1) Tell us about yourself
My name is Alisha and I’m 26 years old. I am happily married and have two beautiful babies 2 years old and 5 months old. I am a stay at home mom since my first was born.
2) How did you get into fitness?
After I had my now 2-year-old, my body was wrecked. I didn’t exercise or eat right at all during my first pregnancy and gained a ton of weight. I was miserable every single day and after I had him I thought it would all magically come off from nursing like everyone says. That didn’t happen in fact I gained more. Fast forward to my son’s 1st birthday February 19, 2015, I was 204 pounds and so completely out of shape I couldn’t fit in the play structures at the park, I’d be out of breath trying to chase my son around. I was very unhealthy and looked it. Around that time, we were trying for our second baby but had a miscarriage a few months prior. My cycles were clockwork before I had my first baby but then at 204lbs I could go 60-75 days between them. I was so upset I was having trouble getting pregnant I met with my OB who basically offered to put me on fertility drugs. As someone who’s gotten pregnant right away with our first baby I had a sinking feeling my weight was holding me back. I left the office that day with a new motivation, my goal was to loose weight so I could get my body back to normal and get pregnant. I had been following a beach body coach on Instagram and she inspired me, so I ordered 21 day fix from her and started the first week of April. Little did I know that was also the month I’d get pregnant with my daughter. So there I am just finished my first round of the 21 day fix and about a week into my second round. I was down 13lbs and BAM, big fat positive pregnancy test. I was scared. Things were finally clicking and I was getting healthy but now I was pregnant! What was going to happen! I made a decision when those two pink lines showed up for myself and my baby, I was going to work my butt off every single day of that pregnancy. My OB was on board and agreed I should continue my workouts and healthy eating. She told me she’d be happy if I maintained my weight my whole pregnancy I was about 191/192. I laughed at her and told her It wasn’t unrealistic I knew I would gain weight, but that I was going to be doing my best to keep the gain low. But I continued to workout with the 21 day fix over time increasing my weights and some days adding doubles in. I got into running in addition when the weather was nice. I ended my pregnancy at about 188 lbs, I’d managed to loose weight and add muscle during those long 9 months. And best of all I loved being pregnant the second time around! I wasn’t miserable, I was in such good shape! I was doing burpees with ease at 9 months pregnant! I was also so excited to see what I could accomplish post partum. I started back up at 5 weeks post partum with the same routines and sit here today at 5 months post partum 150 pounds. A total of 54 pounds lost in the last 14 months 9 of those months I was pregnant and two of those months I was unable to workout postpartum. I’ve still got about 10 more to go till my goal weight but the most important goal that I’ve met is that I’m confident in my own skin and healthy enough to chase my kiddos.
3) How did being pregnant change your body?
During my first pregnancy as I mentioned I became weaker and weaker and gained a lot of weight causing lots of stress on my joints and it ended at 42 weeks. My second pregnancy, I got stronger as time passed and I loved every minute of it. I was one of those annoying pregnant ladies that said I loved it and wanted to be pregnant forever. I had a few close friends also pregnant in the third trimester and all they’d do is complain and I got it, truly understood because I experienced all those discomforts my first pregnancy. But the second time around I had no complaints. I have lived both sides of the pregnancy spectrum from hating to loving it. She came early just before 39 weeks and I wasn’t expecting her! I jogged 4 miles and she was here two hours later!
4) How hard were you exercising before you became pregnant?
What were you doing?
I started exercising a few weeks prior to becoming pregnant with my second kiddo. I was doing solely the 21 day fix and occasionally adding in doubles days and running as the pregnancy progressed.
5) When you found out you were pregnant, did you modify your workout routine? How & Why?
No I did not modify at all in the beginning. I think I started modifying in the third trimester. Every woman and every pregnancy is different, I listened to my body and my OB and as a specific exercise started to cause discomfort I would slow it down maybe drop the weights a little and modify the motions if needed. But I had a maternity fit splint from mom bod fitness I started using in my second trimester and as long as I wore that I was usually fine.
https://christsoldiergirlfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_0962.mov
6) What was a typical diet plan for you?
