Well, hey there!

I know it’s been ages without a post.  One of those “so many little things, big things, where do I start” things.  But I’m still kickin’!

And so is the kiddo!  I’ll be 26 weeks with this little boy on Wednesday.  I’m gaining a lot slower than my first pregnancy and I feel great most days.  I’m still working out, teaching fitness classes (until 6/18!), drinking Shakeology (or eating it…cold shakes often sound terrible!) and doing my best to eat well.

I don’t look very pregnant from the front, but the side view gives me away!

We also closed on our new house in a week that was great with the house but had a definite balance with some terrible news (sorry for the vagueness…all is well at the AGF house but I’m not sure I’ll manage typing the words).  We don’t plan to move just yet, but will be living there soon!

New House!

So there’s the bigger stuff, and hopefully that will get me onto the smaller stuff!

My favorite maternity workout wear! (with discount!)

So, story time!

When I started needing some new clothes for my expanding belly, I really didn’t want to spend much.  I looked for deals, bought some things and a lot worked.

Workout pants?  Did not!

Now, I know that last time I LOVED the pants and tops from For Two Fitness but I resisted until I saw a discount available.  And then it was…why did I wait to get these???  Why did I spend money on other clothes that I don’t love and that don’t fit as well…super important for someone teaching fitness classes!  I don’t want to be focused on fixing my pants all the time.  No one wants an instructor adjusting!

I love the tanks too…they expand well to fit the belly (I wore them my whole first pregnancy!) and are super cute!

So I went and did some shopping over there and saw that they have an ambassador program…and was approved, which means I get to offer a discount to you!!

My shopping haul…take 1!

So, fit pregnant friends… use code AGF25 for 25% off merchandise, excluding gift cards, from now through May 13th!

I’m off to do some more shopping…show me what you get!!

Am I working out?

You betcha!

If you follow me on facebook, you’ve seen post workout pics many days…and I promise, I actually worked out!  I feel better when I do fit it in, as long as I’m listening to my body.  And I’m still teaching 3 fitness classes a week (I’m just over 20 weeks!).  So I keep moving!

You can check out some of my Pregnancy Workouts, mostly from last time, plus I’ve added the Active Maternity series that I’m working in as I can…

But, if you’ve noticed, I’ve updated the workouts I’m doing in the side…22 Minute Hard Corps!  Would I recommend it as a prenatal workout? No!  But can it be done? Yes…if a) your doctor approves, b) you worked out similarly before and c) you’re knowledgeable about modifying for pregnancy!  There are modifiers, but they are making it more of a beginner level…which doesn’t necessarily mean safe for pregnancy!

There’s a lot I have to modify, but it’s totally worth it for the extra sleep a 22 minute workout affords!  I was exhausted and getting nothing done ever.  So now, I have a little more energy during the day because I’m sleeping in until 5:30!  That may seem early, but I’m a 4am-er usually.  This has been a great way to still get in a workout.

The workouts are functional, military inspired moves, done for 3 rounds in each workout.  I love the repetition and knowing what’s coming, without feeling like I just did a move.  The reps change either up or down, depending on the exercise, with each round.  I find it motivating, though i can’t yell “Get some!” at the TV with the cast because my daughter is usually sleeping!  Sure, I wont be seeing some fantastic results, but I do see that I’m doing a lot better on weight gain this pregnancy than last!  And I feel good when doing it.  Which makes it so worth it.

So…Yes, I’m working out.  And yes, I’m listening to my body.  And yes, some days are better than others.  But I’m still here!

Nutritional Yeast Dressing

Sounds gross, right?

But stick with me here.  It’s one of the few things that sounds remotely good this pregnancy and I have to share.  I used to make this all the time a few years ago, and kind of fell out of “practice” with it.  But I revisited it a few weeks ago and have been putting it on salads (or a salad…vegetables are hit or miss), ground turkey, carrots, and anything else lately.

So, what is nutritional yeast?  It’s deactivated yeast (so it isn’t going to make your bread rise) and a complete protein, providing all nine amino acids the human body cannot produce on its own.  It is also rich in vitamin B-12 and contains no animal products

And what does it taste like?  Cheesy basically!  Some ways it can be used…
– Sprinkle it on popcorn.
– Stir it into mashed potatoes.
– Add a little to the cooking water for “cheesy grits” or polenta.
– Sprinkle on any pasta dish.
– And make this dressing!

Nutritional Yeast Dressing

Ingredients:
3 tsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1 heaping TBSP (or 8g) nutritional yeast

Mix them together for a serving!  And enjoy!

