Keeping motivated through my pregnancy

After giving birth to a beautiful baby boy via emergency c-sect in February 2007 (my 1st pregnancy) - I was 38 lbs over my normal weight, tired, busy, yet very motivated to start exercising again as soon as I can!

Vainly, I admit, I saw my body go through a transformation (into pregnancy) that I never thought possible…”how could all that skin bounce back?” … “my dress size is what???” … well, I knew that I needed and wanted to start a fitness program – "if my body can go to one extreme, I can work towards the other extreme !!!" That’s when I decided to hire a personal trainer, Fatima Leite Kusch.

After working together for a bit, we set a goal for me to enter my first competition -FAME West April 2008. What a crazy surprise, I won 1st Place Fitness Model Tall Class! (I didn't expect that!)

After competing at FAME West, I had planned to compete again! I had soo much fun and met some amazing people! But unfortunately, I fell ill and my chances to compete again during 2008 slowly diminished.

I am now in my 4th month of pregnancy! Due date: August 2nd, 2009 ! So needless to say, I will not be competing in 2009. I am however, planning to compete in early/mid 2010… this goal is helping me keep focus on my training and eating habits. Its not so easy though! My first 3 months, were a write off… ! Plagued with morning/day sickness and crazy fatigue…all while taking care of my super-energetic almost 2 year old… luckily for me, the morning sickness has subsided some weeks ago and I’m back on track – as best I can...

My challenge is simply to keep myself motivated! I don’t find it easy.. sometimes it comes too easy in mind to ask “what’s the point ?– I’ll exercise after the baby arrives” …but I want to prove to myself that I am BODY PROUD and I will take care of myself – even if I am gaining a pound a week...(yes, thats the norm -yikes!) I will be happier and healthier in the end and hopefully it will be somewhat easier to get back into top form..

The last picture (in pink).. is my recent belly pic. I am at 13 weeks, 1 day today.. 35.5" is my current belly size!

You Inspire Me!

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on February 3, 2009 at 3:34pm

Week 15 - How frustrating! I actually thought i was one week further along than I am! That's ok.. im on track now! whew!

This week and last week were not so bad! I have been on a roll and keeping up with my modified weight training and have started to do more cardio..I have even lost a pound and an inch or so off my belly... i wonder if that was water retention/bloating?? I feel good though, especially after exercising! I am keeping on track with 'healthy' eating, although i do have a few 'cheats' here and there.. (blame it on the pregnancy!) haha!

So far, my favorite cardio exercise is "incline" power walking on the treadmill.. i can get my heart rate up and feel my legs getting a decent workout!

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Permalink Reply by Andre M Bland on February 3, 2009 at 9:49pm

That's awesome!

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Permalink Reply by Honnor Moore on February 5, 2009 at 6:22pm

YOU are stunning!
I will help you stay in the game girl!!!
You know it!
See you when I get home!
XO~
Honnor

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on February 6, 2009 at 5:51pm

wow! thanx for all the wonderful encouragement!! Thanx for the tips Rebeca! =) this is actually my second time around =) I have a toddler at home - he is almost 2 years old.. I guess im tired because i dont get much of a chance to rest as much as i did the first time.. I did use lots of lotion the first pregnancy (cant say i do as much this time, though i should)..my profile picture(s) are from just a year after my first baby.. i am just hopeful that I will be as lucky as last time to loose the weight quickly and get my abs back! (is that vain?)....

and water! yes! drink drink drink.. hard to drink so much though when the bladder is already under alot of "baby bump" stress ;) ...

I'll keep you posted! =)

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on February 17, 2009 at 3:49pm

Week 17 - last week had to be one of my hardest weeks.. I was knocked down with a few tummy infections, a head cold and hest cold.. im on the recovery path, and I look forward to being active again.. I was unable to do anything for a week and couldn't hold anything down.. i ended up losing a few pounds in the process.... thankfully, baby is doing well!

Slow and easy does it back to the gym in a few days.. i fear if i go back to quickly i will get sick again...
Belly is now at 35.0 inches around! =) 22 weeks left.

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on April 1, 2009 at 6:23pm

Week 23 - I had such an amazing weekend! I attended the FAME West show this past weekend and wow, the athletes were amazing! I fed off all of their great energies and excitement! This I admit has given me a bit of a boost.. ! =) I feel ok with my pregnancy.. my workouts have dwindled a bit, but not 100% , so i will keep my chin up and keep going as much as I can.

