Wow, that last time I wrote was on 9/2, our 2 year anniversary, (I love to interview Jason) and included all the community ongoings and get together’s that month.
Happy 2 years as Mrs. Sheri Matthews Kimmel (That’s Jason - my better dressed, far more patient, other 1/2)
I didn’t know I was a couple of weeks pregnant, though we’d been “trying” for about a year. I was just “late” which was more of a bummer since I had been working on being more regular and consistent so be in place to start our family. I had a little wine on 9/1 at dinner, celebrating Chris & Nikta’s engagement, even though I hadn’t been drinking to treat my body as if I “were” pregnant.
I was gearing up for a big opportunity on 2/7/2019 - Fitbit Local in Los Angeles, at LA Live, outside the Staples Center, with Mike, my co-partner in San Diego, and the two LAFitbit Local Ambassadors, to kick-off a new device and rock the biggest Fitbit Local yet. Turns out me filling sluggish wasn’t just the 12 -sh pounds I had willingly put on over the year with lifestyle changes.
This is BLAKE REDMOND fROM LA, new LULU RUn AmbaSSADOR TOO - Fun to partner up and be welcomed to LA.
It was awesome, we may have played paper rock scissors, but it was hot, and for some reason … I was dyyyyying:
So many of the things I love, the hobbies I enjoy, the goals I set, even brands I work with revolved around my fitness. Coincidently, to get my health in a place that was most conducive to having a better shot at naturally conceiving a child with Jason (I was 37), I had to let go of a bit of that endurance fitness, a bit less fit, fast, and slim, but still active/balanced.
My weekeday mornings often ential a run date with friends. You guys know Kate (AKA @socalrunnergal), Melissa, and all the run run buds is how we catch up on life.
Granted, this was just me personally, many very fit, super speedy runners,and gals that do all things, can also have a little one, as is. If anything, above all else, it was me learning:
EVERYONE’s circumstance and bodies (and journy’’s) are SO different.
Learning what works for you (in this case me), was my version of “trying” I was more so “discovering” about my health. Things like my thyroid were really fast (different that very slow - hypo), I have Graves disease that took about 1/2 a year to monitor, both with medication and naturally through nutrition, and bring down my good stresses (cortisol) to help my systems, to support and sustain creating another life. So people can probably go at the speed I was, and be fine conceiving, wasn’t the case for me.
Thankful for my own goal setting background and coaching, that I now lead, to know that if we want something enough (marathon, or, a baby), the sacrifice to get there is just part of the journey, and worth it, not something to complain about really, just necessary. Turns out the baby one is just a lot quieter than the marathon one, no guaranteed medal at the end, but worth an “all - in” shot. I was labled intertal by my OB (who I love) , I”m not just needed to work out some kinks and homrones, and referred to fertility (IVF, IUI) right off the bat. I wanted to, at least “try” and that takes time.
Was I ok and committed to not racing? Yep. Last Marathon was Chicago 2017, last half for fun was March 2019, and I only ran part of it. Leading Fitbit Local or a spin class looking a bit different, just was different on the outside, and inside I reminded myself, there aren’t here for how to fit I am, but rather for themselves in a positive welcoming environment.
New ways to be involved:
Cheer a little, run a little, cheer a little more. I’ve been on the race side grateful that my friends had sood and cheered - so my turn, it’s so much fun!
Body change (is REAL) - didn’t recognize myself in the mirror the other day. It’s all just temporary, and I thought I would mind the physical change more, miss my old figure, but really I’m pretty content. When I come from a place of so grateful to be here, content the slow changes were successful to conceive, and that bodies are capable of the biggest miracle, far greater or different than running 26.2 miles - it’s actually quite beautiful - and remarkable! HOLY amazing, my body can stretch like that, create a life, why would I ever be hard on it. You, or at least I, seem to care a little less about things you use to care about, but in due time, I can get back to the old “me”, who will also be very different, it’s no longer just me I get to really care of.
www.emmagibbsphoto.com I was pretty anti any prego pictures, but funny how whne you’re in it, and so greateful, I wanted to rember it.
I think in time, when baby boy arrives safe and sound, (it’s honestly still scary at times) I’ll share the things I personally did over the last 2 years, and the help I sought, shared new goals with friends, the way I advocated for myself, to see if it helps anyone who may relate, who love that go-go-go lifestyle or could learn more about her own female systems, (I was really clueless) or who just lives locally in San Diego.
As I prepare for a little time off work, which is also a change to my self-identity, I LOVE my work in Corporate Wellness, I know that will be there when I return too, or new clients will come when the time is right. So for now, being all in for where and who I am right now. And if you’re out for your weekend run, smile at some strangers for me k.
29 weeks (which I also had know clue about prior to this),
SMK