Can we talk about exercise for a minute?

J&D2007

I've always been a moderate runner (3-4 miles, 4 days a week), but decided to give that up at my bfp. I know studies show I can keep running, but the RE suggested walking and swimming only. I have been doing a few mile walks, but I honestly find it incredibly boring and can only make it a few miles because I get uninterested. I downloaded a Pilates prenatal workout that I find interesting and may do in later pg, but it is really very slow and a little too easy at this stage.. Have any of you found any good exercise routines that feel challenging yet not extreme? Anyone tried stationery biking- is that o.k. During pregnancy? Also, are you wearing a heart rate monitor? If so, any suggestions for buying one? All I want to eat is pizza and potato chips, so I have to get moving!! TIA!!

mrs.willie

Do you have an appointment set up with your OB yet? I would wait and ask them. My understanding is that they'll usually give you the ok to continue running if you've been running all along, but wouldn't suggest someone take up running after becoming pregnant. I have a few freinds who continued their running workouts well into their pregnancies, but slowed down their pace and wore a heart rate monitor to make sure it didn't go over a certain number. My OB gave me the ok to do zumba. I obviously tone it down a little bit and don't do any of the jumping or bouncing. I'm still going (at almost 32 weeks), but there's a 3 week break in the class after this week, so this may be my last week. We'll see!  

rella22

My OB told me with my BFP that anything my body was used to doing BEFORE, I can do during.  I do a group training 3 times a week that consists of cardio (treadmill, which I stopped around 14w because my belly started to jiggle haha, eliptical and cross trainer) weight lifting, and strength conditioning.  I love the way I feel after my workouts...I feel like I can move better throughout the day..even wash my back and feet after the workout haha!  I was spinning up until about 14w as well, however it started to get too hot in the room and I didn't feel as great after so I cut that out.  I recommend a POLAR heart rate monitor/watch.  They are amazing!  I would definitely double check with your OB because everyone is different, but good luck!

turquoisequeen

I was told by RE and OB that stationary biking is fine so I've done that some but thinking it could get a little uncomfortable the further I get. 2 videos that I've liked so far are Lindsay Brin's Complete Pregnancy (she actually went thru several IVFs) and Suzanne Bowen's Slim and Toned Prenatal Barre Workout (there's cardio and strength and such- the cardio one really makes your muscles burn in a good way).

katers79

I'm normally a boot camp, elliptical, and resistance bands girl, 6 days/wk. I've kept up all of them, but taken the boot camp and elliptical down a notch. I have my first OB appt on Wednesday, and this is definitely one of my questions. Also looking forward to everyone else's responses!

carrieharry79

I am a member of a barre and yoga studio and have found that they are very used to pregnant members and they are great about saying "back issues and pregnancy stay standing straight for this part" when necessary. I find that I get dizzy quickly, so I have scaled back a bit, but barre has been great. Yoga is a lot of head down/head up, so I have a hard time with the dizziness. I highly recommend a barre studio though!

luvboston

Iyengar yoga and go to the gym and work out on the elliptical and weights.

runawaylaurel

I was a runner for years, quit for 6 months to get pregnant, then started running again late in 1st tri (10 weeks or so?) after getting the ok from my midwife. I ended up taking almost 9 months off but they said it was fine because my body hadn't totally forgotten how to run during my time off. 

I am still running now, at 34 weeks, I have just slowed down a lot and I walk almost as much, or more, than I run. I'm run/walking 5x/week, ~4 miles each time. I feel so good after a run/walk! I don't wear a heart rate monitor, but I watch my breathing and try and keep it conversational. I would think a stationary bike would be totally ok, although as you get further along a recumbent one might be more comfortable when your belly gets big. Whatever your OB says is ok!

(PS my midwives LOVE that I'm still running. They say, in general, women who stay very active go on to have "efficient" labors)

pblge

Anything bouncy/jiggly got to be too much for me pretty quickly, although I also had a fair bit of bleeding in my first trimester, so I was discouraged from doing much. My absolute favorite exercise has been yoga, particularly if you can find a class that's challenging and causes sweating, but with a teacher who understands pregnancy. I've been going to non-prenatal classes with teachers who have had babies in the past, as the prenatal classes tend to be geared towards total newbies so are too easy and slow. It totally eliminates the back pain for me (at least so far), and I'm sure will help with labor.

My attitude towards this is that I'm completely on board with getting out of shape somewhat if it mitigates risk for excessive exercise. I went through so much to get here, and your journey was even harder, that even minor risks don't seem worth it to me.

The Summer Sanders prenatal workout video was pretty good, although it's really only three workouts, one for each trimester. Don't recommend the Tracy Anderson one--how her back hasn't exploded with pain is a mystery to me.

Finally, walking uphill on a treadmill is great, especially if you can watch a good show or listen to a great podcast. 4 mph with a 10% incline definitely makes me sweat!

RunCC37

This is such a touchy topic in my house right now. I was told no exercise from the time of our SCH through the vanishing twin four weeks ago. Now, it seems to depend on who I talk to. My RE says no running, the RI says yes running, the MFM says no running. Waiting to hear what the OB says next week. My gut is telling me to get out there and run, but I'm having a hard time coming to an agreement with my DH and the doctors.

weansworld09

I'm also a huge fan of barre! It's low impact, but don't let it fool you.. It's a tough workout! I'm still going 3-4x week at 35 weeks tomorrow.
I love to run, but had a complete placenta previa and was set restrictions on exercise.

mdiblasi10

With my first pregnancy, I continued mountain biking until my belly got in the way of pedaling. My OB was okay with it because I had been doing it so much beforehand and I didn't do any crazy trails. With this second pregnancy, I didn't do anything in the first trimester because I was really sick and on an IV. At about 15 weeks, I worked back into CrossFit (weightlifting, rowing, jump roping, lunges, etc) and kept it up until this last month (too much going on) My OB was fine with all that I was doing so I took it from there and listened to my body. I did not wear a heart rate monitor. It just really depends on what you feel comfortable with  

Mrs.AmyDylan

(SAIF) I swam a bunch (yes, the recommended exercise, but I actually swam around 2 Miles per session). I also played tennis until about 20w (my OB conceded that practice was okay, but no matches).

My IRL IF buddy did spin until it hurt her belly too much maybe a week or two before delivery. She went 42w and was working out until the end.

A HR monitor is a good idea if you are concerned about over exerting.

I think exercise helps with pregnancy, labor and overall mental state.

J&D2007

Thanks ladies for all of your input. I think I will take some of your advice and try to increase my incline on the treadmill and do some light weights. I think I may spring for a heart rate monitor though because I am really bad at deciding when too much is too much!

lib1974

Do what your doctor tells you. I was VERY active before and put on exercise restrictions very early on due to spotting. Not sure what all you did to get pregnant but in mine I had spent a lot of time an effort so it wasn't worth the risk. I definitely can understand the mentally of wanting to get up and get moving , it was a huge adjustment for me but now at 31 weeks I know there will be plenty of time for exercise soon enough.