It is hard to believe that I am just weeks away from our little one making his or her debut into the world! I wanted to share a few important steps that were instrumental in helping me create a 90-Day Fertility Wellness Plan that would help me regain my health and achieve a positive pregnancy.
It was about a year ago, that I made a promise to myself. I realized that having a baby was not only a desire but it would become one of my greatest lifetime ambitions. I knew that there were obstacles but I asked God if there was more that I could do to give me the best possible opportunity for success.
The answer was YES! I decided to create my own fertility wellness plan. There is so much to share (I will be sharing even more details later) but I wanted to give a glimpse into the process and more than anything give hope.
When this journey started, I didn’t have a plan. I simply had a belief that there were more answers to my questions and that I just needed to do a little research to learn more and to see how I could apply these specific areas to my health. I found these to be central to not only fertility wellness but my overall wellness for healthy living.
- Spiritual & Emotional Support
- Supplementation & Clean Eating
- Exercise
- Sleep more Stress-less
1. Spiritual & Emotional Support
Everything starts with a seed called a thought. I realized that my mental and emotional well-being were all linked to my spiritual wholeness.
One of the biggest challenges I would face on my road to becoming a mom was my own spiritual, emotional and mental health. When you are dealing with loss and any private pain, it can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. I found that the way for me to combat this was to put God at the center of my pain. I prayed and asked for peace, clarity and direction.
Along the way, I found an amazing woman on the Internet who has a ministry to support women and men who are dealing with fertility issues. Her name is Nerida Walker. Her own story gave me hope and it provided for me a life line to believe beyond my doubt.
I listened to her conception prayer and I memorized this scripture:
Exodus 23:25-26 – Worship the Lord your God and His blessing will be on your food and water, and I will remove sickness and disease from among you. And none shall be barren or miscarriage and I will give you a full lifespan.
I worked hard to change my thinking from “never, it won’t happen” to “it is possible, God can do it, life is your plan.” I had to let go of my fear and lay hold of my faith.
This was the hardest work but know that it was the greatest work.
2. Supplementation & Clean Eating
I found an amazing website that was life changing. Natural-fertility-info.com provided a great basis to educate myself regarding how supplementation and certain foods can help clean and prepare my womb. After reviewing the website, I realized that there were super-foods that could truly help enrich my diet and they had specific impact on fertility.
Some of these items included:
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- Maca root
- Organic Berries (Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries etc.)
- Bee Pollen
- Bee Propolis
- CoQ10
- Whole Foods Pre-Natal Vitamins
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These are just a few items that became a staple in my diet. I created a fertility daily smoothie which included berries, spinach or green mix and maca root. To learn more about the five top recommendations for a 21-day fertility challenge watch the video below.
I also made a commitment to almost eliminate all breads and I removed all refined sugar from my diet. Sugar is an addictive substance that when eliminated from your system it becomes a non-factor. I worked toward eating “lean and green.” Making 80 percent of my diet raw (fruits, vegetables) and then included good, clean and organic meats. I enjoy food so it wasn’t easy but it has become a part of my lifestyle. One of the greatest supports I had during this journey was my husband. He was preparing for his first fitness competition. It was perfect for us both to be working together toward a clean diet. Find someone who can hold you accountable and work with you toward your goal.
3. Exercise, Exercise
I recommitted everyday to move. As an athlete, I’ve learned what works to transform my body. If you are someone who works out occasionally, it is time to step it up. It is amazing to see how exercise not only helps you feel better but elevates your self-confidence and it is a great stress reliever.
I worked out 5-6 days a week. I would invest 60 minutes or more through running in the park or doing walking lunges. I also did some weight lifting and plyometric. The goal is to be consistent and change your mindset about exercise. Exercise is my time to clear my head, talk to God and enjoy my favorite songs and artists. One song that became a theme song for me was “We Don’t Fold Under Pressure” by T. Haddy.
I found that walking lunges were my best friend. I was able to do them anywhere and build up to doing more and more each week. It is also an amazing exercise to shape and slim your thighs and booty!
4. Sleep More Stress Less
I had no idea how much stress I was carrying in my body. I was overworked and feeling overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to be a mother. I started to take time for myself by doing Pilates, stretches and taking the time to unwind before going to bed. One of my favorite treats was doing an Epsom salt bath before bed. It helped to soothe my mind and prepare my body for a more restful sleep. I also drank CALM which is a magnesium supplement which helped with cramps as well as helped to knock me out when it was time for bed.
I found that by meditating on selected bible scriptures, listening to music that motivated me and hearing women like Nerida share their story, was making me become more hopeful.
Instead of being in a state of panic about “what if” I was in a state of peace.
Again, there were so many elements to this journey that I hope to share in even greater detail in the future but for now, I didn’t want to overwhelm you. My heart is just to share with you a path toward greater wellness and overall health.
During this pregnancy, I have been limited in my ability to workout but I do hope to get back to this plan once the baby is born. It truly has been a life saver for me. I’ve learned to take control of my well being and to use tools land techniques to help me achieve these goals. I know you can as well. Enjoy the journey!