apple Watch has been a HUGE motivator in helping get me to workout on a daily basis. I have the face of my watch set to the workout/activity setting, which tracks movement, exercise and stand goals. I try to get all three of my rings, or goals achieved on a daily basis.

Baby: ​Baby is moving for sure. The movement has slowed down from the initial movement I felt, but pretty consistent and regular enough that I don't worry. As for gender.. I was sure that it was a boy, but I also am not 100% because of how narrow I am carrying. They say that you carry more narrowly with boys, but I don't remember carrying narrow with either of my boys. In fact, I felt like I carrier a bit wider.

Sleep: I've been sleeping great with the exception of the "no sleeping on your back" rule. I tend to be a side sleeper, but for whatever reason, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night on my back, kind of freaking out. I generally don't sleep on my back so it often feels weird that I am tending to that. But overall, I have no pregnancy insomnia and feel pretty energized after a good night's sleep.

Doctor's Visits: My next doctor's appointment will be at 28 weeks, and I am also scheduled for the glucose test. I am almost certainly I don't have gestational diabetes, but you can never be too sure. I thought it was interesting that the doctor said I could eat protein before the appointment; just not carbohydrates. I have an early 9:30am appointment, so it shouldn't be a problem. Other than that, the anatomy scan last week went so well, and I am feeling super confident about baby and my body. When I got the good news that all was well, it made me feel even more confident about having a third, as weird as that sounds. I think I've worried a little bit more during this pregnancy, but all for nothing because I feel reassured at every turn that everything is going smoothly.

Diet: my diet has been both good and bad. One of the biggest changes I have noticed the past week is that I feel like I can't eat as much. I often don't feel hungry, and when I do get hungry, I'll eat but then I can only have a few bites before I need to stop. For instance, I barely ate lunch ( I had hummus and chips), then I had a few bites off of the boys' dinners and a few bites of a cupcake and felt like I couldn't eat anymore. Most often, it feels like it happens at night when dinner rolls around in which my appetite is totally at a loss. Also, if I eat in the mornings, I tend to feel super sluggish, so I really have to pay attention to what I am eating. It also gets tricky when I like to workout first thing in the morning. I haven't quite gotten a routine when it comes to figuring out what to eat in the morning and timing my workout. Usually I don't eat, go to my workout class then have something after.