Pregnancy-Dealing with feeling “Fat” and emotional…

So my baby is growing and unfortunately so am I. My last pregnancy I was not particularly fit and I didn’t have a healthy eating routine, I have since in the last three years taken up jogging and become fit, I have adjusted my eating to cut out sugar and refined carbs and worked hard on becoming sexy again. This Pregnancy was wanted, It was badly needed and wanted and planned for so very long that It is now a miracle that it happened after my struggles. When I started this pregnancy I vowed to continue with my healthy eating and fitness as far as I could as to not just pack on a seriously large amount of unneeded fat like I did the last time. I find it is not about what I look like or how big I am but rather more about how comfortable I feel in my own skin and at the moment it is not very comfortable at all.

Now before I carry on let me just say that it is in no way healthy to “diet” during pregnancy and it is not good to worry about staying skinny because that just isn’t going to happen anyways, this post is aimed at the self esteem and uncomfortable feelings pregnancy can bring on. My goals are more aimed at only putting on what I need and not falling for that mind trap that tells you to eat everything in site while being pregnant. Its a big myth that you have to eat for two during pregnancy and baby in the beginning only really requires about 300 extra calories a day from the second trimester.

All I have dreamed of is a pregnancy where I feel fit and healthy and confident with myself, If you have been pregnant before you will know that when you hit that second trimester and start feeling “puffy” all over , it is then difficult to not feel uncomfortable especially when your clothes do not fit anymore. So with my healthy eating plan and all that… Where did I some how go wrong in the last few weeks?

I started out well with my continued fitness routine and my eating was super healthy but as soon as the “I am dead tired” pregnant feeling kicked in I started eating more bread and junk food in search of energy and then one unhealthy week morphed into six and here I am a good few Kg heavier and feeling like I lost myself somewhere along the lines. Mostly not the weight that is bothering me but more the fact that I lost control of my routine and fitness I have spent the last few years building. It can be a big emotional adjustment to learn to not look at the numbers on the scale.

It is so important to remember to love your self no matter what you look like, Or tho it is hard to deal with feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. Here are a few tips to help you take back control of your routine if you find your self lost as I am, And with it bring back your confidence during pregnancy!!

• Make A food diary… Keep a diary of your daily eating, write down everything you eat and then you can review it and make changes for more healthier choices. Often seeing what you have written down then puts it into perspective.
• Research Food options or ask your Dr or Midwife which food groups are a healthier choice during pregnancy so that you are getting correct nutrients while not making bad eating choices.
•  Exercise! This is an important one. keep moving, If you are already a runner then keep running or If you are not then take up going for fast walks and do toning exercises such as leg lifts and squats, there will keep you toned and prevent feeling puffy. It is so healthy to stay fit while pregnant and even helps prepare for labour.
• Drink Water!!! Staying hydrated helps in so many ways and is also essential for baby! Drinking enough water prevents constipation (one of the main causes of feeling uncomfortable)  and also helps flush out impurities in your system so less puffyness!!
• Dress up pretty!!! Make use of maternity wear that is tight fitting to show off your sexy new curves but at the same time is designed for comfort. Take time to do your makeup and spray on some perfume, It does wonders for self esteem!

I would love to hear about how you felt when you were pregnant or how you are feeling now if you are currently pregnant. I am now 17 weeks, I will be posting pregnancy updates and my feelings and progress as I go along so if this interests you then follow me on social media and on the Blog.

Essence Pure Nude

The Essence Pure Nude foundation and concealer are a great go to for a no fuss makeup look, super easy to apply with a natural look and feel. Perfect for a radiant, dewy look that can be achieved on the run.

The Essence Pure Nude foundation is a light weight makeup that gives a flawless yet natural finish with a no makeup feeling. It has moisturizing glycerin and vitamin E and is suitable for all skin types. I love how convenient it is, I just rub it on as I would do with a face cream, it has a light weight formula that absorbs quickly and is thin in consistency. This product does not dry out skin at all and keeps it looking healthy and radiant.

The Essence Pure Nude concealer works so well with the foundation, I use it on my under eye area and cheeks to give extra coverage to those uneven areas. Its beyond easy to apply, you just draw lines where you need extra cover and blend in and cover with the foundation. It’s also nice to carry around in your bag for touch ups during the day. I use both the foundation and concealer in shade 10 Pure beige.

