Thanksgiving ‘break’ was really wonderful. We squeezed in seeing so much family and really enjoyed being with everyone.
Hailey had a ball with all her cousins, both younger and older, and it has me so excited to raise sisters (thank you for all the congrats)!
The family was the highlight of the holiday…
…but then there was the food.
The delicious, indulgent food that lasted for four days straight. Dips, burgers, pie, chilis…
Oh hey there green veggies. Nice of you to photo bomb my Fritos Scoops. I didn’t stuff myself, but the constant intake of heavy food was more than I’m used to and, despite it’s deliciousness, by Sunday I felt sluggish, heavy and just plain ugh.
Needless to say I was psyched to get back on track this week.
Being pregnant on top of my usual beliefs of healthy eating means I’m definitely not for restriction, but I am for cleaning things up quickly. To me this means…
– Focusing on whole foods. Vegetables, whole grains, proteins, lentils and fruits get the spotlight and processed foods like breads, pastas, baked goods, crackers, etc get set aside.
– Increasing fluid intake. I pull out my oversized water jug and focus on getting a few jugs full down in the day. I also have been sipping apple cider vinegar with water and honey to aid in digestion, to help control my blood sugar levels and for it’s immune boosting properties. In the evenings, I’ve been sipping on a decaf ginger tea that isn’t only delicious, but helps settle any remaining pregnancy nausea.
– Get moving. Oh, the gym felt great yesterday! I did Jess’ second trimester circuit, plus 20 minutes on the elliptical. Other exercise planned for week includes wogging, prenatal yoga and more weights. Sore shoulders has never felt so satisfying!
17 weeks and feeling good.
After the gym, I planned out some clean eating meals for the week, then loaded up on the good stuff.
So what does clean look like to me?
Onion, spinach, tomato and goat cheese omelet, topped with avocado and oranges on the side.
Baby kale salad with dried cranberries, pistachios, goat cheese and homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
Vegetable lentil soup with parmesan cheese and hot sauce.
And Hailey’s version. I shared yesterday on instagram that I’ve been in a habit of making soups, then mixing them with either brown rice, quinoa or millet to create a warm meal for Hailey without the mess of combing a toddler and liquid soup!
(Reminder- Munchkin Meals Link up in Thursday!)
I can’t tell you how much better I feel already. Being pregnant during the holiday season and getting to wear glorious, stretchy maternity pants may seem like a wonderful thing, but it’s tricky. There is only so long I can fool myself into thinking that all my indulgences are going to my belly only. Plus, I want this baby girl to thrive on quality, nutrient-rich foods, not fried potatoes. By keeping my meals clean most of the time, I can indulge in the occasional holiday treat without it making me feel rundown and sluggish. Win/win!
What do you do when you feel the need to get back on track?
Lindsay says
Brittany, what is that super awesome toy the kids are playing on? My girls (4.5 and 18months) would love that from Santa! Great job with the healthy eats and exercise. I love checking your blog for food inspiration!
Brittany Dixon says
Just got the link from my sis-in-law– http://www.magiccabin.com/Active-Child/Rocking-Seesaw.htm
Hailey loved it!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
great post! 🙂 great minds think alike with our posts today hehe
Maureen says
I’ve been doing the same thing! I had fun indulging in a few foods I rarely eat this past weekend, but I am LOVING my regular, clean food this week!
Chantal says
Oh your food looks so good. I can’t wait for us to get settled in our new home so we can start eating good. My digestion is taking a hit!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Last week was full of heavy eats for me too. It was glorious! But I feel you on the getting back on track. Vishnu and I went grocery shopping yesterday and filled up on veggies, fruits, beans, etc.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Definitely more water. And watching portion control a little more. That’s really it. I ate plenty of junk last week but I never felt like I completely stuffed myself. So it was easy to get back to normal this week. 🙂
Elizabeth @ my neon running shoes says
Eggs with avocado look so yummy right now! Your 17 week bump is so cute 🙂 you look great! Have a wonderful day!
John J. Stathas says
More exercise. Exercise reminds me to ” do the next right thing” for my overall well being.
