enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Onmywalk

The best part about being diagnosed with gestational diabetes is that I am now eating the cleanest and healthiest I have ever eaten in my life. I can't complain about that. I hope & pray that in eight weeks we are blessed with a healthy baby. I know that in eight weeks, I'll be a healthy mama. I recognize a daily difference already. I am sleeping well. I am waking up alert and headache free. I have consistent energy and thankfully never suffer sugar crashes or periods of too low-blood sugar. My diet is low-carb, super low-sugar, lots of veggies, lots of berries, high protein and high good fat. I am consuming probably the same amount of calories each day, but they are nutrient packed calories.

In addition to diet, I have noticed a significant difference in my blood sugar levels when I keep stress low and work in daily moderate exercise. I started up Bar Method again. It's different of course; the pregnancy modifications help keep the class from being "oh man, I am dying!" difficult. But it's a great workout, strengthener and something I have really missed. I figure one to two classes a week will help me build up strength for labor. And at the very least, Bar Method is great practice for breathing through pain.

I have also worked back daily walks into my routine. These are my favorite. Usually short – just 15-20 minutes and normally after dinner, but sometimes after lunch too. I am getting to know my neighborhood and love seeing the daily changes that spring brings. (Every single day the plants on the side of the road are taller.) I continue to take photos of the walks and share them on Instagram, partly to hold myself accountable and partly because it's a fun challenge to capture something different each time I walk the same stretch of block.

Spring is wonderful. Fresh air is wonderful. Eight more weeks of mindful eating, walks and baby kicks? I am on board.

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27 responses to “#onmywalk.”

  1. Laney Avatar

    I’d love it if you’d share some of your daily meals, I need to change my diet.

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  2. Caroline Avatar

    Good for you Elise, glad you are feeling so well. Your baby will be soaking up all these good vibes for sure.

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  3. Kelsey Avatar

    So good to hear! I was able to do spin class right up to my due date and along with yoga that’s what trained me to focus and breathe and I was able to have an unmedicated birth. No matter how you choose to birth it will really help you to be fit and focused. You’re doing great!

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  4. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    8 wks. . .wow! You think we were stalkers on steroids when Paul was due to come home? Better hang on girl.

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  5. Vanessa Avatar

    I second this!

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  6. Brittany @kitchen::candid Avatar

    Your baby is so blessed to have a momma who already puts her child’s needs before her own. Eight weeks will fly by!!

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  7. Elise Avatar

    Yes, I plan on it… In the next few weeks for sure. 🙂

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  8. Elise Avatar

    I am hanging on… That’s is all I can do. Paul is set to come home in eight weeks. Really not worried about him missing the birth. If we make it we make it, if not, not. 😉

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  9. Paula C. Avatar
    Paula C.

    Again, way to focus on the positive! I need to do this more

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  10. Giulia Avatar

    it’s amazing how different and special each of your pictures are, even if they are from the same place every time.

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  11. Melissa Avatar

    I’m so glad to hear that gestational diabetes isn’t getting you down. I also had it and felt the same way. The food wasn’t fun but it completely stopped migraines I was having and I felt healthy through my pregnancy due to the diet. Hope you continue to feel well! And enjoy walking!

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  12. Debra Avatar

    I’m sure you have had your moments but I am so impressed at how in control you have been!!! Well done you 🙂

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  13. Melanie Routhier Avatar

    I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes too and I swear it was the best thing for me! During my last trimester I was the healthiest I’ve ever been. Living in Canada our protocols are very different than in the US so I had to walk at least 30 mins after every major meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) I was walking slowly mind you but man was I healthy! Only downside to my GD was a big for me baby. I’m only 5’1″ and weighed 114 lb pre-pregnancy, my son was 8 lbs 4 oz. The biggest baby in my family for generations. 🙂

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  14. Catherine Denton Avatar

    Such beautiful scenery to see on your walk. It sounds like you are handling this all in stride! You’ve already got the “stay calm and carry on” Mommy motto down. 😉
    Catherine Denton

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  15. Emily S Avatar
    Emily S

    I’m also due in 8 weeks – and really enjoying walks as well. I usually have my toddler in tow and he loves looking at cars passing by. It does feel really nice to work the body a little bit, and it definitely helps with delivery. With my last pregnancy, I was living in DC and walking 1.5-2 miles each day on my commute, and I really think that daily walk helped give me energy all the way til the end (and I went 41 weeks!)

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  16. Jennifer Avatar

    Are you doing the Bar Method at home? Or do you recommend a certain DVD??

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  17. elise blaha Avatar

    I’m going to classes in point loma. I tried the DVD and never got into it. 🙂

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  18. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    I just want to say what a beautiful post this it. So great that you are thinking so positively and making such wonderful changes. I love that you are adding little walks and seeing the changes that spring is bringing. You are really an inspiration.

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  19. Kathy Avatar

    I love all the different pictures from your same walk. You are going to have to remind us all how to get your little grid picture above as I’m sure others are interested. I think it’s great that you do 15-20 min walk because I think a walk is 30 mins so I just don’t do it because I can think of 101 other things I could be doing but I should really spare 15-20 mins to get out into the fresh air….I like your thinking.

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  20. elise blaha Avatar

    I take a screenshot of the photos all together my phone then email to myself and crop in pse! 🙂

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  21. Claire Avatar

    Such admiration for you Elise. I need to start excercising 3 x week – you have given me the idea of holding myself accountable with instagram which is probably just the push I need! 🙂

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  22. Kimberly B. Avatar

    This is so wonderful to read. I am a firm believer that food is the best medicine that we have to fix what ails us. It’s good to hear that you are feeling better as you make these changes. Here’s to a wonderful next 8 weeks!

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  23. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Thank you for posting this. I was wondering if you could post some of your meals. I’m trying to eat healthier and always like hearing what combinations people are doing with their foods?
    Thanks
    Jen

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  24. elise blaha Avatar

    yep! that’s the plan!

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  25. Cerise Avatar

    I love that you are doing so well. Walks to explore new neighborhoods are my favorite. I need to change up my routes so I see some new things.

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  26. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    I love all the pictures you’ve shared! They look great together! Looks like a pretty area that you live in, with lots of interesting stuff!

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  27. creole wisdom Avatar

    Amazing! You’re doing so well, and how great that you can sense a difference

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