Fit & Healthy 2021!

ec1212

Kicking off our healthy habits & exercise faves thread.

A few ideas on how to contribute (pick any you feel like commenting on...no pressure to do all at once!):
- what healthy habit you’ve embraced today? 
- share your healthy habit goals for the next few days 
- if you’re a repeat mama, what did you love doing during prior pregnancies?

- what apps or videos have you enjoyed or found easy to stick to in quarantine?
- if you have a peloton or other at-home workout equipment, what are some favorite instructors or specific routines/classes?
- cheer on fellow May mamas in their healthy habits

ec1212

I’ll get us started... it’s about 730am and I laid out clothes last night to work out. Usually Wed. morning is yoga (my first love - I got certified to teach last winter) but I’m going for a walk instead cause I want some fresh air. 

SkilledSailor

- what healthy habit you’ve embraced today? 
- share your healthy habit goals for the next few days 
- if you’re a repeat mama, what did you love doing during prior pregnancies?

- what apps or videos have you enjoyed or found easy to stick to in quarantine?
- if you have a peloton or other at-home workout equipment, what are some favorite instructors or specific routines/classes?
- cheer on fellow May mamas in their healthy habits

- I slept in! It was by accident because my alarm didn’t go off but you’ll learn I struggle with making time for myself so it was nice. 

I have a slower work week the next few days so my goal is to do some core exercises before getting my toddler from DC. We walk plenty once he’s home. 

I’m going to be the cranky one and say literally nothing. Pregnancy was not kind to me. I have learned coping mechanisms though and hope to implement them sooner this time. 

No videos yet. I’ve pinned a few at home pregnancy workouts I’ll be trying soon. 

@ec1212 Jealous of your morning walk! Sounds like a great way to start the day. 

gusgus14

Woohoo, good morning ladies!

What healthy habit you’ve embraced today? 
-I'm mostly trying to focus on hydrating. I could sit and not drink anything all day.

Share your healthy habit goals for the next few days 
-I'm going to take this week easy so no real goals this week. I had some spotting after doing yard work on Sunday and even though it's likely unrelated, I just want to be super cautious. So for now I'm really just focusing on my water and not eating total junk. During the rest of this pregnancy, I'm planning on walking 5/7 days per week and working on strength.

If you’re a repeat mama, what did you love doing during prior pregnancies?
-Honestly I feel like pregnancy is kind of meh. Love the end result but didn't love or hate anything last time. Although I am looking forward to when I can feel movement. 

What apps or videos have you enjoyed or found easy to stick to in quarantine?
-I really love Fitness Blender videos. They have a huge range of workouts and they're all free on their website/youtube.

ec1212

Can @BumpAdmin make this thread sticky? 

texas_t

This is the second year I've signed up for Hike It Baby 30.  In September, you hike/walk 30 miles or go outside 30 mintues per day.  I was running behind this month because of my kiddo in virtual school, but I've picked it up a bit this week.  7.3 miles so far; 2.3 of which were from today.  During my first pregnancy, I was lazy and gained a million lbs.  Second pregnancy, I was much healthier, ate better, and walked quite a bit.  Unfortunately, post pregnancy is hard for me and I never lost the weight I intended to after my last pregnancy, so this is the most I've ever weighed while pregnant.  I'm trying my best to focus on healthy eating habits and walking as much as possible. I don't love following videos or apps, I'm more of a hiker!

Good luck guys!

ckmb_1250

@ec1212 I have a yoga certification too! What type of yoga did you study? I am certified in vinyasa and yin, but have been more interested in hatha since then too.

ec1212

ckmb_1250 said:

@ec1212 I have a yoga certification too! What type of yoga did you study? I am certified in vinyasa and yin, but have been more interested in hatha since then too.

Super cool! I'm RYT 200 HR for vinyasa and trained at (the now former) Laughing Lotus here in NYC as their last graduating class. I had taught one class back in Feb before the shutdown  ... had hoped to get a lot of live teaching under my belt this year then pursue some pre-natal training but COVID has quashed that. A few of my classmates started teaching/doing privates virtually and I was just too nervous and busy wedding planning to get into it. I want more time with live students before doing anything online, but def kind of feel like I'm wasting my training. I plan to put together some sequences for myself when I get past my first tri nerves and then start exploring more yin and restorative, too.