I ate everything, I just ate it in moderation. During my pregnancy I didn’t follow the 21 day fix eating plan exactly but I’d learned the fundamentals from using it pre pregnancy so I was applying what I knew and keeping the indulging to a minimum. If I had something particularly sugary or fattening I added an extra workout. One thing that did change was my water intake I was chugging about a gallon a day but even with that, my blood tests always showed me being dehydrated. My OB was always concerned and watched me closely for the second half of my pregnancy I logged my water in take and took my log with me to every appt to show her I really was drinking tons. She had me on iron supplements but otherwise she just kept a close eye on it and we were fine.
7) How did each trimester affect working out?
My first trimester I remember posting videos and you could see me dry heaving and gagging while I was working out. It was HARD! I would have to pause a lot and run to the bathroom. My morning sickness never did go away till the end but I stopped throwing up for the most part after the first trimester and after that it was just nausea.
My second trimester when I did cardio I would get Braxton hicks so I ordered a splint for my belly as my OB instructed and once I had that as long as I put it on during cardio I never had issues after that. I only wore it while working out, you don’t want to wear a support belt 24/7 while pregnant because your core muscles can get lazy.
My third trimester little by little there were some exercises I had to modify. If it was something like superman series I couldn’t do I would substitute lunges or squats or something. But I was still using my heavy 10 Lb weights and working hard till the end! Just listening to my body and modifying when things felt off.
8) What are your tips for those who are pregnant and trying to stay fit?
Stick with it. Most of the time it’s a mental game. There would be days I’d even say out loud “I’m not going to workout today I don’t feel like it” I’d make sure I said it loud enough for my husband to hear. I usually said it and then got up and put my DVD in. If you can push past those moments all you gotta do is start and about 5 minutes later you’ll be starting to sweat and so glad you did. By the end you’ll forget all the reasons you didn’t feel like doing it because finishing a workout feels so amazing. Listen to your body and don’t compare yourself to other pregnant moms staying fit. Everyone is different and on their own unique journey.
9) How do you stay fit with 2 kids now?
Oh goodness it’s a daily struggle! I have to make the time everyday and commit to myself. Usually I try to get my 21 day fix workouts done in the morning. I have a cup of coffee while my toddler watches a show then I start my 21 day fix workout. Baby sometimes sleeps through it but usually she wakes and I try to entertain her while I finish up. On sunny days if we don’t have anything planned after my workout I put the kids in the car drive about a mile up the hill and run for 2-3 miles ending at a park for my toddler to play at. Then head home for lunch/naps and mamas shower. Its a busy life. They are my first priority and it’s really hard getting a workout done with two of them! The other day I was 10 minutes into leg day and neither of them were cooperating. I knew if I continued they’d both be whining and crying till the bitter end so I just turned it off stepped away we went for our jog where they were both happy because they love the outdoors then later when we got home and everyone was content I finished my lower fix. It’s a juggling act. You have to make time for yourself though. And some days that means going to the garage at 9 pm exhausted and busting out a quick mile on the treadmill. Whatever you gotta do. I owe myself that much!
10) If you could do things differently for your fit pregnancy, what would that be?
I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. I only wish Id stayed fit for my first pregnancy as well. Woman are built to grow and birth babies! If we take care of ourselves and train during pregnancy for the marathon that is childbirth and fuel our bodies with healthy options it only makes sense that I wouldn’t be miserable.
You’re not eating for two while pregnant and society has got people thinking pregnant woman are fragile and should just lay on a sofa and eat for 9 months! I can’t tell you how many times people told me “be careful” “you shouldn’t be doing that” yadda yadda yadda. Like I wasn’t being careful with my body or my baby? Of course I was! Yeesh. Having confidence in yourself is so important but I’d be lying if I said that’s all it was. Every time someone made a comment I always brought it to my OB and asked if I should cool it, if I should stop doing whatever the exercise was. Every time she told me I was fine and as long as it wasn’t uncomfortable it was perfectly okay.
11) How do you feel about your body now?
I love my body. It’s far from perfect I’ve got lots of loose skin and I still have lbs I wouldn’t mind loosing and I’m working on all that. But I’m so happy in the skin I’m in. Confidence is everything.
12) How can we get more information about you?
You can follow me in Instagram
That_Fit_Life_With_Alisha
Or on snapchat
FitmommyP
That’s about it! I’m not a coach or personal trainer or anything I just share my journey for accountability.
Check out That_Fit_Life_With_Alisha working out! IMG_0962
