Olivia Adriance: How To Make Healthy Food Fun, Pregnancy & Unsolicited Advice
In this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, guest Olivia Adriance discusses how pregnancy has prompted changes in her daily routines, from content creation to fitness and nutrition. She shares her experience of adapting her work schedule to accommodate pregnancy, including her decision to take time off after giving birth—her first substantial break from content creation in four years.
The conversation covers Adriance's evolving relationship with food and exercise throughout pregnancy. She details her approach to maintaining nutrition despite changing food preferences, drawing guidance from pregnancy nutrition resources. The discussion also explores her modifications to exercise routines, including her switch to pregnancy-safe strength training and how she adapted to physical challenges by finding alternative forms of movement.
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1-Page Summary
Adapting To New Lifestyle and Routines During Pregnancy
Olivia Adriance shares her journey of adapting to pregnancy-related changes in her daily life. She discovered that her previous productivity levels weren't sustainable during pregnancy, leading her to become more intentional about managing her work schedule and planning for postpartum life. Olivia plans to take a couple of months off after giving birth to focus on bonding with her baby and learning new parenting skills. This marks her first significant break from content creation in four years, reflecting a shift in priorities from her usual content focus to her personal life and pregnancy experiences.
Pregnancy Cravings, Nutrition, and Food Choices
During her pregnancy journey, Olivia experienced evolving food preferences. Her first trimester brought healthy cravings for herb salads and citrus fruits, but by the third trimester, she developed an aversion to vegetables. To maintain proper nutrition, Olivia consulted "Real Food for Pregnancy" and got creative with her meals, incorporating liver into ground beef taco bowls and discovering unexpected cravings for foods like sardines.
Maintaining Fitness and Exercise During Pregnancy
Olivia's fitness routine underwent significant changes during pregnancy. Around 13 weeks, she modified her workout routine when she noticed changes in her ability to engage her core during Lagree workouts. At 26 weeks, she transitioned to the Evlo prenatal program, which offered pregnancy-safe strength training exercises. When symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) prevented her from walking at 20 weeks, Olivia and her partner switched to bike riding as a low-impact alternative. Despite these challenges, Olivia reports feeling empowered by getting stronger throughout her pregnancy, with Mari Llewellyn noting that staying active during pregnancy can benefit both mother and baby.
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Actionables
- You can create a flexible meal plan that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods to adapt to changing tastes and nutritional needs during pregnancy. Start by listing foods high in essential nutrients and then categorize them by flavor profiles (sweet, savory, bitter, etc.) so you can easily swap them out based on your cravings or aversions. For example, if you find yourself averse to chicken, have a list of iron-rich alternatives like spinach or lentils to choose from.
- Develop a personalized pregnancy exercise plan by consulting with a fitness professional who specializes in prenatal workouts. They can help you design a routine that evolves with each trimester, focusing on strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. This could include water aerobics in the second trimester for low-impact resistance training and prenatal yoga in the third trimester for flexibility and relaxation.
- Plan a postpartum learning schedule that includes short, daily educational sessions on parenting skills and baby bonding. Use online resources, such as webinars or e-books, to learn about topics like infant first aid, breastfeeding techniques, or baby massage. Set aside 15-30 minutes each day when you're most alert to watch, read, or practice these skills, ensuring you're well-prepared for when the baby arrives.
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Adapting To New Lifestyle and Routines During Pregnancy
Olivia Adriance talked about how her pregnancy has compelled her to alter her habits and become more adaptable in her daily life.
Olivia Had to Be More Flexible With Her Habits and Schedules During Pregnancy
Recognizing the Unsustainability of Past Productivity Levels
She recognized that her previous levels of productivity were unsustainable during pregnancy. Olivia noticed that various factors were affecting her much more after becoming pregnant. This led her to be more intentional about stepping away from her direct messages and being mindful of her need to slow down. She discussed the importance of building in flexibility, especially with her work schedule, preparing content ahead of time, and not giving herself a rigid timeline for returning to work postpartum. She emphasized her plans to take a couple of months off after giving birth to focus on bonding, breastfeeding, and learning to care for her baby.
Olivia's Partner Kyle Aided Her Lifestyle Changes and Decision-Making, Including Outfit Choices
Olivia shared her feelings around the emotional changes during pregnancy, such as suddenly crying during church. She also expressed annoyance and resentment because, although her life was undergoing significant changes, her partner Greg's life seemingly remained untouched. It's worth noting that there are no explicit mentions of how her partner Kyle may have aided her in these lifestyle adjustments or decision-making processes rega ...
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Adapting To New Lifestyle and Routines During Pregnancy
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a "no interruptions" zone by setting specific times when you'll turn off notifications and step away from direct messages to focus on high-priority tasks or self-care. For example, use the "Do Not Disturb" feature on your phone and computer for a two-hour block in the morning when you're most productive or need quiet time.
- Establish a personal flexibility plan by mapping out your weekly schedule with blocks of time that can be adjusted as needed. Start by identifying core work hours and then add flexible time slots around them for unexpected tasks or personal needs. This could look like setting aside Friday afternoons for catch-up work or personal appointments that can be moved if something urgent comes up earlier in the week.
