Week 25

How Far Along: 25.5 weeks - baby girl is the size of an eggplant.

25 Weeks :) I changed the sign after I took this photo...
I decide instead of Andrew it should say Daddy!

How I'm Feeling: Definitely pregnant! I think that she is moving up higher and my belly is taking on a new shape and so is my belly button (super weird!). She's no longer cramped into a small space, she actually has room to continue to grow and stretch out her legs. It's official I bought my first pair of maternity jeans and is it wrong to say I kind of love them... although maybe its because in the past week with her growing so much my regular jeans have been so uncomfortable so its more so a relief to wear a pair that fit.
 

Weight Gain/Loss:  Working on gaining so fingers crossed I'll put on a few before my next appointment.

Cravings: Sweets are want I crave the most but thankfully I have found healthy alternatives for almost everything I've wanted. Fruit is my favorite go to sweet snack, I usually mix up a fruit salad consisting of watermelon, bananas, kiwi, coconut flakes, and dried fruit! DELISH!

Here's one of my favorite things Andrew and I both enjoy indulging in : Not one of my cravings but a tip for those who LOVE ice cream and are looking for a healthier alternative, Talenti gelato is amazing. Their caramel cookie crunch is insane. And for those who love mint, Andrew loves the mediterranean mint.

"Our gelato is made with fresh, hormone-free milk and only pure cane sugar. Not only is it delicious, but with 30% less fat than regular ice cream, it’s also a healthier alternative."

 

Gender: Girl. Having a girl is so FUN because ---> shopping for accessories and clothes to dress her up in! I can't wait to receive my orders from Etsy (love shopping on there, I've yet to be disappointed with any products).

 

Sleep: Sleeping is good, the boppy body pillow makes sleeping on my side a lot easier the further along I am getting (aka: the belly is getting bigger) even though I am naturally a side sleeper.

"Sleeping on your side is best while you're pregnant. In particular, sleeping on your left side may benefit your baby by improving blood flow – and therefore nutrients – to the placenta. It also helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body, which in turn reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands."

What I Miss: Really not missing anything.

 

Movement: EXCITING NEWS! Andrew finally felt her move for the 1st time this week! I can feel her move around more and more each day, I find it very cool that I can tell when she is sleeping and when she is awake.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Setting up the crib. So excited to see it in the room! Also I am excited to start putting things in their place, as soon as I begin I will be taking so many pictures.

 

 

Do you all see the soccer ball I'm hiding under my belly? hahaha.

My belly is really starting to take form though!

 

Weekly Workout

 

After countless requests the time has come to share some of my favorite at home workouts.

This is the first of many to come that I will be sharing over the next couple weeks. This workout below is one of my favorites and a total sweat session.

 

Tidbit: I use 10lb weights for both the bicep curls and the shoulder press, but feel free to use any weight that is right for you.

 

 

 

Now go get your sweat on!

OhYeah! Product Review

 

 

 

Thank you OhYeah! Nutrition for the opportunity to sample and review your products for myself and my followers! Ohyeah! Nutrition is a terrific company, great for athletes who are training/lifting weights that are looking to build muscle and replenish their muscles with great tasting, high protein packed, nutritional valued proteins and bars!


As many of you know I am Andrea Smith from Andrea Smith Fitness. I changed my life 2 years ago and since then I have successfully lost 50lbs and have become a clean eater advocate, a fitness enthusiast, and currently am expecting my first child in June (25 weeks along now) which all causes me to be very particular about what is not only in my food but also in protein bars and powders...


I've had the privledge to review a few different OhYeah! Nutrition products, and I am going to share their product photos below that I've personally used and then under each one I will list my review on each item.

Firstly, OhYeah! Nutrition really does deliver great tasting products that are high in protein! Which is a very hard aspect to find in supplement companies.

OhYeah! Trail Mix



 

 

Overall the taste is great and its an awesome product that I could see using if you are looking for an alternative to help with sweet cravings. Because these bars are pretty small, I would not recommend using this as a meal replacement.

 

Pros : Tastes delicious, high protein, fairly small in size.

Cons : Uses sucralose and other artificial sugars, natural and artificial flavors added.

 

Rating :  2 of 5 stars

OhYeah! Victory Bar

 



This bar is by far my favorite products! Great taste and filling! I even used this as a meal replacement while on our cruise after hiking the Mayan ruins in Belize! This is truly as great bar if you are on the go and forget your meals! Plus if you cut the bar into sections and bake them for a few minutes they make delicious cookies for those sweet cravings!

Pros : High Protein, No sugar alcohols used, Gluten free, and High in fiber.

Cons : None!

 

 Rating : 5 of 5 Stars

 

Enjoying my victory bar after hiking the Mayan ruins in Belize!

