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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Dealing with hyperemesis gravidarum

Sooooo..... where have I been?? 


It's been several weeks since there's been a single post on Facebook, and months since there's been a post on the blog. I would love to tell you I've been so busy working out and eating right that I just haven't had the time, that's not the case. 

As most of you know, what with my announcing it on facebook, my husband and I are expecting baby number 3. This was a planned pregnancy and the whole family is very excited about it. My heart has always been to have a big, beautiful family. I was so looking forward to taking our readers along on the journey of staying healthy and fit during a pregnancy. Unfortunately, my plans of that have been smashed into a billion pieces. Why?


A little something called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Now, normally when I tell someone this is what I've been diagnosed with they say... "Oh, is that like morning sickness?"

Let me start off by explaining that this is NOT morning sickness. It's a temporary but life altering sickness during and sometimes after pregnancy. Here are a few facts about HG and some of the things that make it different than morning sickness.
 
 
Morning Sickness:Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
Nausea sometimes accompanied by vomitingNausea accompanied by severe vomiting
Nausea that subsides Nausea that does not subside
Vomiting that does not cause severe dehydrationVomiting that causes severe dehydration
Vomiting that allows you to keep some food downVomiting that does not allow you to keep any food down
 
Women with normal morning sickness are able to eat and go about their day as normal. Someone suffering from HG is unable to eat or drink without medication, and has trouble functioning as normal. Things like working, taking care of the kids, daily chores and even showering become overwhelming tasks.
 
 
Some of the signs and symptoms of HG are:
 
  • Severe nausea and vomiting
  • Food aversions
  • Weight loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy weight
  • Decrease in urination
  • Dehydration
  • Headaches
  • Confusion
  • Fainting
  • Jaundice
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Loss of skin elasticity
  • Secondary anxiety/depression
  •  
     
    
    I plan on writing about my personal experiences with HG in a blog very soon, but for now I just wanted to share the differences between HG and morning sickness. HG is so rare that it only affects 1-2% of pregnant women, so many people don't even know what it is!  
     
    I really hope this answers a lot of questions about why I haven't been posting, and what the heck is wrong!!
    Stay tuned for more later!!
     
     
    Love,
    Holly
     
     

    Monday, January 14, 2013

    Motivational Monday 1-14-13

    Welcome back!!! I hope you've all got the perfect picture picked out!! 


    We had some discussion on which pictures to post, so we each opted for something different.
    Here's what we chose to share!


    Ashley
    It would be hard to choose a motivational picture from my past because I have been over weight my whole adult life! However, I have put together a picture of what motivates me to keep going. On the left is the best motivation a girl could ask for : my beautiful boys. I want to be a good example to them. On the right is a picture of a girl that has taken the first step and made the choice to change her life for the better. I think that's some pretty good motivation!
     
    Holly
    This was me! I'm the one in the middle. I chose this picture because it reminds me of a time when physically, I could do just about anything. My eating was never perfect, but my fitness was. I realize that not everyone is motivated by pictures of when they were younger, but to me, it's something was. It's something I can measure. It's something I'm familiar with. It's a goal that I feel like I can reach because I've already been there before.... It's hope. I can't wait to get back to this place with the added bonus of eating healthy! :)

    We would love to add your pictures to our blog! So pick a picture of your past self that you use for motivation, and post it on our Facebook wall www.facebook.com/healthinus , and we'll post it on the blog! And remember, if you've already reached your goals, we'd like to share that as well! Send us your before and after picture with a small success story and we'll post it on the blog as well!

    Love,
    Ashley & Holly

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    Sunday, January 13, 2013

    Motivational Monday Intro

    Hey there!! So you may have noticed that we've been pretty active on Facebook, but not so active on the blog. We've discovered that this is a littleLOT more work than it looks! HUGE admiration to all the bloggers out there who do this full time! Our goal is to keep things active on Facebook and start posting a lot more recipes, workouts, weigh-ins and such on the blog.

