Baby #2 - 28 Weeks

We just got back from our trip to Norway with my Dad and stepmom and it was an amazing trip! Norway should be a place to visit on everyone's bucket list, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! 

I got a little behind on my pregnancy updates but truthfully not a whole lot has happened other than entering my third trimester and the heartburn coming back in full force.

WEEK 28

Estimated Due Date: August 3, 2016 

Gender: Girl :) Molly Duggan-Childs

Weight Gain: 18 pounds, going on vacation had a lot to do with gaining some weight but I still feel like I am on track with a healthy weight gain. 

Eats and Treats: watermelon, donuts, ice coffee (yea I still need a little caffeine in my life) any hot drinks sound gross but ice the and, sparkling water is really hitting the spot. 

How I Am Feeling: I can definitely feel how big the baby is getting and the weight gain but overall I still feel pretty good.  

Clothing: I pretty much live in workout clothes. I did get a chance to finally wear my LuLa Roa maxi skirt the other day because it finally got warm enough and it was so comfortable! I see a lot of maxi dresses in my future. 

Exercise: While we were pretty active on vacation with walking and hiking getting back into running and HIIT has been rough, I am very sore! I still managed to get 3 runs in and 1 HIIT class. I may try and do a 21 day fix workout video this weekend too. 

Most Looking Forward To: Warm and sunny days in England spending more time outside with Morgan and soaking up the sun. I am also enjoying our time together before I have to split my time between both girls. 

Thankful For: Another healthy and relatively easy pregnancy. I am always so sick in the beginning but the second and third trimester are usually pretty easy which I am thankful for. 

Also to add to the list I miss sleeping on my stomach and WINE! I am currently slowly filling up my wine rack so by the time I have the baby I have a full variety of wine to chose from!

Baby #2 - 22 Weeks

I'm sorry baby #2, you have already fallen into the second child syndrome. I didn't get my first baby bump picture until I was nearly half way through the pregnancy :( But, at least I got one! This month has been crazy with stomach flu and colds to having my mom and aunt visit and Matt and I taking a trip to Iceland. 


The nice thing about waiting to do a baby bump post is that we already know the gender and the name! So here we go...

WEEK 22

Estimated Due Date: August 3, 2016 (But please feel free to come early, it will make out move a lot easier!)

Gender: Another Girl :) Molly Duggan-Childs

Weight Gain: 12 pounds! Probably a lot to do with Easter candy and being sick/ot working out for awhile. 

Eats and Treats: ice-cream, fresh fruit and yogurt!

How I Am Feeling: Still sick with a sinus infection but the pregnancy is feeling great. 

Clothing: Lots of yoga pants, maternity jeans and workout clothes

Exercise: Still trying to run with Stroller Warriors 2x a week and got to HIIT class 2x a week. 

Most Looking Forward To: Feeling the baby kick more and watching my belly grow :)

Thankful For: The ability to stay home right now and enjoy these last couple months at home with Morgan before Molly makes her appearance. 

Shakeology Peanut Butter Cups

I am craving sweets again! Ug...I allowed them back into my life and now I have to start over with breaking my cravings. It is rough I tell you, I don't know why I did it in the first place. So in an attempt to keep myself from eating reeses pumpkin peanut butter cups (YUM!) I made shakeology peanut butter cups! They aren't bad, I mean don't get me wrong they aren't like Reeses but they help with my sugar tooth.

2 tsp. unrefined coconut oil, melted
2 Tbsp. powdered chocolate peanut butter (like PB2)
2 tsp. Chocolate Vegan Shakeology
2 Tbsp. water

1. Combine oil and powdered peanut butter in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Combine Shakeology and water in a small bowl; mix until it has a pudding-like consistency. Set aside.
3. Coat two foil muffin liners evenly with half of peanut butter mixture. Top evenly with Shakeology mixture and remaining peanut butter mixture.
4. Freeze for 30 minutes, or until firm.

Trying to get back in the groove

After being on vacation for the past couple weeks it's always hard for me to get back into a routine. My body feel sluggish (Morgan and I have been sick the past couple days) and I just don't have the motivation to eat healthy and work out. But I am trying! I might not be 100% back to healthy eating, hence the pizza I had for dinner last night but I feel like each day I get up and try harder I will eventually get there.

On Tuesday I made my first recipe from the Fixate cookbook and it was so good! Macaroni and cheese with broccoli and chicken...so good!

 I have still managed to get my shakeology in ever day and start my day off with a healthy breakfast! Although, I have not been feeling the eggs lately so I have been having my carbs in the morning, which is good but I find it hard to get in all 4 red protein containers the rest of the day!