- Develop a self-care and emotional awaren ...
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Pregnancy Cravings, Nutrition, and Food Choices
Olivia Adriance shares her experiences with changing pregnancy cravings and how they’ve influenced her approach to nutrition and food choices.
Olivia's Pregnancy Cravings: From Healthy Foods to Vegetable Aversions in Third Trimester
During the first trimester of her pregnancy, Olivia had healthy cravings. She was particularly fond of herb salads, often making an herby quinoa salad daily. In addition, she developed an affinity for citrus, with oranges becoming a central part of her diet. However, as her pregnancy progressed into the third trimester, Olivia experienced a turn in her palate. She developed an aversion to vegetables, which she described as annoying since they are a significant part of a nutritious prenatal diet.
Olivia Confirmed Her Prenatal Nutrition With "Real Food for Pregnancy"
To ensure she was following a healthy diet, Olivia consulted "Real Food for Pregnancy," which underscored the necessity of nutrient-rich foods for expectant mothers. This likely influenced her consistent effort to incorporate nutritious ingredients into her meals, despite her changing cravings and taste preferences.
Olivia Creatively Made Liver More Palatable By Mixing It Into Ground Beef
Recognizing the health benefits of liver, Olivia incorporated it into her diet by mixing it into ground beef to make it more palatable. She opted to prepare a ground beef taco ...
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Pregnancy Cravings, Nutrition, and Food Choices
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Counterarguments
- While Olivia's initial cravings were healthy, it's important to note that not all pregnant women experience the same types of cravings, and craving less healthy foods does not necessarily indicate a poor diet or lack of self-control.
- Developing an aversion to vegetables can be challenging, but there are often alternative sources of nutrients that can be considered if certain food groups become unpalatable.
- Consulting a book like "Real Food for Pregnancy" is one way to ensure a healthy diet, but it's also important to consult with healthcare providers, as individual nutritional needs can vary greatly during pregnancy.
- Mixing liver into ground beef is a creative solution, but it ...
Actionables
- You can create a personalized nutrition tracker to monitor your food preferences and aversions throughout your pregnancy. Start by logging your daily meals, noting any specific cravings or aversions you experience. Use this data to identify patterns and make adjustments to your diet, ensuring you maintain a balanced intake of nutrients. For example, if you notice a craving for citrus fruits, you might pair them with iron-rich foods to enhance iron absorption.
- Experiment with incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your favorite recipes to satisfy both your nutritional needs and taste preferences. If you find certain superfoods unappealing on their own, try blending them into smoothies or sauces where their flavor can be masked by other ingredients. For instance, blend spinach into a berry smoothie or mix pureed lentils into a pasta sauce to enrich your meals without compromising taste.
- Engage with a community of expectant mothers online t ...
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Maintaining Fitness and Exercise During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, many women grapple with how to safely maintain fitness levels. Olivia Adriance's journey exemplifies a shift towards low-impact exercises, balancing an active lifestyle with the changes and demands of pregnancy.
Olivia Switched To Low-impact Exercises During Pregnancy
Olivia recognized the need to adjust her fitness routine during pregnancy, seeking to maintain her physical activity while also adapting to her body’s changing needs.
Olivia Stopped High-Impact Exercises Around 13 Weeks, Finding the Evlo Prenatal Program Fit Well
Olivia continued her workouts until about 13 weeks into her pregnancy, at which point she felt she could no longer engage her abs in the same way during her Lagree workouts. At around 26 weeks, she began the Evlo prenatal program, which focused on movements and strength training that were safe for pregnancy. Around 20 weeks, Olivia had to stop high-impact exercises like walking due to symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). She and her partner Kyle then switched to bike riding as a new form of low-impact exercise suitable for her condition.
Olivia Learned About Safe and Unsuitable Pregnancy Exercises, Aiding Her Fitness Decisions
During her journey, Olivia learned extensively about her body and the safety of certain exercises during pregnancy, particularly influenced by a program run by a doctor of physical therapy who was also expecting a child. These insights facilitated a personalized approach to her prenatal fitness.
Active Lifestyle and Strength Training Supported Olivia's Pregnancy
Adriance expresses that she felt empowered by getting stronger throughout her pregnancy, countering the belief that one’s mus ...
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Maintaining Fitness and Exercise During Pregnancy
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a personalized fitness journal to track your exercise modifications and how your body responds during different stages of pregnancy. Start by noting down your current routine and then, as your pregnancy progresses, document any changes you make, how you feel during and after workouts, and any advice you receive from healthcare professionals. This will help you understand your body's needs and adapt your routine accordingly.
- Consider forming a support group with other expecting parents interested in maintaining fitness during pregnancy. Use social media or community boards to connect with others, and organize regular virtual or in-person meetups to share experiences, exercise modifications, and motivational tips. This peer support can provide encouragement and a sense of community as you navigate your fitness journey.
- Develop a relationship with a healthcare provider ...
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