Changing Bodies

I’ve just approached my second trimester and it’s quite incredible how much my body has changed already. This blog shares how I got on with my first 13 weeks and how I am adapting !

EXERCISE

Due to medical advice I’m not dancing on stage, but keeping fit as much as I can for when I do come back on stage after pregnancy. I start my morning with a warm up of pilates or bike for 15mins at a gentle pace. I then go into ballet class and do a light barre and centre. I have recently started doing barre on pointe to keep the strength in my feet, I also feel it works the legs in a slightly different way too. The shift in balance and emphasis creates a much tougher workout than a class in flat shoes. After class I go back to the healthcare suite for more pilates, gyrotonics or gym, whatever my body needs. I am confident that my body will tell me what it needs and I am happy to led by it. This is not an unusual routine, it is pretty much what I do every morning - just not as strenuous. What is peculiar is the feeling that I am doing class and all of these exercises to maintain current ability and strength, not to improve or prepare for a performance or a strenuous day of rehearsals but to plateau. Something I will have to get used to...

POWER PLATE

BODY

If you have read my previous blogs you will know that I talk about diet and how comfortable I am with my body, and right now I have to say it’s no different. I’ve had a few questions over the last couple of weeks. People have asked how I’m going to feel with my body changing so dramatically, as if it’s a ballerinas worst nightmare. I’m sure I feel like any woman in this situation, of course it’s a bit weird to see dramatic changes and sudden weight gain, but you soon get over it! The way I see it is that I have relied on my body for years to perform at a high standard, I’ve asked it time and again to push just that little bit further to enable me to accomplish what I want. Now, I’m asking it to do something amazing - create a human being. I’m just letting it take it’s course and I think that’s pretty cool.

Read more here.

“Should you be eating that cake Olivia?”

“What I eat in a day”

Food

I stopped coffee as soon as I found out I was pregnant which was a massive shock to the system ! I had serious withdrawal headaches and dizziness, but I wanted to cleanse the system and knew the medical need of caffeine would drop. It took about 6 weeks for the worst of those feelings to pass but I’m fine now. However I did miss that morning ritual of grinding my coffee and making a flat white so have started making juices instead. I get my Nutri-bullet out and blend any fruit I have in the bowl or frozen fruit from the freezer. I’ve started recently adding soya yogurt to the mix too which has been a delicious addition. A great way to pack in those vitamins.

Products I have been using…

MAMA MIO

Steering clear of any possible stretch marks, some have said that it’s down to genetics, however friends have sworn by this brand and product. 

Mama Mio

BIO OIL

Again, supposedly great for stretch marks but using this for my whole body to keep it soft. As I’ve noticed a huge difference to my skin, it’s so dry !

Bio Oil

NEALS YARD - Massage Oil

A gorgeous luxurious gift from my buddy Nats, I actually am steering clear of massage for now but using a few drops of this to put in the bath, love it, smells incredible !

Neals Yard

More blogs to come !!!
Stay tuned x