    We think it's a good idea for us to get to know you guys on a more personal level. After all, it's a lot easier to share the gory details of a weight-loss journey with someone you know, right?? Right. 

    One of the ways we thought would be fun to do that is with something we're going to call "Motivational Monday". Starting this Monday, we're each going to share with you one of our pictures from the past that we use as motivation for the future and tell you why we chose that particular picture. We'd like you to do the same! 

    All you have to do is share your "picture from the past" on our Facebook page, this Monday, with a small story telling us why you chose the picture that you did, and we'll copy it over to the blog. 

    I know we have quite a few followers who have reached their goals and are in a place right now that they are proud to be, and we want to be proud with you! If you have a before and after picture with a success story, we would LOVE to share it!

    So for the rest of today and this evening, be thinking about the picture you're going to choose. You know you've already got the perfect one in mind!! Tomorrow morning we'll start the uploading!! We can't wait!!!


    Love,
    Ashley & Holly

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    Wednesday, December 5, 2012

    Weigh-In Wednesday 12-5-12


    Hey Guys!

    It's that time 'o the week again! If you follow us on Facebook (and I hope you do) you have heard us mention our new contest which STARTS TODAY. For those of you that don't follow us, we'll wait here while you go take care of that. Take your time, we'll be here when you get back......

    LIKE US HERE ------> http://www.facebook.com/healthinus <--------

    ..............................................................................

     Did you do it? Ok, good! Let's continue! We're just going to quickly go over the rules again. Every Wednesday in December we will weigh-in on our blog and on our Facebook. You comment on our Facebook post with your weigh in. If you don't feel comfortable posting your weight for all the world (or at least 158 of us! ;) ) to see then just comment with whether you lost, gained or maintained. If you do this EVERY Wednesday in December you are entered into a drawing for a $20 gIfT cArD to the store of your choice. It's THAT EASY!

    On to the numbers!

    Ashley
    Starting weight - 244
    Current weight - 230
    Pounds lost this week - 4
    Total pounds lost - 14
    I am happy with my loss this week and motivated to keep on the straight and narrow. I am having a hard time getting motivated to work out because I have so much going on in my life right now and frankly, I'm exhausted! However, there are still 4 days left in this week and I am committing to work out every day to meet our 4 days a week goal. As always, I am so thankful for everyone that has supported us and helps to keep us going. I have a feeling December is going to be awesome!

    Holly
    Starting weight - 240
    Current weight - 233
    Pounds lost this week - 0
    Total pounds lost - 7
    Another week, another no pounds lost. Now, I'll be honest, this week I've only focused on the goals we set in our last blog which were no fast food, no soda and working out. However, I'm convinced I've got some sort of something that's preventing me from losing weight. I've made drastic changes compared to how we WERE doing things before the blog started. I'm just going to continue on this path until after the Holidays and then try leaving out wheat and if that doesn't work, dairy will be added to that list of things I shall have no more. Never the less, I am thankful for all the support and new friends we've made! It might be hard right now, but I know it will pay off in the end.... right?......... anyone?

    So that's it for us! Make sure you get involved in the contest and please share our contest graphic, that is pinned at the top of our Facebook page. Thank you so much for reading and GOOD LUCK!


    Love,
    Ashley & Holly

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    Sunday, December 2, 2012

    Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats

    Hey guys!

    Today I am going to share with you a recipe for Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats!
    This is a recipe that a lot of you seemed interested in. Sorry it has taken me so long to post! It would not be an exaggeration to say that I'm obsessed with my crockpot! (Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration). However, because of the wonder that is the crockpot, this recipe could not be simpler! You throw the ingredients into the crockpot, mix, set on low and go to bed! Then you get to wake up to a wonderful smelling house AND breakfast! That, my friend, is what I call a Win/Win!!!!!

    Here we go!!

    Nutritional Info:
    4 servings
    Calories per serving - 251g
    Carbs - 51g
    Fat - 4g
    Protein - 6g



    Here's what you need!

    First, spray your crockpot really well with non-stick cooking spray.

