Anna Victoria

Not only has this made me feel healthier both mentally and physically, but I'm more confident in my body, too. Eventually, I even gained the confidence to start working out in only a sports brasomething I never thought Id do.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByggRGLAcbH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="8868f331-765d-3add-a085-c4e9a3ab4a26"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByggRGLAcbH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="8d1ecf6b-6da9-3541-a4e7-e4c2adb40d51"> MIRACLE FOODS Youve heard about them. Lemon water first thing in the morning. Apple Cider Vinegar. Celery Juice is the newest one... The list could go on. . These things get so popular because people look for a quick fix. They want to be told that THIS pill or THIS drink or THIS food is going to be the answer to all your weight loss prayers. . Truth bomb time.... Its all a lie. There is no ONE food, drink or pill that is responsible for weight loss, fat burning or optimal health. Unfortunately the diet industry is largely unregulated. Even the food industry is largely unregulated! What does this mean? This means companies can slap whatever claim they want on the front of their labels (AKA: Marketing...) without any scientific proof necessary to back those claims up. . Is lemon water bad for you? No. Is celery juice bad for you? No. Is Apple Cider Vinegar bad for you? Again, no. Each of these things may have SOME sort of health benefit. But they are not the end-all to improving your health and/or losing weight, &amp; buying into these claims only further fuels the billion dollar weight loss industry that is meant to keep you in a cycle of yo-yo dieting. . If you want to know what DOES work, dont follow people sharing about the next fad diets, follow fitness and nutrition researchers who are either proving or disproving these claims. Get your facts straight from the source before marketers can twist their words to sell the next fad diet product. (A few I personally follow: @martinnutrition @thefoodmedic @drnadolsky @thealanaragon @biolayne @soheefit) . I also want to also say... I see nothing wrong with having any of those things - lemon water, ACV, celery juice, etc. In fact, if it helps kickstart your journey that eventually leads you to live a healthy lifestyle for the long run, thats great!! Im all for whatever helps you have that lightbulb moment. As long as its with understanding that nothing is an overnight miracle worker &amp; that your overall nutrition &amp; balanced macros IS whats going to get you there with consistency over time. Ok rant over #realtalk #fbggirls #fbgcommunity www.annavictoria.com/fitbodyapp </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annavictoria/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="ced3b008-73af-31c4-a9de-81bd6c2ed8fc"> Anna Victoria </a> (@annavictoria) on Jun 9, 2019 at 4:43pm PDT

That's all changed in the last 20 months, however.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive since January 2018. And after several months of not getting pregnant, I was finally diagnosed by my doctors with unexplained infertility. When I got the news, all I could think was, "What am I doing wrong?" Now, I realize that wasnt a fair question to be asking myselfbut I couldnt help but blame myself a bit.

Unable to pinpoint the cause of my fertility issues, doctors eventually asked me about my workout routine. To my surprise, they recommended I do fewer workouts and start eating more to see if doing so might improve my fertility .

At first, I was so confused. My fitness and nutrition plans are big parts of my life and important for my mental and emotional health. I couldn't imagine my life without my healthy routinesbut I also couldn't imagine not doing everything in my power to try to get pregnant.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2uTx1KgLJG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="de5a47fd-a504-3a56-ab05-44bb4980eb07"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2uTx1KgLJG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="f2076a3d-2725-3da9-a807-c7c44a499079"> Today is the day! Im about to have my egg retrieval at @scrcivf with @bheggfreezemd. Wish me luck!! . P.S. Just shared a YouTube video on step 1 of this whole IVF process! Link is in my bio for the next 24 hrs to watch. Thank you everyone for your encouragement!! Fingers crossed they get lots of good quality eggies! #ivf #infertility #fbggirls www.youtube.com/annavictoria </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annavictoria/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="ced3b008-73af-31c4-a9de-81bd6c2ed8fc"> Anna Victoria </a> (@annavictoria) on Sep 22, 2019 at 11:29am PDT

So I decided to follow my doctors' orders. I now work out three times a week at the most, and I stopped doing any HIIT cardio . I primarily follow my <a href="https://bodylove.com/" id="7519d861-8067-305b-a77b-15c081b587e9"> Fit Body </a> app Tone program, which is a 30-minute dumbbell-based workout program. It's intended to be high-intensity, but I modify any jumping moves to make it lower-impact.

