Getting your hormones in check!

This is a super serious topic for women over 40 who are trying to conceive.

In our youth, our bodies were young and able to keep itself in better balance hormonally.  As you age, these processes slow down to a stop.  It is up to you to keep your "baby machine" running as smoothly as possible.

Overall, your health is more important than ever.  Moving along in years will happen to everyone, but how well you age is up to you.

Here are some tips to help:

• Do Healthy Research- Don't throw in the towel just because you may have a few gray hairs.  Really do some research about healthy, nutrient rich foods qnd supplements.  We are not trying to stop the clock, we're just keeping the clock in check.  Talk to your doctor if you have questions.  Keep in mind, your health important whether you may try to become pregnant or not.
• Move Your Booty- The best part of a workout is when the workout is over.  It's not because you get to sit down, its because you accomplished something.  Kids get a workout in gym class. Since we don't have the luxury of having a daily gym class, we have to monitor our bodies,  ourselves.  Again,  no matter what you do, move the booty and feel better.
• Stress Breaks!- Got dirty dishes? Need to do laundry?  Get your tasks done then unplug and unwind.  I do.  If your feeling ooverwhelmed,  sit down right now for one hour or move around for an hour (or however long you have).  Breathe and dont pressure yourself.  You will get back in the groove after you clear your mind and give yourself a break.

Much love!

Kippie

I Think We're "A Little Pregnant", Babe...

For me, being fat is birth control because when I am fat and not eating well, I never got pregnant.

Well, I recently lost 17 lbs.  Now, that would ordinarily sound great, but it's just a dent in my 60 lbs. goal.  Nevertheless, when I lose weight, exercise and start eating better, I get pregnant.  This time I had not expected to get pregnant so soon.

I don't have confirmation.  I did not take a pregnancy test, but I know my body.  The fatigue has set in.  The puffiness that I get around the middle is there.  The nesting instincts are back.  It's all too familiar and the most common of all the symptoms is a missed period and I am 12 days late...and counting.

I could be wrong about being pregnant and this could be some peri-menopause trick, but I doubt it.  We shall see when I take a home test this week.  I'm excited about the possibilities.

New Year Resolution: My Diet for Pregnancy

I OFFER NO MEDICAL ADVICE IN THIS POST OR BLOG


Now that I've given the disclaimer, I want to jump right in on what my plans are for 2015.

I am planning on having probably my last child of my life and I'm looking very forward to the experience.

I would say out of all of my children, this is the one that I have planned for the most and I know exactly what I need to do to make it healthy experience for myself and my child and that begins with losing weight.

 My youngest child is almost 2 and I have not lost very much of the baby weight that I gained which was 60 pounds.

I've only lost 20 of those 60 pounds and it was hard enough doing that so to make sure that my body is in its peak condition at my age, I decided I'm going to go on a high protein/low carb diet.  By the way, those 20 lbs. come to visit often.  I want them gone for good.

There are many diets on the internet that feature low carb foods or that have high protein food and I don't endorse any one of them in particular, I'm just making sure that my carbohydrate count is lower than my protein count.

I do not count calories. I simply make sure that I do not eat more than 25 grams of carbohydrates/sugars in a day.  So, dont eat white flour or sugary products.  I have a new found love for fresh veggies like green peppers dipped in my homemade ranch dressing or eating my hamburgers (without a bun) topped with butter sauteed red pepper.

 Iam also on a walking regimen of only walking about 30 minutes -3 times a week and that actually is increased because I do a lot more walking than I planned to do, but I at least want to start out with three 30 minute blocks of walking.

My goal of course is to lose about 20 more pounds before I even begin to try to become pregnant and I am doing well so far with my diet I am making sure that my minerals and vitamins are being supplemented with supplements.

 I am making sure that everything is working out for me my previous health related pregnancy related problems were nothing to do with anything. Medically, I simply no that for me to be able to even be mobile during this pregnancy upcoming that I would have to work on dropping some weight before becoming pregnant.

Update:: 2/16/15

I am down those 20 lbs again and it wasn't easy to do.  I'm steadily losing about 2 lbs per week.  I have increased my workouts to 1.5 hrs of walking on random days, but at least 5x per week.  I also do low impact aerobics twice a week for 1 hr.

Regarding food:  I have allowed myself a cheat day about once every two weeks, but I don't like the results the day after.  I feel icky and fat, but staying away from carbs and high starch food allows me to see more results in the form of looking less puffy and bloated even if I weigh the same.

A Little Pregnancy Scare?

I've heard people use the term "pregnancy scare" but I will admit there is a slight moment of apprehension when I have found out I was pregnant in the past.

After a little while everything settles down and my thoughts are focused the baby and my health and just seeing those 40 weeks come to an end while enjoying the process.

