29 WEEKS PREGGIE – PHOTO SHOOT

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PHOTO SHOOT!

I interrupt the natural flow of posts to put up a few pregnancy photos that were shot by my good friend Amy McPherson. I’m two-days shy of 29 weeks in these photos. Enjoy!

Gilliebean & Fritch at 29 weeks!

Gilliebean's belly at 29 weeks!

Gilliebean & Fritch at 29 weeks!

Gilliebean & Fritch at 29 weeks!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean's belly at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean & Fritch at 29 weeks preggie!

Gilliebean & Fritch at 29 weeks preggie!

I love my baby bump! Can’t wait to meet the little one!!

 

28 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 28 weeks… The kicking baby is *really* starting to keep me awake at night! Is “alien belly” a pregnancy symptom? If so, I’m very pregnant. I’ve hit the stage where my child seems like s/he is moving furniture around in there!

I haven’t done any running so my round ligaments haven’t been complaining too much. I haven’t noticed much swelling this week, although my skin is more sensitive in general. I shaved my legs on Sunday and my skin was *not* happy with me that night.

I got a compliment on my hair recently. So full and long and curly, she said! Must be the prenatal vitamins, she said. I explained that it’s actually because the hair doesn’t fall out as much during pregnancy. So my hair gets “thicker”! Still fun though…

FOOD

At 28 weeks, I’m eating more fish and less red meat. I feel a little puffier this week than last week, likely because of the increased carbs last week that were consumed to help me pass the BG test. And I did “pass” the BG test! Yay! So now I can go back to my mod- to low-carb ways. We also just got a 26 lb order of grass-fed beef, compassionate-raised pork and grass-fed lamb! It was only $4/lb. Awesome! I’m still eating braunschweiger and liverwurst, plus chicken broth, and *real* sauerkraut. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m trying to follow the recommendations listed here by Chris Masterjohn. I do get some rice and corn in my diet, occasionally.

I’m still taking my Vitamin D, Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

January 18, 2011

I didn’t do the actual WOD today; but they’ve started this thing called Open Gym where you can come in and work on goats, or double-unders, or just row or do a WOD of your own design. So I went in with a WOD of my own design! Coach-approached of course!

Here’s what I did…

• WU: 3 x 1min max effort => 235m, 240m, 248m

The last row was 3m shy of my PR!

• Thrusters: (WU 3×35) 3×50, 3×60, 3×70

These felt heavy but doable.

• 5 rnds NFT: 3 power cleans @ 75# / 15 KB swings @ 26# / 15 ring rows

Here’s two photos!

Gilliebean doing KB Swings @ 28 Weeks Preggie!

Gilliebean doing Modified Ring Rows at 28 Weeks Preggie!

I felt a little unsteady with the 75# during the first two sets, but the third last sets I found my rhythm with the power cleans. This met-con was exhausting for my arms. Heart rate was good the whole time.

• Wall Planks: 1x2min unbroken, 1x1min unbroken
• 15 / 20 / 25 Pelvic Tilts

Overall, this felt great. I’m glad they’ve started this Open Gym thing. It’ll help me keep going through-out my third trimester when the daily WODs seem to difficult to modify or scale.

January 19, 2012

Didn’t get to the gym today, but I did do a small 15-minute KB workout at home. This will look familiar.

• 21 / 15 / 9 NFT of: Air Squats / KB High Pull one arm (each arm) @ 10# / KB Swing @ 25#
• 41 Good Mornings (no weight)
• 41 Pelvic Tilts

This workout got my heart rate up a little and made me mildly sweaty. It also ate up some blood sugar. All in, I’d call it a success.

January 20, 2012

I was able to do everything but one thing in today’s WOD. Here’s what was prescribed…

• For Time: 100 Russian K.B. Swings (12/20kg)
• OHS – 3/3/3/3/3 Max Effort
• GHR – 15/15/15/15
• Good Mornings – 15/15/15/15 (45/75)

Here’s what I did!

• 100 KB Swings American-style for time @ 12kg => 4:10

Coach Dan said that everybody else had done American-style KB swings even thought it had been posted on the blog as Russian-style.

• OHS: (WU 10×15, 5×35) 3×45, 3×50, 3×60, 2×65, Fail

I was getting deeper in my squats than usual. Yay!

But I just couldn’t keep 65# above my head. 

Then, instead of GHRs I did cat-cows.

• Cat-Cows: 15 / 15 / 15 / 15
• Good Mornings @ 45#: 15 / 15 / 15 / 15

We alternated 15 cat-cows, then 15 gms and so on… Felt good!

January 23, 2012

Today, the WOD was ridiculous so I stayed in and did my special KB workout on my own before lunch:

• 21 / 15 / 9 NFT of: Air Squats / KB High Pull one arm (each arm) @ 10# / KB Swing @ 25#
• 45 Good Mornings (no weight)
• 20 Pelvic Tilts

I should think of something else. Ha!

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a photo!

Gilliebean at 28 Weeks Preggie!

Also, my hubby and I just did a pregnancy photo shoot yesterday. I’ll put up a special post with some of my favourite photos very soon.

27 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 27 weeks, my round ligament issues are present but not nearly as bad as last week. I’m getting better at recognizing when I’m gonna hurt them and stopping what I’m doing. And they’re still recovering quickly. So that’s good. I haven’t run since last week, but I’ve been doing low-carb days and KB workouts and that seems to be working in lieu of running.

My ribs have been aching this week. The babe is looking for more room! And yes, the babe kicks at least three times after each meal. S/he is well-behaved in that way. Ha! I am getting mildly swollen if I sit for long periods on a hard chair, so I don’t do that anymore. And I’m trying to drink even more water. None of the other typical pregnancy symptoms have changed much throughout my second trimester other than what I’ve mentioned.

FOOD

At 27 weeks, I’m doing pretty well with the transition to more fish and less red meat. I’ve got my 28 weeks blood test for iron coming up and I’m pretty sure I’ll ace it. I’ve been eating a few more carbs this week in preparation for my BG test coming up at my 28 week visit too. This morning, I did another practice BG test and I aced it. So I’m feeling confident for that too. Yay for proper hormone management!

I’m still taking my Vitamin D, Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

A few mornings back, I recorded my resting heart rate. It was 63. That’s a little higher than in the beginning of my pregnancy but still very good. Yay!

January 10, 2011

I didn’t do the actual WOD today. It was all about muscle-ups and pistols – which are really hard for me. Any other preggies have trouble with pistols? They had a Kettlebell Technique class on the calendar and so I took that instead.

It. Was. Awesome.

Here’s the workout:

• 3 rounds of 1 min max effort rope undulation
• 3 min wall planks
• 3 min supported bridge (supported w/ bench)
• 2 min iso hip extension (with stability ball)
• 2 min side planks (each side, modified)
• 40 good mornings (no resistance)
• 30 wall squats (ugh!)

Everything was unbroken except the side planks and wall squats.

My heart rate really went up with the rope undulations, but I had a minute of rest between each round and that helped. I was concerned about doing planks, but Coach Iz had me to wall planks and they were totally possible! I was also concerned about doing planks; but Coach Iz had me do supported planks. This actually was possible too!

• 8 min AMRAP of: 12 thrusters / 9 ring rows / 3 hip thrusts (each leg) / 3 lunges (each leg)

=> 3 rounds + 1 thruster (12 kg / 26 lb)

I found the thrusters rather hard. The rest of the class did turkish get ups instead of the thrusts and lunges that Coach Iz gave me to do.

• 7 min AMRAP of: 10 goblet sq / 10 plank 1-arm rows (each arm, mod) / 10 KB swings

=> 3 rounds (12 kg / 26 lb)

12 kg was a little heavy for the 1-arm rows but a little light for the swings; but I liked using just the one kettle bell.

Within a few minutes after the workout, my heart rate was down to 90. I’m feelin’ good!

Thanks to Coach Iz for all the help, encouragement and creativity!

This was an amazing class for a preggie! I wish I’d recorded it to share!

January 13, 2012

Here’s the WOD:

• 2 Rounds of: 500M Row; 3 min rest between efforts
• Box Squat: 3@70% / 3@80% / 3@90% 1RM
• For Time: 100 Double Unders / 100 Air Squats / 50 Power Cleans @ (65/95lbs)

Here’s what I did…

• 2 rnds 500m row => 2:09 (PR!) / 2:16

I was so excited to get a PR! It’s only by 4 seconds, but hey! I’m preggie! I’ll take it!

• Box Squats: (WU 3×45) 3×85, 3×95, 3×105

Coach Iz told me to keep these at 60%, 70%, and 80% instead of the Rx. These numbers are actually more like 65%, 75%, and 85%. Felt good anyway. Here’s a pic that Coach Tambot took…

Gillie doing Box Squats at 27 Weeks Preggie! 105 lbs!

• For time: 6 min Versa Climber / 100 air squats / 50 power cleans => 14:12

I had the bar on the power cleans at 45#. I did the versa climber instead of double-unders for the obvious reason. I dare anyone to do 6 min on a versa climber and then attempt 100 air squats. It burns!

I loved this WOD. I bet my rear is gonna hurt tomorrow.

January 14th, 2011

Walked 3.5 miles, slowly. The first 2.5 miles felt awesome. Then I started having practice contractions during the last mile. But still, it was cool to go for such a long walk.

January 16th, 2011

I stayed home and did a KB workout of my own design.

• 21-15-9 of: Air Squats / One-arm KB High Pull (10#), each arm / KB Swings (25#)

This got my heart rate up and felt good.

• 3×15 Good Mornings w/ 10#

I tried using the 25# but because it’s a small hand weight, it’s awkward to use for GMs.

This was a good little workout that took me approximately 10 minutes.

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a photo!

Gilliebean, 27 Weeks Preggie!

26 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 26 weeks, I’m having some round ligament issues again. Running over Christmas was relatively painless, but after my workout on Friday, I found that running probably wasn’t the best idea. Right down where my round ligaments attach (the part where the baby comes out) was *really* sore for a day or so. And yesterday I ran for the bus and the ligaments, which had gotten better by that point, stretched again and got painful again for a few hours. And when they’re painful, walking is awkward. They recover quickly (for me, at least); so that’s good. But I have to be careful with running now; which is really annoying, because short one-mile jogs have been *the* thing that seems to keep me from packing on the pounds!

Other pregnancy symptoms that are typical for women nearing the end of their second trimester are also common for me. My feet have swollen a few times (usually when I sit for too long in a hard chair). I get short of breath. I have to eat smaller meals (because my stomach is squished). My ribs are aching. I get headaches sometimes. I have days of increased energy and then days of fatigue. Thanks to the enzymes I’ve been taking, constipation is history. And, joy of joys, the baby’s movement is starting to keep me awake at night!!