The perfect no makeup look and feel! great with a nude shade of lipstick and a touch of blush! Affordable and good quality. Available at Clicks and Dischem stores.

 

Parenting lately.. Am I threatening my daughter too much.

Something Different on the blog today…

The heading here sounds a bit harsh considering I have a three year old. But you will get what I am saying, everyone does this but I somehow feel like my daily routine is one little threat after the other and its getting a bit hectic. All fine and given it is not an all day thing as Zoe does go to play school till 3pm but when 3pm hits and I go to fetch her its another story….

Fetching Zoe from school starts out calm and pleasant, I have had time to refresh myself, drink coffee and reach a stage of the day where I am not half asleep and feeling dead. when I walk into the school its all fantastic, she’s playing nicely and smiling and is the worlds most well behaved child. As soon as I walk out of that schools front gate it is like she senses that she has me all alone. Cry and nag at mommy mode begins. It starts immediately with resistance to properly be strapped in the car. NOW here is where the threatening starts, usually I start with like a “Lets hurry up and go home so we can eat something yummy”, This is me hoping she will fall for it and then by the time we get home forget that I promised her a yummy. When we get home its the same issue getting out the car….

This goes on through out the afternoon unless of course she is distracted by something she find entertaining and gives me the day off. I am pretty sure it has become a little game for her and she half enjoys torturing me. The hours between 3pm and 7pm when my husband gets home can feel like days at the mercy of my toddler. Getting her to eat her food involves threatening to take away a toy or what ever she is busy with, threatening to put the Ipad in the cupboard, threatening no more yummy treats for the rest of like forever!!!

This I am sure like every other little toddler tantrum stage will pass, but last night after an hour and a half of bed time battles I decided enough is enough. Being pregnant and exhausted at night and trying to talk Zoe into going to bed all ended up a bit much for me last night and lets just say I was the one crying in the end. Today I am going to try things differently… there will be no threats today. I will remain calm and just sit quietly while I wait for Zoe to eventually agree to do what I need her to do. It is easy to get into a day to day routine of bribing my toddler to do what I need her to do and often this bad routine isn’t noticed before it is too late, which is the case with me at the moment. This is also just a mommy and Zoe issue, she is fine with everyone else but obviously has mom wrapped a bit to much around her little finger!

Now I am assuming I am not the only over tired mommy with this problem? ..

 

 

Garnier Micellar water

This post is a must read if you have been searching for a new best friend makeup remover and skin cleanser. The Garnier Micellar water hype was huge, it still is, and all with reason! This really is a truly fantastic product! Everyone that wears any kind of makeup should have a bottle of this and also a back up bottle just in case you run out! Micellar water comes in the pink bottle for sensitive skin or the Blue pure active version, I have been using the pink one so my review is based on it.

So what do you do with Micellar water.. It is a cleansing water that removes makeup and dirt as well as cleanses and soothes skin. I use it daily for many different uses, In the mornings when I put on my makeup I use it on a cotton bud to correct my eye-liner line and clean up mascara or eye shadow smudges, I can not stress enough how fantastic it is for this job because unlike the usual makeup remover it is non oily and leaves no residue so it does not mess with your other makeup for the day or leave your eye area looking shiny. The product is hypoallergenic and fragrance free.

In the evenings I either use it on its own on a cotton ball to remove my makeup before falling asleep on days I am most deadly tired and cant even wash my face (Jip pregnancy can do that to you) and because Micellar water is non greasy you don’t even have to wash it off your face, it will not annoy you and you wont wake up looking like an oil slick. Or if I shower and wash my face in the shower I then use the Micellar water afterwards on a cotton ball to take off stubborn mascara and liner that didn’t come off in the shower, it removes even the most stubborn makeup with a breeze of ease! I also use it on a cotton ball to clean off my makeup containers and foundation bottles that sometimes get a bit dirty with makeup residue.

Now these handy little babies sell for only R79-99 and the bottles are generously big 400ml and when it says you get up to 200 uses out of it they are not kidding cause it really does go a very very long way! Bargain alert! They have also brought out Micellare wipes now, how cool is that?! I haven’t tried them yet but will let you know when I do because I am sure to progress to a lazy stage of pregnancy where I need loads of wipes.

