We love Me2Roo…a clothing line that inspires us to stay fit and feel good about ourselves throughout all stages of pregnancy and motherhood! Check out just a few of our favorites in their line:

{

New Jersey-based Me2Roo was founded by Maggie Zembruski in October 2010. Zembruski was born with a passion for fitness and fashion where no stiletto was ever too high, even in her ninth month of pregnancy. After leaving her job at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Zembruski went on a mission to combine her passions in life with her newly loved job: motherhood. Zembruski’s belief in a “happy, healthy mommy = happy, healthy baby” is channeled through her clothing line to inspire women to exercise and feel positive about themselves along with the changes their bodies experience pre and post pregnancy.

 {Maggie with her son and daughter}

We are so excited to have Maggie as a guest writer on our blog today, and hope you feel as inspired as we do after reading her wonderful tips on pregnancy fitness classes! Enjoy!

Fitness Classes to Shape Up Your Bump by Maggie Zembruski

Fitness classes may not be at the top of a pregnant woman’s list as countless other thoughts and responsibilities move to the head of the class but hitting the gym, or even undertaking an at-home workout can provide real benefits for both you and your baby! Exercise helped me with many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, improved sleep (that is, when I got sleep), and elevated my spirit.   As always, check with your doctor before undertaking even minor workout but here are several great fitness options for pregnancy.

Excusing myself from the calculated treadmill routine I started with a little yoga to prep mind for my body transformation. Baby steps for the seasoned fit fanatic, but – boy did it do this mommy good.

My prego-exercise journey starts with FITiST (www.fitist.com) which has a mom-to-be smorgasbord of ”doctor approved" plans for a healthy pregnancy. Fitist.com aims to be your fitness coach, curator, and calendar by bundling the best boutique fitness classes NYC and LA has to offer. Mom-to-be, New Mom and Slim are just some of the packages being offered by FITiST. A healthy fit-mom can log into FITiST and create a workout plan which includes twelve Core/Pilates classes, twelve yoga classes and a cycling class. Flywheel for a cardio blast of indoor cycling and SLT which combines cardio and Pilates are just two of my favorite butique classes being offered by FITiST. 

Here are some simple exercise ideas that made my pregnancy plans even healthier.

Yoga and pilates are good staples of any new mommy’s workout! Both can serve as amazing routines for maintaining muscle tone to carry some of the extra weight.  I found Yoga to be a huge help due to its relaxing quality…a real stress-buster for even the most wired moms!

Step up to the barre at barre3 for a modern alternative with a fusion of yoga, pilates and ballet. Shaking, squeezing and stretching are all part of barre3’s ultimate muscle-shaping routine. The hour long class which combines isometric training (squeezing your butt), elongating your muscles and a bit of cardio to sculpt the perfect routine. barre3 offers locations nationwide.  Talk to a professional to obtain some modifications to accommodate the growing belly.

For the final months of your pregnancy, water aerobics can provide lots of splash to ease joint pain while providing a relaxing exercise.

With some simple modifications, this is the time to have some fun with traditional fitness routines.  Remember, after your first trimester, utilize a workout bench or stability ball when exercising. Oxygen flow decreases when lying on your back. Core work is fine until you can start to see your belly pop which typically happens between weeks 8 to 20. Take the extra time to stretch your back and legs.  And don't forget to do the breathe test - if you can't catch your breath your baby may not get enough oxygen and blood so take it down a step or two. 

Learn more about Me2Roo:

:: Website: www.me2roo.com 

:: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maternity.activewear  

:: Blog: http://me2roo.com/blog/   

:: Twitter: @me2roo 

As a mother of small children, I dread the future day when my kids gladly choose mindless texting at the dinner table over meaningful conversation and quality family time.  I know the war over the phone is a battle that will be fought with my kids at some point, with high unlikeliness that technology will start slowing down anytime soon.

Recently, I took a long hard look at myself when it comes to the use of my phone…and the truth is…I am just as bad or worse than what I fear for my future adolescent children.  I am setting an example that will surely make excessive phone users of my children.  I can barely make it a few minutes without checking my phone for texts, emails, news, Facebook updates, etc.  I am so busy Instagramming our precious memories, that I am hardly living them.  While my kids play, my mind and hands have often escaped to iPhone land. While trying to engage in conversation with me, my spouse receives mundane “uh huh” responses as my real attention is focused on my phone screen. 