I’ve been starting to wonder if there are two (2!) babies in there (we haven’t had an ultrasound); and so I’ve been reading up on the internets about how to “palpate” for two babies – meaning how to poke around and see if there’s two. They say to look for “more than two fetal poles.” A fetal pole is a bum or a head. If you find a bum and a head and then another bum or head, then you’ve likely got twins! Also, if you hear two different heartbeats with two different rhythms (and neither are the momma’s) then you likely have two babes!

So far I haven’t been confident in my palpating.

FOOD

At 26 weeks, I’m back from Christmas and trying to be “good” again. Our CrossFit gym is doing a Paleo Challenge and I’m participating, of course! I’m glad to be home again and consuming the braunschweiger, liverwurst and sauerkraut that I had in my fridge. I’ve got another order on it’s way!

According to Nina Planck’s book “Real Food for Mother And Baby” the third trimester is the one in which you want to eat lots of fish because the baby’s brain is undergoing lots of development in this trimester. I’m about to head into my 27th week, which is the end of my second trimester, so I’m psyching myself up to eat less red meat and more fish – the good, low-mercury and sustainable kind.

Since it’s winter, I’ve increased my Vitamin D dose and I’m still taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

January 6, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• For Time: 800/400/200m run
• Box Squat: 5@60%/75%/85% 1RM
• 3 RNFT of: 5 Clean/4 Thruster/3 Good Morning/2 Snatch Balance/1 Over Head Squat- HBD (heavy but doable)

Here’s what I did…

• 800m run => 5:00
• 400m run => 2:13
• 200m run => 0:58

These are about :20 off my average. Preggie’s slowing down! My round ligaments were complaining while I did these runs, but they didn’t hurt enough to stop me. I assumed that they’d be fine once I stopped running. I was wrong (see below).

• I <3 Box Squats: (WU 5×45#), 5×75, 5×95, 4×110

I failed on the last rep of the last set. Oh well!

• 3 RNFT: 5 clean, 4 thrusters, 3 g.m., 2 snatch balance, 1 OHS

I did one warm up round with the 15# training bar (the padded one). Then:

• 1st round @ 35#
• 2nd round @ 45#
• 3rd round @ 50#

I failed on my first attempt at the snatch balance during the last round; but I picked up the bar and did actually finished the set. It was more mental than strength on those snatch balances.

In the hours after this class, I noticed that my round ligaments were still complaining. After looking online, I realized that I had very likely stretched them during the runs. I couldn’t find anywhere online that predicted a recovery time, so I put a hot pad on my crotch for a few minutes, and then went to sleep, hoping that they’d be better in the morning. Tossing and turning, while trying to fall asleep on Friday night, was the most painful preggie-tries-to-sleep session yet.

But thankfully, on Saturday morning, I awoke to relief! I was *much* better and walking wasn’t painful anymore. Then on Sunday, we had to sprint for a bus and I experienced a mild relapse. But as this run was shorter in both distance and time than the Friday runs; consequently, the recovery was faster.

Preggie, take note! I’ll be running more carefully and slowly from now on… If I run at all.

January 8, 2011

A nice slow 1.5 mile walk.

January 9, 2011

Today’s WOD at my local CrossFit was a running/lunging WOD. Lunges are likely fine, but I wanted to avoid the running. So I did a mild kettle bell workout at home.

Here it is:

21-15-9 RNFT of: KB swings (25#) / each hand KB High Pull (10#)

I did these with the hand weights we have; not with kettle bells. It worked out fine. Felt good!

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a photo from Saturday… You can see that I’m a little poofy in my face from the Holidays. I’m working on being less poofy.

Gillie, 26 Weeks Preggie!

25 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 25 weeks, I’m starting to feel the weight of my baby and uterus. Turning over in bed is like a HIIT workout or like parallel parking in LA (17-point turn anyone!?). I had mild nausea on Christmas morning and with no idea why I guess I’d have to blame that on pregnancy, but who knows. It could have been food-related. I am definitely feeling the extra blood – I get short of breath much easier than before and my temperature seems to run higher than before. That said, neither are in the “iron deficiency” or “core temperature too high” ranges. Just enough for me to remember that I’m making and carting around more blood; and that that blood needs to be oxygenated. Otherwise, I feel pretty normal. Some days when I’m sitting at my desk, I forget that I have a belly. Until I get KICKED! Which is still happening rather frequently. The other day, after lunch, I lay down to count the kicks. I counted about 30 after 15 minutes, and then promptly fell sleep for a mid-afternoon nap. Yay for Christmas vacation!

FOOD

At 25 weeks, I’m deep in the middle of Christmas week and haven’t reached New Year’s yet. I didn’t bring any of my braunschweiger or sauerkraut with me. Sad. I tried the non-pastured eggs at my in-laws house but they started doing a number on me (food allergies) after a few days, so I gave those up. I had a few gluten things on Christmas day, just some stuffing and a sweet potato biscuit, but that opened the door for cheating for the entire rest of the week. And my food-allergy-related rashes came back with vengeance. Sad. After that, I did my best to eat low-carb, full-fat (primal) even though I wasn’t eating paleo, and to remind myself that I can control what’s in my cupboard when I return to my own home (which I did yesterday).

I’m still taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Vitamin D, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

After Christmas day, it was hard to motivate my husband and my father to join me outside for a morning run… So the rest of the week was kind of a wash. But today, my first day back in Brooklyn, I went back to my CrossFit gym and PR’d on the rower. Take that Christmas!! Ha!

January 2, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• Row 500M
• Squat- 5/5/3/3/1/1
• 15 min AMRAP of: 21 Ball Slam(15/20)/15 Wall Ball (14/20)/9 each arm K.B. OHS (12/20kg)

Here’s what I did…

• Row 500m => 2:13 (PR!)

I actually wasn’t trying for a PR. In fact, I was taking it easy because of my “condition” and because it’d been two weeks since a WOD! When I finished, I looked at my previous PR and realized I’d beat it! Woot!

• Back Squats => (WU 10×15, 5×45) 5×65, 5×75, 3×85, 3×95, 1×105, 1×115

My 1RM is 135. I’m working on maintaining depth while not bending forward too far. Also, preggie-belly prohibits my core strength from maintaining my range of motion; so it affects how deep I can go and stay stable. So I didn’t push too hard today on the weight.

• 15 min AMRAP => 2 rounds + 21 Ball Slams + 15 Wall Balls

I wanted to do this Rx so badly! But I couldn’t do the KB OHS with the prescribed weight. So I scaled. Then I found that KB OHS was difficult for me in general because of my preggie-belly anyway; so I sub’d Goblet Squats (at 12 kg). I did the Ball Slams at 10# and the Wall Balls at 12#.

My heart rate hit 150 a few times during the MetCon but I didn’t get dizzy this time!

All in, I’m pretty happy with my first WOD in two weeks.

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a photo from my Christmas Baby Shower!

Ryan and Gillie, 25 Weeks Preggie!

24 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

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PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 24 weeks, I’m feeling pretty normal, except for the soccer-ball-sized uterus I’m carting around. I’m about to hit my third trimester (in a few weeks) and intermittent fatigue has started to get a little worse. But only a little.

FOOD

At 24 weeks, I’m still enjoying the liverwurst and braunschweiger, raw cheeses, sauerkraut, fresh veggies and other pastured meats. I’ve added eggnog because it’s christmas. I know there are concerns with raw egg yolk but I trust the source and am willing to take my chances. Also, I’m dealing with food allergies from the eggnog; but that’s how much I love it.

I’m gearing up for my 28-week blood sugar test. I’ve been testing it all along, every so often. My post-prandial blood sugars have been solid, as well as my fasting numbers. But as a person who eats mostly low-carb, occasionally moderate-carb, I don’t deal well with with a large bolus of sugar! I tested it today, my fasting was great, my post-prandial was great, but my one-hour post sugar bolus was right on the border of ideal. We shall see. I highly doubt that I’m going to develop gestational diabetes, given my diet and exercise habits; but I want to pass the test!!

Also, I’ve got Christmas this week! It’ll be hard to avoid the dairy, sugar and gluten.

I’m still taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Vitamin D, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

No CrossFit this week. First, I ran out of classes for the month (I used them all up in the first 2.5 weeks!). Second, I was in a different state, vacationing with family and didn’t have the flexibility to find a local box to WOD in. So, light morning jogs it was…!

December 21, 2011

I went for a 1 mile jog this morning. Felt strong. Could have kept going, but didn’t.

December 24, 2011

My father joined me for a 3/4 mile jog-walk this morning. Felt great to “run” with him again.

December 26th, 2011

My husband joined my father and I for a 1 1/4 mile jog-walk this morning. I was awesome to run with both of my favourite men!!

OTHER NOTES

No belly photos this week. I’ll post some next week from my Christmas Baby Shower!

23 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 23 weeks, I’m starting to have discomfort while trying to sleep (because the belly is getting bigger?). I feel like a giant sack of potatoes in bed. I basically lie on my left side until about 4 am and then switch to my right side for the remainder of the night, which makes me really stiff! But at least I’m getting sleep!!

Still feeling fatigued around 9 pm. Enzymes have really helped with constipation which is almost gone. But yesterday I ran out of enzymes! So I have to buy more. In case anybody is wondering which enzymes I’m taking, here they are:

I get nothing for posting that. I just wanted to share.

I got mildly dizzy once after a workout this week but I think it was because I stood up too fast after sitting down after it. Or it could have been the movement itself (ball slams). Either way, I was fine after a minute of sitting. My boobies are still mildly sore. They haven’t really changed much since the first trimester (and I understand that that is normal).

The babe is still bouncing around in there! Is my babe more active than others’? My nurse said that at this stage of my pregnancy I should count at least 3 kicks in the hour after I eat. I usually lose count somewhere around 15 to 20 kicks.

Had mild nausea once this past week. Not sure why. But it passed quickly.

FOOD

At 23 weeks, because I’m feeling fatigued, I’ve found myself craving comfort foods (like potato chips and mac ‘n’ cheese). I’ve also been craving organ meats. And I got my order from U.S. Wellness Meats fast like whoa last week! I’ve been eating liverwurst and braunschweiger for *every* lunch this week, with some raw cheese, sauerkraut, cranberries, olive oil and vinegar. YUM! It makes me happy every time. I’m still taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules, Vitamin D, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

December 14, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• For Time: 50 Air Squats/50Double Unders/50 Super Mans
• 5 minutes Hip/Shoulder Mobility
• Sots Press – 5/5/3/3/1/1 (Max Effort)
• 18/16/14/12/10/8/6/4/2 RFT of: Ball Slams(15/20lbs)/Plyo Push Ups/Flutter Kick (3 count)

Here’s what I did…

• For Time: 50 air squats / 50 jumping jacks / 50 good mornings w/ 15# bar => 4:59

I finished on par with everyone else. Felt like a good modification.