ec1212

@gusgus14 I havent heard of fitness blender...will check them out.
@texas_t i love that cumulative goal...goals help me stay on track. I think im too nervous about everything right now to get too ambitious but will def want to make some goals once I feel more at ease! Right now just trying to stay calm and sane lol.

ec1212

@SkilledSailor it took me almost an hour to get out of the house cause of a warm kitty enjoying my lap while I drank my coffee but I did it!!

ckmb_1250

@ec1212 that’s awesome! I taught for a year and then stopped when we were trying to get pregnant the first time. I’m not sure if I see myself teaching in the future or not. But honestly my yoga teacher training was probably the best birth prep I could have asked for with the focus on breath and relaxation, so definitely don’t feel like you’ve wasted it!

ec1212

ckmb_1250 said:

@ec1212 But honestly my yoga teacher training was probably the best birth prep I could have asked for with the focus on breath and relaxation, so definitely don’t feel like you’ve wasted it!

That's a great outlook - thank you!!

mkc3888

I like the lumowell workout videos on amazon. I’m not in the best shape, but these videos are simple and give easier version of each exercise which I appreciate. I plan to start keeping track of my water intake and try to drink at least 4 bottles of water a day and exercise more. 

Panaceia

Hi everyone:)

Let's see...with my first I was part of a fitness in pregnancy study...so I had to hit a minimum of 10k steps a day and eat lots of dairy. I loved it and stayed pretty fit just from walking.

My second pregnancy I was 15lbs heavier due to weight I never lost from our 2 MMCs. I gained the same amount as with my first pregnancy and lost it all fairly quickly BUT I'm still carrying those extra 15 to 20 loss lbs.

I now have a 1 year old and a 6 year old. I bought a double chariot and make a point of going for at least one long walk with the girls every day. I'm hoping to not gain too much this time so I can lose some of the extra lbs I've been carrying after bub gets here safely. Basically I'm just trying to stay as active as possible.

mrosek91

I'm a member of MommaStrong. It's a fitness program for moms by moms, I love it. It's only $5 a month and 15 minutes a day, and they have tracks for pregnancy, newly postpartum, and beyond. I started it when I was pregnant with my third, and it was by far my best pregnancy.

mimser

- what healthy habit you’ve embraced today? I drink 2-3 L of water daily, I take at least one 20 min walk, and I eat well (I have a list of what should be on our weekly grocery list, a bit obsessive yes, but it kept me busy while TTC😅)
- share your healthy habit goals for the next few days I'd like to start some light weight training from home 
- if you’re a repeat mama, what did you love doing during prior pregnancies? During my last pregnancy (which unfortunately ended in a 2nd trimester loss), I did those workouts as well as prenatal yoga:
https://www.thebump.com/a/pregnancy-workouts-by-trimester
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a20702437/first-trimester-strength-workout/

Now because this pregnancy is high risk and we don't know why my water broke prematurely last time, I'm taking it ultra easy, and I probably exaggerate, but I feel more comfortable doing so. So I'll try to focus on eating right so I gain a reasonable amount of weight.

Magheeta

I’m plan on continuing to eat small meals every 2-3 hours. WFH during the pandemic has given me more control over my health, so I’m hopeful that will continue. Including being able to nap during the day!!

yoga, walking, and light resistance band training has been my jam since March. 

@mrosek91 I’m in MommaStrong, too! But haven’t been present in a while. Maybe I’ll see you there?!?

I wasn’t good about working out with my other pregnancies. Once MS hit, I gave up. I want it to be different this time now that I have a more flexible schedule!!

mrosek91

@Magheeta it's so nice to have a fellow MommaStronger here, I keep trying to convert my friends, but haven't had much luck yet. I mostly lurk in the FB group, but do occasionally interact. 
I did really well for the August challenge, but my September has been off to a rocky start. (Now I know why.) Going to try and be better this week, hoping to stay in Momma for a little while longer before I move to Momma-To-Be

spartan4life

Just trying to be as healthy as possible right now until the nausea kicks in. Yesterday and today we walked to the park and played for a bit. Tonight I'm hoping to do some yoga.

During my first pregnancy DH and I went to the gym almost every morning and I took a spin class 2 to 3 days a week until 35 weeks. I've been doing Beach Body recently and we bought a Peloton so hoping to be able to do some sort of workout most mornings. The first tri is tough tho being so tired! 