Bio-Oil Hamper Giveaway for Pregnancy Education week.

There is still time to enter 🙂 Hurry so you don’t miss out!

Pretty Messy Mellon

For Pregnancy education week Bio oil is giving away this really beautiful hamper that is perfect for pregnant women or even those with a small baby. Pregnancy Education week runs from 13 to 21 February, The aim of this is to highlight how childbirth education enables you to make informed choices about your pregnancy and what is best for you and your baby. This years theme is  “Date and way of birth – what would baby choose”.

This is such a stunning hamper, every item in the little basket is good quality and super cute, the hamper is worth over R1000!!!! The hamper consists of:

1. Basket
2. 3 bottles of Bio-Oil (60ml, 125ml and 200ml)
3. Cuddly rabbit with silky ears
4. 100% cotton babygrow
5. 100% cotton blanket
6. Soft grey & white striped cotton blanket
7. Bio-Oil’s ‘Tips for Moms from Moms’ booklet & Baby scan album

Bio-Oil is the skincare brand most recommended by…

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Bio-Oil Hamper Giveaway for Pregnancy Education week.

For Pregnancy education week Bio oil is giving away this really beautiful hamper that is perfect for pregnant women or even those with a small baby. Pregnancy Education week runs from 13 to 21 February, The aim of this is to highlight how childbirth education enables you to make informed choices about your pregnancy and what is best for you and your baby. This years theme is  “Date and way of birth – what would baby choose”.

This is such a stunning hamper, every item in the little basket is good quality and super cute, the hamper is worth over R1000!!!! The hamper consists of:

1. Basket
2. 3 bottles of Bio-Oil (60ml, 125ml and 200ml)
3. Cuddly rabbit with silky ears
4. 100% cotton babygrow
5. 100% cotton blanket
6. Soft grey & white striped cotton blanket
7. Bio-Oil’s ‘Tips for Moms from Moms’ booklet & Baby scan album

Bio-Oil is the skincare brand most recommended by doctors, pharmacists and midwives to help prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Bio-Oil is a passionate advocate for childbirth education, to give parents the knowledge to make informed choices.

Here is what you have to do to Enter, I have kept it east at 2 simple steps:

1. Comment Bellow on this post and tell me what the most interesting fact about pregnancy is that you have learnt.
2. Share this Giveaway post Using the Hashtag #InformedChoices AND make sure to tag me in your post so I can see you have shared/entered (you can share on Twitter or Facebook just make sure you are following me and tag me in the post using the Hashtag)

This Giveaway will run till The 21st February and The winner will be announced Monday the 22nd, The Giveaway is only open to South African Residents. You do not have to be pregnant to enter.

Remember you can find all the information on pregnancy education week and Childbirth Educators and events in your area on:

www.expectantmothersguide.co.za Or Visit their Facebook Page Expectant Mothers Guide

You can also visit www.parent24.com during pregnancy education week for expert pregnancy and skincare advice

Pregnancy Education week Plus a Bio-Oil Giveaway coming up!

Bio-Oil is in support of pregnancy education week that runs from 13 to 21 February, The aim of this is to highlight how childbirth education enables you to make informed choices about your pregnancy and what is best for you and your baby. I find this especially important for first time moms because I remember feeling half lost in the world of pregnancy and not always being sure about choices that needed to be made. I think we can all agree that spreading awareness and correct information about pregnancy would do the world a whole lot of good! I will be posting a bit about pregnancy awareness week and also there is a stunning Bio-Oil Giveaway coming up (*hint *hint the lovely gift I received the other day )

I am now currently 13 weeks pregnant with my second child and I am still learning things about pregnancy and child birth that I never knew. The theme of this years pregnancy education week is “Date and way of birth – what would baby choose” , This is an important topic for me because I have to again make these decisions and for a long time thought after my c-section I would be forced to have another but have recently learnt a lot about safely having a vaginal birth after a c-section.

Bio-Oil has teamed up with childbirth educators and hospitals around the country to create awareness and to offer various talks and pregnancy-related activities.

You can find all the information on pregnancy awareness week and Childbirth Educators and events in your area on:

www.expectantmothersguide.co.za Or Visit their Facebook Page Expectant Mothers Guide

You can also visit www.parent24.com during pregnancy education week for expert pregnancy and skincare advice.