• SOTS Press: 5×12, 5×15, 3×20, 3×25, 1×30, 1×35 (PR!)

I guess we can call that a PR. I’d never done it before! Ha!

• 18/16/14/12/10/8/6/4/2 RFT of: Ball Slams (15#) / Scaled Ring Push Ups / Cat-Cows (3-count hold) => 15:00

I was dizzy at the end of the Met Con but my heart rate was only 120. Coach Dan and I think it was because of the ball slams – both the motion of them and the shear number of them.

December 16, 2011

Here’s today’s WOD:

• 400m Farmers Walk (24/40kg= 12/20kg each hand)
• 5 min Hip/Shoulder Mobility
• DeadLift- 1/1/1/1/1 (Max Effort)
• 20 min AMRAP of: Run 200M/20DeadLift (95/135lbs)/Max Effort StictChin Up/10 each KettleBell Snatch(12/20kg) score=# of rounds + # of Chin Ups

Here’s what I did…

• 400m Farm Walk => 5:11 Rx

I used the 12kg KB in each arm. And my arms were wasted after just 150m. Dang. I had to stop three times. Total grip workout!

• Dead-lifts: (WU 5×45, 3×75, 1×95) 1×115, 1×135, 1×155, 1×175, Fx190, Fx185

My previous 1RM on the Dead-lift on 10/31 was 185#. I feel like I could have gotten 180#, but didn’t want to push it.

• 20 min AMRAP => 4 rounds, 7 chin-ups

I did the prescribed run. Dead-lifts were at 65#. Chin-ups were with green band. KB Snatch were with 8kg/18# bells.

My heart-rate got up to 150 a few times during the MetCon but dropped to 110 within 60 seconds after finishing. So I’m confident that my perceived exertion was right on.

It felt good to run.

December 17th, 2011

I went for a 3/4 mile jog this morning. Felt good. Baby feels secure still.

OTHER NOTES

Here’s two belly photos!

23 Weeks Preggie!

23 Weeks Preggie, belly reveal!

22 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 22 weeks, I’m so enjoying feeling the babe move around. It seems that on days that I’m more active, s/he is more active, and vice versa; but that may just be my imagination. Fatigue still makes the nightly appearance. Enzymes seem to really help the constipation. When I forget to take them, I know! Boobies still tender. Still having trouble with forgetfulness and distractedness. Dizziness hasn’t been bad this week (could it be because I’ve been eating fewer carbs?).

FOOD

So glad to have my fingers back. The allergic reactions were so annoying! Iodine tincture helped speed the healing. I’m getting back to my normal rhythm of sauerkraut, chicken sausage, eggs, bacon, raw cheese, salads, fish, pastured and grass-fed meats, and organic veggies. I did buy a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mix and it was yummy but I could tell that my body was unhappy with me each time I ate a cookie. One square of dark chocolate is a better snack than rice-flour cookies (faileo!).

I’ve been unable to get the grass-fed beef liver down recently, so I made a purchase today from one of my favourite venders, U.S. Wellness Meats (I get nothing for saying I like them). I bought braunschweiger and liverwurst. I know that I like these and can eat them easily. It’ll be easier to make myself eat my organ meats with these than with the grass-fed liver I usually get from our local grocery delivery service. And I need to eat my organ meats!!

Also, my Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules arrived in the mail today, so I’ll start taking those again. I’m still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes, Probiotics and an occasional dose of prenatal vitamins.

ACTIVITY

December 7, 2011

Here’s the WOD for today:

• 5 min of PVC Shoulder Mobility
• 6 min amrap of: 3 Wall Walk / 3 Inverted Burpees / 3 Rolling Pistols each leg
• Press – 3/3/3 Max Effort
• Push Press – 3/3/3 Max Effort
• Skin The Cat – 5/5/5/5
• Hip Extension – 15/15/15

I’m gonna let you take a moment and read over that again. Really, pregnant lady, really?! You think you can CrossFit?! You may be like me and have to be shown what those AMRAP movements are. I knew what the Rolling Pistol was, but the rest were new to me. And not going to be done by 22-week preggie me!! Also, once again, can you picture a preggie (even a very strong one!) trying to perform a Skin The Cat?! If I ever seen one do it, I’ll go rip her fake belly off (if it doesn’t fall off when she’s upside down!). And I can’t do anything on the GHDs until the babe is born!

So here’s what I did instead…

• 6 min AMRAP: 10 scaled ring push-ups / 10 air squats => 4 rnds + 10

Not as interesting as the other movements, but I got my heart rate up sufficiently.

• Press: (WU 3×15, 3×35) 3×45, 2×50, 3×50, 55F
• Push Press: 3×55, 3×60, 3×65 (PR!), 1×70 (PR!)

My previous 1RM on the press was 55#. My previous 1RM on the push press was 60#. Yay for pregnant PRs!

Then I varied from the class again…

• Good Mornings w/ 45# bar: 15 / 15 / 15
• Pelvic Tilts w/ 5-second hold: 4 / 4 / 4

See? With a few modifications, you *can* keep CrossFitting!

Great class!!

December 8th, 2011

Carried eleven (11) crates of film gear up two flights of stars. (See my other blog!)

December 11th, 2011

Carried eleven (11) crates of film gear down two flights of stars.

December 12th, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 3 Rounds of: Row 1 min Max Effort; 1 min rest between efforts
• Burgener Warm UP/Skill Transfer Exercise
• Snatch – 3@50% 1RM/3@60% 1RM/2@70% 1RM/1@80 %1RM/1@90% 1RM/2@80% 1RM
• OHS – 3/3 @65% 1RM, 3 @75% 1RM, 2 @85% 1RM, 1 @95% 1RM
• 7 min AMRAP of: 20 Double Unders/10 Ring Rows/5 HSPU

Here’s what I did…

• Row, 3 rnds 1 min max effort: 241m / 243m / 251m

Thanks to Coach Dan for giving me some guidance in my form. Evidently I was hyperextending my ankles? So now I’m squishing myself up less and doing more strokes per minute. I wonder how this will play out in my PRs…

• Snatch: (WU 3×15), 3×35, 3×45, 2×55, 1×65, 1×70 (muscled the last few inches), 2×65

I’m glad to see that I’m staying consistent with my 1RM. None of these were harder than I hoped. I suppose that I could have been fearful that my growing core would affect my stability. But it didn’t seem to affect the snatches.

• OHS: 3×50, 3×50, 3×60, 2×70, 1×75

I didn’t go as deep on the last two sets because I was trying to keep my chest up and Dan said that was more important. Core stability is wonky when it keeps changing on you on a daily/weekly basis. And it affected my overhead squats.

• 6 min AMRAP (not a typo): 2 rounds + 20 + 3

I had a toe cramp, so I jumped into the amrap after 1 min. Also, I did jumping jacks instead of double-unders, scaled ring rows and pike push ups (floor).

Felt good! I can’t believe I’m five months preggie and still doing CrossFit! YAY!

OTHER NOTES

I totally forgot to take a 22-week preggie photo!! So sorry! I’ll definitely have one next week!

21 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 21 weeks, I’m starting to really feel pregnant – like there’s a baby in my belly and I’m really pregnant, pregnant. Whereas before (first trimester), it was just bloat and what felt like a gas bubble. My midwife was right, the gas-bubble feeling goes away…

I’m still fatigued at 9:00 or 9:30 pm. Constipation is lessening (could it be because of enzymes?). Boobies are still mildly tender. Still experiencing intermittent forgetfulness, dizziness, and distractedness that are all several pitches worse than non-preggie Gillie-style forgetfulness, dizziness, and distractedness.

The babe is doing roundhouse kicks and summersaults in my womb this week. I’m so proud of this child. My friend Joy has described how she and her husband play games with their 23-week-old-baby-still-in-the-womb on her blog: Down In My Heart. I love reading how others have connected with their babes!

FOOD

I’ve been getting back into my primal (occasionally paleo) low-carb food rhythm this week. And my allergic reactions are subsiding and I’m feeling better. I’m still finishing up the gluten-free bread I bought the week before Thanksgiving. It’s not primal or paleo but it sure goes well with some grass-fed butter and my homemade nutella!

We’re also eating up the pastured turkey broth I made from our Thanksgiving bird. This broth is amazing. I know that it’s awesome because it’s so gelatinous. And it’s tasty! All it needs is a dollop of sauerkraut and it’s one amazing soup; but I’ve also been adding leftover veggies from Thanksgiving dinner and it’s a great side dish for lunch or dinner.

I’m still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes and Probiotics as well as Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules (but I ran out of these, so I’m waiting for the order to arrive from Amazon.com – in the meantime I’m just taking Carlsons).

ACTIVITY

November 30, 2011

Today was our Olympic Lifting Total. We were supposed to have improved from the first time we did the total on November 1st. Here’s my results from November 1st:

• Snatch: 70#
• Clean + Jerk: 85# (PR!)
• Clean: 110# (PR by 20#!)

TOTAL: 265

Here are my totals from 29 days later:

• Snatch: 70#
• Clean + Jerk: 85#
• Clean: 100#

TOTAL => 255

My oly total from November 1 went down 10 lbs! I thought it was because I’m 21 weeks preggie, but Coach Dan said it was because I zipped through the lifts too fast and didn’t give myself enough recovery time.

My husband said I should be proud to have maintained my strength while building a baby. I’m gonna go with that perspective.

I also went for a 3/4 mile jog in the morning before going to this class at noon.

December 2, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• Warm Up – Coaches Choice
• 5 RFT of: 20 2 Hand K.B. Swing / 10 each 1 Hand K.B. Swing / 20 2 Hand K.B. High Pull / 10 each 1 Hand K.B. High Pull / 10 each K.B. Snatch (24 / 16 kg)

(All 1 hand KB Swings should be Russian Swings. All 2 hand Swings should be American Swings.)

Here’s what I did!

• Warm-up: 3:00 min row => 631 m

Everyone else did 3:00 min of Double-unders, but because I don’t feel comfortable doing that while pregnant (it’s just uncomfortable to me!), I hopped on the rower. No one was upset with that. I considered the Versa Climber, but I wanted to save my cardio for the Kettlebells.

• Kettlebell Hell => 20:07

I used 12 kg (27 lbs) on the two-handers and 8 kg (18 lbs) on the one-handers. Way scaled down from Rx. But, I’m still really happy with my time. My heart rate was hitting 150 the whole time, so I probably did just what my body needed to do.

December 5, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• For Time: 100 Jumping Jacks / 100 Mountain Climbers
• Clean & Jerk – 1/1/1 @ 50% 1RM, /1/1/1 @ 60% 1RM, 1/1 @ 70% 1 RM, 1 @ 80% 1RM, 1 @ 90% 1RM, 1/1 @ 80% 1RM
• For Time: 25 Double Unders/25 Box Jumps (20″)/25 Push Ups/25 Sit Ups/25 Jumping Pull Ups/25 Back Extensions/25 Dips/12 Turkish Get Ups each side (12/20kg)/25 Calorie Row

Here’s what I did!

