Nutrition
Nutrition will be our first and most important area of focus. Food fuels our bodies which directly impacts the quality of our health, fitness, and every other area of our lives. During pregnancy, your body gives baby what they need first. Proper nutrition prepares your body for conception, keeps you and baby nourished during pregnancy, labor, and birth, and promotes postpartum healing. Its important to remember that we grow our babies with what we put in our bodies, and continue to nourish them (if breastfeeding) with the food we eat! In our work together, I will help you understand how to feed yourself well, and support you through things like nausea, aversions and cravings, all while we work toward a healthy relationship with food.
Movement
Wether you are looking to stay strong throughout your pregnancy, need help to get moving, or are not sure when or how to start exercising postpartum, movement is essential. I always encourage weight lifting because of its numerous benefits for both body and mind. Yes lifting during pregnancy is safe! But there are other options such as yoga, walking, HIIT training, or hiking. I will help you find your best and most realistic starting point, or you can continue your current preferred form of exercise.
Sleep
Like nutrition, sleep affects everything. At times during pregnancy and postpartum sleep can be even more difficult. There is a lot that may be out of our control like frequent bathroom breaks or night feedings. We will focus on the things that are in your control such as sleep hygiene, routines, and environment to identify ways to incorporate new habits that can set you up for better sleep, and more of it.
Stress Management
What fills you up? What calms you? How can you reduce, remove, or respond to stress in your life? These are the kinds of questions we will discuss. Trying to conceive, being pregnant, and having a new baby can bring on a whole slew of new stressors. There is no way to remove all stress from our lives. In fact, certain stressors can lead us to growth. We will search for negative stressors that you can remove and work to find the best ways to respond to the ones you can’t.
Rest and Recovery
Listening to your body and giving it rest is essential. Whether it be stretching after a workout, taking the day to relax and do something you love with the people you love, or just laying and snuggling your new baby, rest and recovery are so important. If you struggle with this, we can discuss realistic ways to incorporate this necessary component into your busy life.