Fit & Healthy Mommy-To-Be of the Month
February’s Expecting More™ Fit & Healthy Mommy-To-Be of the Month is Ali North!
This month I am proud to feature an very unique Mommy-To-Be. Her name is Ali North and she happens to be one of the stars of Expecting More®. Ali performed as back-up, showing both modifications and progressions during her second pregnancy. She is now due, any day, with her third baby!
Ali resides in Los Angeles, California and is the owner of a baby planning company, Sweet Expectations Los Angeles. She loves the outdoors, running, ballet and adventures with her family.
Here are some of the highlights from my Q&A with fit & healthy new mom, Ali:
Why did you want to be a part of the Expecting More® project?
During my first pregnancy, I was very frustrated with the prenatal exercise videos and classes. Fitness is a major part of my life, and I didn’t want to just “stretch and breath” as a workout while pregnant, but did not feel safe trying to modify the high impact classes I was used to (since I am not a certified fitness trainer). I was so excited to meet Sara and know that she was going to offer a safe workout that would make me sweat and feel fit right up to delivery!
What is your favorite part about being pregnant?
I love being able to have my baby so safe and close to me while pregnant. Feeling my baby move in my belly is one of the most amazing experiences.
Have you experienced a difference between your three pregnancies? If so, what? Did any of it have to do with your fitness levels?
I was not sure how to eat or work out in my first pregnancy and gained more weight than I wanted to because I ate too much ice cream and did not work out on the level I was used to! It took much longer to get back to feeling healthy again after delivery. I wanted to do things differently with my second pregnancy. That is when I started training under Sara (who was also pregnant!) and she taught me how far I could safely push my workouts. I bounced back so quickly after that delivery! Now in my third pregnancy, I work out with Expecting More and feel great! Of course, chasing after a 4-year-old and 20-month-old keep me busy, too!
Tell us a bit more about what you do and how it helps mommies-to-be.
I am a Certified Baby Planner and the owner of Sweet Expectations Los Angeles. I work with private clients and teach workshops at hospitals and baby boutiques to prepare parents for all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and newborn care through education, product recommendation, and support. Moms often feel overwhelmed by the many options of baby products, birth plans, and parenting styles. I believe that every family is unique and love helping them to find their pregnancy, delivery, and parenting styles.
In the picture, Ali is 35 weeks pregnant with her third child (by Apple Rose Photography).