Tired of not being fully present with my kids, and other important people in my life, I am ready to put some boundaries in place for myself and my phone. The reality is that I do enjoy my phone.  To say that I am unplugging my phone for good is unrealistic. But I am setting some boundaries for myself and am embarking on a quest for healthier phone habits that will make me a better mom, a better spouse, and a better friend.  I am reminding myself that my phone does not need to be at arm’s length away at all times.  It’s a habit that needs breaking, but I’ve come to grips with the fact that almost everything I use my phone for can wait. When I am with people, specifically my children, the phone is going away for everything other than necessary calls/ texts.   I can indulge in all of the extras that I enjoy on my phone during naps or after my children's bedtime.

It’s not an easy pill to swallow to realize that modern technology may be taking us away from those who are most important in our lives…namely our children.  I highly suggest looking at this really powerful post, How to Miss a Childhood over at Hands Free Mama, and encourage you to consider her message of putting down the phone in the name of being more clear and present with the people in your life.  It’s the catalyst behind my desire to change my phone habits…and a powerful eye opener…

READ How to Miss a Childhood HERE.

The period of time after baby arrives is not only an incredibly joyous one, but can also be confusing for a new mother.  With fluctuations in hormones, sleep deprivation, body issues, and a myriad of new roles…mom can sometimes feel a little overwhelmed with meeting the needs of her family and herself.

Below you will find links to some wonderful articles from Pregnancy & Newborn that are worth reading if you are a mom trying to wade your way through the days after baby is born. Also- scroll a little further for a classic post over at Pregnant Chicken: Happily Giving Birth- 10 Things They Don’t Tell You!

:: Maintaining a Good Relationship with your Partner

Mother Lover: Keeping Your Relationship Strong by Sarah Granger

:: When Baby Has an Older Sibling

And Baby Makes Four by Sarah Granger

:: Navigating the First 7 Days with Baby

Beyond the Belly by Meredith Parker Toy

:: Dealing with Postpartum Hormones

Emotional Overload by Molly Jones

:: Easy Steps to Losing Baby Weight

5 Steps to Lose the Baby Weight by Lissa Harnish Poirot

:: Find Some Humor...

Happily Giving Birth-10 Things They Don’t Tell You: Pregnant Chicken

It’s a time of utter exhaustion, when it seems that sleep should be easy to come by.  Unfortunately, however, pregnancy can offer all sorts of obstacles when it comes to getting a good (and comfortable) night’s sleep!  Between hormones, anxiety, stress, physical discomfort, and an increasingly cramped bladder… an uninterrupted night of sleep is usually highly unlikely- especially as you get further into your pregnancy.  Maybe it’s Mother Nature’s way of preparing new moms for sleepless nights to come?!

Luckily, there are a few things you can try to make your sleepy time a more pleasant one.

:: STAY HYDRATED (but not too close to bedtime)

Drinking plenty of fluids, mainly water, during the day can greatly improve how you feel at all times of the day.  Staying well hydrated can reduce your chances of muscle cramping, and improve the function of all of your organs.  Just be careful not to drink too much for the few hours before bedtime.  Chances are, you’ll be tending to your bladder at some point in the night anyway… try not to add unnecessary trips to the bathroom during the night!

:: EXERCISE REGULARLY

For optimum health, and to improve your circulation… frequent (and appropriate) exercise when pregnant can help your sleep patterns tremendously.  Try not to exercise right before bed, though, as it may increase your adrenaline and make it hard for you to settle into sleep.

:: REDUCE STRESS & ANXIETY

Find ways throughout your day to reduce stress and anxiety, so that when bedtime comes, your mind is at ease and can concentrate only on pleasant dreams!