Danica @ It's Progression says
This is exactly how I get “back on track,” too – just refocus on clean, wholesome foods again. Restriction only leads to the desire to eat more of the less healthy food, so I kind of ease my way back into my routine. It always feels so good to eat my “normal foods” after a holiday weekend of treats 🙂
Keri @ WithLoveFromColorado says
Holy wow.You look great at 17 weeks! It’s fun to stumble across another expecting mom blogger. And I’m definitely with you on needing to get back on track after Thanksgiving indulging. My get back on track foods are green smoothies, roasted veggies over arugula, grain salads with nuts and berries (we aren’t paleo around here), and I might have to try a version of your omelet soon!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I have a very similar attitude and mentality as you. When we were in AZ a couple weeks ago, we were constantly enjoying heavy and rich foods. It was all wonderful, but like you said, by the end of the week, I felt BLAH and sluggish. I didn’t go crazy and restrict when we got home, but instead ate lots of greens, drank lots of water, and got moving. Within a few days, I felt back to normal!
Jen says
YES. I feel kind of lucky that I wasn’t pregnant with Wyatt over the holidays. Usually I indulge, indulge, indulge from Thanksgiving- New Year’s without feeling the slightest bit of guilt. But this year I’m trying so much harder to be healthier for the poor baby’s sake.
Ali says
Getting back on track to me means eating foods in their purest forms and trying to eat only foods with 1 ingredient (or the fewest possible). Since cutting out gluten, dairy and eggs, I rarely feel like this, which is so nice. Even when I eat sweets and baked goods that are allergen free, I don’t feel as bad.
Dominique @ Eat, Pray, Lift says
Getting back on track usually means more protein and less (read: aim for zero!) sugar, less grains/dairy and more veggies and eggs and that kind of thing. I rarely have an issue with skipping workouts, but after indulgent eating, I especially like to get in some good and sweaty HIIT and strength training.
You look so adorable with your little bump, by the way! 🙂
Bethany says
I do the same thing as you and focus on whole nutrient rich foods when I need to get back on track, it really makes a difference! Oh, and try to avoid sugary things, including the “healthy” sugary things like protein bars and cereals which still send my blood sugar on a ride regardless of their healthy label.
Emily S says
Mmmmm yummy food.
Where was the burger from?
Brittany Dixon says
Fuddruckers!! I get a little crazy with all the topping options 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
“Clean” food is just so much more colorful and pretty, isn’t it? 🙂
Marjorie says
Congrats on the baby girl! I was one of two girls, and having a sister was great.
I am currently on Weight Watchers, so if I have veered too far off the rails, I make sure I track everything…good, bad and ugly. Tracking/logging my food gets me right back on the bandwagon. Just the simple act of paying that extra little bit of attention to what I am eating (by measuring and tracking) makes all the difference in the world. Of course, I do not track when I am preggers! So that doesn’t help you much, but maybe some of your other readers need help getting back on track and will find that helpful. 🙂
I also try to eat mostly whole foods. I find I am more satisfied and less hungry when I eat less processed stuff.
Ashlee@HisnHers says
You’re looking great! It’s inspiring to see you having such a healthy, balanced pregnancy
char eats greens says
For me, definitely a ton of veggie and drinking lots of water. It’s funny that once you’re in the habit of eating healthy (with holidays and other special occasions thrown in there!), it doesn’t feel like that anymore; it just is what it is! My “reward” for writing my term paper last week was roasting rutabaga the following night. How super dorky am I (or how super underrated rutabagas are?! haha)
Jen@PregnantDiabetic says
My Endocrinologist recommended I continue drinking water/ACV/lemon combo. He said apple cider can help a lot of things, but it’s absolutely PROVEN to lower blood sugars. I try and drink a giant glass in the evening and my morning blood sugar is always on target when I do that.
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run. says
For us to get back on track, we just need to make sure that no bad stuff hops into our cart without us looking. Sneaky little things. If we don’t have it in the house, we’re less likely to have the junk. That always puts me back on, or keeps me on track.