Shay Mitchell opens up about pregnancy and motherhood: 'I’m proud of what I’m creating'
It's not Shay Mitchell's first time being pregnant — but this time, she's doing things differently.
Since announcing that her and partner Matte Babel, 41, are expecting their second child back in February, the 35-year-old has been candid with fans about the ups and downs of life as an expectant mother.
The pair already share daughter Atlas, 2, but while speaking with Yahoo Canada, Mitchell said a lot has changed since her first pregnancy.
"This time it’s a lot different," the "You" alum said. "I’m chasing after a two-year-old, I’m maintaining more of a mobile lifestyle as well, which is good, [and] being more active than I was the first time."
Mitchell also said she feels "way better" during this pregnancy.
"You know, the first time around I basically sat in bed watching 'Game of Thrones' eating chicken wings," Mitchell joked. "I really enjoyed the first time around, in terms of being a lot more stationary and ordering a lot more donuts than this. That was great too, I just feel way better this time."
Among her other pregnancy go-tos, the Béis founder counts coconut oil ("I use that for everything") and electrolyte powders as must-have products. In fact, Mitchell became such a fan after being introduced to the hydration-enhancing powders, that she now joins the Hydralyte team as an investor and creative collaborator.
"A lot of times people think, 'OK, electrolytes, hydration, fitness,' but it’s so much more than that," she said. "You'd think you can [have] sports drinks or coconut water, but for me it was super important to find something that did exactly that, plus more — without the sugar."
Mitchell is no stranger to a healthy and active lifestyle, having partnered up with fitness app OpenFit in 2021. At the time, the star documented her fitness journey online, and shared her experience dealing with postpartum weight loss.
Now that she's pregnant again, gone are the high intensity cardio and weight training sessions, in favour of pregnancy-friendly workouts like resistance band training.
"Doing more small movement workouts have been really great for toning throughout [my pregnancy]. They’re not too strenuous, and you can do them anywhere," Mitchell said.
And just because she's pregnant, the "Dollface" actress is adamant that she isn't sacrificing her style in the process.
"Why do you have to change your style completely just because you’re pregnant?" she asked. "You’re growing life. That is a beautiful thing. If you want to show it off, if you want to wear a crop top then go for it. It’s hot! Let it out!"
"There’s some days where I am like, OK, I want to wear this sweater [and] cover up but that’s for me. When I want to show it off, that's also for me. I’m proud of what I’m creating."
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