I can say this without a shadow of a doubt: Jessica Gazzola-Rowley is the fittest pregnant Catholic priest IN HISTORY!

Last fall, Jessica made news -- and Newsweek -- by becoming an ordained Catholic priest. Now she's making history again as a pregnant ordained Catholic priest. She noted that this gives new meaning to the phrase, "This is my body, given for you."

As luck would have it, Jessica was a college classmate of mine, and I sometimes ran and played frisbee with her husband, Joe. They are two of the nicest and most genuine people you'll ever meet.

I found out about the news the way most modern messages are communicated, the Facebook update: "Jessica Gazzola-Rowley is a tired mama-to-be... growing a baby takes a lot out of you!"

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get the world's first pregnant Catholic priest's advice for Hillary. I found out that though Jessica acts like an angel, she works out like a demon.  

To prepare for her pregnancy, she lost 17 pounds through regular exercise and watching what she ate.

"For the first month I went through a 'cleansing diet' where I didn't eat anything processed, no sugar and no carbs," she said. "After that, I just watched calories, treating myself every now and then."

Holy pregnancy! Jessica is one in-shape future mommy and woman of the cloth

How far along are you?

"Eight weeks (due November 19)."

What's been the hardest part of the pregnancy so far?

"Managing the nausea and fatigue. Getting through the day on noticeably less energy."

Have you tried to do anything exercise or fitness-wise?

"I've continued with my 1 1/2-hour step-aerobics/body sculpting classes twice a week. I always feel great, less nauseous and euphoric after these classes and I hope to continue them as long as I can. I've tried some prenatal yoga and pilates, too. Neither give me the rush that cardio work does, but they do seem to work important muscles, especially as I get closer to labor and delivery."

How has your diet changed, if at all?

"I'm craving and eating a whole lot more fresh fruit. I had to cut out caffeine because coffee made me gag and I can only eat really fresh lean meat (fish and greasy meat are not palatable to my sensitive tummy). Alcohol is out, too, but I only drank 2-3 glasses of wine/week before I was pregnant, anyway."

How has your faith and church community helped you in this?

"I just told my faith community four days ago. They seem thrilled to have a pregnant priest. They have inquired about how I'm feeling and offered supportive words and emails."

Knowing what you know so far, what's the biggest piece of advice you'd give to moms-to-be?

"I can only speak to the experience of the first-trimester, but in those first couple of months, be very kind to yourself. Don't skip meals and bring healthy emergency snacks wherever you go. Try to go to bed early or sleep late if possible. Don't skip exercising. Going without exercise will make you feel even more tired. If nothing else take a 10 minute walk and feel your blood pump in your body, nourishing you and your new life. Finally, let your partner and friends care for you. Forging strong relationships and a strong community is important now, and I hear, will be even more important once your baby is born."