My Belly now is at 38.5" around =)

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on April 27, 2009 at 5:14pm

Week 27 (26 weeks pregnant) - Only 12 weeks to go!

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Permalink Reply by carly Illes on May 4, 2009 at 11:03am

hey Mailyse!

You are truly an inspiration! Keep up the positive attitude - not much longer now! You've actually moved me so much that Mike and I have decided to try for a baby of our own this summer! I'll be bugging you for tips!
Take care little one!
Carly

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on May 8, 2009 at 6:43pm

OMG CARLY!!!! that's fantastic!!!! CONTRATULATIONS!!!! Im your gal! email me/call me anytime for anything! You're going to make an amazing little mamma! =)

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on May 8, 2009 at 6:50pm

Week 28 - You know the saying " a compliment goes a long way" .. man does it ever! Last week, I started to feel a little bit better physically (ive been through a bit of a rough ride this pregnancy) .. and after so many doctors appointments etc.. and seeing my icky weight gain on the scale, I decided I only have 11 weeks to go and id better get my tush n' gear and take care of myself better.. soo.. back to Fitness World I go / went. I started this week.. slow and steady.. It feels sosooo good! my bones/joints hurt alot especially my hips but im pushing through some cardio everyday and light weight every other day. today was a great day at the gym.. i pushed myself more than i did the other days - as I was getting off the elipthisizer (sp?) a nice girl came up to me and said (these are her words) " you are one of the most beautiful and fit pregnant women I have ever seen".. well short of jumping out and giving her a big hug... i thanked her soo much for the nicest compliment.. and I know I am big from pregnancy but this compliment has kept a nice smile on my face all day.. Thank you again fitness world girl.. its a good push to just keep on moving and not giving up.. =) hmmmm then again. i wonder if she mistook the blood rush to my face from the cardio for that pregnancy glow? haha!?

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on June 1, 2009 at 1:44pm

On May 25th, 2009 at 19:54 , Bitty Baby Boy (no name yet) was born. He was born 2 months premature weighing only 1580gr (3lbs8oz). Baby boy is still at hospital and will be there for another 8-10 weeks. As of yesterday, he is breathing on his own and is now weighing 1510gr. He is almost back to his birth weight after dropping to almost 1325gr.

I am doing ok. trying to adjust to a new 'routine' of visiting baby at hospital 2x per day and waking every 3 hours still to produce 'babymilk' to feed him.

Thank you to all my friends for all their well wishes and support.

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Permalink Reply by Marilyse on August 31, 2009 at 12:27am

I havent written for a while but heres the baby scoop =)

Baby Benjamin was born May 25th, 2009 (due August 2nd, 2009) weighing 3lbs5oz thats 1580gr. He was in hospital for 7 weeks and i visited him twice a day to love him, bathe him, cuddle him and just hold him. He came home at the end of July and is doing really really well ! He now weighs almost 10lbs!

I had a very difficult pregnancy and am very thankful to have a beautiful healthy baby boy.. it was a very scary time for me and the family. Biggest thanx for all the support from friends and family and the amazing nurses at Childrens and St.Pauls Hospital.

... on another note.. working on ridding of pregnancy weight and prepping for getting back to the fame stage in 2010!! =)

Marilyse said:

Week 28 - You know the saying " a compliment goes a long way" .. man does it ever! Last week, I started to feel a little bit better physically (ive been through a bit of a rough ride this pregnancy) .. and after so many doctors appointments etc.. and seeing my icky weight gain on the scale, I decided I only have 11 weeks to go and id better get my tush n' gear and take care of myself better.. soo.. back to Fitness World I go / went. I started this week.. slow and steady.. It feels sosooo good! my bones/joints hurt alot especially my hips but im pushing through some cardio everyday and light weight every other day. today was a great day at the gym.. i pushed myself more than i did the other days - as I was getting off the elipthisizer (sp?) a nice girl came up to me and said (these are her words) " you are one of the most beautiful and fit pregnant women I have ever seen".. well short of jumping out and giving her a big hug... i thanked her soo much for the nicest compliment.. and I know I am big from pregnancy but this compliment has kept a nice smile on my face all day.. Thank you again fitness world girl.. its a good push to just keep on moving and not giving up.. =) hmmmm then again. i wonder if she mistook the blood rush to my face from the cardio for that pregnancy glow? haha!?