A few tips for reducing stress and anxiety:

1.      Find people you can talk to and commiserate with. 

2.      Make lists to prepare for baby, and find peace in checking them off each day.  

3.      Give yourself a break…take a short nap during the day.

:: FIND COMFORT

While comfort is hardly a word used to describe pregnancy, you can at least improve your level of comfort when it comes to sleep.  Make pillows your friend, and experiment with ways to position them in order to achieve some support and relief from the weight of baby.  Pregnancy or body pillows can be particularly helpful, while regular pillows can typically do the trick with some adapting.  A pillow between bent knees, and one behind your back is one position that has been known to provide some relief for those expecting.  Also, if you’re feeling like baby is restricting your breathing, you can alleviate pressure on the lungs by propping yourself into a semi-sitting position with pillows. 

Keep in mind that it is recommended that expectant moms sleep on their left side for best blood flow to the fetus and to your uterus and kidneys.  It is best to avoid lying flat on your back for a long period of time.  However, don’t lose even more sleep worrying about accidently rolling on your back.  Most likely, the discomfort will awaken you anyway. 

:: ESTABLISH A BEDTIME ROUTINE

Just as important as it is to establish nighttime rituals when baby arrives, is establishing your own routine before bedtime.  Try to decompress about 45 minutes before lying down.  Try prenatal yoga, take a bath, or read a book to get your body and mind ready to settle down for sleep. Use a favorite lotion, massage your feet and hands, or light a calming candle. You can avoid restless (and awkward) tossing and turning, by preparing yourself for sleep before ever entering your bed.

Sources:

:: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/812876/better-sleep-tips-for-pregnant-women 

:: http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/sleep/

:: http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/landing-page.aspx

:: http://busymommymedia.com/2010/11/pregnancy-guide-week-20/ 

* image from busymommymedia.com

It seems like positive attention is spoon fed to you during your many months of pregnancy.  In addition to the marvel and wonderment others look at you with, there is plenty of talk on how to feel great and look your best while you’re pregnant.  However, shortly after you little bundle of joy arrives, the focus changes, and it’s easy to feel negativity come creeping in.  Combine sleep deprivation, your changed body, lack of time, and a number of awkward transitions… it’s not uncommon for those joyous feelings of pregnancy to be clouded by a postpartum funk.  As much as a new mother relishes the time with her sweet newborn, we understand that feeling great about yourself post-delivery isn’t always the easiest feat.  Here are some tips that may help you to fully enjoy this unique time and to feel great about yourself… no matter what size jeans you’re wearing or if your life resembles that of a zombie!

:: Be Real.  Be Prepared.

As excited as you may be to rid your wardrobe of maternity gear, it’s important to recognize that most likely you won’t be jumping into your favorite jeans for a few weeks, months, or longer! This is normal! When you think of all that your body has been through, it only stands to reason that it won’t bounce back to normal overnight.  They say it takes 4-6 weeks just for your uterus to return back to normal shape—give your body and yourself a break—and be ok with wearing pants that may be a size or two bigger than normal.  In the very beginning, allow yourself to revisit your maternity jeans from your first trimester.  There is nothing wrong with this, and in all reality will look better for a short while until your body starts to recover.  Resist the urge to continue this habit longer than necessary, and if needed, invest in some bigger pants to get you through the transition.  Saying goodbye to the panel will boost your spirits no matter what size you’re wearing!

We suggest investing in a few mix-n-match staples for the weeks following pregnancy to help you through this awkward fashion time.  While comfort is still key, you can still look put together.  We suggest stocking up with items like Maxi skirts, nice fitting tanks or layering camisoles, longer cardigans, and some stylish active wear.  Also equipping yourself with some fun accessories can help you to feel like you still have some fashion sense.  Jewelry, scarves, or a cute new pair of shoes can do wonders for your slimming black wardrobe for a while!  Prepare yourself with a few of these items before baby arrives… consider it a gift waiting for you at home after the hospital!

:: Take Time for Yourself

As mothers here at Oilo, we understand that there is a very real period of time after baby comes home where routines seem to fly out of the window.  Cut yourself some slack about this, and just try your best to create new (possibly short lasting) routines that work for your new situation.  One habit we feel is absolutely worth getting into is to take a little bit of time for yourself every single day.  It may require forcing your tired self out of bed 10 minutes earlier, or accepting some help with baby (even if it is in the form of a baby swing)!  The power of getting yourself up, dressed, and ready for a day is real.  Some days you may only have the time to pull your hair back, put on some quick mascara, clean clothes, and lip gloss… but, you will feel better about yourself and the day ahead of you having taken this time to take care of yourself. 