• 100 Jumping Jacks / 100 Mountain Climbers => 3:00+

I totally forgot to write down my time for the jumping jacks and mountain climbers. It was about 15-20 seconds after my classmates Ruthie and Aaron finished. Oops!

• Clean & Jerks => 1/1/1 @ 40#, 1/1/1 @ 50#, 1/1/1/1 @ 60#, 1 @ 70#, 1 @ 75#, 1/1 @ 70#

Yes, I did four sets of one rep with the 60# when I was only supposed to do two. Coach Dan corrected my form after the first two, so I did two more with proper form before moving on. Thanks Dan!

So I modified this Hopper Workout beyond recognition. Here’s what I did…

• For Time: 25 jumping jacks / 25 box step-ups / 25 ring push ups (scaled) / 12 Abmat sit-ups + 13 cat-cows / 25 ring rows / 25 good mornings w/ 15# bar / 25 leg assistant ring dips / 12 lunges plus twist w/ 8kg KB each leg / 25 cal row

=> 20:32 minutes.

I don’t feel comfortable with more than a few DUs. Too much hip flexor actions. But I feel okay with jumping jacks. Same deal with box jumps. Obviously, my belly gets in the way of push ups (and it stressed out my abs in a bad way anyway) so I’ve switched to scaled ring push ups.

I started the Abmat sit-ups and realized that my window to be able to do those and not stress out my abs too much has passed, so I switched to cat-cows (aka pelvic tilts aka angry cats). I did good mornings instead of the back extensions because I can’t get on the GHD with a belly.

I tried the TGUs but I could feel my abs stressing; so in consult with Coach Dan I sub’d the mildly weighted lunges w/ twist. Here’s a photo:

Weighted Lunge w/ Twist (sub'd for Turkish Get-ups)

I can still row no problem.

Great class!!

OTHER NOTES

I totally forgot to take a 21-week preggie photo!! So sorry! But you can see how far along my belly has come from the lunge photo, right?

20 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 20 weeks, I haven’t noticed many Braxton Hicks contractions. Fatique still hits around 9:30 pm. I could tell you without looking at a clock when it’s 9:30 pm. It’s fascinating. I’ve never been like that. I’ve only experienced the heartburn-without-the-burn once or twice this week. Wee! Constipation has lessened a little. Boobies are mildly less tender this week.

Even with forgetfulness and distractedness, I successfully navigated Thanksgiving week with in-laws in town and cooking the Thanksgiving dinner with in-laws and extra friends at the dinner table! #winning

The baby is kicking consistently. Each time s/he begins a kicking session, there are dozens of kicks to count. I’m very proud.

FOOD

Thanksgiving week. As I explained to a fellow Canadian at my CrossFit gym, the stress of trying to feed seven people a *tasty* gluten-free Thanksgiving outweighed the stress of having to deal with gluten exposure for myself. So I chose to prepare a traditional North-Eastern Thanksgiving dinner. My friend from Virginia brought corn pudding and orange jello dishes for which I have no reference (they seem like very strange additions to lil’ Canadian me). I had bought a pastured, humanely-raised heritage turkey from a farmer that I’ve met and farm-fresh veggies (potatoes, turnip, carrots, parsnips, and cabbage) and prepared those. Consequently, we had way too many veggies; but the turkey was perfect (and so was the lovely gelatinous broth we made from her!)! So too was both the butternut squash soup and the sweet potato casserole that I made from scratch!

Clockwise from Top Left: Corn Pudding, Sausage Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Orange Jello, Carrots & Parsnips, TURKEY!

Turnip, Cabbage, and Potatoes!

I did have some familiar food allergy reactions on my eyelids and fingers the next day but I know that they will subside with a week or two of clean eating. I also ate way too many carbs this week because it was Thanksgiving and because of having family in town. Now that we’re back to “normal” (as much as Christmas prep and short film prep can be normal) I’ll go back to a lower-carb diet (but one that gives our growing babe all the nutrients and vitamins and fats that it needs!).

I’m still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes and Probiotics as well as Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules.

ACTIVITY

I only got in two workouts this week as well. What are ya gonna do when family and friends are in town!?

November 21, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 2 min max effort Double Unders; 2 min rest
• 2 min max effort Row
• 21/15/9 RFT of: K.B. High Pull (16/24kg) / Toes 2 Bar
• Clean and Jerk – 1/1/1 @ 65% 1RM, 1/1/ @ 75% 1RM,  1/1 @ 85% 1RM, 1/1 @ 95% 1RM, 1/1/1 @ 85% 1RM
• Hip Extension – 15/15/15 NFT
• 1 min HandStand Hold / 1.5 min Ring Support Hold / 2 min DeadHang / 2.5 min Iso Air Squat / 3 min Plank (5 Plyo Push Up penalty for every break in posture 30 rep cap); 90 seconds rest between

And here’s what I did!

• 2 min Versa Climber (max effort)

Sooo… Because I didn’t feel comfortable doing jump rope in general (bouncing my baby all around), Coach Iz suggested that I do the Versa Climber for 2 min instead. Ew. But it was a very reasonable swap in terms of heart rate and warm up. And even though my midwife says jump robe is okay, I just don’t feel physically comfortable when I did it. So I’ve stopped doing it.

• 2 min row w/ Max Effort. => 459 meters

• 21/15/9 KB / T2B => 3:44

I did the Rx weight on the KB and then did knee raises instead of T2B or K2E.

• Clean & Jerks

65% was 1×55, 1×55, 1×55
75% was 1×65, 1×65
85% was 1×75, 1×75
95% was 1×80, 1×80
85% was 1×75, 1×75, 1×75

• Instead of Hip Extensions => Good Mornings 15 / 15 / 15

My belly gets in the way on the GHDs (and when I move down enough to give my belly room, it HURTS my quads) so I did Good Mornings instead with the 45# bar.

• Isometric Holds

All the ISO exercises were done with 90 secs instead of the increasing time. Coach Jess was patient and kind to my one other classmate and me. I did the pike hold no problem. The ring hold was with a blue band for stabilization and a small box for support. I did the plank on my elbows.

After all this I did 15 / 15 / 15 “cat-cows” (aka pelvic tilts) and 25 scaled ring push ups (for my penalty).

This was the first time I’d been in a class with Coach Jess, ever. I think she was more nervous about coaching a preggie than I was about her coaching a preggie. But she did fine.

November 28, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 500M Row; 3 minute rest
• 400M Run; 3 minute rest
• 5 min Hip/Shoulder Mobility
• Hang Power Clean & Jerk – 5@ 60% 1RM, 3@ 70% 1RM, 2@ 80%1RM
• Hang Power Snatch - 3@ 50%1RM, 2@ 70%1RM, 1@ 80%1RM
• L-Sit- 3 rounds of 30 seconds (5 burpee penalty for every break in posture) 1 minute rest every time 30 seconds are accumulated
• Skin the Cat- 5/5/5/5

Here’s what I did!

• 400 m run NFT.

I did a nice light jog. I’d gone for a run earlier in the morning; just 3/4 of a mile. Jogging isn’t difficult, unless you have to poop.

• 500 m row => 2:15

This was a PR! I guess this is the first time in a long time that I’ve done 500 m specifically. The last PR was 2:33 back in March.

• Hang Power Clean & Jerk

WU 5 @ 35#
5 @ 60% 1RM => 50#
3 @ 70% 1RM => 60#
2 @ 80% 1RM => 70#

These felt good and mostly easy.

• Hang Power Snatch

WU 3 @ 15#
3 @ 50% 1RM => 40#
2 @ 70% 1RM => 55#
1 @ 80% 1RM => 65# F!
1 @ 75% 1RM => 60#

I failed on the 80%. After completing the lift at 75%, I felt like maybe I should attempt 80% again, but I didn’t… I seriously think this was probably my first time doing Power Snatches (on purpose).

• Pelvic Tilts: 3 x 30 sec holds

Instead of L-sits, I did Pelvic Tilts (aka Cat-Cows aka Angry Cats).

Then I did 5 burpees for solidarity with my class.

Then I laughed at the idea of a pregnant woman trying to do Skin The Cats.

Think about it…

P.S. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos from my workouts this week.

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a 20-week preggie photo!!

20 Weeks Preggie!

 

19 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 19 weeks, I’m getting Braxton Hicks contractions. Actually, I’ve been getting them for about four weeks now, but I didn’t know what they were until I talked to my midwife about them. No one tells you about the trifecta of 1) having to pee, 2) walking up a hill (from the subway to your apartment), and 3) having a Braxton Hicks contraction. I nearly soiled my maternity jeans!

Fatigue is still hitting around 9:30 pm. Nausea is long gone but heartburn-without-the-burn still occurs occasionally regardless of when I’ve eaten or how much. Sometimes it’s just there. Frequency of urination seems to have increased this week just a little bit more. Constipation continues. Boobies are slightly less tender this week. And… I don’t know what else, I forget.

Most importantly, feeling the baby kick is amazing. Feeling the baby move around is weird like a sci-fi film, but still amazing. Watching my husband feel the baby kick is really amazing.

FOOD

One day this week, I craved fried foods. I was leaving a meeting in Manhattan and tons of pizza shops and fried chicken places were wafting smells into the air. Then, once I got off the train in Brooklyn, I had to walk past a pastry plant. I was saying to myself, “I don’t know what I’m craving, but I’m definitely craving something junky!” My husband knew none of this when I got home and he said, “I’m going to fry some potatoes to go with dinner.” We fry our organic potatoes in a coconut oil and lard mix. No bad oils for us! Yum. It was the perfect compromise. I had it with pulled pork (no sauce) mixed with mustard and sauerkraut (still craving sour foods). I’m still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes and Probiotics as well as Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil capsules.

ACTIVITY

November 15, 2011

Here is the WOD:

• 800 Meter Run @ 75% Intensity
• Front Squat – 3/3/3 @75%1RM
• 12 min AMRAP of: 3 Front Squats @ 75% 1Rm / 5 HSPU
• 3 RNFT of: 10 each Pistols (advanced)
• Standing Lateral Trunk Rotations – 10/10/10/10/10 (25/45)

Here’s what I did…

• 800m run => 5:00

I’m getting slower. Blaming the baby. 

• Front Squats: (3×35, 3×65) 3×75, 3×75, 3×75

These felt fine. I was nervous that I’d have to lower my weight but they were good. Seems I have better form on my front squats than on my back squats. Weird.

• 12 min AMRAP: 3 Front Sq @ 35# / 5 Pike Push-ups => 8 rnds + 1

I did the pike push-ups with my toes on the ground and two ab-mats. I’m not going to risk falling off a box while I’m upside-down. 

