Before getting pregnant, I read and knew all about the benefits of exercise in pregnancy. I've planned all along to keep active and fit. But then there's reality. I can barely hold myself up today. I feel like I never even slept.
I had to take it pretty easy around 5-8 weeks... I had zero energy or motivation to do anything after work. That being said during that time I lowered my w/o to only 3 days a week that I did both weights and cardio, and the other 2 days a week I made sure I walked at least 4 miles throughout the day (I use a fitbit that tracks your steps/movement/calories). This is my 9th week, I have started to feel a little better as far as exhaustion wise, but there is still a bit a queasiness that comes and goes at times. I am hoping (fingers crossed!) to make it to the gym all 5 days this week, and once 2nd trimester starts I am starting yoga a few times a week.
I say just do what makes you feel better, but if it's too exhausting, wait and ease into it!
This is my first pregnancy so I am by means NO expert!
Word on the street is the 2nd trimester you get a load of energy back then!
All I can tell you is I was fine till about 5/6 weeks and now I am lucky to get 5,000 steps a day (fitbit). My exhaustion and morning sickness have made it so hard to even keep the house clean. Yesterday I went shopping for two hours and last night into this morning I feel horrible, can barely get off the couch and feel like I'm going to be sick all the time.
I'm just hoping it gets better during the second trimester and I can go back to running.
Good morning! You will get there keep trying. It is good for you and the baby. Wait til you get past the 1st tri, then it is easier, until the 3rd trimester anyways. Even walking or some bicep curls, squats, any little stuff helps. It made me feel better about myslf and helped me prepare for birth. Just do what you can and take it easy. Everyone is different!
I find that once I get going it is so much easier and I feel better afterwards - like that first 1/4 mile is killer! If you don't feel up to your normal routine, just make yourself go for even a short walk.
It really does get easier as you get further along. I can already feel my energy returning. With both of my previous pregnancies I was somewhat slack in first tri but back to my normal routine by the start of second tri as my energy returned.
You just have to take it day-by-day. I have gone from regularly working out 5-6 days a week doing hard workouts to maybe being able to get in 2-3 a week. Based on my experience with my first pregnancy, I do remember getting more energy back in the 2nd tri. Then, about month 7, it all goes to hell and you are doing good just to move your giant behind from one chair to the next.
IF DX: DOR & Fragile X pre-mutation carrier
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54
2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4; BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
I'm still exercising, but taking it down several notches. (My spin instructor actually pulled me aside to ask why I was so far off pace lately. I lied and said my knee had been bothering me. )
I find working out -- although it's hard to motivate for it these days -- makes me feel better in the long run. And I sleep better on days I work out.
I'm also dropping some work out days and instead doing some extra walking or light housework/home projects (gotta get that nursery ready!) which keeps me moving but is easier to tolerate than a 45 minute gym session.
I worked out throughout pregnancy #1. Didn't know I was pregnant that time until I was about 8 weeks along, but kept going until the night before I woke up in labor. As others said, just take it one day at a time. I worked out 2-3 times/week with a trainer, so that helped too, because I had someone holding me accountable and changing up my routine.
jlworden710, WHOA! Your "going easy" is my being diligent. I was just trying to work in regular walks for now, and I'm struggling with even that.
I had been on a pretty regular workout schedule for the last year leading up to our wedding... if it hadn't been so habitual there is NO way I would still try to fit all this in... the couch calls my name so frequently nowadays!
I work out 2-3days a week and I have even before baby. There are times I'm totally exhausted but I just tell myself that I'm doing it for my baby. Do I skip workouts? Yes. But if u have a stronger core it will make delivery easier and getting ur body back easier-so I'm told. There are days I work out in the AM and get work and take a quick nap in my office lol. Just think, u are doing it for the baby!
First thing in the morning. I bribe myself to get up with the thought of my 1 cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer, that's enough to get me out of bed. Then I make a deal with myself- if I am still tired/feeling like sh!t, I will just walk on the treadmill. 9 times out of 10 I feel good after my coffee and can run/lift/spin, but there have been days when I've just walked for 40-60 min on the treadmill. I figure it's better than nothing. And if I truly, truly feel like garbage- then I listen to my body and get the extra sleep/rest.
Also, I make it a point at work to get up and take a walk in the afternoon. We have an area that's the equivalent of 1/9 of a mile, so I walk there, do my 9 turns, and walk back. I figure I'm getting in an extra 5+ miles per week which adds up, plus it makes me feel a little better when I start to really drag after lunch.