Let me know if you try this and how you like it!

The Master’s Hammer and Chisel – Hammer Build Up

The last of the Hammer and Chisel workouts that I’ll be going through! This is one of the deluxe workouts, which I wasn’t going to get into, but then my daughter was up for this one, so I had to record!

The deluxe workouts are on the schedule as optional add ons – Hammer Build Up (30 min), Power Chisel (30 min), 15 Minute Leg Hammer and 15 Minute Glute Chisel.  There is an 8lb ball that is used a lot in these, but it isn’t required.

Hammer Build Up does most things for 30 seconds (some single sided exercises switch at 15).  It hits everything in a short period of time…a great one to pull out if you are short on time and need to get it done!

Length – 30 minutes
Trainer – Sagi Kalev
Equipment – Bench, Weights, Medicine Ball, B-Lines Resistance Band or Towel, Chin-Up Bar or Bands with door attachment kit

Quick video with guest star!

Exercises:
Squat
Front Back Lunge
Step-Up
Pull-Up
Reverse Grip Row
Pullover
Reverse Fly
1-Hand Push-Up
Bench Fly
Feet on Ball Push-Up
Incline Press
Ball Military Press
Lateral Raise
Upright Row
Anterior Raise
Standard Curl
Hammer Curl
Concentration Curl
Rotation Curl
Dips
Kickbacks
Skull Crusher
Ball Plank Hold
Ball Mountain Climber
Windshield Wipers

The Master’s Hammer and Chisel – Max Hammer Strength

Moving along, it’s the last of the regular program workouts from The Master’s Hammer and Chisel!  I have one more video to share from the deluxe workouts, but we’ve covered the basics.  I posted them in no particular order, but there really isn’t an order here!  The schedule is planned, but it doesn’t follow a pattern…so great to beat the boredom!

What’s this workout about?  Pre-fatigue major muscle groups and follow it up with a maximum weighted lift to carve incredible definition and get you strong.  So, you use body weight to fatigue the muscle for a minute, then you go all out and lift heavy for 8 reps.  And when he says heavy, he means heavy!  Then it’s on to another muscle!

Doing this program pregnant, there were some moves where I quit the bench as I like to say.  With this workout, the split squats were too much once my balance and flexibility were questioned.

Equipment – Bench or Stability Ball, Weights, B-Lines Resistance Band, Chin-Up Bar or Bands with door attachment kit (Optional – Chin Up Max)WORKOUT DESCRIPTION:Pre-fatigue major muscle groups and follow it up with a maximum weighted lift to carve incredible definition and get you strong.
Length – 40 minutes
Trainer – Sagi Kalev

Here’s a quick snippet from my workout…

And the list of exercises:
Reverse Lunge
Reverse Lunge – Heavy
Push-Up
Bench Press – Heavy
Squat
Shoulder Squat – Heavy
Pull-Up
Pullover – Heavy
Good Morning
Stiff Leg Deadlift – Heavy
Chin-Up
1-Arm Row  Heavy
Stay Low Sumo
Sumo Squat – Heavy
Band Military Press
Military Press – Heavy
Split Squat
Step-Up – Heavy
Ledge Calf Raise
Calf Raise – Heavy

Manitoba Hemp Heart Bars Review (plus contest and discount!)

I tried these bars over a month ago, but it’s been a sleepy month!  That doesn’t mean these Manitoba Hemp Heart Bars were any less good!

I ate half before my workouts…one of the toughest times for me to eat lately, for 4 days.  They were tasty, though not overly flavored (not a bad thing!) and I really liked the texture…almost like a grainier larabar if that makes sense.

Nutrition info

A note…hemp in this form will NOT get you high 🙂 just full!

Chocolate close up

Apple Cinnamon close up

These were great to grab before my workout and fueled me without weighing me down…perfect!  I’d eat a whole one for a snack too!
Tag @manitobaharvest #hempheartbar #fuelledbyhemp #sweatpink @fitapproach for a chance to win a box of your favorite flavor of Hemp Heart Bars!

A winner will be chosen each month!

Eligibility: open to US and Canada residents

The discount code hhbarlaunch1015 will get you 15% off!

Expires 3/31/2016

What are you working to improve? – Morning Motivation

Let’s talk about fear – Morning Motivation

Gt back to you! – Morning Motivation

I posted a long update on how I’m doing on my facebook page…but the short version is in here.  With how I’m working on working with how I’m feeling…