• 3 RNFT: 10 each leg pistols

I hate these. With all of me. I hate them more than goats. And spiders.

• Standing Lateral Rotations: 25#

I was nervous about these possibly causing round ligament pain. But I was fine. They were easy.

No photos. But a fun workout!

November 21, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 2 min max effort Double Unders; 2 min rest
• 2 min max effort Row
• 21/15/9 RFT of: K.B. High Pull(16/24kg)/ Toes To Bar
• Clean and Jerk – 1/1/1 @ 65% 1RM, 1/1/ @ 75% 1RM,  1/1 @ 85% 1RM, 1/1 @ 95% 1RM, 1/1/1 @ 85% 1RM
• Hip Extension- 15/15/15 NFT
• 1 min HandStand Hold/1.5 min Ring Support Hold/2 min DeadHang/2.5 min Iso Air Squat/ 3 min Plank (5 Plyo Push Up penalty for every break in posture 30 rep cap); 90 seconds rest between postures

Here’s what I did!

• 2 min max effort Versa Climber

Sooo… Because I don’t feel comfortable doing jump rope in general (bouncing my baby all around), Coach Iz suggested that I do the Versa Climber for 2 min instead. Ew. But it was a very reasonable swap in terms of heart rate and warm up.

• 2 min max effort Row => 459 meters

Rowing is still easy for me. It was funny to see the shape of my belly change as I moved through the range of motion. Any other preggies notice that?

• 21/15/9 KB High Pull / T2B => 3:44

I did the Rx weight on the KB and then did knee raises instead of T2B or K2E.

• Clean & Jerks

65% was 1×55, 1×55, 1×55
75% was 1×65, 1×65
85% was 1×75, 1×75
95% was 1×80, 1×80
85% was 1×75, 1×75, 1×75

• Hip Extensions => Good Mornings 15 / 15 / 15

My belly gets in the way on the GHDs (and when I move down enough to give my belly room, it HURTS my quads) so I did Good Mornings instead with the 45# bar.

All the ISO exercises were done with 90 secs instead of the increasing time. Jess was patient and kind to Yousef and me. I did the pike hold no problem. The ring hold was with a blue band for stabilization and a small box for support. I did the plank on my elbows.

After all this I did 15 / 15 / 15 “cat-cows” (aka pelvic tilts) and 25 scaled ring push ups (for my penalty). And then I stretched.

OTHER NOTES

Here’s a photo!!

18 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is in April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 18 weeks, ‘round ligament pain’ has begun to include the dull achy kind. At first I was kind of alarmed. I didn’t know what it was. But I looked it up online and called my midwife and she reassured me that it was normal. Whew! Fatigue hits about 9:30 pm each evening now. Last night I went to bed at 10:30 pm and woke up at 6:30 am. Strange for me, but true. Not getting nausea anymore (yay!) and heartburn-without-the-burn is infrequent (but still around). My frequency of urination hasn’t increased this week but hasn’t decreased either; but I am continually amazed by my ability to get up in the middle of the night, do my business and immediately fall back asleep. There must be some miracle pregnancy hormone that makes that possible. Constipation continues. Boobies are still tender. I’m still spacey, forgetful and clumsy. Awesome.

Also, I’ve been feeling the baby kick all week! I love it!!

FOOD

Nothing much new to report on the food front. Still eating real food (full-fat raw or grass-fed dairy, grass-fed or pastured meats, skins and bone broth, lacto-fermented veggies, and home-made condiments). Still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes and Probiotics as well as Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil. On Saturday, I cooked a whole pastured chicken in my crock-pot and made broth from the bones afterwards. I can feel the goodness seeping into my body after a bowl of that broth! Yum!

ACTIVITY

November 8, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 5 rounds of: Row 30 seconds (max effort); 60 seconds rest
• 7 RNFT of: 5 Weighted Pull UP (10/20)/10 Weighted Push Up (25/45)/15 Weighted Squat (25/45)
• 7 RFT of Cindy: 5 Pull UP/10 Push UP/15 Air Squat
• 3 rounds of: Plank (Max Effort); 30-90 seconds rest between efforts

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: 611 meters total (for 5 rounds of 30 secs max effort)
• 7 RNFT: I only did 4 rounds.

I used the old black medium band for my pull-ups. I did ring pushups with a *very* easy angle and a pink band for stabilization because my belly has started to get in the way. I did the weighted squats with a 26# kettle bell.

• 5 RFT of Cindy: 6:54

I used the green band for my pull-ups. I stayed on the rings for the push ups. I did regular air squats.

In related news, during my fourth round, while doing the pull-ups, my baby kicked me! I’m not sure if it was a complaint or encouragement! Ha!

• Planks: instead of Planks (3/30 sec) I did Pelvic Tilts (aka Angry Cats)

I find planks difficult because of how my abs curve out now. They were difficult before, now they’re downright uncomfortable! So the pelvic tilts, that my midwife had recommended, were so much better!

Thought of the day: Isn’t a weighted air squat, just a squat?

Here’s some photos from today’s WOD:

Weighted Air Squats: Doesn

Ring Push Ups: This really is the best angle I can do…

Ring Push Ups: Workin

November 9th, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• For Time: 100 Double Unders
• For Time: 30 Plate Burpees(25/45)
• PVC Shoulder Mobility
• Hang Squat Snatch- 3/3/3/3/3/3/3 @ 75% 1RM
• Snatch Grip DeadLift- 1/1/1/1/1/1/1 @ 100% Snatch 1RM
• 9 minute AMRAP of: 10 Ball Slam(20/15)/10 Ring Row/10 Tuck Jump

Here’s what I did:

• Undetermined number of single jumps with heavy jump robe…

I just did 5:00 min of singles with the heavy jump robe because my DUs have gone to sh!t since becoming pregnant (I am not the only pregnant woman to have complained about this! See here: 1, 2, 3 and these are women who are definitely still strong!). So, I think I might just continue this plan for the remainder of my pregnancy: singles with the heavy rope. Cool?

• 30 Plate Burpees FT (25#): 3:55

I did a modified push-up but I used the Rx weight. I’m pretty proud of this.

• Hanging Squat Snatch: 7x 3×40

Because I don’t trust my stabilizer muscles (they’re not in the same place as usual!), I feel the need to back off the weight with this one. My 1RM is 80# so I should have been doing 60#. But since becoming pregnant, either my stabilizers have gone fuzzy (because of baby bump) or I just don’t trust them, or both. So I did just 40#. And I had better form because of it.

• Snatch Grip Dead-lift: 7x 1×80

I can still do regular dead-lifts, no problem. But a snatch-grip dead-lift causes the bar to end at a higher place on my body, and it was hitting the bottom of my belly! So I narrowed my grip by just a tad in order for the bar to NOT hit my belly. Otherwise, I was able to nail the Rx for this movement.

• 9 min AMRAP: 5 rnds + 15 + 13

Because I don’t feel comfortable with tuck jumps (and not with knees-2-elbows either), Tammy suggested that I just skip the tuck jumps and do 15 ball slams and 15 ring rows per round. Ring rows were modified with an easier angle.

In the middle of this MetCon, Iz reminded me to check my heart rate. I did and it was about 140 or 145. Good! Seems like I’m keeping my “perceived exertion” in check.

That’s it for today! Here’s a photo of the Hanging Squat Snatch:

Hanging Squat Snatch: I got deeper on previous attempts. This was my 5th or 6th set of 3. I

November 11, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• 2 rounds of 1 minute max effort: Row/Double Unders/Burpees; 60 seconds rest between rounds
• 5 min of: Shoulder/Hip mobility
• Power Clean – 2/2/2/2/2 @ 85% 1RM
• Hang Clean – 3/3/3/3/3 @ 65% 1RM
• Front Squat – 1/1/1/1/1 @ 65% 1RM (focused on speed out of the bottom)
• 5 min AMRAP of: 3 each Racked Lunges (65/95)/4 Push Press (65/95)/5 L-Pull Up

Here’s what I did…

I did the full warm-up but I didn’t keep track of reps, calories or meters rowed. I did single jumps with the heavy rope (instead of DUs) and my burpees were very slow and careful.

• Power Clean: (WU: 2×15, 2×45) 2×75, 2×85, 2×85, 2×85, 2×85
• Hang Squat Clean: 3×35, 3×40, 3×40, 3×40, 3×40
• Front Squat: 1×45, 1×65, 1×65, 1×65, 1×65

For all three movements I kept the weight at or slightly below the recommended weight. I’m not trying to push myself strength-wise. I’m just maintaining. Also, in my condition (I hate that phrase as it relates to pregnancy), I’m more concerned with proper form than pushing big numbers.

• 5 min AMRAP: 3 racked lunges, 4 push press, 5 pull-ups => 3 rnds + 3

Lunges and push press were at 45#. Pull-ups were with the green band. I did this with a challenging weight but I did it *very* slowly. Heart rate felt great the whole time.

November 14th, 2011

Here’s the WOD:

• Tabata – Sprints
• 5 min Hip/Shoulder Mobility
• Grace => 30 RFT of: Clean & Jerk (95/135)
• Hollow Rocks – 15/15/15/15/15
• Good Mornings – 15/15/15/15/15 (45/75)

Here’s what I did…

• Tabata – Running

I did the Tabata but I didn’t sprint. I just ran strong and worked on form.

• Grace @ 55# => 4:21

Here’s a video of my Grace @ 55#…

I think I could have gone faster but I don’t wanna get the heart-rate up too high, ya know? I’m reaching over to my notebook every five reps to keep track of my reps. I lose count real easy these days…

• Hollow Rocks Sub => Hollow Hangs…

I’m not sure these are any better for me than Hollow Rocks. I think I’m gonna stick with Cat-Cows (aka Pelvic Tilts) for ab work.

• Good Mornings: 15×35, 15×45, 15×35, 15×45, 15×35

I supposed I coulda done 5x15x40, but I had 35 on the bar and grabbing a 45 bar was easy, so I just switched it up.

OTHER NOTES

I checked my resting heartrate last night. It was 58.

Also, here’s a photo!!

18 Weeks Preggie!

17 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

At 17 weeks, I’m feeling mostly normal again. Fatigue still hits about 9 pm each evening or mid-afternoon if I got up early. But I’m continuing to sleep at least eight hours a night. Still getting the occasional random headache, heartburn (without the burn) and very mild nausea. My frequently of urination has increased this week yet again. I’m still kinda constipated. Boobies are still tender. I still get the odd ’round ligament pain’ and twinge from the uterus growing. I’m still spacey and forgetful. Focus requires concentration. Also, clumsiness has made a sudden arrival – my kitchen floor has never seen so much action!

FOOD

I’ve decreased my carbs a bit and I haven’t noticed too much nausea from that; so I feel comfortable with that choice. I haven’t noticed any lack in energy but I have noticed that my baby bump is getting bigger!