All I could keep down during my first pregnancy was pizza hut pizza and anything carbs, so I'm hoping this time around I can eat a bit better.

julianne0

I haven’t been on the Peloton since Friday. I started feeling nauseous Saturday so that deterred me but i did take two walks on Sat. Hoping to even get in just a 10 minute ride today. I love the variety of classes Peloton offers like with length, intensity etc. 
My last couple rides I noticed it was much harder for me to go “up hill”. I think it’s the shortness of breath symptom. I really struggle!!

samd6

I just got a new rowing machine last month and have really enjoyed my morning rows (you know, before I started feeling gross). I am hoping to get back into a routine this week. I have also really been enjoying the Team Body Project workouts because they are low impact and all standing, which means I’ll be able to continue through the pregnancy. 

I drink a ton of water always so that’s a healthy habit I already have. During my last pregnancy I was working retail and was just too exhausted to work out before or after work, I WFH now and have a more regular schedule so I am looking forward to making that change. 

gusgus14

@julianne0 that shortness of breath is rough! I didn't have that with my first pregnancy and it's awful.

ec1212

After holding out all these years, I got an Apple Watch over the weekend as a very early bday present to myself. I wanted it now because it prompts you to move every hour, breathe deeply for one minute every hour and then compete with yourself (and/or friends) to move and exercise a certain amount every day. I figured it would be a better heart monitor for my new bike when it arrives next week and it's cool that I can leave my phone at home on my morning walks. I took 45 min. walks yesterday and today and it's been good motivation so far!! I'm really focused on staying as healthy as possible and keeping my energy up to make recovery easier on the other side.

Also loving all these new recs of different fitness programs!! Gonna be so helpful as the weather gets colder to have so many to check out! 

julianne0

@gusgus14 I don’t really remember it either?! Except for my second pregnancy when I went on a hike at 10 weeks and had to keep stopping for breaks lol. But seriously, shortness of breath is making it hard to wear masks!! 

mjacks16

My last pregnancy I lived in Brooklyn and walked everywhere as you do and I also did in class prenatal yoga starting at 12 weeks. Now I’m out of the city with a car so I’ll have to be better about going on walks and working out. Prior to my IVF cycle I was doing Syndey Cummings videos on YouTube and doing yoga with Down Dog. I believe Down Dog has a prenatal app as well so I need to try that out. I may also try to modify some of the Sydney workouts, but they are intense!

ec1212

Did my first peloton ride today!! Girlfriends who have bikes who just had babies said to aim to keep my heart rate under 160 and to stay in the saddle. 

My doc didn’t advise either of those things when we chatted yesterday, and Dr. Google says any specific heart rate guidance is outdated and that most docs now just advise to stick to a moderate rate where you could talk but not sing. 

Has anyone (who was already healthy and working out pre-preg & not high-risk) gotten specific heart rate or exertion guidance from their doc this go around? I’m gonna stick to what my doc says but wondering what’s out there for general opinion these days. 

Magheeta

I just got placed in by Buddy group with MommaStrong! Making my way through the intro videos and almost done! Feeling good about it and I love the methodology behind it. I can already feel myself becoming more aware of my stance/posture, and I hope I can keep it up when the morning sickness kicks in full blast. 

ckmb_1250

@ec1212 my Dr never gave any guidance around monitoring heart rate, I was just told to listen to your body and don’t overdo it 🤷🏻‍♀️

harpyhotwheel

@ec1212 @ckmb_1250 My doctor told me the same re: listening to your body and adjusting when it feels good/necessary. 

My mom is a personal trainer/ 4-time mom, and has offered to write up some targeted workouts that she thinks will be specifically beneficial during pregnancy. She’s definitely more hardcore than I am (the day she gave birth to my youngest sister, she went on a 6 mile run at 9 mo 🤯😳 I... don’t see that in the cards for me 😂), but I can happily share her ideas/pointers if it’s of interest to folks! 

stacemom

that would be awesome!

spartan4life

@harpyhotwheel OMG my mom is a personal trainer and is the same way 😂 she keeps asking me how my workouts are going right now...my screen on my Peloton went out so they are replacing it so thankfully I have that excuse right now to only be doing yoga lol. I just don't have the energy but need to get back to it.

ec1212

@harpyhotwheel wow your mom IS hardcore. I don’t even run NOT pregnant. Haha. Yeah, if you’re willing to share that would be great. My biggest concern is working on ab & pelvic floor strength safely since crunches and forward bends will be out soon. Waiting for my fave Pilates instructor to release a prenatal video series but kinda lost on that in the meantime. 

