You Don't Look Like A Trainer

If I'm being honest I know that a lot of my credibility as a trainer was because of how I looked. And that was important to me, competing or not I practiced what I preached. Here I am 14 weeks pregnant and far from looking like a trainer (well the trainer I was) but finally at a point where at least it's more obvious that I am pregnant and not just chubby. Actually now I am getting the looks, you know the stares that seem as if they are saying to me, should you be doing that if your pregnant.

Little do they know that doing that is my thing, it makes me happy, it's who I am. Starring at the pull up bar knowing the next four are going to suck but do I use the extra lbs as an excuse and pick something easier, well I wouldn't have done that before. But what kind of trainer would I be if I looked at the outside and didn't think it matched the inside and just gave up, threw in the towel. After all I am learning yet again my body just goes all maternal when pregnant. Eating clean, monitoring my protein, training hard, but soft all over. I desperately wanted to be one of the super fit pregnant ladies with ripped arms and nothing but a baby belly. Not happening, hips, thighs, boobs, it all grows.

So in my own head I am reminded of conversations I have with my clients, who have dived into the fit lifestyle, for weeks at a time, and the outside doesn't seem to match their enthusiasm and commitment on the inside. I remind them it's about being strong, confident, persistent, content in knowing you are trying and not accepting any excuse, including not feeling comfortable in your own skin. After all that's what keeps us stuck, mentally and physically.

I am listening to my own coaching, and it's truth. I get up and eat my normal breakfast, I go to work, I train myself, I do my mom thing, cook dinner, batch prep, etc. I'm tracking my training and maintaining my strength, and started back with my fitness pal, perhaps it's a control thing but it pleases me to see a good day of proper nutrition. Now I am far from perfection, there have been a few bowls of peanut butter Cheerios, and the weekends as a family we indulge a little, but having an 80/20 approach to this pregnancy, regardless of the outcome, I am staying committed to the journey! The way I see it, just like I tell my clients, the hard work, dedication, it catches up. Being persistent, continuing to practice what I know, there will be no starting over, the journey will continue.

One day at a time, that has been my motto. For now I attack my workouts just like before, if I need to change that I will, but let me say leaving the gym with my head high because I kicked my own butt yet again, that gets me to the next day, and reminds me why I am staying dedicated to the journey. All those days will add up and take me to the days to follow after this particular journey.

What about you, have you committed to the journey, knowing that through persistence, the outside, it catches up to the inside, and the inside, that is what's most important, that is where lasting change is made!


And we have a boy ladies and gentlemen! Finally a boy!