I ate grass-fed beef liver this week and have increased my egg consumption. Yay! I’ve only noticed very very mild reactions to the eggs so I’m going to keep eating them but only at about half the rate as before the allergy showed up (like, only 4-5 per week instead of 8-10). The fish eggs are way too salty, so I’m taking two fermented cod liver oil capsules per day and calling it done. No fish eggs for me. I ate a few portions before I got pregnant, so I’ve already got some of that goodness into me.

I’m still taking Vitamin D, Enzymes, and Probiotics. My CrossFit coach noticed an article about the validity of taking up to 6000 IUs of Vitamin D daily while pregnant. I take 2000 IUs daily, plus the cod liver oil, plus I get regular sun exposure.

ACTIVITY

November 1, 2011

Today was our gym’s Olympic Lifting Total. I warmed up with an easy 500m row. Here are my totals:

• Snatch: 70#
• Clean + Jerk: 85# (PR!)
• Clean: 110# (PR by 20#!)

TOTAL: 265

Feels good to be strong!

In other news, I hit myself in the nose with the bar while I was warming up my C+Js. Ouch! It was still sore days later.

Finally… So because in November, we’ll be focusing on our Olympic Lifting Total, this video from One Fit Mom will be my motivator…

November 2, 2011

Here is the WOD:

• For Time: 800M Run
• SDHP- 5/5/5/5/5/5/5 (55/75);60 seconds rest after each round
• 1 HSPU every thirty seconds for 10 minutes
• For Time: 100 Squat Jumps
• 100 RNFT: Hollow Rock/SuperMan’s

Here’s what I did…

• Warm-up: 800m run => 4:23

That’s only 11 seconds off my PR.

• SDHP: (5×15, 5×35, 5×45) 5×50, 5×55, 5×50, 5×50, 5×50, 5×50, 5×50

I wanted to work on delaying my pull, like Kurt and Dan keep hammering into my head. Using the 50#, I was better able to control that form issue.

Also, I was dealing with my thumbs which kept hitting my boobs on the way down. OUCH!

• 1 HSPU every 30 seconds for 10 minutes

I did floor-pike push-ups with a folded yoga mat.

• 100 jumping air squats FT = 5:52

My target was the second lowest bar on the cage. The one that sticks out. My heart rate hit 170 for a few seconds towards the end of this one.

• (Modified) Hollow Rocks => 55 in 5 minutes.

Due to growing baby, I couldn’t do these with my feet fully stretched out. My knees were bent and my arms were stretched forward instead of above my head. I still felt it in my *not hollow* abs. Also due to growing baby, I couldn’t do SuperMans. I tried balancing on two wall-balls (one under hips, the other under chest) but because of the leverage, that mod doesn’t actually work the muscles that SuperMans are supposed to work. So I just did Hollow Rocks.

At the time, I didn’t know what I could do as a substitution for SuperMans but someone at my gym suggested “Good Mornings” which I think is a good suggestion. I might try that next time.

In the video I’ve linked to, she said Good Morning is more advanced than SuperMan. So perhaps it’s the right sub?

November 3, 2011

I walked a little over two miles.

November 4, 2011

Today, I jogged one mile.

November 7, 2011

Today I walked one mile.

OTHER NOTES

On Thursday morning, I checked my resting heart rate. It was 55. I think that’s good, right?’

Also, I had my second meeting with my midwife. Among other things, she checked my blood pressure. It was 112/68! Yay!

I asked her about the tightness that I’ve been feeling in my uterus after walking a mile or two and after some CrossFit WODS. She said, “Congratulations! You’re feeling Braxton Hicks Contractions! That’s normal and that’s good that you’re noticing them!” Yay!

Another really cool thing about my meeting with my midwife was all the helpful info I got from her about scaling some portions of my workouts!!

1. Squats: Sometimes, when I squat deep I get a mild pain on one side of my crotch. My midwife said that that pain is just where the round ligament attaches. She said to not push the weight too high when I squat, but not to worry about that pain if it’s minimal and goes away quickly. Also, I don’t need to worry about squat depth. Good!
2. Abdominals: I demonstrated the Hollow Rocks for my midwife. My midwife said that anything that pushes the belly out is dangerous (like Hollow Rocks; even the modification I did), because now that my uterus is pushing my abs outward, they aren’t being held inward. So any abdominal movement that pushes the belly IN is good; because we’re trying to keep the abdominals from separating. She suggested Angry Cats.
3. Jump Robe/Pike Push-ups: I’ve been wondering if doing double-unders or pike push-ups is harmful to my baby. My midwife says no. The baby is well cushioned and protected inside my and doing a few double-unders is not going to harm him or her.

Finally, tonight after my midwife appointment, I was sitting eating my dinner with my hubby when I yelped! I had just felt a distinct little thumb on the inside of my uterus! My babe had kicked me! I put my hand down and felt a little movement, but then it stopped. I’ve since felt the little thing move several times since then! YAY!!

Also, here’s a photo!!

17 Weeks Preggie!

16 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 16 weeks, I’m feeling much stronger. Fatigue is kind of consistent at about 9 pm each evening. But I’ve discovered that if I get up too early (and lose sleep) then I will be exhausted by mid-afternoon. That said, if I get enough sleep (8.5 hours at least), then I’m fine for a whole day with a Crossfit workout and a shopping trip and laundry and dinner, etc.

I’m still getting random headaches. My boobs are still sore (try doing push-ups with preggie-boobies! Ouch!). Constipation is still occurring. I’m peeing more and more often. Forgetfulness continues.

Food

So a few weeks ago I noticed that I was plumping up a bit. It seemed kind of sudden and it was definitely more than I wanted to plump up. This seemed to coincide with my nausea fading; but I didn’t change the amount of carbs (specifically rice products) I was eating. I’d up’d my carb intake during the first trimester because carbs helped keep my nausea at bay. But now that my nausea was easing up, I found I didn’t “need” as many carbs to stay sane. So I’ve pulled back on the carbs a bit (but not the calories), and I’ve noticed my arms and legs feeling less plump while my belly continues to grow. Yay!

I’ve only been able to get two servings of grass-fed beef liver down since my second trimester began. I’ve got some liver in the fridge and I’m going to cook it up soon and have it in a salad (my favourite way to have it). But the other thing is, I’m able to eat eggs again without an allergic reaction! Before I got pregnant, if I ate eggs, my eyelids will swell and get itchy. But In the last week, I’ve eaten about five eggs and I’ve had NO reactions! YAY! So if I’m not getting liver, at least I’m getting eggs. Remember my list?

I’m still noticing issues with milk and ice cream; but cheese and butter is fine. I don’t have easy access to raw dairy but I suspect that I could consume raw dairy with no issues. I will make an order this week and see if that theory holds out.

I’m still taking Vitamin D, Fermented Cod Liver Oil / Butter Oil, Enzymes, and Probiotics.

Activity

October 25, 2011 – 16 Weeks 

Today I walked a mile in the morning and then I walked a mile in the evening. Felt good.

October 26, 2011

Today I had work on a TV set so I was on my feet for most of the morning!

October 28, 2011

Here’s the WOD from today:

• Warm-up: 400M Run @ 85% Intensity
• PVC- Dislocate/Shoulder Mobility- 5 minutes
• Tabata- Wall Ball
• Press – 3/3/3/3/3 @ 70% 1RM
• Push Press – 3/3/3 @ 80% 1RM
• Thruster – 1/1/1 @ 90% 1RM
• HandStand Hold- 3 rounds 1 minute each

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: Row 500m => 2:28

It was super-cold outside! I didn’t want to go out! The coaches asked if I was up for running. i think they meant “because I’m pregnant” and on a warm day, I’d say, “of course!” but because it was so cold, I shook my head no. So I got to row instead. And got a proper warm-up.

• Tabata Wall Ball => 55

This was more difficult than when I did Karen. My squats are falling to pieces. 12# wall ball felt heavier than 12#. Ew.

• Press: 3×20, 3×30, 3×40, 3×40, 3×40
• Push Press: 3×40, 3×45, 3×50, 2×55

I attempted 3 at 55, but Tammy said my last rep was more like a Push Jerk. Oops! Some I’m only claiming two.

• Thruster: 1×55, 1×55, 1×55
• 2 planks + 2 pike push-up holds

I did the 2 planks and 2 pike push-up holds instead of the handstand push-up holds.

Oct 31, 2011

Today we did a CrossFit Total (CFT). That’s a Back Squat, Strict Press, and Dead-lift – in that order.

I warmed up with an easy 400m row. Then…

• Back Squat: 135# (PR by 10#)
• Press: 50#
• Deadlift: 185# (PR by 20#)

TOTAL: 370 (previous total 345, from September 30, 2011)

I don’t know why my press went down. I’d been feeling like it’d be going up. I also expected my squat to change; but I thought it’d go lower. Oh well. Still happy with my numbers!

Other Notes

Here’s a photo!!

16 Weeks Preggie!

15 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 15 weeks, nausea occurs occasionally in the evenings. And sometimes still when hungry (but not always). Fatigue has mostly subsided but I am more tired sooner in the evenings than before I was pregnant. And I still sometimes take a nap in the afternoons on days that I’ve had a workout in the morning. Mild headaches are still occurring occasionally. Constipation is still occurring. Nose stuffiness is still in effect. Frequency of urination seems like it has increased yet again. Boobies are still sore and vivid dreams continue. Forgetfulness seems to be getting worse. As I said to my mother, “I’m so forgetful that I forgot that I was forgetful before I got pregnant!”

Food

So I’m definitely going to be eating fewer rice produces and cut back on the carbs in general. Otherwise, everything will remain the same: chicken sausage with cheese and sauerkraut for breakfast, meat and starch or meat and salad for lunch, and meat and vegetable for dinner. My current favourite post-workout snack is an apple with some of my homemade nutella. I’m still drinking juice; but much less than a few weeks back.

Activity

October 17, 2011 – 15 Weeks (less one day)

This was the WOD:

• Warm Up- Coaches Choice
• DeadLift- 1/1/1/1/1 @85% 1RM
• Squat- 3/3/3/3/3 @80% 1RM
• Press- 6/6/6 @ 65% 1RM
• Half Cindy or Mary (Cindy is 5 pull-ups / 10 push-ups / 15 air squats)

Here’s what I did…

• Warm-up: 20 burpees
• Dead-lifts: 85% of 1RM was 140#, I did 5x(1×135#)
• Back Squats: 85% of 1RM was 100#, I did 5x(3×95#)
• Press: 85% of 1RM was 35#, I did 6×45#, 6×40#, 6×40#
• Half Cindy (10 minutes) => 5 full rounds + 5 pull-ups + 10 push-ups

I used the green band on the pull-ups and push-ups were modified w/ knees. I went slow on purpose. Didn’t push myself. Just kept a steady pace. Heart rate felt good.

