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My LOVE Story with Pregnancy

My LOVE Story with Pregnancy

Have you ever felt out of control, lost, stuck, self-conscious? Have your emotions been on a roller coaster, had constant heart burn, the inability to use your abs or move the way that makes you feel good, and the inability to eat normal meals due to your stomach feeling squished?
My LOVE Story with Pregnancy

These are just some of the things that have come up during my pregnancy. You are probably thinking to yourself, “how fun!” For those of you who are reading this who loved being pregnant I truly am happy for you, that is a gift. If I said that I am in love with being pregnant…well, I would be lying. Going through pregnancy has been one of the most challenging internal struggles I have had in a long time. While I am excited about the outcome, I feel a bit out of control which is a very vulnerable place for me.

You see I am a go getter, a breaking the glass ceiling kind of woman, doing her own thing, who suffered with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder called bulimia for many years in her 20’s. Thankfully I had reached a place of self- love, a healthy eating pattern, and a healthy body. I had developed a rhythm of life that kept me healthy.
Then pregnancy hit. At 35 after trying for 1.5 years, my husband and I did get pregnant, but ended in a miscarriage at 8 weeks. While this was a challenging experience, I knew deep down that I COULD get pregnant which was a really nice feeling and a total blessing. 3 months later, I was pregnant again.

While my husband and I were so excited and thankful, the challenging journey of pregnancy began for me. Changes happened that were not all comfortable. In the first trimester I was hungrier than I ever had been in many years. It was a kind of hunger that could not be satisfied, and this was uncomfortable for me as a former food addict. I had felt this kind of hunger and craving for food as a suffering bulimic. However, this time it was different. I knew that I needed to eat, and that I was keeping my food in, not letting it go. I knew I was feeling this way not because I was seeking a release (purge), but had a growing being inside me that needed nourishment too.
As you can probably imagine, I also started gaining weight rapidly from eating more which did not help my feeling of being out of control. When I would throw hints at friends or colleagues about the eating, most of the advice was simply, “just let yourself eat Theresa; this is the time you are free to do what you want; don’t worry about it.” While I appreciate this advice, this is tough for a recovering food addict. I do not want to just eat whatever or let myself go. I want to be healthy.

In my 2nd trimester my appetite returned to normal, at which point the food fears were replaced by a different obstacle. During our 20-week ultrasound, the sonographer and physician could not see a number of necessary brain structures. The prognosis was a strong likelihood of significant development disabilities, and we were then shepherded to a room where our termination opens were presented to us.

I wanted to kick myself because going into this ultrasound I was almost cocky, just as I would be going into a game that I was over prepared for and knew I would win. Knowing how healthy I was I felt nothing could be wrong with my child. Needless to say, this news threw both my husband and I for a loop and caused great sadness. While we held hope, there was so much varying medical information out there to read; it was overwhelming. I often didn’t want to get out of bed. Feeling that a loss may happen, or may not, left me feeling very low. I had already lost both parents and a lot of my extended family, I was not sure what another loss would do to me.
Thankfully the next set of tests we requested at 23 weeks were deemed normal and the chances our child was healthy improved significantly. The cloud of stress and sadness was nearly lifted. A level of anxiety persisted, and we forged onward.

My 3rd trimester rolled around and my belly got big, the clothes much tighter, and my maternity wardrobe grew. My movement slowed, I could not eat very much due to limited space, and my mind scattered. The demands on me at work have not slowed, but have increased due to some exciting opportunities that add to my anxiety. In a time that I need to be preparing for birth, I am not. When asked in my birthing class how I bond with my baby, I made up my answer. Because besides random pokes or rubbing of the belly, I had not been spending ample time on this, which was in stark contrast to all the other Moms in the room.

As a new Mom with an unborn child, I realize that even with not feeling as prepared as other Moms, struggling with the highs and lows of mood, the discomfort of eating at times, the weight gain, the anxiety…this is an amazing time and opportunity in my life that is a gift. Despite all the struggles, what is happening is a gift. While I do not LOVE the process of pregnancy, I love the opportunity and the end product – a child. I love what this child will offer the world and to my husband and me, and what we can offer it unconditionally.

While loving the process of my pregnancy is not realistic, loving the purpose behind it is!!

