Eventually, I ended up eating whatever my body craved. However, I made sure to also eat foods that were high in vitamins. I also had regular blood tests done to monitor my levels to ensure that I was not vitamin deficient, which luckily, I was not.
I'm almost eighteen weeks pregnant now and my food aversions are not as bad as they were during my first trimester. But, it's still difficult for me to eat healthy foods, such as salads and vegetables, without feeling nauseous. I almost have to force feed myself sometimes! However, I believe that I am slowly working my way back into eating healthy and nutritious meals.
In terms of exercise, during the entirety of my first trimester, I spent most of my time on my couch and hardly ever worked out. At that stage of my pregnancy, it felt like the bouts of nausea were nearly constant! I have no idea who coined the term 'morning sickness', but I have renamed it to 'all day and night sickness'.
A few weeks ago, I started to become more consistent with my workouts after I stopped feeling so nauseous. However, I always make sure to not push myself and keep my workouts as safe as possible. I call them 'feel good workouts', since I only do them to feel good and maintain my strength and fitness level. Under the guidance of my OB, I have modified my workout to be at a lower intensity and impact. I have also ceased any workouts that include ab work--I personally just don’t feel comfortable doing them.
Currently I focus on my pelvic floor and core muscles through compound movements such as front squats, deadlifts, lunges and kettle bell swings, making sure that my core is tight and my torso is stable during any type of 'lift' movement. While I do miss plyometric training, such as sprinting and box jumps, I don't feel comfortable doing them, and if I can't exercise, I don't beat myself up about it.
To get a glimpse of this mama-to-be in action, watch Skye's upper and lower bodyworkout videos. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before conducting any type of exercise.
This article originally appeared on InStyle U.S.
