weight gain and maternity pants and restrictions ...OH MY!

With the absolute JOY of pregnancy comes some major adjusting. After years of strict Paleo dieting and Crossfit, I have programmed myself not only to want to be in great shape physically, but have also become majorly addicted to the adrenaline and sweat that come with high intensity workouts.

At the beginning of my pregnancy, the all day "morning sickness" and fatigue kept me from working out. But ever since around week 14, I have felt great, and have been craving that old feeling I got from my workouts. However, what is "ok" and what is "dangerous" is different with every person I talk to. Even doctors have a WIDE range of opinions on this topic. On one hand, I have more conservative doctors telling me to "go for a walk" each day. Sorry, but after 3 years of Crossfitting, a "walk" just doesn't do it for me.

On the other hand, I have read articles like this one: https://www.againfaster.com/en/blog/2012/02/17/pregnant/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=photo&utm_content=pregnant&utm_campaign=article
Where someone who has been very active beforehand, continues with a high level of workouts (modified of course).

So which direction does a girl go with? How do you weigh the options? What is a good balance to keep your baby safe, but allow you to continue with an exercise program?
There is NO way I would ever want to put my precious baby girl in ANY type of risky situation. But I also feel depressed when I can't get in a good sweat. After talking with my coaches and the gym, following great websites like www.crossfitmom.com, and investing in a good heart rate monitor, I think I have found a nice middle ground.

I still go to my gym and do the WOD like everyone else, but with major modifications. I monitor my heart rate, trying to stay as close to the 140 bpm as possible. I pace myself, go slow and steady, and use very light weights. I am also back to the red band with pull ups. (Those extra pounds make pull ups a new challenge!)

I am also adjusting to my changing and growing body. This has been tough for me too!

Top things NOT to say to a pregnant woman:
1- "Awwww, you're getting so big!"
2- "How far along are you? About ____ months?" (insert any amount of weeks/months way
past where I actually am)
3- "When are you due? Oh, wow...you have a long way to go"

The constant growing out of all my clothes, depressing process of finding non-hideous maternity
clothes, and weird new developments to my body are definitely a challenge to me. I actually had to make an emergency Target run (a for REAL emergency one this time) to buy something to sleep in because I cannot fit into any of my PJs!

But each time I feel my daughter moving around in my growing belly, I am reminded of how amazing, miraculous, and WORTH it all of this is! No stretch mark, brown line down my tummy, or backache can compare with the JOY I will have when my baby girl arrives! Less than 14 weeks to go!!!