Today we feature a guest post by the lovely and smart Amanda Tress, personal trainer and founder of  Fit Pregnancy and Parenting online.  There is almost nothing more adorable than the pic at the end of this post, so be sure to read on.  Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!

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Is it safe to exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy? What workouts are appropriate? These are questions that I get often from my clients. And I’m here to tell you — it’s absolutely safe to exercise in your third trimester of pregnancy. Here is a break down of my workouts this past week (I am currently 32 weeks pregnant). Please keep in mind that I am in exceptional shape and maintained a very vigorous workout schedule pre-pregnancy.

• Day 1: 6 miles of running with clients, cardio machines, free weights, and pilates

• Day 2: 3.25 miles of running/walking

• Day 3: 3 hours of cardio machines, running, and pilates with clients

• Day 4: Rest

• Day 5: 1 hour of plyos with a client

• Day 6: 6 hours of running, cardio machines, and lifting with clients

• Day 7: Rest

This weekend I am running the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon with three of my gym clients. I am SO excited! I certainly won’t be breaking any records, but I plan to finish the 13.1 miles with style (we might purchase some pig noses and tails for the race). I even thought about turning my preggy belly into a little pig face and seeing how many stares I get. HA, just kidding.

Here are some important items to note as you continue working out through your third trimester or pregnancy:

1. Consult with your doctor about working out in the third trimester of pregnancy. My doctor is very supportive of my workouts and intensity level and has not given me any restrictions. She is fully aware that I am running a half marathon this weekend and is really excited to see me for my prenatal appointment on Monday and hear how it went.

2. Listen to your body: If you experience any red flags (cramping, bleeding, shortness of breath, etc) … immediately stop your workout and consult your doctor if necessary.

   
   

3. You will almost definitely have to scale back the intensity of your workouts. I am still working out for the same amount of time as pre-pregnancy, but I have definitely decreased the intensity of my workouts in this trimester.

4. Every pregnancy and every woman is different. Do not compare yourself with me, your pregnant friend, or yourself in a previous third trimester of pregnancy. I am able to do things this pregnancy that I was not able to do when I was pregnant with Emma, but I have also had to scale back a few exercises even more than I did with her. (Ex: I am able to run more than I did with her since Baby Boy is sitting higher, but I have had to stop doing lunges as often because it makes my pelvis very sore).

If you have any questions about working out in the third trimester of pregnancy, please let me know! I would be more than happy to give you advice based on my experience and research.

Fit Pregnancy and Parenting was founded by Amanda Tress, mommy to a beautiful baby girl, mommy-to-be to a baby boy (June 2013), and a personal trainer who is passionate about health and wellness. She has trained clients in the gym for over 9 years, and truly enjoys helping women lose weight, learn how to exercise properly, gain confidence, and transform their lives (and the lives of their family) for the better. Follow Amanda on Pinterest, Instagram (@fitparenting), Twitter, and Facebook. 

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlights the dangers and harms of overseas outsourcing for apparel manufacturing, citing garment giants like Nike, Columbia, Puma, H&M, and Wal Mart.   Just one more reason why we are proud to be made in the USA, supporting local jobs in Los Angeles and Raleigh.  

It costs a lot more to be socially responsible. 

We thank our customers  for sharing our values and efforts.  

Below are some excerpts from the article.   Click to read the full article and interesting comments online at the WSJ.

“Critics worry that factory safety and worker protections won’t improve as long as apparel companies chase the lowest manufacturing costs”

“The demand for low costs, ultrafast turnarounds and zero mistakes in clothing production has put enormous pressure on factories throughout the developing world. Activists say that raises the risk of more disasters or labor unrest.”

“The manufacturing industry is running out of low-cost sourcing destinations, and it’s time to invest in making factories safer and better, rather than searching for cheaper labor,” says Auret van Heerden, chief executive of the Fair Labor Association, a monitoring group funded partly by Western companies.”

We realize that there may be  benefits to outsourcing, and to infusing developing countries with industry.  As a family company, we prefer to do business with small partners, developing personal relationships with transparency and trust.   Thank you for your support!

Today, we are delighted to feature Tiffany, a  personal trainer and health blogger. As an expecting mother dedicated to clean eating, she crafted us a recipe to share that hits the spot when cravings kick in! Yum!

The Mom-In-Training Green Protein Power Smoothie

 As a fellow pregnant gal, I know how hard it is to suck down the recommended 100 grams of protein each day, as well as get in those leafy green vegetables. Among food aversions, cravings and otherwise queasy stomachs, can it really be done? You bet! Finding foods that fit your lifestyle and will satisfy some of your cravings may be just the right answer.

I find that toward the middle of the day (usually around 2pm) I start craving something sweet – I guess that’s my baby’s way of asking for a little pick-me-up when I’ve used the majority of my energy for the day. Instead of reaching for froyo, a candy bar or a sweet beverage, I turn to protein! Here’s my take on a green smoothie, sure to make baby and you happy. (And trust me, you can’t even taste the spinach!)

The Mom-In-Training Green Protein Power Smoothie

Ingredients:

¼ c Fresh/Frozen Raspberries

¼ c Fresh/Frozen Blueberries

½ c Fresh/Frozen Strawberries

½ c Fresh Spinach Leaves

½ c Unsweetened Almond Milk

¼ c Water

1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I use Jay Robb’s Vanilla Egg White Protein Powder – it’s clean and doesn’t contain anything that may harm my baby or my body.)

½ c Ice

Directions:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend to desired consistency.

Enjoy!

Tiffany

Tiffany Staples is an ACE-certified personal trainer, Schwinn Cycling Certified Instructor and health and fitness blogger. She contributes as co-editor of HeandSheEatClean.com and as sole editor of TiffanyStaples.com. Tiffany resides in Atlanta, GA and is married to the love of her life, Jim. Together, they have a fur baby, Marlowe and are expecting a baby boy, Bryce at the end of May.