    Put 1 c. of steel cut oats, 2 1/2 cups of water, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 cup of pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!), 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, 4 Tablespoons of honey (or you can omit the honey and add it in when you eat the oats, which is what I will do next time.)

    


    Mix it! Mix it good! Cover, turn crockpot on low and GO TO BED!!!!! (This is my favorite step of the recipe!!)



    Enjoy!!!

    Please tell us how you like this recipe and if you did anything different! We love your suggestions!
    See ya next time!!!!!

    Love,
    Ashley & Holly

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    Don't forget Pinterest!
    http://pinterest.com/healthinus/
    And feel free to e-mail us anytime!!

    Friday, November 30, 2012

    Drop 'Til You Shop!!!

    Hey guys!!

    It's a new month! With that comes a new start AND a new contest! November was crazy busy and to be honest it got the best of us  took us out back and beat us to a pulp.... but we are ready to get serious in December! We realize that this month will more than likely be crazier than the last so we are going to set up some goals that will still allow us some flexibility. Soo...starting TOMORROW we are going to commit to 2 major goals: Exercising at least 4 times a week and NO fast food or soda!! We would love you guys to join us or set your own goals for the month and share them with us! Now, on to the contest....

    Starting December 5th (our next Weigh-In Wednesday) we will be beginning a new contest. We're calling it ...

    "Drop 'Til You Shop"
     (Clever, eh? We're pretty proud of this one!).

     How do you enter? It's simple! Comment every Weigh-In Wednesday with your pounds lost, gained, maintained (no judgement here, ladies!) If you comment every Wednesday, your name will be entered into a drawing for A BRAAAAND NEW..............$20 Giftcard to the store of your choice! Who couldn't use a little extra dough this month?? Mama needs a new pair of shoes! Am I right? Anyone? Ok....with that, we will be leaving you. GOOD LUCK!!!!

    Love,
     Ashley & Holly

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    Don't forget Pinterest!
    http://pinterest.com/healthinus/
      And feel free to e-mail us anytime!!

    Wednesday, November 21, 2012

    Weigh-In Wednesday 11-21-2012

    It's Weigh-In Wednesday! Unfortunately, this is going to be the weigh-in that never was. Things have been SOOO crazy for us lately, and we're sure they've been the same way for you!

    We haven't had a chance to get together and do anything blog related because Ashley has been moving to her brand new house, and every spare second has been spent unpacking boxes and cleaning!

    I have been busy helping her, along with my usual going-ons AND one of my very best friends is visiting us all the way from Florida this week, so things have been cRaZy!!!

    Because of all of this, and because of Thanksgiving being tomorrow, we are taking a small break so spend time with out families and prepare for the Holiday! We will be back next week, but in the mean time we've prepared a few yummy pumpkin recipes to satisfy the soul!

    I can tell you that I did weigh-in, even though we didn't get the chance to do this together, and my weight has stayed the same. I've got a new plan in mind, but I'm not putting it into affect until after Christmas because I don't want to set myself up for failure. I'm going to try eating more food because I don't think I'm getting enough calories, and I'm giving up wheat and or dairy to see if maybe I'm having a bad reaction to one of those two things. I'm also going to force myself into much needed time at the gym. (That will be happening before Christmas... If I'm going to eat the goodies, I need to do something to work them off, right?)

    We wish you ALL a Happy Thanksgiving, and we can't wait to get back at it next week!

    ....... BUT WAIT!!! We didn't pick a winner for the get moving challenge!!! We didn't have anyone who commented every single day, so we randomly picked from everyone who participated!

    We would like to congratulate:

    Nicole Archambeault-Perkins

    She is the winner of this weeks challenge! Nicole, if you could send us an email with your address, we will get your prize shipped right out!!!

    Thanks you all so much for reading! We love you!!!

    Love,
     Ashley & Holly

    Like and Share us on Facebook!
    Don't forget Pinterest!
    http://pinterest.com/healthinus/
      And feel free to e-mail us anytime!!