OhYeah! Isolate Protein Powder

 

 

 

I love that this protein is rich in BCAA's and HIGH in protein with low carbs.  I did personally I enjoyed the taste of this product very much however I wasn't thrilled the use of  sucralose.

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. The majority of ingested sucralose is not broken down by the body, so it is noncaloric.

Pros : High in protein, No fats, and low in sodium and carbs.

Cons : Artificial flavors and use of sucralose.   

 

Rating : 3 of 5 Stars



 

 

Thank you again, OhYeah Nutrition!

and Thank you all for reading!

 

 

Note : My review is based of my personal opinion.

 

 

 

 

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks. Officially 6 months pregnant! Size of an ear of corn.

24 weeks, Fitness Maternity Photo Shoot with Lyssa Ann Photography
www.lyssaannportraits.com and www.lyssaannportraits.com/blog - Be sure to check her out!!  

How I'm Feeling: Finally feeling pregnant and enjoying each moment with Andrew before our beautiful new baby arrives. I had my 24 week doctor appointment and glucose test this week! Passed the glucose test with flying colors. Minor thing : I am now on an iron medication to help increase my iron levels due to my blood results being extremely low and I am also increases my iron natural food sources!

"Why the sudden need to pump it up? By week 20 in your pregnancy, your stored iron supply (the one you saved up when your periods stopped) is just about depleted — right at the time that your growing baby is most in the market for new red blood cells. This puts you at risk for anemia during pregnancy, or low iron levels. Although all pregnant women are susceptible to anemia, those who have had other recent pregnancies, are carrying more than one fetus, or have been undernourished at any point during their pregnancies have an even greater risk.
Anemia is never fun — it takes away your lovely pregnancy glow, making you pale, extremely weak, easily tired or breathless, and can sometimes even lead to fainting."

 

 

Weight Gain/Loss: At my 24 week appointment, I am still under my pre-pregnancy weight by 3lbs however I feel like I've gained all over but they assured me that I'm not, I'm all BABY!

 

 

Sleep: Sleeping is good... my dreams are pretty vivid and the restless legs have started!

 

Cravings: Easter Candy! Ha. I'm balancing out my candy consumption with lots of vegetables. My appetite is never ending. I think I'm in trouble with all of the Easter basket candy out on the store selves considering they consist of gummies, jelly beans, and of course peanut butter eggs (AGAIN! Who am I?) hahaha...I have a feeling I'll be whale status in no time!

Gender: Girl. Its finally getting really exciting and fun for me, I am hitting up the local flea markets and thrift stores to search for so awesome gems to add to her room!

What I Miss: Not missing a whole lots, maybe drinking wine while my hubby enjoys his beer but I can do without a bit longer!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Finally getting the crib set up & moved into her room, then adding pieces each week before we head to GA for our first baby shower. Which is less than a month away!

 

 

 

Week 23

Only 17 more weeks until we meet our baby valentine!!

 

Maverick loves joining me in my weekly photos :) He sure has a personality like no other, but I would trade him for the world!

How far along? 23 weeks! (sorry this blog is being posted extremely late)

 

Total weight gain/loss: 6lbs total gain thus far…

 

Maternity clothes? Making my normal clothes work still! Which is getting difficult I won’t lie, I’ve finally add the hair tie to my jeans and oh yoga pants are AMAZING ;)

 

Stretch marks? Nope!

 

Sleep: Insomnia has finally set in… I sleep very good from 9pm – 2am but then I probably should just get up and get the day started…

 

Best moment this week: A few awesome moments this week, 1. I was finally able to feel Charlotte move on the outside of my belly. 2. I was released from the neurologist until post baby when they will do further testing. 3. Baby showers are scheduled!!

 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

 

Miss Anything? No… I am content J  

 

Movement: Yes! She is a baby aerobic instructor in there, I guess she is gonna come out with muscles J   

 

Food cravings: Yes, boo! Dang FRUIT GUSHERS! lol

 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada.

 

Have you started to show yet: Yes, my bump is growing! According to my book and app my belly should look like a soccer ball this week HAHAHA!

 

Workouts: Sweating successfully for TWO! hehehe I am really happy about how yoga has increased my flexibility!

 

Labor Signs: No.

 

Belly Button in or out? In, but slowing its pushing its way out which is so weird lol.

 

Wedding rings on or off? On, actually very big.

 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

 

Looking forward to: Of course, our next appointment in March. Starting to decorate Charlotte’s room and traveling to Georgia for the baby shower J

What does "Eating for TWO" really mean?!

I'm sure you've all heard “I’m pregnant.  I can eat whatever I want.” or "I'm eating for two now, so its ok to have whatever I want." - Sayings like this seriously make me cringe!

Trust me, I get that its MUCH easier to justify eating poorly when you can say, “the baby wanted it” well lets get real here... now, more than ever, is a vital time to eat as healthy as possible for the proper development of your growing baby.