PLUS!! Keep an eye on the blog as I will be running a stunning Giveaway for a beautiful Bio-oil hamper just like the one I am enjoying!!! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with this.

Caribbean Tan Tanning Mousse

I have worked my way through loads of the Caribbean tan products but I actually never tried the bronzing mousse, for some reason I thought it wouldn’t work as well. Well I was wrong and gosh was I surprised at how amazing the mousse actually is! It has quickly jumped to the top of my favorite tanning products list.

I use shade B but shade A is also great for just having an every day tanned look. This product doesn’t need that much explaining, it is super simple to use and you cant go wrong. All you have to do is make sure that your skin is clean and nicely exfoliated before hand and then just pump out the foam and rub it all over your body! This lovely light foam soaks into skin super quick and is non sticky so you don’t sit with that sticky self tan feeling for hours after applying. It is gradual color so your color will develop over a few hours. If you are using your hands then just remember to was your hands properly and maybe twice lol to just make sure you get it off your hands and do not end up with stained hands. To be safe you can use one of the Caribbean tan tanning gloves. I like to apply in the evenings and then the next morning I am all tanned and can have a shower. 

I have also learnt that since I am now pregnant that it is more recommended that I use the mousse instead of the spritzer or aerosol cans, lucky for us pregnant ladies the mousse actually turned out to be more convent in the end so I am happy about that. I can definitely recommend this product , you can buy it at Dischem or clicks stores for only R99-95, Or you can even get it off of Takealot.

 

New Essence Lip favorites!

Essence is always coming out with beautiful new ranges and lip products that are totally affordable and easily available. There is a wide range of shades so there is something there for everyone. Here are 4 of my new favorite lipsticks from Essence.

The new Essence liquid lipsticks are great, they have intense color and coverage with a stunning gloss shine. They have a very comfortable to use applicator that applies the product perfectly. The two shades I tried are 06 make a statement and 04 show off, they are both fantastic shades but my favorite of the two has got to be make a statement. I love its beautiful berry shade.

Next up are the Essence Sheer and Shine lipsticks, These are the most buttery, kissable lipsticks ever! They feel amazing on lips and feel like they are moisturizing almost like a lip-balm but they have such beautiful sheer color and shine. The packaging is beautiful with the translucent lids being the same color as the lipstick it contains in a classy silver tube.  The range has a variety of shades from nudes, browns to pinks. The two I tried out are shades 01 My first love and 04 Hidden secret. My favorite of the two being My first love as it is a lovely light nude color that is subtle yet brings out lips with a natural look and feel.

I will just let the pictures speak for them selves further cause these are so beautiful!! I think the pink shades from the Sheer and Shine will be stunning.

Drops of Youth – Bouncy sleeping mask

I absolutely LOVE the product I am reviewing today, I do not actually know why I did not try this product sooner, I buy so much from the body shop and love every product of their’s so I don’t know why it took me so long to try the Drops of Youth range for facial anti aging.

The thing that attracted me to this product was the odd gel like look and feel it has, this night cream-gel has a very unique consistency that is surprisingly fabulous!! This ended up being just what I needed to nourish my skin at night and help it look fantastic the next morning.

The Drops of Youth Bouncy sleeping mask is a gel like night cream/mask that moisturizes and replenishes skin over night leaving it feeling bouncier, smoother, refreshed and renewed. Wake up with plumper smoother skin that feels great! The amazing thick gel like consistency means you only need to use a small amount of product and this means your 90ml jar goes a long way for its very affordable price of R250 .

Being 11weeks pregnant now my poor skin is so up and down with problems but this leave on night mask has help wonders to keep my skin on an even level and nourish it while I sleep at night. It is not oily or greasy so it does not clog pores or cause break outs. I have even used it as a booster in the morning as a day cream and it worked fabulously.

This product gets a big thumbs up from me and I can highly recommend buying it, It has a very refreshing light smell that calms and relaxes making it perfect for a relaxed night routine. The cream-gel absorbes into skin quickly and does not leave skin feeling sticky at all. The results are great and it really does what it promises to. A treasure of a find that is way worth every cent of its price!!!

Ps: I think the body shop is still having a bit of a sale if you wanna go check it out 🙂