Pregnancy acne

Who knew acne was going to make a huge debut during my pregnancy.!  Well it has arrived and really makes for a shining beacon of confidence!   I started doing some reading on this and well it seems I have run into another wall because the topical face wash proactive that I am using is not recommended while pregnant.  I will need to bring this one up with the doctor tomorrow since I have been using it throughout the last 16 weeks.  I do have to say when you are pregnant it is like living in a bubble.  If anyone has any safe pregnant skin care solutions for acne I would love to hear them.  I found this line below shown below.

why are pregnant women obsessed with plaid?

I have noticed a growing trend in my quest to find fashion amongst flats and maternity clothes as I embrace my second trimester.  I am shocked to find how many loud prints including obnoxious plaid are considered viable pregnancy options.  I am sorry Heidi Klum I know your are a maternity designer and valued judge on Project Runway but why must you encourage the use of bad plaid?  This just does not make sense to me.  If you have an explanation for the following bad plaid disasters that are consider maternity fashion please indulge me.

why does pregnancy = no fashion?

Okay so I have decided to redirect the direction of this blog and begin to talk about my pregnancy experience.

Few things to state up front:

1. I am 13 weeks pregnant
2. I lost 25 pounds prior to pregnancy
3. I have completely lost the will to work out
4. Since learning I am pregnant we have gutted our entire kitchen as part of a home improvement project
5. I have FSGS this is a kidney disease I have had since I am 6 years old.  This make my pregnancy high risk.
6. I am a shoe addict!  I have had to tamper back my heel height.
7. Prior to pregnancy I considered myself a fashionable person - these days leggings and sweat pants are so appealing!

I think that covers the need to knows.  So my first topic is why does pregnancy automatically mean there is no such thing as style?  And will someone please tell me who thought it was a good idea to name a maternity line Moody Mamas.  Yes we are freakin moody but why are you going to remind of us that?  What once use to be an exercise in retail therapy is now just another frustration I would prefer not to take part in. 

Here are the store I have found so far that are not ridiculously expensive and still have some style in maternity clothes:

• Old Navy
• Loft 
• Gap
• Target - however they are the ones with the line titled Moody Mamas

workout rut

So I was doing so great with the diet and working out and then came along stress and deadlines for work.  I fell off the workout ban wagon and it has been two weeks and I have been traveling a lot.  Looking to find the motivation to get back to working out.  I am also not so please that I gained back 5 of the 21 pounds I lost.  Need to motivate myself!

Stalemate

Can be defined as a noun- stalemate - a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible;"reached an impasse on the negotiations".

This is exactly where I currently am in terms of a few thing and not just my diet, exercise and weight loss.  The question is now how to motivate and push through?  I am looking for a change; possibly warmer weather, maybe less stress or even the ability to fit into a different size then I currently am.  The question then becomes what is realistic?  

I am thinking it is better to tackle each stalemate separately.  Then as I accomplish a few smaller tasks I can find motivation to work on the bigger topics/tasks that are currently stuck in a stalemate.  Now on to find a few small things to get motivated on....

Commonality

Today I am not going to write about nutrition, weight or exercise.  Today I am going to write about seeking out people with similar experiences.  I am a strong believer in everything happens for a reason.  Also that there is a reason we meet certain people and go through similar experiences.  Recently I have found a few examples of this in my life.

Since I was first diagnosed with FSGS at 7 years old I struggled to feel normal.  I struggled to find those I could relate to until recently.  It started with one and then I found a group of people with FSGS or family members with FSGS and now I have a whole support group that I can turn to for help, advice, ideas, etc.
I have also found since my dad passed away 2 years ago I find more people around me who have also suffered losses in their lives.  Again unfortunate grounds to have in common but it helps with a sense of normalcy to say they know what I am going through.  They really understand me.

I believe that when character is tested the brightest shine through and humanity bonds together.  People find commonality and sense of belonging when there are others just like them.  Not masses just a few individuals just like them, to feel normal.  Some how I belong.  Some how I am not alone.  Some how it will all be okay.

You are what you eat

Could not be a more true statement.  Since starting the diet and exercise program 1 month and 1 day ago I have lost 15 pounds!  very exciting!  I have realized it does not happen over night and requires constant attention.  I have made lifestyle changes to accomplish this. Tomorrow will prove to be an obstacle as it is Superbowl Sunday and I know there will be all those fattening and high calorie food around.  I feel like I need to design a strategy just to make it through the game! I hope to loose another 10 pounds in the month ahead!  We will see where this leads.  I will remain optimistic.  I need to to get a new play list for my ipod starting to get bored with the options.