Running and Nutrition

mileswithmyles

Hi there everyone,

I am 27 years old and DH and I are working on baby#1.  I lost about 30 pounds 2 1/2 years ago and have maintained this loss due to tracking what I eat on My Fitness Pal and running.  I have run 15 half marathons in the last year and a half and completed my first full marathon this past March.

With that being said, I have some questions about running and nutrition during pregnancy.  Obviously, I want to be healthy during my pregnancy, but gain the appropriate amount of weight.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  I am so used to being healthy and counting calories that I don't want to go overboard and go back to bad eating habits.

Second, I don't really want to give up running, but I want to know what I should do to make sure I am not over doing it.  Since March, I have averaged about 18 miles a week and I have 2 half marathons on the books for this fall.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you!

blu-eyedwife

I'm not 100% sure what kind of advice you're looking for, but I was able to run during my entire pregnancy.  I was induced at 39weeks, 4 days and ran that morning.  My speed slowed down, and because of that my mileage per week decreased, but I was still out running every morning.  I did a half marathon my first trimester, and trained for a second half that sold out before I could register for it.  I did a 5k my third trimester.

As far as nutrition, I didn't count calories, but made sure what I was eating was healthy. Like most pregnant women I was ravenous at times during my pregnancy so I made sure the things I was eating were things like fruit, oatmeal, turkey roll ups and not whole chocolate cakes.  That being said, your metabolism does increase during pregnancy, so as long as you don't make a habit of only eating crap, you should be able to balance the junk with the healthy and still gain an appropriate amount of weight.

mileswithmyles

Thank you!

argonne

I ran up until 36 weeks. I had Gestational diabetes, so I was forced onto a low carb high protein diet. Just eat like you normally do with some added (good) calories. Don't stress too much about it.

ajbook

I'm 33ish weeks and still running 4-5 times per week.  I have completed a half marathon each trimester of this pregnancy.  I was about 5 pounds over my ideal happy weight when I got pregnant.  However, I have not been obsessive over weight gain throughout my pregnancy.  I eat healthy, workout, and only weigh myself at doctors appointments.  My running pace slowed and I have started wearing a support belt recently.  Running has been a control factor for me.  So many things in my life have changed due to being pregnant, but running is a little bit of constant that I am control of.  It is definitely my favorite me time.

KateVA

Just eat healthy and listen to your body. I don't count calories or weigh myself, its my third pregnancy and I know that I will gain what I need to gain (probably 30 lbs if its the same as last two) and I know that it comes off. Active women usually don't have much trouble losing the weight. I eat mostly paleo but I cheat with ice cream! 

Mileage-wise, although I am not a distance runner, you should be able to keep up what you have been doing pre-pregnancy, Just don't add miles. First trimester you might have to cut back or take walking breaks but most of us feel better in the second trimester. Enjoy your pregnancy!

argonne

KateVA said:

Do what you have been doing pre-pregnancy, Just don't add miles. First trimester you might have to cut back or take walking breaks but most of us feel better in the second trimester. Enjoy your pregnancy!

There is no reason not to add miles in a consistent manner, especially if you're body is used to building mileage. I know a woman who trained for and competed in an ironman while pregnant.

Luv2Run1st

Just listen to your body. Take each day one at a time. I am 37 weeks tomorrow and running 3-4 miles 3 days a week without too much difficulty. Just slowed my pace but still doing it without stopping. I got sick in 2nd trip and had to lay off the running for a few weeks die to coughing and 1st trip morning sickness and yuckiness did effect my consistency but I have been super consistent since 18 weeks. My first pregnancy running was not comfortable past about 15 weeks. As for diet. I don't eat any different than I did before except during 1st trip more carbs because that is what sounded best to eat when I had morning sickness.

mileswithmyles

Thank you to all who replied. We got a BFP today and I am feeling good so far.

BShreeve

Not to hijack the post but when do you have to start wearing support belts for running? I feel like I'm loosey goosey but I am almost 18 weeks along.

Thanks! And run on, ladies!

LiveNLove44

BShreeve said:

Not to hijack the post but when do you have to start wearing support belts for running? I feel like I'm loosey goosey but I am almost 18 weeks along. Thanks! And run on, ladies!

That was a definite hijack! Next time, just start a new discussion so someone else with the same question can find it easily.

To answer your question, I think I bought mine around 20 weeks because I felt uncomfortable running, but I didn't use it until week 33. I realized that earlier in my pregnancy, is was just discomfort and not something that a belly support band was going to help. By week 33, I needed actual support to keep from feeling like I have to pee every two seconds. It also helps with my BH during and post-workout.

I'm 35 weeks now and it's helping with my runs, but I may end up using it on my long walks, too!

Luv2Run1st

BShreeve said:

Not to hijack the post but when do you have to start wearing support belts for running? I feel like I'm loosey goosey but I am almost 18 weeks along.

Thanks! And run on, ladies!

Depends on how you feel. I wore one from 18 weeks on with my first and have only worn it once this time.

argonne

FWIW, I never wore a support belt as I never felt like I needed one.