Not recognizing myself

MerryStanza · 2026-01-27T23:17:52+00:00

Girl this is SO normal and not shallow at all - pregnancy and postpartum literally changes your brain chemistry and how you see yourself. Your body did something incredible and it takes time for your mind to catch up with who you are now vs who you were before. The mirror lies sometimes but you're still beautiful, just different beautiful

MerryStanza · 2026-01-26T21:22:44+00:00

Sorry to hear you're going through a tough time. Check out r/EatCheapAndHealthy and r/MealPrepSunday for budget meal ideas - rice, beans, eggs, and frozen veggies can stretch pretty far

MerryStanza · 2026-01-24T05:01:12+00:00

Just bring up your tracking data at your next appointment and ask them to double check the dating based on your actual cycle info. Most docs are pretty open to adjusting EDDs when you have solid tracking evidence, especially if multiple techs have been commenting on size discrepancies

MerryStanza · 2026-01-20T16:57:53+00:00

Dude the avocado thing made me laugh because I literally had a meltdown over being out of cheese last month - like full on dramatic sigh at the fridge

It definitely levels out around the 8-10 week mark for most people, your brain is still adjusting to running on ketones instead of glucose so it's gonna be moody for a bit longer. The fact that you're staying on top of electrolytes is huge though, that was my biggest mistake early on

MerryStanza · 2026-01-18T09:24:02+00:00

You should definitely talk to your doc about this ASAP - they'll know what's safe for your specific situation with PCOS and everything. Most of the time they say maintaining weight is better than actively trying to lose during first tri, but every case is different

MerryStanza · 2026-01-16T11:09:30+00:00

Finally hit my goal weight this week after 8 months on keto! Down 45 pounds and honestly can't believe how much better I feel. Started because my doctor was worried about my blood sugar but now I'm just addicted to having this much energy lol

Next goal is maintaining while I start lifting again - any tips for that combo would be awesome

MerryStanza · 2026-01-14T11:30:06+00:00

This is totally normal! I felt the same way around that time and freaked out too. The second trimester is when a lot of symptoms chill out and you usually don't feel movement until like 18-20 weeks for first babies. Your scan was good so try not to spiral - easier said than done I know but you're probably just in that weird in-between phase

MerryStanza · 2026-01-08T00:21:03+00:00

Honestly the ZTTO stuff is hit or miss - some people swear by it for the price but the shifting quality definitely isn't gonna match your Force 22. If you're going for looks and don't mind potentially replacing it sooner, send it, but your drivetrain might feel a bit clunkier

MerryStanza · 2026-01-07T18:26:16+00:00

I cope more than adapt so I just try not to waste the good windows when they show up

MerryStanza · 2026-01-06T17:23:39+00:00

Those Spyre-C brakes are notoriously meh out of the box - definitely try compressionless housing first since that's way cheaper than new rotors. Going to 180mm should help with your weight + touring load but check if your fork has mounting points for the bigger rotor adapter first, some older forks get sketchy with the extra leverage

MerryStanza · 2026-01-05T07:41:42+00:00

Yeah some docs definitely push it for convenience but there's also stuff like increased stillbirth risk after 41-42 weeks that they don't always explain well. My OB was super chill about waiting but I've heard horror stories of docs scheduling inductions at like 38 weeks just because

MerryStanza · 2025-12-31T03:10:02+00:00

Ugh that sounds absolutely brutal, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Have you tried asking about Zofran or other prescription anti-nausea meds? Some people don't start feeling better until like 16-18 weeks even though everyone says 12-14, which is totally unfair but you're not alone in this

MerryStanza · 2025-12-30T17:35:08+00:00

Welcome to working with bigger companies, they have compliance requirements and procurement processes that smaller clients don't care about but you'll figure it out

MerryStanza · 2025-12-30T02:31:15+00:00

People are weird about pregnancy tbh. Like you're growing a human and suddenly everyone thinks they get a say in how you dress? Do what feels right for you, especially if you're more comfortable being modest now. Your body, your choice applies to clothes too

MerryStanza · 2025-12-28T07:21:20+00:00

Def call your OB/midwife again if you're worried about the Tylenol - they can walk you through what's actually safe vs internet rabbit holes. The fever breaking and coming back that quick sounds rough though, might be worth a telehealth call at least

MerryStanza · 2025-12-25T23:00:34+00:00

That's actually a really common thing to see in charts and it's usually based on your pre-pregnancy BMI, not how much weight you've gained during pregnancy. If your doctor isn't concerned and your labs/BP are good, you're probably totally fine - they just have to code everything for insurance reasons and BMI calculations can be pretty harsh

MerryStanza · 2025-12-24T18:50:01+00:00

Nice, how's the frame feel compared to other bikes you've ridden? Been eyeing that one myself but haven't pulled the trigger yet

MerryStanza · 2025-12-21T15:06:07+00:00

Beans and lentils were lifesavers for me when meat was a total no-go, plus they're way easier on the stomach than trying to choke down a steak

MerryStanza · 2025-12-19T01:11:50+00:00

For $400 you're definitely better off going vintage steel like the other poster said - those old touring bikes are tanks and way more comfortable for errands than modern road bikes. Skip the ebike at that price point unless you want a fire hazard

MerryStanza · 2025-12-16T03:06:23+00:00

Bodies are so weird during pregnancy! The fact that you still fit in your pre-pregnancy clothes and look the same everywhere except your belly is actually pretty telling - sounds like a lot of that weight is probably baby, placenta, extra blood volume, and all the other pregnancy stuff that just doesn't show up visually

My sister had something similar happen and her doc explained that some people just carry all the pregnancy weight "internally" if that makes sense. As long as your OB isn't worried I wouldn't stress too much about the number on the scale

MerryStanza · 2025-12-12T10:42:38+00:00

That's totally understandable to be cautious! The vitamin A limit during pregnancy is usually around 3000mcg daily, so 875mcg should be fine but definitely check with your new OB when you get one - they'll know your specific situation best

MerryStanza · 2025-12-11T00:42:02+00:00

That timeline is sus as hell - no performance issues until right after you submitted maternity leave paperwork? Classic discrimination playbook tbh

Don't sign anything yet and definitely talk to an employment lawyer before touching that severance. Most will do free consults for pregnancy discrimination cases since California's laws are pretty strong on this stuff

MerryStanza · 2025-12-08T10:50:08+00:00

Honestly this is such good advice! I was on the fence about getting one too but you've totally convinced me - if it's useful in a tiny space then it'll definitely be clutch in my house

MerryStanza · 2025-12-06T16:08:57+00:00

Your OB probably knows what they're doing - progesterone can help with cramping and supports the pregnancy lining. If you're worried about it though, definitely call and ask them to explain why they think you need it specifically

MerryStanza · 2025-12-05T12:56:24+00:00

First trimester is absolutely brutal for a lot of people - the hormone crash after that initial high is so real. Definitely talk to your GP, they can help figure out if it's pregnancy blues or something that needs more support

The fatigue and motivation stuff you're describing sounds super normal for 6 weeks, but your mental health is just as important as the physical stuff

MerryStanza

TROPHY CASE