My Pregnancy Journey

I met my incredible husband, Nick in 2007 in Calgary. Soon after we met, he was transferred to Paris, France. Reluctantly, I decided to stay back and finish my “Fitness Trainer” program in Calgary. After a year of long distance and the completion of my schooling, I came to a crossroad where I either moved to Paris (tough decision I know ;)) to be with Nick, or I moved on. One month later, I packed up my life, took a leap of faith and moved to the city of love.

It was an interesting change to see the difference in the health and fitness industry between North America and France. North American’s seem to be fitness fanatical, pushing their bodies to the limit and willing to try anything to see how fit, fast, strong and how far they can go! The diets, the workouts, the gyms and the trends: North America is fixated on this industry. The French, in my opinion, were much more “laid back” with regards to fitness. They seemed to have a balance that allowed for moderate exercise, food, work, family, education and travel. And sometimes not so balanced, the WINE…guilty 😉

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I was determined to continue my new career as a Fitness Trainer. After knocking on doors, searching the web for potential jobs and connecting with the expat community, I landed a job with two companies as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. I taught clients and classes at Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, Jardin Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg and Champ de Mars to name a few. I remember waking up exhausted at 4:45am to catch the 5:30 metro to the Eiffel Tower to teach my 6:00am class. No matter how tired I felt, seeing my incredible clients at the base of the Eiffel Tower with the moon bright and the stars still twinkling in the sky gave me an energy I cannot describe. We had the tower to ourselves during our workout and finished the class watching the beautiful sunrise. Although the scenery was breathtaking, the most incredible part of my job was having my clients tell me how amazing they felt and the positive impact that I was having on them. This further fueled my passion for what I was doing!

As I became connected in Pairs, I began specializing in Women’s Nutrition and Fitness. As one of five sisters, all of whom are very different and unique, I have always gotten along and connected well with women, on all different levels, developing close and strong relationships. The women I worked with were of all different ages, fitness levels, nationalities, religions and backgrounds. Some were trying to get pregnant. Some were pregnant. And many were in the postnatal period, trying to restore their physical and mental heath. As I have always dreamed of being a Mother, helping these women was such an incredible experience for me. Not only did I help these women with their nutrition and fitness, I developed lasting friendships and provided moral support for whatever they may have been experiencing. I am certain that these women helped me as much, if not more than I helped them. Seeing the positive changes and increased confidence in these women is why I do what I do.

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My career was taking off but my dreams and ambitions didn’t stop there. From the time that I could talk and walk, I was helping take care of my younger sisters and trying to copy everything that my Mother did! My Mother was, and still is the most incredible woman that I know: A mother I can only hope to live up to. I loved helping her and my sisters and couldn’t wait to be a Mom myself. While all of the other children in my second grade class aspired to be Doctors, Lawyers and Presidents, I dreamt only of being a Mother!

While living in Paris and after my engagement to Nick, we started talking about the idea of having children. Coming from a large family where my Mother consistently just happened to get pregnant, I never ever thought that I would have any trouble conceiving. After stopping the pill, it took me almost 2 years to get a cycle back. During that time, I visited numerous Doctors who told me an array of things from being too thin, working out too much, not working out the right way, hormones were too high or too low, thyroid was off, diagnosed me with PCOS, told me I didn’t have PCOS, not eating enough of this or that! I heard it all and was left stressed, confused and hopeless. Doctors were certain that I would have trouble conceiving, even one doctor telling me that I most likely would not be able to have kids. I was left devastated and confused as how this could happen to me. My dreams of being a Mother were crushed.

After doctors suggested I begin fertility treatments, I decided that I would first attempt to make some lifestyle changes prior to taking the medical route. Although I was a Certified Trainer and Holistic Nutritionist, I delved further into holistic nutrition courses and books, naturopathic medicines, acupuncture, yoga and modified exercise. After implementing some changes in my fitness regime, diet and lifestyle, I found a balance that allowed me a “normal” cycle and a sense of peace and happiness. After going through the stress and heartache of thinking that I was unable to conceive, this experience only further developed me as a Trainer for pre and postnatal women and solidified my path and dedication to helping women whom have experienced similar troubles.

After years of worry, taking my temperature, ovulation tests and stressing that I would never be a Mother, it finally happened! After Paris, and a year of my husband working in Nigeria, we moved to Houston and I decided that I was going to let this go for a while as moving would be stressful and chaotic and it probably wouldn’t happen anyways. After several margaritas, some good laughs and “letting it go,” my dream of being a mother finally became a reality! I finally got the two solid pink lines! I couldn’t wait for my first appointment to see my little miracle blob and hear it’s speedy heartbeat! I laid there in anticipation to hear the news from the ultrasound tech. She showed me my little embryo and it’s perfect little heartbeat. Tears filled my eyes at the sight and sound of my tiny seed! The room became quiet for a moment until the tech said, “Oh wait, there is another little heart beat in here!” I couldn’t believe what I had just heard! I can’t even describe the happiness, shock and disbelief that I felt! This was the most amazing news that anyone ever conveyed to me! TWINS!

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My hope is to empower, inspire, educate and motivate you and your children to develop a healthy and happy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. Grab your tots and join me as we embark on this journey towards ultimate health!

Kelly xo

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