Everyone knows these two basic nutritional rules that you're suppose to do when you find out your pregnant  1. prenatal vitamins are necessary EVERYDAY and 2. WATER, DRINK UP! (I usually aim for 80 ounces - 1 gallon daily) I just carry my water with me EVERYWHERE!

Now lets discuss nutrition : If you are eating clean and avoiding processed foods your eating while you're pregnant shouldn't be much different than your normal meal plan. However I am fully aware that most Americans aren't eating clean and staying clear of those processed foods so I thought providing you with some nutritional facts may help. A diet high in protein is essential (70 g per day), especially in the third trimester for your baby’s brain, which is rapidly developing at this point.  An abundance of fruits and vegetables are necessary to nourish you and your baby with vitamins and minerals.  Dairy is key in providing calcium and Vitamin D for healthy bone, muscle and heart growth in your baby.  Whole grains are sources of iron, magnesium and Vitamin B that provide energy for your baby’s development and helps build the placenta. As for how many additional calories you should eat, most resources say 300-400 additional calories per day depending on how far along you are and if you were underweight or overweight to begin with.  However, my rule of thumb is to listen to my body and to eat when I’m hungry – but nutritious food that is.

Before we move into meal and snack options that may help you get started, lets discuss those obstacles to eating a well-balanced diet when pregnant. During the first trimester 2/3 of women experience nausea and vomiting, along with food aversions. When this occurs never mind trying to eat a balanced meal plan and eat what you can, when you can, and most importantly STAY HYDRATED!

Lets not forget ....pregnancy cravings.  And before you say I don't understand, remember I am pregnant with you, so I get it!  What I try to do to fulfill my craving is to replace it with a similar but healthier option just like I have done over the last two years which helped me achieve my 50lb weight loss.  I list my craving alternatives below. Now don’t get me wrong, occasionally I will cheat and have what I really want but only a small amount, because I believe in indulgence just not overindulgence.

Want this vs Have this

Want Chocolate.... I have kiwi, strawberries, banana, and coconut flakes drizzled with chocolate protein :)

Want Salty.... I have nuts and dried fruit

Want that "CRUNCH" from say potato chips... I eat carrot or green peppers

I have so many other alternatives so if you have something specific you are looking to switch it out for, feel free to ask :)


As promised, Here are a few meal and snack options to get you started.

Breakfast:

• Oatmeal with cinnamon and fresh mixed berries with egg whites.
• 2 whole grain waffles with sliced banana and strawberries
• Scrambled eggs (1 whole egg and 2 egg whites) with 2 slices of Ezekiel bread 
• Non-fat Greek yogurt with low fat granola and half a banana
• No Bake : Quick Oat Protein Bars with Non-fat Greek Yogurt

Lunch:

• Salad with chicken breast ( cucumber, green pepper, and whatever cheese I have in the house) and apple slices with peanut butter)
• Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with a small salad
• Shrimp or Chicken Stir Fry

Dinner:

*Since there are so many options you can mix and match one choice from each category.
Protein:
-       Chicken breast
-       Tilapia/cod/haddock
-       Shrimp
-       Ground turkey
-       Lean Beef
Grain/Starch:
-       Sweet potato
-       Quinoa
-       Brown rice
-       Whole grain/gluten-free pasta
-       Butternut squash
Vegetables
-       Spinach
-       Kale
-       Green beans
-       Broccoli
-       Brussel sprouts
-       Carrots

Snacks:

• Hummus with veggies
• Dry fruit, nut, and dark chocolate mix
• Cheese and whole wheat crackers
• Apple slices with natural peanut or almond butter
• Fresh fruit and spinach smoothie
• Protein Shake
• Fat free cottage cheese with peaches or any fruit

Proper nutrition is so important for a healthy pregnancy and baby, and that’s what eating for two really means :)

*Please keep in mind that I’m not a nutritionist! However I am having a healthy pregnancy with no complications. But keep in mind to always listen to your doctor who might recommend a better diet for your specific situation.

NO BAKE : Quick Oat Protein Bars

Are you looking for a quick, easy to grab N go breakfast?! or Just a great healthy snack?! Well I promise you won't be disappointed with the NO BAKE Quick Oat Protein Bars!  Not only are they tasty but they are super simple to make.


Ingredients :

2 Cups of Quick Oats
1/2 Cup of Dried Cranberries
3 Scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder  (I use Chocolate Protein, sometimes)
1/2 Cup of Natural Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup of Water

Directions :

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl, by hand or with a spatula.
2. Use wax paper to line a 8x8 pan and Press mixture firmly into the pan.
3. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to 60 minutes, removed and cut.

Keep refrigerated!

Recipe adapted from The Joy of Everyday Cooking.