I am super excited about this next Inspiring People interview! Kelly has a fantastic approach to health and fitness and didn’t use her pregnancy as an excuse to let her health and fitness slide. She has some great tips for mothers and mothers to be, and some awesome advice for those of us who are neither of the above.
I’m Kelly and I’ve just had my first baby – a gorgeous little girl named Peyton. When I was pregnant, I decided to start documenting my pregnancy journey as well as share some healthy pregnancy tips that worked for me with other mums-to-be. That’s how my blog runabyebaby.com was born. Too often people give up on healthy eating and exercise when they’re pregnant but I wanted to show people that that doesn’t need to be the case – keep up your healthy habits and you’ll be really benefiting that little bub growing inside you.
Now that Peyton’s arrived, I’ll be updating the blog with how I’m getting back into shape and creating a healthy lifestyle with a baby girl in tow. Just give me some time to ease into it…
What was the hardest thing about staying active and healthy during pregnancy?
For me, the hardest thing was that I couldn’t exercise to the extent I was used to. Before I got pregnant mine and my husband’s lives have always revolved around sport and fitness – gym workouts, running, cycling, tennis and touch filled up most of our spare time. When I got to about 7 weeks pregnant I started feeling really tired and nauseous all the time so I, reluctantly, gave up my 6am gym session in favour of sleep ins. In fact, the only exercise I got during my first trimester was lunchtime walks! As I started feeling better I got in some more weights and cross training but I would have loved to just go for a run or knock out some burpees!
Nutrition-wise, it wasn’t too bad. The smell of food simmering on the stove really got to me in my first trimester though so I really only wanted bland flavours so there was lots of baked chicken and salads or chicken burgers. I also felt like carbs a lot more and started living off avocado bagels for a while! Working close to the Little Bird Unbakery was my lifesaver – if I didn’t feel like veges I’d pop up for a green juice!
What are your top tips for any mamma’s to be for staying active and healthy during pregnancy?
- Join a pregnancy yoga course – it’s the perfect chill out time as well as a great workout. If you’re in Auckland, you have to try The Centre (http://www.the-centre.co.nz/). Their yoga course is focussed on what you can do while you’re pregnant, not what you can’t.
- Recruit your partner / friends to go walking with you – it’s easy to get out and about when you know you have someone to chat to as you walk.
- Load up on fresh smoothies and juices – they’ll make sure you’re getting fruit and veges even if the rest of your diet isn’t totally perfect during pregnancy.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand all the time so you’re not tempted to reach for sugary, fatty foods. My favourites are carrots, celery and cheese sticks for a savoury snack or bliss balls for a sweet treat.
- Remember it’s not just about you anymore; it’s about making sure your baby is growing up healthy. Keep that in mind and it’ll motivate you to stay active and healthy for them.
What was the hardest thing about staying active and healthy after the birth of Peyton?
Just not knowing when I’ll have the time to get a workout in! Right now she’s only 7 weeks old and isn’t on a set nap schedule so it’s hard to plan out a day. I used to do all my workouts in the morning but now I can’t as I have a baby to feed as my priority. I do aim to go for a walk with her every day though and I try to fit in some easy body weight exercises too when she naps.
What are your top tips for staying active and healthy after your baby is born?
- Prepare food healthy meals in advance, cook extras so you have leftovers for the next day – I’m making big salads with brown rice, chicken, loads of veges and avocado.
- As soon as baby is happy and awake, get out for a walk no matter what else you’re in the middle of. Make that your only priority.
- Get a blender. If you don’t have time to make full meals, just whizz up protein shakes packed full of fruit and/or veges.
What is your favourite form of exercise to do?
I love high intensity exercise – circuit training, plyometrics, running…I also love playing tennis and touch socially. Can’t wait to get back on a tennis court with my husband once Peyton’s a little bit older!
What is your most memorable moment on this journey?
At first it was finding out we were having a little girl at our 20 week scan. Then I actually had Peyton and thought moment I met her was the best thing ever. But now I just think every day is the best! She changes and grows all the time and I never want to forget a thing! I just love how our little family is bonding and how much love we have for her.
Can you share one of your favourite healthy recipes with us?
This is one of my go-to salads – Kale, Chorizo & Halmoumi Salad.
- One bag of kale
- 1 capsicum, diced
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 grated carrot
- 1 packet of chorizo sausages (cook in an oven for around 30mins)
- 1 packet of haloumi (slice and fry until golden on both sides)
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- Toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- Massage the kale with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice and salt & pepper until the kale softens and is a really glossy green.
- Stir through everything else.
- Way too easy and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
What are your favourite healthy living blogs/websites or tools?
Move Nourish Believe for healthy living tips, great recipes and inspiration, Alexa Jean Fitness for at home mummy workouts, Kayla Itsines for great workout guides (which I can’t wait to start).
Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed Kelly, I love your approach to your health and fitness while pregnant and little Peyton is super cute!
You can find Kelly in the following places.
Run a Bye Baby
Instagram
Facebook
Great interview 🙂 I enjoyed Kelly’s pregnancy posts and found her blog through nzgirl. Peyton is super cute.
Definitely a motivating interview. Funny how the perception of things change. Today I see pregnant women exercise a lot, while my mom is still old school and doesn’t believe in it.
It’s definitely a changing time for health and fitness, with so many new things coming into play and new beliefs!