October 18, 2011 – 15 Weeks

Today I jogged one mile and walked half a mile.

October 19, 2011 – 15 Week + 1 Day

Here’s the WOD:

• Warm-up: 400M Run @75% Intensity
• Isabel – 30 Snatch (135/95)
• Power Clean-2/2/2/2/2/2/2 @ 80% 1RM

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: 500m row @ 26 spm (75%) => 2:39
• Snatch Warm-up: 5×15, 3×35, 1×45, 3×40
• Isabel: 4:37 @ 35#
• Power Cleans: 2×35, 2×50, 2×60, 2×70, 2×70, 2×70, 2×70

It was raining pretty hard when I got to the gym this morning. So we subbed rowing for running. 2:39 is just 6 seconds off of my PR for 500m and it was pretty easy. I bet I could PR now if I tried. Nice to know that I’m improving – even while preggie!

On the Snatches/Isabel, I just couldn’t get power this morning. Was it lack of sleep? Was it pregnancy? Was it that I didn’t want to hurt myself? I think it’s mostly that I’m slowly draining myself of pride in wanting to lift heavy and transferring it to pride in wanting to lift well. Also, I don’t want to strain anything in my core these days. Ya know, being pregnant and all!

On the Power Cleans, 80% of my 1RM was 72# so I felt confident with 70#. They felt good. Challenging but good.

Heart rate felt good.

October 20, 2011 – Rest Day

October 21, 2011 – 15.5 Weeks

Here’s the WOD:

• Hang Power Clean- 3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3 @65% 1RM
• Front Squat- 3/3/3 @80% 1RM
• Press- 2/2/2/2/2 (Max Effort)

Here’s what I did:

• WU1: Tabata Rope Undulation
• WU2: 10m AMRAP of 20 DU / 15 AirSq / 10 Ring Row => 1 rnd + 10
• Hang Power Cleans @ 65% of 1RM: (WU 3×15, 3×30, 3×45) 10 sets of 3×50 + 1 set of 3×65

These were somewhat easy. Perhaps my 1RM is off? It’s dated from July…?

• Front Squats @ 80% of 1RM: (WU 3×50, 3×65) 3×85, 3×85, 3×85

These were tough. I really tried to worked on form – i.e. keeping my chest up and not leaning forward too much.

• Press (Max Effort): 2×35, 2×45, 2×55, F@60, F@60, 2×55 (PR!)

Nothing to say. Except that my 1RM is 55 and I couldn’t even do one rep of 60. That wall is solid. 

October 22, 2011 – Rest

October 23, 2011  - 15 Weeks plus 5 days

Jogged 1 mile.

October 24, 2011 – 15 Weeks plus 6 days

HEre’s the WOD:

• For Time: 100 Double Unders
• Squat- 5/5/5 @ 65-80% 1RM
• Zercher Squat- 3/3/3/3/3 @ 65% 1RM
• Over Head Squat- 1/1/1/1/1 @ 90% 1RM
• 21/15/9 RFT of: HSPU/Ring Dips/Pistols (each leg)

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: I broke the rope I was using after an unbroken set of 11 DUs; so I just did jumping jacks for the rest of the time until the last person finished their 100s.
• (Box) Squats: (WU 5×45, 5×45) 5×65, 5×85, 3×90, 5×85

I failed on the fourth rep on the set at 90#. So I went back to 85.

• Z. Squats: 3x 55 / 65 / 65 / 65 / 65

I worked in with another athlete, Marina. These were easier than I thought they’d be. Also, easier to maintain form – I guess because it was lighter weight?

• OHS: F@65, 1×50, 1×55, 1×55, 1×55, 1×55

55 is 68% of my 1RM.

I think pregnancy hormones are making my squats go to crap because of the hormone relaxin. It’s either that or that I’ve been working on correcting my form. Or both.

• 21 / 15 / 9 RFT of HSPU / Ring Dips / Pistols => 21:03

I did 18# KB Press, leg-assisted ring dips, and arm-assistant pistols.

Thanks to Dan for all the great coaching, and to Marina and Rory for the encouragement and helpful corrections!

Other Notes

Here’s a photo!!

15 Weeks Preggie!

14 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 14 weeks, nausea is still in the evenings (although not every evening). Fatigue still occurs occasionally. Mild headaches still occur occasionally. Boobies are still sore and vivid dreams continue. Constipation is still occurring. Nose stuffiness is a little better this week. I’m feeling my uterus more and more and frequency of urination has increased.

Food

I’m kinda stuck in the rut of my first trimester food needs. I think I’m over it (the nausea-related carb needs) and I can clean up my diet a bit, but I’m so comfortable with all the juice and fruit and rice pasta. It’s hard to give it up. Also, part of me is scared that if I stop eating all the rice products that I’ll go back to being nauseous (rationally, I know that’s silly; but hey, I’m pregnant!).

Activity

So my plan is to start doing three Crossfit workouts a week and two one-mile jogs. I really want to stay fit and not become a preggie-blimp! Also, I’ve read enough about how much stronger baby’s hearts are in mothers who exercise, so I want my baby to have the best heart I can give him or her! So here we go!

October 12, 2011 – 14.1 Weeks

This was the WOD:

• 400M Run @ 75% intensity
• DeadLift- 5/5/5/5/5/5/5 (build to 85% 1RM)
• Power Clean- 3/3/3 (max effort)
• 12 AMRAP of: Run 200M/3Power Clean (BW/75%BW)/20Ball Slam (15/20)

Sooo… I have no idea if I could have worked harder or if I worked too hard.

Here’s what I did:

• 400 m run @ 75% => 1:58
• Dead Lifts @ 85% of 1RM: (WU 45×5, 65×5) 5×85, 5×115, 5×140, 4×140, 5×140, 5×140, 1×140
• Power Cleans: (WU 3×15) 3×65, 3×75, 3×85
• 12 min AMRAP: run 200m / 3 power cleans @ 70# / 20 ball slam @ 10#

=> 4 rounds

Heart rate was even around 150. My midwife says this is fine for a short workout like a 12 minute amrap.

I was concerned about my form on the dead-lifts and power-cleans. Is my uterus okay? Didn’t feel any pain or strain, so I guess so…?

October 14, 2011 – 14.5 Weeks

Today was a day of PRs. It’s so exciting to PR when you’re preggie. Makes you feel awesome!

Here is the WOD:

• For Time- 100 Air Squats
• Press- 5/5/5 (build to 85% 1RM)
• Push Press- 3/3/3 (Max Effort)
• Jerk- 1/1/1 (Max Effort)

And a MetCon:

• 5 RFT of: 50′ Bear Crawl/20 Toes To Bar

So, here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: 3:00 min row => 557 m
• 100 Air Squats FT => 3:15
• Strict Press => 3×25, 3×35, 3×45
• Push Press => 3×45, 3×50, 3×55, 3×60 (PR)
• Push Jerk => 1×60 (PR), 1×65 (PR), 1×70 (PR)
• Split Jerk => 1×75 (PR)

I’ve got Push Jerks and Split Jerks listed seperately in my PR list. When I got the 70# PR with just a Push Jerk, I knew I could get a 75# Split Jerk and I knew it would be a PR. So I threw two 2.5# plates on the bar and knocked out another PR. Just because it’d make me feel good. Ha!

• MetCon:

50 Mtn Climbers / 20 K2E
50 Mtn Climbers / 20 Abmat Sit-ups
50 Mtn Climbers / 1 minute plank
50 Mtn Climbers / 20 Abmat Sit-ups
50 Mtn Climbers / 20 Abmat Sit-ups

=> 9:35

Coach Iz gave me an out from doing the T2B or K2E because of ’round ligament pain’ so I took it (thanks Coach!). The funny thing is, once my belly gets too big to do sit-ups, I might have to switch back to K2E…? Anyway, I was glad that my hands and forearms were not getting ripped up from this MetCon. Others’ hands and arms were spazzing out and they were falling off the bar!

My heart rate felt good the whole time.

October 15, 2011 – 14.6 Weeks

I went for a one mile jog.

Other Notes

I’m starting to really notice my belly and my uterus as I move around, workout and squat…!

Also, on Sunday morning, I checked my resting heart-rate. It was 55. That’s good for my first trimester, right?

13 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 13 weeks, nausea is still in the evenings. Fatigue is easing up slightly. Mild headaches still occur occasionally. Boobies are still sore and vivid dreams continue. Constipation has eased up this week a little. Nose stuffiness holds steady from last week.

Food

Any aversions I had have kind of subsided; but I’m still craving sour foods. Vinegar and dill are two of my favourites. Haven’t yet tried “pickles and ice-cream” although my husband says that he expects me to rave about it any day now.

Activity

This week I did three workouts instead of two! And I went for a one mile run as well on one of my “off” days. Fatigue is subsiding! I’m gonna kick it up a notch! HA!

October 3, 2011 – 13 Weeks

This was the WOD:

• Warm Up – 5 min of Hip Mobility
• 400M Run
• Squat-  5/5/5/5/5 @ 65%1RM
• For Time: Descending ladder (6 to 1) of  Squat @ (Body Weight/75%BW) and HSPU

Here’s what I did:

• 400m run = 2:01

I intentionally took it easy. Sprinted a little at the end.

• Back Squats: 5×5 => 80#

I am still dealing with not getting deep enough on my back squats and leaning forward too much. With coaching from Dan I was able to get better on my first three of each set, but tired on the last two each time and my form suffered. Widening my stance and lowering the bar position helped.

• Descending Ladder of Back Squats / HSPU For time => 4:36

I sub’ed regular push-ups for Hand Stand Push Ups (HSPU) or their typical alternative, pike push-ups, because I didn’t want to fall on my belly. That gave me a serious time advantage.

Also, 75% of my body weight is only 10# less than my 1RM. So I definitely didn’t to the Met Con Rx. I up’d my bar weight from 80# to 85# for the Met Con and after the 3rd round (4 reps) Coach Dan said my form was going to sh!t and that he was going to drop my weight. I told him, “No! I’ll get it!” So he gave me the 4th round (3 reps) to get my form right, and I didn’t; so while I did my 3 push-ups he dropped my weight to 75# and I did the last two rounds at that weight.

I was angry. Angry that I hadn’t listened to him in the first place (and dropped my weight before starting) and angry that I couldn’t get my form right. Sigh.

Thanks Coach Dan for keeping such a close eye on me.

October 5, 2011 – 13.1 Weeks

Here is the WOD:

• Run 800M @ 80% Intensity
• DeadLift- 3/3/3/3/3 Max Effort
• 9 min AMRAP of : 5 DeadLift(225/135)/10 Toes To Bar

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: 800m => 4:29

Not bad for 80% effort and 100% preggie! 

• Deadlifts: (WU 45×6, 65×6) 85×3, 105×3, 125×3, 145×3, 165×1, 155×3

Thanks to Coach Tammy, for pushing me within reasonable confines.