Inner confidence isn\'t something you can turn on like a light switch, thoughit takes consistently building yourself up in your head and telling that negative voice to sit down.

For my diet, I increased my intake by a few hundred calories. I still eat the same kinds of whole, natural foods, but in bigger quantities.

One side effect? I currently weigh the most Ive ever weighed in my life, even more than before I started my fitness journey (mostly due to all the muscle Ive gained, plus the recent body fat).

It's taken some time to adjust to my new normal, and I'm not going to lie: There have been moments where Ive second-guessed wearing my usual workout outfits. In the beginning, there were days I intentionally opted for a T-shirt rather than a sports bra.

I've realized it's only human to feel this waybut that I also have no reason to cover up. After all, Ive never felt your size should dictate what you wear or how you wear it. The only thing that matters is your confidence and how you feel.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mXatLAZxl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="f73dd672-d854-3aeb-a9ec-e14452b84af8"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mXatLAZxl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="49a298da-40f3-347b-ae36-fd81bd436f28"> IVF update - Im on Day 10 of injections and Im definitely starting to feel it. Feelin like a mama hen walking around with a ton of her eggs up to now Ive actually felt really ok, and in a weird way, Ive been in an AMAZING mood, especially the first few days of injections. I really think its because Im just so happy to finally be getting the show on the road . Other than that, Im a little bloated but nothing too excessive. Ive been eating REALLY healthy, almost healthier than I normally do (like practically 100/0 ok maybe 95/5) because all I can think about is all the nutrients Im eating now (specifically protein, good fats and antioxidants) are helping to grow these eggies!! So that has helped minimize any bloating for sure. I definitely feel worse than I look, but I still cant complain!! Im so, so grateful to be going on this IVF journey, so grateful to my doctor @bheggfreezemd and @scrcivf. . Tomorrow I have my last ultrasound and bloodwork appt (I hope!!) to determine when the egg retrieval will be. I currently have about 20 follicles but we wont know how many are good quality until the retrieval. I try not to get my hopes up too much but I also want to stay positive. Its such a tough balance to strike! But for now Im definitely erring on the side of positive thinking. . I will be sharing a YouTube video of the injection process soon. Are there any particular questions youd like me to answer in the video? Comment below and let me know #ivf #infertility #fertility #fbggirls www.annavictoria.com/fitbodyapp </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annavictoria/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" id="ced3b008-73af-31c4-a9de-81bd6c2ed8fc"> Anna Victoria </a> (@annavictoria) on Sep 19, 2019 at 9:27am PDT

Inner confidence isn't something you can turn on like a light switch, thoughit takes consistently building yourself up in your head and telling that negative voice to sit down.

For me, that's meant a lot of "fake it until you make it." Putting on my cutest or favorite workout outfit also gives me an instant boost. Then, I remind myself that Im doing this for me, not for anyone else.

Every single woman out there, no matter your struggle or size, deserves to feel confident wearing whatever makes her feel her absolute best. So whether its a sports bra at the gym or that dress youve been wanting to wear out for a night with your friends, all that matters is that you feel like fire in it, regardless of what anyone else says...even if that "anyone" is a little voice inside your head.

Anna Victoria On Feeling Unsure In Workout Clothes

I started <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/a709041/anna-victoria-body-transformation/" id="3a4e0073-dad3-33cd-a9a8-589c4c0e5349"> my fitness journey </a> in late 2012 as a result of health problems linked to gastrointestinal issues. At the time, I wasn't overweight, but I wouldn't say I was in shape, either. Over the past six years, though, I've consistently been <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a20980398/how-much-anna-victoria-works-out/" id="f1ebe537-93c2...

Infertility Almost Made Anna Victoria Stop Showing Off Her Sports Bras At The Gym

Politics

Local

Filla

World

News

Football

Ghana Premier League

Black Stars

Sports

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Entertainment

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Business

About

Highlights

Selection Criteria

Jury

Terms And Conditions

FAQs

Pulse Influencer Awards

Explore categories

Pulse Ghana is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Ghanaians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Anna Victoria

Articles written by the author

Infertility Almost Made Anna Victoria Stop Showing Off Her Sports Bras At The Gym