As a new Mom with an unborn child

pictures from: https://www.pinterest.com/evamenetrier/pregnancy-photos/

Dr. T on Eagle Nation Podcast

Dr. T on Eagle Nation Podcast

Dr. T on Eagle Nation Podcast

Theresa Larson is a woman with many titles and one inspiring story. She’s played college and professional softball, served as a US Marine, and is now a doctor of physical therapy in San Diego. In her recent memoir, Warrior, Theresa bravely shares her story of being platoon commander in Iraq and battling some inner demons. We have a very raw and honest conversation about: The issues that come with being a perfectionist The challenges of being a female Marine officer How movement and exercise helps us overcome trauma The importance of owning and sharing our stories

Check out the podcast.

40+ Fitness

40+ Fitness

Check out Theresa’s interview on 40+ Fitness

I couldn’t imagine a better guest on the episode going live on the day the US celebrates independence than a woman who served in Iraq helping us stay free and safe, Theresa Larsen.

Theresa Larson has been a professional softball player, an award-winning fitness competition contestant, and a lieutenant in the Marines, where she led an entire platoon while deployed in Iraq. She is now a doctor of physical therapy and the founder of Movement Rx, offering support to wounded warriors and individuals with movement issues. Theresa travels all over the world as a speaker for the CrossFit Movement and Mobility course and is a consultant for the world-renowned MobilityWOD. She is a lululemon athletica ambassador, a LALO Tactical ambassador, and works with Team Red, White & Blue, LinderKids, The Resilience Project, the National Eating Disorders Association, and other nonprofits. She lives in San Diego, California.

-Allan Misner, 40+ Fitness

7 Myths About Writing a Book

7 Myths About Writing a Book

YES there are many myths associated with writing a book. Let me explain…

1. Once you have the idea- the book is just written overnight
Soooo writing a book and publishing a book is like having a second job. It took 10 years and 5 months from having the idea to actually publishing the thing…

2. Being an author is perfect for an introvert- you just stay quiet and write a lot and don’t have to interact with everyone. When your book is done, people will just read it!
Yeah not really! You need to broadcast your story, like, A LOT! I get energy from being quiet, some of this process did not bring me energy, but a lot of it did. I did HAVE to find boundaries in how much “being on” I could handle.

The cherry on the top: I found out that this book writing process was so much more healing for me than I had ever anticipated.

3. ELLEN, OPRAH, The Today Show are TOTALLY what sell books!
Sure, being mentioned on Oprah’s Book Club would be great, but for the most part getting publicity does not transfer over into selling more books. What it does do is bring exposure to your message, which is very important.

4. You sit back and chill once the book is written; the publisher does it all!
The publisher did do a great deal, but it is still up to ME to market the book and the message, to build a grassroots brand that people can relate to. While I had support, I also had to hustle on my own and build knowledge in how to organically get my book out there in a way that was authentic to me. I had to ask for help from colleagues and friends who were influencers in the community who could share my story with their audience, friends, and loved ones.

5. Being an author is so glamorous; life just kind of unfolds after you are published.
To be honest my life has been getting better and better as this book has been a huge emotional clearing for me. I healed so much from writing this thing with Alan – I faced a lot of fears and let a lot of “stuff” go. However, life just didn’t unfold. It has been a long journey of ups and downs, learning what I need to stay healthy, and walking my talk.
The not so glamorous parts about writing Warrior:
I let go of a couple long lasting friendships that were not healthy for me any longer. I lost my Father, I cried myself to sleep many nights, I worked late and was up early so I could record and work on this book, I prayed a lot, and I spent a lot of time in contemplation working to figure out the best way to tell my story.

6. You will make a lot of MONEY if you write a book
Ha! The truth is it is very hard to make money as an author, especially the first time around. Most of the time spent working on it, takes time away from other things….you actually lose money. What it does do is spread the word about your message and brand. I hope to be able to continue to leverage this book so it can impact many!

7. Writing a book means I am kind of legit!
Nope, what makes me legit is who I am. What I do does not define who I am as a person anymore. This book IS a piece of my soul…shit did happen. I am the author of a book but I am still the same person and will stay humble for as long as I live. That is what makes me legit. That is what makes YOU legit!

If you haven’t ordered your copy of Warrior, you can do so here.7 Myths About Writing a Book