5 Tips For Staying in Shape During Pregnancy

tank: Target

cardigan: Target

jeans: Pink Blush Maternity c/o 

sneakers: New Balance

sunglasses: Tory Burch

When it comes to pregnancy, our society has given a no-limit, all-excuses fly, don't-tell-her-what-to-eat pass to women. For some reason, when a woman is growing a human being, it's OK for her to give in to every single craving, over indulge and watch her body become a shapeless mess. Yes, I know, trust me! I've been there. I ate way too many chicken sandwiches and crepes during my first pregnancy and gained too much weight (while doctors said nothing). This time around it's very different - I diligently watch what I eat, exercise, don't give into cravings and keep on top of my fluid intake . Here are some of my tips for keeping the weight gain under control.

1. Drink Water. Drinking plenty of water (not juice, not smoothies or lattes, just plain old water) will keep all those extra calories away from you. A few calories here, another there and drinks can add up to a hefty amount of your daily calorie intake. Stick to water. If you can't do plain, infuse it with fruits and citrus, which is a great way to detox your body of all the unhealthy stuff, without causing damage to the baby.

2. Cut Back on Salt. When people think pregnancy cravings, they imagine ice cream and cupcakes. I'll take smoked salmon and clam chowder any day over the cakes and pastries. It's my weakness. Salt retains fluid and makes you thirsty, causes edema and unnecessary weight gain. I have cut back significantly on amount of salt I put into my food (husband always complains that everything is under salted - good for me though). I don't salt my scrambled eggs if I know I'll be putting ketchup over them and avoid overly salty snacks like chips, salted nuts and cheese.

3. Skip One Complex Carb a Day. I love my bread as much as the next girl and can't live without potatoes but I have been trying to go one meal without any kind of complex carbohydrates (fruits don't count). If I know I will be having mashed potatoes for dinner, I won't have toast with my breakfast. If have croissant for lunch, I will skip starch during dinner time and load up on salad and protein.

4. Eat Healthy Snacks. I fall off the wagon plenty of times, but my day to day go-to snack is plain yogurt loaded with fruits, or simple granola (not the one drenched in chocolate or peanut butter). Also, I'm a big lover of fruits so I load up on those whenever I feel hungry. The key here is not to treat fruits as free pass, they still have calories and sugar. Have just a little bit to satisfy your craving and make sure to drink plenty again.

5. Do Some Kind of Moderate Exercise. When I say moderate, I mean, get up and walk, park further away from the store and take stairs instead of elevator. Every time an opportunity to move arrives, take it and welcome it instead of complaining about having to get off the couch. Either it's palates or simply taking a walk around the neighborhood, move that booty more rather than less. You will thank me later. 

I don't deprive myself of any certain food group but eat everything in moderation. If I have a pistachio cupcake, I have just one and don't add sugar/honey to my tea. If I buy smoked salmon, I don't salt the eggs and have only 1/2 of the toast. It's all about portion control. Every day, every time you sit down to eat or open your cupboard think how is it going to benefit your body and what exactly are you putting inside. Trust me, it's a lot easier to keep the weight off than try to loose it when the baby arrives and you have absolutely no time for yourself. I learned it the hard way so take it from me, instead

Link Up: DC in Style

Shop My Look

Eyelet

dress: J.Crew
shoes: Dorothy Perkins sold out (similar 1 / 2  / 3)
clutch: Target (similar under $20)
bracelet: Kate Spade
belt: thrifted (similar)
sunglasses: Choies c/o 

If there's anything that makes a pregnant woman feel like a million bucks is a killer dress and some high heels. Honestly. That's all it takes. Well, maybe some vanilla ice cream with fresh berries, brought to me by my husband (without asking) really does make me feel just fine. Yes, that might definitely make me all emotional and I might even tear up when saying thank you. This pregnancy thing and the wacko hormones definitely kick my butt when it comes to calm and rational thinking. Maybe if I go get some aformentioned ice cream, everything will be right with the world again. Yep. Ice cream for breakfast it is. Oh no, wait, I think I saw an awesome recipe for buttermilk waffles on Pinterest, maybe pancakes? Although, smoked salmon with poached egg sounds amazing too. See what I mean? I'ts craaazy up in here. You have yourself a great weekend while I ponder upon the meaning of life, i.e. what to have for breakfast. 

Link Up: Style Elixir, The Fashion Canvas, 

Shop My Look

Choies

top: Choies c/o

shorts: J.Crew (more maternity shorts 1 / 2 / 3 and non maternity)

sunglasses: Choies c/o (love these ones)

tote: Amazon

flats: J.Crew old (similar)

watch: Fossil

bracelet: Kate Spade

It's getting more and more difficult to find cute flattering clothes for this mama. I'm still fitting into all my regular tops but have switched to maternity jeans and shorts. So far I have been getting away with sizing up on tops and wearing my loser fits blouses.

This dress (that I'm wearing as a top) looked very promising on the Choies website but alas, I have too much cushion in that booty to fit into it like a normal person. Instead, when I put it on I looked like I had two watermelons - one in front and one in the back ha! So, I wore it as a top and loved it. The length of the dress itself is too short to be a decent dress and too long to be a tunic, but it totally works as a cute top. And I have received so many compliments on my sunglasses that I'm considering getting another pair. Check their huge selection of jumpsuits for upcoming summer months - perfect for lounging by the pool and as cover ups.

Shop Similar Look