Exercise

dmbauer13

I'm 9 weeks pregnant. Before pregnancy I would work out 2-3 times per week. I want to maintain a healthy weight during my pregnancy, I try to walk twice a day now. What does everyone else to do to stay active while pregnant?

mechekitty

I am required to partake in physical training everyday (thank you, Army). They split us up by trimester and scale the exercises accordingly. For first tri, we did everything that post partum Soldiers do, to include running, ruck marching (walking with a weighted pack), spin class, push ups, sit ups, etc. Pretty much anything your body would let you do, you could as long as you weren't high risk. For second tri we do a lot of walk/jog/run progressions, zumba, swim aerobics and centering exercises.

I thoroughly enjoy it, and have had no complications from doing any of the exercises. I particularly enjoy spin class I'd really like to try a prenatal yoga class though.

I'm not sure if this helps.

Taraphanie

You can continue to do what you were doing before. I'm doing crossfit and haven't stop. You might just get out of breath faster. The important point is to listen to your body and don't overdo it.

Goldsgirl9

I am going to OTF 3-4 days a week. I just watch my heart rate and like pp stated, watch my breathing. I get out of breathe quicker but I am also asthmatic so my OB and I decided to keep my heart rate at 140. It's a little limiting but I'm ok with it. 5am work outs during the first trimester have been extremely challenging but I am trying to stick with it.

rebelone

I walk on the treadmill for about 45 mins a day and watch a movie or read a book. Since I have a desk job and I'm sitting all day, it feels really good to just walk. 

sarahufl

I am trying to keep up my routine but am finding it difficult. So I do what I can and try not to beat myself up if I can't complete a class. I try for at least 2-3 classes a week (yoga, spin, barre, etc) and just sort of hope for the best.

spatter1

Pre-pregnancy I was alternating running, yoga, and HIIT about 4-5 times a week. I know exercise is recommended during pregnancy but I have been so paranoid since my loss this spring. I've finally been getting to the gym and using the elliptical for 30-45 minutes a few times a week and also doing some strength training (mostly arms). My doctor also said to keep my heart rate at or below 140. I really want to try a prenatal yoga class but they are so $$$$. I'm considering picking up my regular yoga class again and just telling the instructor I'm pregnant, though that makes me a little anxious too. It's been limiting but I think anything you can do to get moving is good! Also have read that daily stretching is really good.

mojomama6

Exercise literally makes me vomit right now, so I've given it up. Temporarily! I fully intend to get right back to my regular hybrid yoga practice as soon as I can stomach it. Like the first day I can eat breakfast without being sick.
I still try to get out and walk as often as I can, which isn't much, but anything is better than nothing.

rschenck14

I was playing tennis prior to pregnancy and am still playing now, I don't play but a couple of times a week, so I could probably use a bit more exercise.  They just told me to not overdue it and be careful because as you progress in pregnancy you get a little more awkward and also changes in bone/muscular structure to prep for child birth.  Things tend to loosen up so you can potential hurt yourself and then they also said to watch for tennis balls hitting my stomach area.  Honestly the hardest part right now is getting out of breath and then making sure no one goes at my stomach when I am at the net.  When people see you are pregnant they tend to avoid you, but right now they can't tell.

runlong3

You can continue doing what you were doing prior to pregnancy as long as you feel up to it.

For LOW RISK pregnancies, things to keep in mind:
1) Stay hydrated
2) Don't overheat
3) Focus on how you are feeling - if you feel good, keep going. If your body is telling you to slow down, slow down.

A good rule of thumb is the "talk test". Try to aim to keep yourself in a range where you are working hard, but are still able to hold a conversation.

The 140 heartbeat rule is very out of date for a LOW RISK pregnancy with no contraindications. Obviously if you feel less worried keeping your heart rate at or below that then do what you feel is best, but the current recommendations do not include heart rate recommendations as it can fluctuate so much between people.

Current ACOG recommendations: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/1/6.long

pinottoparenthood

Yeah, my doc said heart rate shouldn't get above 160 (I'm a runner). But honestly, I don't measure my heart rate. I just listen to my body and if i start feeling WAY out of breath or cramping up, I slow down. No issues thus far. I slowed down for awhile but I am back to running 4-5 days a week now. Definitely getting slower though!

thaisac1

I haven't exercised since my IVF stimulation over 3 months ago, but got the OK from doctor now. My trainer comes on Friday to resume our program, I wonder how he's going to adapt things since I'm not supposed to do anything too estrenuous... I'll report back after I see what he has planned.

spatter1

@runlong3 I have asthma that has definitely gotten worse with pregnancy hence the 140 bpm rec from my dr. I'm sure it is fine to go higher if you don't have any risk factors. For me personally it's not worth risking.

Goldsgirl9

@spatter1 I am in the same boat and notice I get out of breathe much sooner than before. I'm in week 9 and the asthma seems a little better right now compared to a few weeks ago.

runlong3

@spatter1 - that's why it's important to note that those guidelines are for low risk pregnancies with no contraindications. Asthma would definitely play a factor in changing those guidelines. There are lots of doctors out there still quoting 140 for healthy pregnancies, which has been out of date since 2002.

saladflambe

Horseback riding was my exercise, and I can't do that anymore.

I'm nauseous all day and night right now, so I'm not pushing myself to do anything really. 

moodystar927

So sick and my blood flow feels different in my belly. Hoping to get back into it in my second trimester

cchild101010

saladflambe said:

Horseback riding was my exercise, and I can't do that anymore.

I'm nauseous all day and night right now, so I'm not pushing myself to do anything really. 

Why aren't you riding any more?

cchild101010

Now that I'm not feeling as tired, I'm making it to the gym a little more. I'm trying to keep my steps over 10k/day and I'm still weightlifting at the gym. I am riding my horse 2-3days/week but the heat in Los Angeles has been bad on/off so some days I take it easier. I teach Pilates 4-5 days/week so I jump into various exercises with my clients as I feel like it.

thaisac1

OK just had my first session with trainer since getting pregnant  (I'm 12w2d). He took a lot easier on me, just had me climbing stairs at home for 3 min to warm up rather than running and sprinting for 20 min which used to be our routine; and then for the rest of the hour we did a circuit of exercises that involved multiple muscle groups with more reps and less weight. I felt pretty good.

TKaiser91

Right now i do nothing. I am so exhausted running after a toddler all day and keeping the house spotless in case we get a showing (we're trying to sell our house) that i dont have the energy to even go walk. If anything my day chasing DD is my workout. Though my doctor said it doesnt count boo! He said there was a study saying a pregnant woman needs to excerise for 30 min 5 days a week. So hopefully once the 2nd trimester starts I'll have more energy and i can do some walking and swimming!