Today feels positively spring-like over here! So warm and sunny, and such a welcome change from the freezing (alright, not actually freezing, but down to 3 degrees at times) temps here lately. So, of course a mid morning run/shuffle/jog was in order. Yep, you guessed it: it was slow. It was hard. I had a couple of walk breaks. But it was so fookin good to be out in the sun again. Although, this week seems incredibly hard to summon up the energy to do much: a noticeable change from last week's energy, and tomorrow will be officially Week 28, so marking the start of the third trimester already (wow) so not sure if this tiredness will continue from here on.

​So tired this week that I haven't been to the usual bodypump/weight classes, and I postponed an active job that was on today too. I also have pre natal yoga this evening (well, normal yoga class but the instructor is awesome and tailors it to you, calling out various adaptations to those in the class who are pregnant) but currently not even sure I will get there. Hmmm.... Time will tell hey.

​I was excited to be back at yoga last week. It had been a very long time, albeit one session of beach yoga in Bali in April, and I've been meaning to add it back into my schedule for a while now, if only for the relaxation bit at the end (my favourite part of the class). Since coming back to Oz early last year, I have struggled to make yoga a regular thing like it was in Vietnam and China, different lifestyle here I suppose, but it shouldn't have to be..... I was incredibly lucky enough in Inner Mongolia, China, to have free daily yoga classes run by the 3rd and 4th year students at the university I was teaching at. I reckon I had just about worked out the Chinese for 'inhale' and 'exhale' by the end of my year there. I was even getting up and trudging there in the dark, through snow, in -35 degree winter mornings. Somehow, I can't see myself doing the same here, even under much warmer conditions. But hey, I've made a start: I've been back for one class, and I intend to go to as many as I can in the next 10 ish weeks or so before my little man or lady arrives, seeing as running is getting harder and harder, and even cycling has me puffing a lot more than before (which has felt fine up until now).

​Hmmm, and on that note of post-Vietnam life/my re-entry to Oz, since coming back to live in the best city in the world (Newcastle!) I have explored a number of different professional adventures (I just love learning it seems), including being: a full-time uni student, a bicycle taxi/pedicab driver, a cleaner, a telephone banker, a behavioural therapist for kids, an English teacher for kids, a support worker/healthy change coach, to name a few, as well as novelist and running the nutrition business. It struck me that all of these jobs/past-times could have been prepping me and getting me ready in some way for the massive career change of motherhood?! I'm sure all will prove useful, yup, even the telephone banking gig: i.e. having angry people screaming down the phone at me I'm sure was good prep for a screaming, inconsolable baby, yes? Hmmm, now all I need is a quick job in childcare/babysitting, and maybe a few nappy-changing tutorials, and then I'll be set, right. Right??? Again, time will tell I suppose.....

​Apart from this fatigue, I am absolutely LOVING being pregnant. There is nothing better than feeling those powerful kicks from Cleatus (the foetus), and I'll take that over running or a paid career any day. Hmmm, if only I could remain at this phase of pregnancy.....

​Sending love from Newy xx :)

Wow, Japan. What can I say?! Japan was absolutely amazing. I LOVE that place. Definitely one of my favourite countries. From the amazing food, to the beautiful scenery, to the so so polite and friendly people, and to feeling like I'm in some futuristic world (when it comes to transport and toilets anyway): Japan's got the lot. Add in to that a surprise proposal on top of a mountaintop looking down at a stunning valley/river view mid-way through a cycling adventure day (yes, of course, I said yes!) and it was quite a week. I should tell you more about the food: actually I may do an entire post just on the food, it was that good, but for now you'll just have to take my word for it.

​Since returning back to the lucky (if not, cold and wintry) country that is Australia, I've been back into routine and the swing of things. Seems Japan is almost a distant memory now, sniff..... I am back doing lots of English teaching (I love my students, they are so smart and so adorable: love-notes from their parents to me about how happy and confident their child was after our class, and handmade hearts for me delivered with a 'teacher: I love you!' make this gig so worth it, despite the late night finishes) and I've also started back at HNE Health (NSW Health) and that has been great so far: really nice people, and a supportive environment with lots of training: I am a geek who actually loves training days. In Lou's Weight Online news: my Jump Into June 30 Day Challenge has come to an end and I am pumped for all who took part! I have heard from a couple of the participants re: their results and they have done amazingly! One has lost 3kg and 20cm in measurements and was on track for eating well and exercising (cardio and strength) every week as she had set out in her plan: incredible work!! I'm so pleased for her, and thanks to everyone who took part: I had a blast and I hope you did too. Stay tuned for some exciting updates for Lou's Weight Online soon. Working on a make-over of sorts: watch this space.

​Now, today marks Week 26 of this pregnancy journey, and running is getting quite difficult. If you can even still call it running: it's maybe more of a jog/shuffle. Sometimes it's a walk. That's ok. But yes, running with a bump is much harder than it looks! I think this shot from our last morning in Kyoto, when we went on a morning shrine/temple tour (on foot, of course) sums up how much harder it is than pre-pregnancy:

Here are some more from that morning shuffle around a few Kyoto shrines:

​So, sayonara for now folks. To those in Newcastle, Australia: enjoy this glorious sunshine today! Perfect weather for any kind of shuffle/jog/run/walk.