Okay, so it wasn’t always fun… but I did survive Bay to Breakers and am very proud of myself. We walked pretty slowly, and my husband had to carry a chair for me to sit down on every once in a while (pregnancy tends to make the blood pool in the feet), but I made it. Not just to the end, but back another 1.5 miles to the shuttle bus that took us back to the start. That may have been the best part of the day — whizzing back to the start knowing I’d put all 12K behind me, knowing that I’d soon get to put my feet up for a good long time.

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Eating has NOT been going well, but I am going through a very weird stage right now. The growing baby is squishing my stomach and even eating a little bit makes me feel pretty darned terrible. Today I chewed down an entire roll of Rolaids — which really helped quite a bit, thankfully. So I feel yucky and gassy and acidy even if I only eat a little — and on some days I’ve been eating quite a bit.

I’ve been trying to console myself in the idea that I don’t have much longer to go with this pregnancy and then I can start to be myself (and just myself) again. But I’m also trying to take it easy and be as comfortable as possible, because goodness knows when this ordeal will really be over. I guess worst case scenario is something like 8 weeks, since my doctor is sure to induce if I go overdue by two weeks. But 8 weeks of misery is NO FUN. Ok, I’m going to stop dwelling on it now. Hope to check back into this blog as a real weight-loss blog in not too much longer.

I know that I (lamely) haven’t posted lately, but I must say I’m getting excited about Bay To Breakers. I’m a little worried about being able to make it walking 7.46 miles at 33 weeks of pregnancy (after fairly little training), but I think if I just take it slowly and rest a lot, I’ll be fine. Planning to wear some maternity exercise shorts, a t-shirt and a running bra. Also plan to slather myself pretty good with Vaseline to avoid any chafing. I’m trying to recall all my long distance running tricks from back in the day.

Meanwhile, we are working on buying a house, which happens to be (I checked it out) within walking distance from a Weight Watchers meeting location. I am psyched about having this baby and getting serious about losing weight. Breastfeeding will probably help, too. Right now I’m at my all-time lifetime high weight, but I’m feeling okay. If I can avoid focusing on it, and getting myself down, I will be good. Only a few more weeks to go and I’ll be a mother!

This “physique training company” is nearby the house we are working on buying. The transformation in this woman (who is apparently the founder/trainer) is almost scary it’s so dramatic.

Ran across this today: Stouffer’s Peddling ‘Food Porn’ to Kids.

This is a sort-of catch-up post, as it’s about events of Thursday. Around mid-afternoon Thursday, I really hit a down point, energy-wise. I talked to a friend of mine on the phone and he was like, “you sound really tired.” I’d gone to work with the intention of heading to the pool afterwards, but was beginning to doubt that I’d be able to motivate myself. I tried to drink lots of water to get some energy back.

I’d almost resigned myself to just going home and potentially stepping on the treadmill. Then, on the way home, I decided to go swimming, after all. I turned up the road to the pool and headed on in. I struggled into my suit — a big challenge considering the big belly I’m getting. Then, I found the lane reserved for “slow” swimmers to be occupied. I went in to share the lane, but actually found the guy too slow for me. Wow! I moved over to the “medium” lane — empty — and did around 30 minutes of laps. Some freestyle, some breaststroke and some with a kickboard. It was pretty intense and I think really good exercise for me.

I was so proud of myself for going, even though I was down and tired that afternoon. It was great to be back in the swing of exercise and kind of an ego boost to be “medium” instead of “slow.” Though I know I have PLENTY of way to go before I’m triathlon-fit again, it was really a great experience. Just getting out there and doing it (as Nike says) really helps me envision myself as a triathlete again. I can do it, and I will. Yippee!

I think I’ve been using pregnancy as excuse for eating junk over the past few weeks. It’s crazy how I interpret “don’t limit intake during pregnancy” as “go ahead with that pint of Haagen Dazs and pecan danish.”

I thought about joining Weight Watchers online because I feel that I need some guidelines and limitations. I was going to sign up as breastfeeding, figuring breastfeeding women would be allotted enough “points” to make it feasable. (I think breastfeeding requires more extra calories than being pregnant.) But, alas, the sign-up said “At this time, our offerings are not suitable for women who are breastfeeding. Although Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools are not suitable for nursing moms, Weight Watchers Meetings do offer a plan specifically designed for new mothers.” So, that’s pretty much out. Just signing up as my current weight would probably limit my calories by too much — or just guarantee I’d feel like a failure. (Or both!) Will have to wait until I really am a nursing mom.

Anyway, at the doctors office yesterday I got the news that I’d gained 8 lbs in the past month. That’s about double what I should be gaining. Not a big surprise, and actually kind of good to talk to the doctor about it. He said I should eat small amounts every few hours and “no meals.” Hmm. I totally understand the concept. It’s just I like to eat with DH and cook dinner for him. Maybe I can just do better throughout the rest of the day and eat a small dinner with DH.

I started out OK after the doctors visit. We went out to Macaroni Grill and I got a lowfat Caesar salad and a dish they call “skinny chicken”. I looked at other stuff on the menu but realized I’d be just as satisfied — and gain less weight — with the skinny chicken. I guess names like “skinny chicken” are supposed to help people make better food choices, but it somehow annoys me. I guess I hate being “abnormal” and ordering from a special menu. Why can’t healthy choices simply be part of the regular menu? Anyway it was grilled chicken over a bed of sauteed spinach, with a side of tomatoes sprinkled with feta cheese and red onions. The chicken had some kind of balsamic sauce. Mmm… I ate way too much bread before the meal arrived, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.

Then, on the way home, DH half-jokes “let’s go for ice cream.” *sigh* We didn’t.

In an attempt to either scare myself or relieve myself, I’m going to log my food intake for today and see what results.

We went Saturday to our neighborhood pool for the first time and swimming was a revelation! For once, I was actually better than DH at something physical. (Actually, I shouldn’t say that because back in my fit days I could kick his butt on the bicycle.) I know I shouldn’t compare myself to him — especially because I’m not that great a swimmer and I have a lot of work to do — but it was still nice. I felt so light — not like I’m carrying around this huge pregnant belly. My maternity swimsuit (from Old Navy) performed great. We bought a 10-entry pass and I’m really looking forward to going again soon! It’s going to be great for toning my arms, that’s for sure.

Did 30 minutes plus on the treadmill last night during “The OC.” Yippee! Was trying for the walker’s equivalent of an LSD run (long, slow, distance), but lost track of time because the phone rang and such. All the same, it’s the longest walk I’ve done for a while and it felt good.

Just registered for the Bay to Breakers run (in my case, a walk) in May for myself and my hubby. So exciting! I know it’s a big event as well as a race — big post-race festival, etc. — so I’m sure we will enjoy ourselves. Also, it’ll be great to be in that racing-type environment. By that time, I should be big as a house (as if I’m not already), so I don’t think I’ll be self-conscious about walking rather than running. Hopefully I’ll be good physically (need to start training by doing longer walks) so finishing won’t be an issue. Yippee!