Anna Rhodes Fitness

Let’s talk about the 3rd trimester…

I realise I’m well behind on reporting back on this period given my baby is 5 weeks old, but for anyone wanting some of my insights on 3rd trimester, here you go!

I was apprehensive about 3rd trimester as some people I saw online really struggled and even said it was worse than 1st trimester.

But overall I found pregnancy to be amazing and magical and 3rd trimester didn’t change these feelings at all 🥰.

Yes it’s the trimester you feel very pregnant, but I just loved that feeling and I weirdly miss it🤰!

Next up I will share more about my birth story…stay tuned if it interests you 🥰

1 month of life in the bubble with Ava ✨🤍🫧

This past month has been the most magical whirlwind, I can’t believe how fast it’s gone!

I have so much I want to share about the experience of end of pregnancy, birth and navigating postpartum on this account but first I wanted to introduce her officially ✨

As I slowly start to get back to a new normal with our little bundle of joy I will share more - but becoming her mummy has truly been the best thing ever 🥹

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted on here…

Just 7 months ago I was in the craziest season of life opening my own Pilates studio.

And just when we had started to really get into the flow of it…I fell pregnant 😅

At first I lived in a constant state of panic that it could be taken away at any point and not to get “too excited” in case it didn’t happen.

I had cramps constantly and my b***s felt like I was about to come on my period. I was convinced I would.

And then the sickness hit me like a truck.

I always naively thought this wouldn’t be something that affected me much - my mum never had it and I don’t often physically vomit ever, my body just doesn’t do it easily!

But this sickness was something else.

I felt like I was constantly on a boat being tortured with motion sickness, nausea and shakes but never actually could be physically sick.

I wanted to lie down constantly and could barely move before 1pm.

I couldn’t do any of my normal activities and my absolute everything went into putting on a brave face for the hours I was still teaching Pilates per week and even then I would be then sofa ridden for the rest of the day after wards.

I felt a shell of myself in all honesty and I was so sad this could be the reality of rest of my pregnancy.

I didn’t exercise at all and I ate what I could to survive. I didn’t fill my usual “wellness” and “healthy” cup even though I so wanted to.

I didn’t have cravings but food aversions - everything sounded gross but I knew I needed to eat to stop feeling sick so I ate nothing but pasta and bread.

I knew I was gaining more weight than I was “supposed” to in first trimester and I felt so out of control about it.

I would see women in first trimester exercising and doing all the things online and I honestly felt like a complete failure.

I got to about week 10 and I decided to go to the doctors to get some medication (which did not help the feeling of failure) and those tablets did ease things off a bit for me.

And slowly but surely over the last few weeks I’ve started to have more and more days where I felt more like myself again.

I’ve so wanted to get back to sharing my journey and (continued in comments👇)

A series of winter outfits from a fair weathered dresser…spring is that you coming 👀🌸

Which is your fave 1-9??

Are you experiencing these feelings of guilt or shame around your diet?

With the constant diet culture shoved down your throat it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling guilty about eating basically anything 😔

The amount of women who I hear call themselves “greedy” for simply eating like a normal person is shocking. 😳

We need to normalise that constantly striving to be in a calorie deficit (ie eat less or restrict your eating) is not the way to be living your life.

You don’t need to be on a diet every day of the week/ month / year to see results.

You don’t need to constantly criticise the way you eat to see results either!

A healthy food relationship is KEY to maintaining a physique you can be proud of and comfortable in, and this means having a healthy balance.

I have a free “feel good” 15 day challenge which maps out the first stages to finding your balance, a key step in the process of your last ever “transformation!”

Comment “FEEL GOOD” if you want me to send it 🫶🏻

First Xmas as an engaged couple 💍🎄🤍 I love our little family 🥰

❌ Stop chasing the calorie burn and start chasing results…❌

I know you think that by “results” I just mean fat loss

…But if you only exercise to facilitate fat loss, your wasting your time.

The main reasons I recommend my clients do some form of exercise each week is mainly because:

➡️it’s good for your long term health
➡️it’s good for your mental health

And if I recommend weight training it’s because:

➡️ it’s good for bone health
➡️ it can help you get more toned
➡️ it can help you get stronger

❌it’s rarely because it increases a calorie deficit ❌

Exercise sessions count for just 5-10% of your daily burn…so obsessing over what your watch calories say is fairly pointless 🤷🏻‍♀️

You most likely DON’T need to make it more calorie burning to see results.

To be honest if your weight training sessions don’t make you feel totally knackered…that’s probably a sign your doing it right.

🧚 Share this if you agree 🧚