There is something on my heart and I want to share with you what I have noticed this last couple of months being pregnant…If you haven’t also already noticed, but once you fall pregnant it is as if everyone starts telling you how you should live your life, what is allowed and what isn’t, what you should be doing when you should be doing it and so the list goes on.

Today I want to tell you that to much mixed information is NOT a good thing. Go with what you feel is the right decision for YOU! Get a trusted friend or someone you KNOW will not share any information if not proven facts or only by sharing experiences without coming down on you on the what you should and shouldn’t be doing! If you believe that raw meat, sushi, raw eggs for example is a no no during pregnancy  – Then stick to what you believe in and don’t let others try to convince you otherwise!

I can give you my own story and you can do with it whatever you like but I do hope it can encourage you in some area. First of all I want to encourage all to stay on a healthy balanced nutritious diet. When I say diet I mean lifestyle – NO CRASH / weight loss diet! I want to stretch the importance of continuing the lifestyle as before pregnancy or if it wasn’t all that good to better your lifestyle. I made the mistake of letting go. From being SUPER fit and active in the gym once a day – to a not so fit once a week in the gym without any confidence…

With tears in my eyes I want to encourage you to not let go. Don’t see your pregnancy as a escape route of a healthy lifestyle. Don’t have the mindset oh well I’m gaining all this weight anyways so why bother making healthier choices… Since the day I found out of my pregnancy it was as if my body went into overdrive and I gained weight by the day – or that is how it felt. It was a HUGE adjustment and with all the changes going on inside my body I started to fall into a “depression” if I can call it that. I started getting negative about my body the way I look and then the pattern started of I don’t care anymore. BUT DON’T GO THERE. Your lifestyle is so important for the little one growing inside of you. As most of you know I have a under active thyroid (Hypothyroidism). So let me explain this briefly:

The thyroid gland

Your thyroid is an endocrine gland. This means it secretes hormones into your bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals produced by your body to help regulate how your cells and organs work. They are sometimes called chemical messengers.

Your thyroid gland makes two hormones: thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). Together, these hormones regulate your body’s growth and metabolism. Your metabolism is how quickly your body burns energy and how quickly reactions in your body happen. It affects lots of things, including how much you weigh and how much you sleep.

The production of thyroid hormones is controlled by another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is made by an endocrine gland in your brain called the pituitary gland.

Hypothyroidism causes a general slowing down of your body’s functions.

Some of the symptoms include:

• feeling tired and sleeping a lot
• feeling the cold easily
• dry and/or pale skin
• coarse, thinning hair and brittle nails
• sore muscles, slow movements and weakness
• a hoarse or croaky voice
• a change in facial expression
• depression
• problems with memory and concentration
• weight gain
• constipation
• fertility problems and increased risk of miscarriage
• heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods
• a slow heart rate

TIP: If you experience some of the above or all make an appointment and go and see you GP and get a reference for a blood test.

While pregnant, it is important to continue your medication and to make sure you go for regular check ups or blood tests to regulate your levels.

I believe this was a big cause of my extreme weight gain in the first 3+ months of my pregnancy – Why because I didn’t go for my regular check up at first and when I did I got the news that my medication had to be DOUBLED…So what if I went earlier would that have meant less weight gain? Well since my dosage of my thyroid medication is correct my weight gain seemed to stabilize resulting in only picking up the necessary weight.

Still left with the weight, feeling down I realized HEY THIS IS NOT THE END…You can still make a difference, you still CAN make better choices and let the rest of your pregnancy be a healthy one.

So last night I made the decision that no matter the weight gained up to now its time to get up, focus and make everyday a better day and to enjoy the last few months of my pregnancy.

So to all the pregnant ladies out there lets do this. To all the non pregnant ladies WANTING to get pregnant start making better choices as from TODAY…Not Monday or next week TODAY!  If you are over weight or under weight get your body into shape now.

Conclusion to the general blog followers: Let every single day be a day with a new meaning. New way of living, healthier options than the day before. Don’t focus on your past failures focus on the success of your future. If you got discouraged at some point get back up today. You deserve the absolute best so get your mind and body connected and start living the best life today!