We are so proud of these amazing mamas!  Looking good, ladies!  Thank you for sharing on our page – we’ve added you to our Pinterest Belly Gallery.

From the People.com  Moms & Babies Celebrity Baby Blog: 

From cool strollers and mini designer duds to stylish infant carriers, celebrity trend expert Rachel Florio-Urso is always ahead of the curve when it comes the hottest baby products on the market.

And right now, she’s giving away loads of celeb-worthy goodies to one lucky Moms & Babies reader. They gift set includes the following:

GracoBaby SnugRide Click Connect 35 car seat, SnugRider Elite stroller frame and FastAction Fold Jogger($430), Dish and Spoon Productions‘s Post Royal Crown Wall Art ($168), WubbaNub pacifier ($12), The Matching Dots Little Chloe Dress ($60), Zip It Baby Dreamsicle set and Big Apple Dress ($107), Little TrendstarHipster Onesie ($24), Baby Björn Travel Crib Light and Safe Step Stool ($320), Fairy Godmother’s StoreChiffon Flower Headband and Tiny Toes Set ($76), For Two Fitness Maternity Pant and Racerback Tank Top ($120), April Marin Resort Ruffle Shawl ($90), DADspirations The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood book ($14), Tutu Du Monde Dew Drop Tutu Dress ($150), Stride Rite Crib & Crawl shoes ($30), SnuggyBaby Prestige Ring Sling ($95), Stinky McGee Plaid Bow-Tie Onesie ($35), Medela Pump In Style Advanced ($300), BebeVuUltrasound Sharing Experience ($30), Little Circus Toys, Clothing & Keepsakes ($50), Born Free 3 Pack of Eco Deco Bottles and 9oz Drinking Cup ($26), Summer Infant Lil’ Luxuries Whirlpool and Bubbling Spa & Shower ($60), Sweet Jane Paperie Set of 10 Fabric-Backed Cards ($80), Bailey Berry Patented Reversa Strap Shoes ($38), Via Parenting Rock Your Inner Mama CD ($25), Princess Linens Doodlebag and Personalized Crayon Apron ($32), Boutique Elli’Ette Posh Ruffled Bubble Dress ($38), Lil’ Giggles Couture Chunky Necklaces and Lace Legwarmers ($56), Mimi and Maggie Girls Spring Dress ($80), Monogram Muse Gifts Shirt ($36), Hey Sugar Snap The sugarSNAP Files ($44), Hula Bye The Happy Changer ($42), Tickle Toes Hooded Towel, Burp & Bib Set and Wipe Case ($96), Butch and Harold Sweet Stickr Frame Set ($20), Lollipop Moon Baby Accessories ($120).

Hurry up and enter for your chance to win! Online entries must be received between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on 4/8/13 and 11:59 p.m. (ET) on 4/14/13. See Official Rules.

We always love to show off our customers and their belly bumps.  Lauren shared this photo collage with us on Facebook, and we’re sharing it with you!  If you’d like us to feature you on our blog, or on our Pinterest “Belly Gallery” just share your photo on our Facebook page.  We’ll do the rest!

We love to showcase bumps wearing our apparel, so we just can’t resist introducing you to Courtney over at Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life.  You’ll want to be sure to check our her blog, and follow her journey through this first pregnancy!  She is sooo cute.  We added her to our Pinterest Belly Gallery too, of course.

Here’s an excerpt of her post.  Click the link above to visit her site!

The very awesome Akemi Sue (aka Mommy Guru) is hosting a huge giveaway, so of course, we want to be sure our most loyal followers and fans don’t miss out on a chance to win $100 to spend at For Two Fitness!  This is part of her “March Madness” giveaway series, so be sure to check out the other fantastic offerings while you’re on her blog.  Here’s an excerpt of the giveaway, along with a link to enter:

Who doesn’t want apparel for their growing belly that will give you compliments every day?  For Two Fitness® is the premier maternity fitness apparel brand that is bump flattering & will enhance your confidence and inspire your joy. No really it will! Each top has the cutest slogan on it like “dancing for two”, “body by baby” & “belly up to the barre”.  SWOON!

Whether you’re loungin’ or being active, this is the must-have maternity wear

for any mom-to-be!

One lucky Mommy Guru fan will win a $100 gift card to For Two Fitness!

 Ends April 1st at 11:59pm EST open to US  residents only, ages 18+.  Good luck!

ENTER HERE!

How ADORABLE is our customer Amanda? Thank you for sharing with us!

“The first day I wore them my husband said, ‘Honey, your butt looks great!!!’ At 8 months pregnant this was very nice to hear & I’m convinced it was because of the pants!!”

Want to see more?  Check out our Pinterest Belly Gallery – photos submitted by real customers, like you!  Submit your own photo by emailing us at customercare@fortwofitness.com.

Our customer Anca wrote this email today.  No, not a typo – she has TEN of our tops!  And she looks amazing in them!! 

“I just saw a beautiful picture you posted on your Pinterest account and thought I would share mine with you.

I ordered 10 of your tops after I got pregnant and wore them from my 6th month on.  I exercised 5-6 days/week all the way up until the day before I went into labor and delivered a healthy baby boy! Aiden was born on Feb 13 at 6 pounds 1 oz and 19 inches.

This picture was taken at week 37, just 11 days before Aiden arrived.

Thank you for a great product, it really helped me feel cute at the gym during my pregnancy; and I got smiles and compliments on my tops every single time I wore them.”

Thanks for sharing – we love to hear your stories, and show off your baby bumps!  I hope you are enjoying Aiden and the new wonderful experience of motherhood!