For me the first 3 months are really super tough. I have had the worst morning sickness of anyone that I know and a lot of times you have to smile through it even though everything is completely out of whack; my sense of smell, my sense of taste...I am completely exhausted after sleeping 8 hours straight, but you know it all goes to the benefit of a baby which of course is of the utmost importance.

Right now, I am in the process of thinking of pregnancy and when I would want to have a baby and when I want the baby to be born and do I want to have morning sickness during the winter or this summer.....all of these things are in my mind.  Although I am NOT actively planning on being pregnant, I am NOT actively planning on not becoming pregnant because, you know, when you have sex...we all know what the results can be unless you take the proper precautions.  My fiance and I are smart enough to know this.  We use the rhythm method and it works best for us.

Although I am NOT pregnant at this moment I do think about it very often and welcome any pregnancy that should come along.

Biological Clock Race and Loving My Period!

Well, I am finished with all the bloating and cramping that comes along once a month and I am very happy.

I'm not happy that it's over...I'm happy to have had a period.

I mean, I cannot imagine my life without my period.  Can you?  I mean other than being pregnant...What will I do when my period stops?

I have heard and read many things over the years about menopause and to be honest, I'd keep my period forever and rather deal with it once a month versus the hot flashes and all the hormone imbalances of menopause.  I know it's coming one day.  I'm just glad it's not here today.

As I get older, I find that I am still relatively young.  Strange, huh?  This "becoming a mom after 40" is not some strange phenomena.  It's actually quite common in cultures outside my own.

A lot of people that I know that are of Mexican descent and NONE of them thought I was too old to be a mom and ALL of them said I should have another child.

Only one other woman said something to me that I never thought of.  She said, "Have another child if that completes you!"

Wow!  I hadn't realized until that moment that I had been subconsciously bowing down to the social pressures of not having TOO MANY kids TOO LATE!

Well, I would still love to have another child.  I love watching my family grow and every addition makes life exciting and precious.

Pregnancy Memories; Morning Sickness and My 11th Week of Pregnancy

As time goes on, memories can get a little fuzzy.

That does not go for me and my morning sickness.  To all of you who have not experiences morning sickness during your pregnancy...I loathe you!

Yes, I'm a hater because morning sickness feels like being in some sort of altered state.  It's like an outer body-inner body experience.  There is no "cure"...you must just go through it.

I had all of the crackers and ginger I wanted and that did nothing for me.  My morning sickness is "relief-proof".

So, I am remembering what it was like to be 11 weeks pregnant.  Here's what I wrote:

My mood was "a little desperate".  Feeling desperate to shed the first trimester [blues] and I have had enough with morning sickness.  Feeling strong cravings for tomato sauce...via pasta or pizza.

At this point, I am so close to the finish line that I feel I wont make it.  I just want to sleep all the way to the 12th week, because that is usually when I start to feel like myself.  I have morning sickness for about 3 months- from the 6th week until about the 18th week.   That progesterone then levels off and the morning sickness leaves within hours.  I am back to myself...with a little one inside.  Only then can I focus on the future with love and hope.

Til next time.

I'm Over 40 and I Want More Kids--Am I Coconuts?

I can honestly look myself in the mirror and say that I would love to have two more children.

What?????

In a social climate where big families are often frowned upon, I come to defy the naysayers!

Im a rebel that way.

I have my beautiful Em who will be the big ONE next month.  She was my surprise as I thought I was all done with motherhood--I mean the factory is closed and the show is cancelled.

Then Em came along and this child reopened my eyes.   So beautiful and loving and just a great kid.

Id forgotten all about nursing and teething and drooling and crawling...and I truly enjoyed those experiences with my children who are now adults.
Dare I say that raising my children was the best experience of my life?  It certainly is in the top of the top.

But why not just get a dog?

Ive asked myself the same and I can only answer it this way.  Everyone has a desire or two, something they are passionate about.

I love people and family.  I love nurturing and teaching and loving my children.  I loved having my cousins and siblings when I was younger.  It is in and out of that love that I would cherish an addition to my family.  My prayer is that any children I have will grow with a sense of commitment to family.

Of course, as my family is not cohesive much anymore because the elders are passing away, I would hope that my chosen and created family would appreciate and respect their lives and the lives of their siblings and to know....they are not alone.

But you're old-er?

Sure, and I am aware of that.  That's why my health has always been important to me and barring any unfortunate events, people are living longer and healthier.  My body is still in good condition.  Of course, if my doc gives the OK then the only thing that would stop me is me.

So, there you have it.  That's why I am feeling a great sense to have another child...or two.

Surely its not just because I like buying pink or blue baby clothes because I prefer yellow.

;)