I'm currently 8 weeks, and I can't do it. At around 5 weeks, it started getting bad and I've barely done anything the last 3 weeks. I'm too nauseous and tired. This happened with my first 2. I pretty much took about a month or so off from doing much, and then picked it right back up again and stayed pretty active until about 7 months or so, with running and weights, and then I just was walking from 7-9 months.
Don't stress yourself out or beat yourself up about it. Your body is creating something amazing and it's ok to take a rest. Besides, I'm lucky if I even get laundry done (I have 2 loads folded ready to put away that have been sitting there for 2 days) :-)
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I'm currently 8 weeks, and I can't do it. At around 5 weeks, it started getting bad and I've barely done anything the last 3 weeks. I'm too nauseous and tired. This happened with my first 2. I pretty much took about a month or so off from doing much, and then picked it right back up again and stayed pretty active until about 7 months or so, with running and weights, and then I just was walking from 7-9 months.
Don't stress yourself out or beat yourself up about it. Your body is creating something amazing and it's ok to take a rest. Besides, I'm lucky if I even get laundry done (I have 2 loads folded ready to put away that have been sitting there for 2 days) :-)
OH GOD LAUNDRY. That's such a source of anxiety. I work a lot and we're almost never caught up on laundry. And by "we" I mean me, b/c my husband does his own.
With my first pregnancy, which didn't make it to term, I was tired but had the energy to do a light aerobic or prenatal workout video almost every day. When I wasn't pregnant, I would run and toward the end I was doing about 6 miles a day, sometimes 4. Now forget it - I stopped running when I ovulated this last time and never started again since I found out I was pregnant a couple of weeks later (just not personally comfortable with running while pregnant). Now I'm so exhausted, I'm lucky if I can fit in the elliptical 2 x's a week and a video once a week! I also try and walk as much as possible on the weekends. I really want to start doing videos at least 3 times a week so maybe when the exhaustion lifts I can start. I am planning on going to the gym tonight though - we'll see
You guys- I made it to the gym tonight! I'm so proud of myself. Perhaps the endless exhaustion is lifting? I hope it's not a one-day fluke. The nausea, however, persists...
Slowly. I run a half a mile, walk a half a mile. If I'm on the elliptical I switch from going forward to backward every half mile. I've also doubled my water intake from what I needed pre-pregnancy and really pay attention to my breathing. Its not the easiest, it definitely kicks my butt each time, and I can't work out daily before work like I used to. I'm hoping once I get some energy back I can work back to my old routine but for now I'm just trying to keep moving.
I am enjoying the fact that, for the only time in my life, I'm not supposed to push myself too hard in a work-out! Definitely take good care of yourself, go easy, and don't beat yourself up if you don't do as long/as much as you had hoped for. My midwife told me 30 min, as many days as I can out of the week. I was already a runner pre-pregnancy, so I walk, do yoga, pilates, aerobics. There's no more "running," more like a slow jog~ lol. I am doing a 5k in December, so it motivates me to keep at my current status. If for some reason, I can't handle it, well, I'll be walking the 5k- and that's okay! What motivates me is thinking about how the exercise is good for the baby. Some days.... still plop on the couch after work, but doing the best I can!
I don't have the energy to do anything. I've always been very thin, but I've never been "in shape" because I just don't have time to exercise. This takes the cake. I sleep more than I'm awake! I've been trying to make up for lack of exercise (because OB tells me 30 mins/day) by eating healthy, but there's just no way I can get on the elliptical, not when I don't even have it in me to get dressed to see family or stand up long enough to grocery shop. Today was the first day I've felt a hint of energy and I'm just over 10wks. I don't know how women work out while pregnant... The other day I almost doubled over in pain at target because I bent forward a bit in the wrong way. So, lifting weights?! No thank you!
In my opinion, which isn't even the slightest bit experienced or anything, I say listen to your body. When you have the energy to, work out. And you will, eventually! Or, so they say
Re: How do people exercise with this exhaustion?
Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA
Babywearing Guide ** Newborn Carriers
Cloth Diaper Guide
Safe Bed Sharing Info
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
I'm still exercising, but taking it down several notches. (My spin instructor actually pulled me aside to ask why I was so far off pace lately. I lied and said my knee had been bothering me.
)
I find working out -- although it's hard to motivate for it these days -- makes me feel better in the long run. And I sleep better on days I work out.
I'm also dropping some work out days and instead doing some extra walking or light housework/home projects (gotta get that nursery ready!) which keeps me moving but is easier to tolerate than a 45 minute gym session.
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In my opinion, which isn't even the slightest bit experienced or anything, I say listen to your body. When you have the energy to, work out. And you will, eventually! Or, so they say