I have started the 21 day fix extreme workout and OMG they are hard! My whole body is very sore after working out this week. I had to stop and take a couple breaks and use the modify again, which I haven't had to do with the regular 21 day fix DVDs so I guess it was time to push myself again :)

Morgan wasn't feeling a nap this morning so I had to improvise and do my workout with her in the room. Of course Disney Junior got the big TV ;)

The past couple of days Morgan hasn't been feeling well and has a fever and not eating much. Today was the first day she really showed interest in eating breakfast. Yummy chocolate chip muffin (not the healthiest choice but hey at least she is eating something!)

I'm Back!

Wow! It has been a crazy busy month of July. We traveled to Colorado and Maine with Morgan so she could meet all her family members and I just got back to Virginia and Matt is back in England. I tried to stay as healthy as possible on vacation, but I can feel the difference in my body and how my clothes fit when I indulge one to many times.

I am starting a 21 Day clean eating challenge group to start September 1st. But I am not waiting till September 1st to get back on track of of today I am back to day 1 of my 21 day program :)

I will try and be dilligent about updating everyday. It might not be as detailed as last time but I will share what meals i am eating (especially the ones I make from the new Fixate cookbook!)

21 Day Fix Review: Before and After

I made it! 21 days of diligence and hard work paid off. There were moments of weakness during the 21 days and the occasional "cheat meal" but I would say 80% of the time I stuck to the program and because of that I finally lost the last bit of pregnancy weight that I had been carrying for over a year. I absolutely love this program and I don't intend to just stop what I have been working for over the last three weeks. I believe you can modify this program and use it everyday to continue a healthier lifestyle.

I love the workouts. You can do them at your house and they are only 30 minutes! There are no excuse not to do them, you have 30 minutes in your day to be on facebook or watch tv so you have 30 minutes to do a quick but effective workout.

I love the containers. The containers really train your brain on how much food you should be eating and because the food you can put in the container is all whole foods you eliminate process foods without even realizing it! The biggest struggle for people when it comes to losing weight is in the kitchen. You can have the most intense 2 hour workout and ruin it all in the kitchen. If you miss a workout that is fine but if you stop following the eating program you will not see results.

I love shakeology. Shakeology really helped me through the three weeks. It increased my energy and it was the drink I most looked forward to everyday (especially the chocolate, banana and peanut butter one). You can be benefical on the program without shakeology but you will see better results when you use it. I have done the 21 day fix with and without the shakeology and hands down I had better results when I used it.

I love my challenge group! I was part of a challenge group of a couple other woman on a secret facebook group and we helped encourage each other through the three weeks. We had to share our struggles and successes with each other and get to know each other. This group helped me keep accountable and really pushed me further than I could have gone on my own.

So now is the time to share my before and after pictures....I never thought I would do this online but if I can help one person struggling with their weight or their lifestyle and show them it only takes 21 days to change your mind and body than it is worth it. I absolutely recommend this program to new moms as well because the workouts are do able with a little one at home and it really helps jump start that weight loss from pregnancy.

I lost 4 pounds and 10 inches!! and I can really start to feel my muscles coming back :)

I became a Beachbody coach because I truly believe in the programs and products. If you are interested in the 21 days fix or any of the Beachbody programs I would love to talk to you about them and find the best one to fit your lifestyle. Send me an email at palmerke2@gmail.com.

21 Day Fix: Days 15-20

OK so I started to slack majorly with my posts! I can assure you I am still doing the 21 day fix and loving it, I just haven't had time to post my meals and pictures. Tomorrow is my last day but I am going to keep going past 21 days and continue to eat this way. The results I have gotten from this program are beyond what I could have ever hoped.

Tomorrow I will be posting my "before and after" pictures (cringe!!!) I don't want to do it but I am proud of my after pictures so that means having to show my "before"

I am not going to put what I ate all day today but I will share what i had for breakfast and lunch.....

Breakfast: Tropical fruit salad with 1/2 red containre of plan greek yogurt

Snack: 1 hard boil egg and chocolate shakeology mixed with almond milk and blueberries.

Lunch: left over healthy chicken salad (made with greek yogurt) on lettuce and 10 baby carrots

Ok hope everyone has a good Saturday I am off to Costco to get another weeks worth of 21 day fix approved food.

My mom is still doing the 21 days so its keeping me on track :)

Oh except Monday I am having one cheat meal...a donut from Duck donuts and I cannot wait!!! (I may be a little too excited about this donut haha)