There's a first time for everything
I've mentioned before how my workouts have sucked because I've had to stop doing everything other than walking due to a ridiculous amount of braxton hicks contractions. While these contractions are generally normal, I was getting boarder line abnormal amounts (4-5 in an hour). So, I had to use my better judgment & take it down a notch for a while (actually, do practically nothing). This has been excruciatingly difficult for me on so many levels.

This last stretch of pregnancy messes with my head - big time. I know I'm supposed to get bigger & I'm supposed to gain weight. I'm not gaining an abnormal amount of weight & the last time I checked, I'm actually 10 pounds up from pre-pregnancy weight (up 30 pounds from my lowest when I was dying from hyperemesis). But, seeing my body change (specifically my butt & legs) really bothers me & I try not to even look at them. Not working out causes me a little more stress than usual, since it's a HUGE stress reliever for me & not being able to control these body changes is just irritating. In reality I know I don't look like it, but I feel like a whale waddling around.

It's a catch 22 as well, because I'm also taking advantage of eating the foods that I normally don't. When I'm not pregnant, we don't have ice cream, potato chips, marshmallows & other junk foods in the house. No, I'm the Nutrition Nazi except when I'm expecting, because I know there's nothing I can do for the body changes. I give in. Which doesn't help.

After our workout yesterday morning (more like her workout & I just trained), photographer friend mentioned that we should do an aqua aerobics class. I've trained people in the pool many times, but I myself have never actually taken a class. Until today. As much as I'm uncomfortable with the body changes, I don't mind being in a bikini top & board shorts (talk about mixed feelings, huh?), so I decided to give the class a shot.

Holy crap, did this class ever kick my pregnant butt. I was able to do almost all of the exercises with the exception of the ones that require you to bring your legs up to your chest - yeah, that's not happening here - & I got a pretty good cardio workout because the Carter Belly was supported in the water rather than me having to hold it in place & walk slowly on the treadmill. I felt muscles working that I haven't been able to work in a long time, specifically my back & hip muscles, which is really important right now. And to top it all off, while I did get a few contractions, they weren't bad at all. Nothing like from the other totally lame workouts I was having to resort to.

I never thought I would do aqua aerobics classes, but that has totally changed. I have 10 weeks (or a few less) to do this at least once a week. That's plenty of time to slow down the fat cow feelings & actually get physically moving enough for labor to be relatively easy (or so I hope).