Though I’ve had my energy back for a couple of weeks now, we’ve only been walking around our neighborhood. Chris has been mowing lawns for a workout then we go for a walk and he very much enjoys that. Well finally today we went to the Y and I admit, I felt great! I do love going, it’s just getting up out of the house and doing it. I need to get my swim suit, another change of clothes, make sure I don’t forget my deodorant, fix the kids up, fix their hair, make sure they are good to go. That’s a job in itself!

I am going to make it a goal to work out at the Y at least three times a week, and on days I don’t to at least go for a walk. We pay to be members of the Y so we need to use it. We may go to the pool tomorrow or Sunday so that’s one day, and then next week I know we’ll go a couple of times. Chris is very interested in getting into better shape because he is interested in different jobs within the military that require he be in better shape.

Of course another incentive is the kids love the child care part. They are constantly talking about the kids they meet in there and once we even saw one of the kids out in town - I love that, the connection to the community, even in that small way.

I haven’t had to take my vitamin B for morning sickness for just about a week! You have no idea how happy I am that the phase passed by. And I’m glad it wasn’t that bad, I’ve heard stories about being sick all day long, not being able to eat at all, etc. Mine was just when I woke up and since it was the first time I’ve experienced this, I’m just happy to be done.

I’m feeling great all around. I have energy again and have only been sleeping at night. I have been going to bed later then usual, but I chalk that up to Chris’ horrible work schedule. He is on leave for a few days so hopefully I can get back to normal again. I really enjoy having a couple of hours to myself in the morning, I’ve never claimed to be a morning person so the quiet helps me wake up and also clean a few things before the kids wake up.

We haven’t been to the Y in over a week and are actually debating quitting our membership. I’m not sure what is stopping us from going, but we seem to have lost our excitement over the place. I hope this is a short phase, one that ends once we just go already, as gymnastics through the Y is much cheaper then through the private gym they were attending. Today Alice said she missed gymnastics, but I’m not sure if she just said that because I asked as she never mentions the classes.

I’m glad to be feeling like my old self again - albeit an old self that can’t button her jeans anymore.

The Y keeps me from working out! Yes I blame them. We went the other day and the pool was closed. Chris decided to alternate between running (while I walk) and doing the machines (which I’m not interested in, but I’ve used a couple of times or I just visit him). We went again today and the pool was closed *plus* all of the treadmills were all being used. That was the first time that happened though so hopefully it was a one time deal. We ended up on the machines and did a few exercises. I can’t wait until I can take advantage of six sessions with a personal trainer, they let us both put our sessions on hold until we were ready for them.

We are trying to get to the Y every day but that hasn’t worked out so well - I got really sick around noon a couple of days in a row (right when we were getting ready to leave) but (knock on wood) that hasn’t happened for a day or two.

I finally looked up exercising while pregnant and after reading a few articles, it started coming back to me. Important points to remember:

• Don’t overheat
• Drink plenty of water
• Remember your center of balance will be off so be careful as to which exercises you do
• Walking and yoga are highly recommended as they are relatively easy and you can still get your heartrate up to fitness level

I didn’t exercise regularly before getting pregnant, no had I with my other kids, so these reminders are good. We went to the Y again today and I stuck with walking for 20 minutes (3mph, which is one mile) and then the pool afterward. We are taking tomorrow as a resting day since we have gone three days in a row.

We went to the Y again this afternoon - I did 20 minutes on the treadmill, going 3mph most of the time though I did run for about a minute. Once I was done on the treadmill, Chris and I swam for about an hour. I didn’t get a chance to try out the water aerobics class as it was this evening and we were done working out. Plus there is a limit as to how long we can leave the kids in the child care room!

I feel great. I’m tired and going to bed early tonight, but not like I’m going to bed at 4PM like I did last week. I need to read up more on exercising while pregnant!

Last week we joined the Y - and wow it was about time! We drive by it all the time, it’s on the way to town (ie gymnastics for the kids, Target, any restaurant, etc.), and talked about joining several times over the past year and a half. Finally we got around to it last week - since Chris stopped smoking and drinking coffee he’s felt the need to work out to help him get past it. Plus the added benefit of getting in shape and being healthy!

I am going to start attending water aerobics sometime this week. They offer several classes a week so with luck I can go at least twice a week. Yesterday when we worked out I was on the treadmill for about 20 minutes and then in the water for about an hour. I never exercised while pregnant with the other kids so I hope this makes a difference. I’m not looking to lose weight but I know being in better shape will help when labor comes.