• MetCon => 85#, 5 rounds + 5 DL

Of course, I subbed knee raises for T2B. The MetCon felt good, except for my burning palms.

Heart rate and core strength felt good and stable.

October 8, 2011 – 13.5 Weeks

This WOD I did with Crossfit London, in Ontario, Canada because I was at my parents’ home for Canadian Thanksgiving! Thanks to Coach Dave for being so welcoming and accommodating!

At Crossfit London, they have everybody warm up on their own with things like: sit-ups, hip extensions, pull-ups, press, and OHS. And then after a while, everybody does the WOD together.

Here’s the WOD…

For time:

• 400m run
• 21 box jumps (28/24)
• 12 dead lifts (80kg/60kg)
• 400m run
• 21 tuck jumps
• 12 kettle bell swings (1.5 pood / 1 pood)
• 400 m run
• 21 double unders
• 12 SDHP (2 pood / 1.25 pood)

Here’s what I did:

• 400m run
• 21 box jumps (step up, step down)
• 21 dead lifts (88#)
• 400m run
• 21 air squats
• 21 kettle bell swings (16kg)
• 400m run (walked with my father)
• 21 double unders
• 12 SDHP (16kg)

=> 16:30

No, that’s not a typo in my workout. I accidentally thought that all the reps were supposed to be 21, not 12 (until the SDHP!); so I accidentally did more than I was supposed to! ACK! Ah well…

Good workout!

Other Notes

Here’s some photos of me doing the dead lift from October 5th! Thanks to Tammy for the nerdy photos!

Here’s my attempt at 165# – I only did one rep.

Dead-lift: 165#; only got one, but good set-up, eh?

And here’s the successful attempt at 3 reps of 155#!

Dead-lift: 155#; yeah!

So now you know, I’m just an average girl-nerd in funny pants doing Crossfit. I’m definitely not elite. But I want you to know, it’s possible to maintain strength and fitness while preggie for the average girl-nerd!

12 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 12 weeks, nausea is switching to consistently in the evening. Fatigue, headaches, sore boobies, and vivid dreams continue. Constipation is still my constant friend. Nose stuffiness has improved a bit.

Food

So my midwife says my iron levels are good (on the low end of good; but good). So instead of taking iron supplements, I’m going to continue ensuring that I get foods rich in iron. Foods like: liver, red meat, cod liver oil, spinach, leafy green veggies. Also, I’m trying to ensure that I drink a citrus drink with my red meat to help increase the iron absorption. Somewhere, on the internets, I read that it helps. However, I’ve not had much liver since I got pregnant because, as others predicted, I was NOT able to stomach it during my first trimester. So I just bought some this week. I think I will be able to get it down again. And if you’re concerned about my Vitamin A levels, please read this before commenting.

Activity

September 27, 2011 – 12 Weeks

This was the WOD:

• Warm Up: 6 rounds of Row30Sec @ 90%; 60 Sec Rest
• For Time: 21/18/15/12/9/6/3 of Squat (95/65)/ Push Press(95/65)/ Sit Ups

Today’s WOD was fun… I did:

• WU: 6 rnds 30 sec 90% row w/ 60 sec rest

=> Total 867 m (avg 144 m / set)

Because of the rest periods, I was able to really push myself during the work periods. Kept my 500m pace at around 1:52 during the last four sets. First two sets were like the warm-ups for the last four. Ha!

• Descending Rounds FT: 18 / 15 / 12 / 9 / 6 / 3 of Squat (40#) / Push Press (40#) / Sit ups

=> 14:03

Tammy suggested that I scrap the first round (21) in order to not overheat (being preggie and all). I wish I knew what time I could have gotten had I done all the rounds and done them Rx. But I’ll have to wait until next year to try Rx again. Patience!!!

Heart rate was steady throughout the WOD at about 145-150. I felt strong and felt like I kept a good pace.

But then I bailed on the cash-out.

September 30, 2011 – 12.5 Weeks

Here’s the WOD:

• Crossfit Total: 1RM Deadlift, 1RM Squat, 1RM Strict Press

We also had a warm up.

In a little over 6 minutes, I did 2 rounds of 25 DU + 200 m run. Still having trouble with DUs. I blame preggie-coordination. Or is that preggie-lack-of-coordination…?

• Back Squats: 125# (PR by 20#)
• Push Press: 55# (same as old PR)
• Dead Lift: 165# (PR by 10#)

TOTAL: 345 (at 12.5 weeks preggie!)

I think I could’ve gone heavier on the back squats and dead lifts. On the push press, I failed at 60#, so I feel comfortable with that number. I think perhaps I could have tried for heavier weight on the DL. I’ll try to improve my form before trying for heavier weight on the back squats.

Or maybe I’ll just wait until after April of next year… 

Thanks for letting me lift heavy today Coach Iz!

Other Notes

This week, I also had my first hormone-related ugly cry. It was over two family pets who both left us looong ago (one in 1992!). Ryan (hubby) was helpful in talking sense into me. I hope this doesn’t happen often; my nose can’t take the abuse!!

11 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 11 weeks, nausea appears occasionally during the daytime but is still consistent in the evenings, I have been getting more headaches and the headaches are more severe than before (but still not bad). Fatigue is still common. Nose stuffiness is mildly worse than last week. I endured several rounds of diarrhea on Saturday (probably from bad food). Since then, no bowel movements; so I suppose constipation has returned. Sore breasts and vivid dreams continue.

Food

I am still craving sour things and juice. More juice!! Have started including more corn because I’m getting tired of potatoes and rice. I do try to keep protein and carbs balanced with each snack and meal.

I had been eating smaller more frequent meals to help with the nausea and I’m finding that I’m able to go for longer periods of time now without food. Yay.

Activity

September 19, 2011 – 11 Weeks

This was the WOD:

• Squats – 12/12 @65%1RM
• 25/20/15/10/5 RFT of: K.B. Swing (24/16kg)/ Squat Jump/T2B

I showed up feeling a little nauseous; but as I’ve found, a little activity helps the nausea subside for a while. But also, too much activity makes me feel a little sick again. Ha!

• Warm-up: 2 RFT of 20 each, sit-ups / flutter kicks / russian twists w/ 10#

I only did two rounds of Tammy’s ab warmup because it was taking me too long with my nausea. Ugh.

=> 3:58

• Squats: 12/12 at 65% of 1RM

I warmed up with 15×3, 35×3, 65×3, 70×3.

=> I worked with 70#.

• 25/20/15/10/5 RFT of KB Swing / Squat Jump / T2B:

I used 12 kg / 26 # on the KB and only did knee raises on the T2B and even with that my heart rate hit 150 and stayed there. I tried to take breaks but I was feeling macho and couldn’t slow myself down enough.

Felt a little nauseous at the end, but that might have been hunger.

=> 15:21

September 22, 2011 – 11.25 Weeks

Here’s the WOD:

• Warm Up – Coaches Choice
• 3 RFT of: Row 500M/ 10 Squat Clean & Jerk

Wooo… This was a great class!! Tammyli is an excellent coach.

Here’s what I did:

• Warm-up: 5 min AMRAP of 5 pull-ups / 10 push-ups / 15 air squats / 20 sit-ups / 25 DUs

=> I got two rounds minus 24 DUs.

• 3 RFT: 500m row / 10 Squat Clean & Jerks @ 35#

I kept a slow pace on the rower and powered through the C&Js five at a time. Tried to keep my heart rate around 145. I intentionally used a lighter weight to keep my heart rate lower.

=> 16:05

Other Notes

Please send pickles!

10 WEEKS PREGGIE

This is a series on being a pregnant paleo/primal Crossfitter. I found out that I was pregnant in August 2011. My due date is April 2012. I post each week about my Crossfit workouts, what I’m eating and various pregnancy symptoms. Just because I can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it; but you can use my blog as research for your own prescription!

I recommend checking out a few other blogs of women who are paleo and pregnant, or crossfitting and pregnant or both! Here’s a few favs: One Fit Mom, Joyful Abode, and Fitness Editor Blog.

…

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 10 weeks, nausea is decreasing slightly though still occurring when hungry and in the evenings. Fatigue occurs for a few hours each day. Constipation, sore breasts and vivid dreams continue. A few skin blemishes have popped up.

Food

I am craving sour things (vinegar, sauerkraut, pickles) and juice. And, as I’ve mentioned before, I have a thirst that cannot be quenched with water; so I bought juice. And now juice has become paramount. Mango, cran-apple, orange. Give me juice!!!

Activity

September 14, 2011 – 10 Weeks

This was the WOD:

• 1k Row (for men every second over 3:30 perform 2 Burpees for women 1 Burpee penalty/ 50 Burpee cap)
• Squat- 1 rep @ 90%1RM every minute on the minute for 10 minutes
• Pistol- 1ea. every 30 seconds for 10 minutes

Here’s what I did:

• 1K Row = 4:15 (PR by 39 seconds!)

Even though I’m supposed to go easy, I wanted to do my best on the row so I blasted through the first 400 m keeping my pace at 1:55, then I failed, crashed and fell to a 2:15 pace. Ugh.

I only did 15 of my 45 burpees.

• Squats = 1 rep every min, for 10 min (total 11) @ 95#

I warmed up with 45×3, 65×1, 85×1, and 95×1. My current 1RM is 105# so I felt okay with 95#. Heart rate stayed about 140.

• Pistols.

I did one each every 30 seconds for the first 3 minutes, assisted with the pole and on a 12″ box. But my heart rate climbed up to 160 so for the last 7 minutes I did just one each every minute on the minute.

Thanks Coach Dan for keeping an eye on me!

September 16, 2011 – 10.5 Weeks

Here’s the WOD:

• Weighted Pull Up- 1/1/1/1/1/1/1; 60 Seconds rest between efforts
• 30/20/10 RFT of: Pull Ups/Push Ups/Over Head Lunge (45/25) {60 reps per leg}

So today I worked on finding how light I could go on the band-assisted pull-ups before I couldn’t do one. Turns out, I can go lighter than I thought! Yay!

I warmed up on the pull-ups with:

Black Medium x3
Green Band x3
Black Medium Band x3

These bands are the same “weight” but because the black bands are older, they are slightly “harder”.

• I did the 1/1/1/1/1/1/1 workout with the blue band.

I was very happy with that. I had tried it with the tiny pink band but I couldn’t do it.

Then:

• 30/20/10 RFT of: Pull-ups, Push-ups, OH Lunges w/ 25#

I did the first 10 pull-ups with the Medium Black band (older, stretchier); then switched to the stronger Green band for the duration. I did the first 10 (each leg) lunges with the 25# plate, then switched to the 15# plate for the duration.

= 23:36

I had to stop a few times to let my heart rate come back to a normal rate.

Other Notes

Must have juice!!