:: Be Confident

Firstly, there is a very real and proven connection between looking and feeling good.   Even if you are competing with a less than desirable roll around the mid-section, you can still look good and have confidence.  There is no reason that just because you recently had a baby, you have to forfeit doing the things that make you feel better about yourself.   Get your hair cut/colored, indulge in a mani/pedi, or have a relaxing facial.  Feeling good about how you look can help ward off those post-baby blues…it’s worth investing in!

Most importantly, find confidence in yourself and the fact that you just brought another life into this world.  Your body is amazing, no matter its shape…and you have a darling child to remind you of that every time you hold him/her.  Force yourself to admire what you have been through.  Grant yourself the confidence that you deserve in your new role as a parent.  Trust your decisions, your abilities, and yourself as a mother.  Let go (for now) of how you used to look, and embrace the “scars” left and the beautiful time that is those precious days after baby arrives.

During the last couple of weeks as my family and friends have been making their resolutions for the New Year, I found myself opting out… I am pregnant after all.  In many avenues I feel like I’m on a hormonal planet of my own where opting out of normal activities seems normal.  Truth be told, being pregnant serves as a pretty good excuse for sitting a lot of things out.  However, I have recently decided that there is probably no better time to jump on the resolution bandwagon than when I am pregnant!

As all expecting mothers know, health and wellness during these vital 40 weeks is of utmost importance.  So, for my resolutions, I am looking to recommit myself to bettering my overall health and wellness for both myself and my baby.  I've decided on 3 main goals, and have provided some tools below to help any of you expectant moms out there as well!

 1. Maintain Good Nutrition

   At my current stage of pregnancy, I am always hungry and always able to eat plenty! With this said, it can become pretty easy to let good nutrition slide.  While the old “eating for two”   theory holds some merit, it’s important not to use it as an excuse to allow yourself to eat whatever, whenever! Making sure that you are getting the right nutrients each day will not only be a gift to yourself, but to your baby as well.

   The American Pregnancy Association provides a valuable guide for pregnancy nutrition…what you should be eating, and how much of it you need to ensure that you’re getting all the essentials needed for you and baby.  You can find their guidelines here.

   I also love the article, Organized Eats from Pregnancy and Newborn…offering a week’s worth of realistic meals, broken down to help you cover all of your food group and caloric bases.

2. Participate in Daily Exercise/Stretching  

    I wish I could say that I have been as diligent with exercise this pregnancy as I was with my first.  Feeling sick combined with cold weather have served as decent excuses, at best.  Now I’m feeling the urge to improve in this avenue.  Better late than never, right?

    I’m going to commit to making a physical effort during my final trimester, and the following workout plan from the Bump seems like one I can actually follow and maintain.  I can do just about anything for 20-30 minutes a day!  Check out their plan here.

3. Enjoy the Ride

    It’s incredibly easy to find displeasure in pregnancy, with unbelievable body transformation, unattractive side effects, and less than becoming moods.  However, my goal to enjoy the ride of pregnancy is one to benefit my overall wellness and level of happiness at this stage of my life.

    If I have learned anything from being a mother to my oldest, it is that time goes fast.  I know that the second this baby is born, the myriad of milestones in his life will come and pass with increasing speed no matter how hard I try to slow it down.  I am committed to remind myself that every time I get to hear my baby’s heartbeat, or feel his movements inside me, that this too will be a phase that shall pass, and will truly be missed.  I am going to love being pregnant, even when I feel like I don’t.  Being uncomfortable cannot mask the fact that carrying a baby is a truly wonderful and unique experience… one that can never be replaced or fully described. 

   As I work to embrace my growing belly, I want to stop to appreciate the strength and capacity of my body.  Not only will I relish this unique time with my baby, I am consciously trying to  recognize the value of this precious time with my first born, with my spouse, and with my pregnant self.

   Check out what a group of What to Expect  mamas love most about pregnancy here.