FuzzyDust

@julianne0, @ec1212, how do you like Peloton? I’m considering getting it, as I love biking outdoors, but the rain season has already begun. My concern - I heard there is an initial “all out” work out to adjust the intensity measurement to your fitness level, and I’m scared of doing that while pregnant.

In all honesty, this pregnancy is my “weight loss plan” 🤣 I lost 20lb with my first (I think it just helped to regulate my hormones, no special effort on my part, I was a couch potato for most of it). Now that I’ve gained it all back, hoping that the second pregnancy does the same trick for me. However, I was very sore and just felt generally unfit, so I’m trying to move more this time around, get stronger, and hopefully ease some of the horrible back pain I had last time.

ec1212

@FuzzyDust I'm just a couple rides in so I'll defer to the ladies here who have had theirs for longer but so far I love it!! Don't know if you saw our discussion above where I was asking about heart rate/exertion levels but the general consensus is to only work out at an intensity that feels comfortable that day and not ever overdo it. Also not generally a good idea to add in totally new things (i.e. since I wasn't a runner before, I shouldn't start now). 

I think if you love biking already and think you'll keep it up, maybe it's worth the investment? I haven't seen any "all out" workouts pop up for me as a recommendation...I've just been following the cadence and resistance ranges in each class and sticking to beginner level or short rides while I get my wheels back under me, since I had only done one spin class since COVID started.

firstpodlowskibaby

Hi! My name is Rachel, 
Love that there is a thread for health and fitness tips and support.

what healthy habit you’ve embraced today? 

- I plan on working out 3 times this week. 
 
- I subscribe to Beahbody and they have great prenatal workouts! Like Barre Blend and Yoga.

- I have some weights and resistance bands at home to assist in my workouts.

- I have had bad nausea and been exhausted for over a week straight now, my goal is to keep reminding myself to drink lots of water and still eat what I can manage to keep down. Also taking my prenatal vitamin at bedtime has helped. 

ckmb_1250

I just purchased a prenatal fitness program from a woman in my neighborhood who does a lot of pre/post natal fitness classes - it’s totally online so I’m excited to use it throughout pregnancy. @strongbodystrongmama on insta if anyone’s interested, she’s doing a promo today! 

lilyandrose

Hi everyone,
Love that there is a health and fitness thread on here, as keeping fit is part of my ordinary life and I want to maintain this throughout the pregnancy.

I can't remember who said what, but +1 for Fitness Blender and Team Body Project (TBP). I did the TBP Cardio Starter Four workout before work this morning - it was awesome! I love TBP because they have a lot of low impact workouts, but also because they are fun. They also have a really positive message about focussing on moving your body, consistent progress and just enjoying it. Progress not perfection. :) Loads of free videos on You Tube but you can get a paid program if you want to.

If you're looking for preg specific workouts, I like Lindsay from Nourish Move Love. I found her when not pg, but really enjoy her workouts.

Hope everyone is feeling well today. I'm trying to focus on eating small to avoid nausea. Blech.

sienna221

My OB also said I didn’t really need to alter anything workout wise but to just pay attention to my body and obviously alter things once my body wasn’t able to do it. So I’ve continued with at home workouts (gyms just opening back up and not comfortable going yet). Trying to do at least 4 a week. 

I have old workouts from a trainer I trained with pre-Covid that I’ve been doing but have also enjoyed the Nike Training Club (NTC) app. They made the premium membership free when quarantine started to encourage people to work out.

Also- someone may have mentioned this already but - Melissa Wood Health app is great as well! It’s nice to switch off with the NTC and other more high impact/intensity workouts to get some lower intensity and some good stretching/flow but still a great workout! If you get some hand weights (like the Bala Bangles she uses), it’s amazing how some videos can make your arms shake like crazy using just 1 or 2 lb weights! She also has pregnancy specific workouts. 

Hope everyone is great today! And love the idea of this thread!

ec1212

Resurrecting this thread with high hopes for next week! I'll be 12 weeks this Fri., and have felt some energy coming back most days since then. Hallelujah!

• My goal for next week is to take 2 morning walks (20-30 min). and do 1-2 prenatal yoga classes (20-45 min.). On the days I plan yoga, if I wake up not wanting to do it, I'll do a walk instead.
• If that goes well, the week of 11/9 I'd like to add in 1-2 rides/workouts on the Peloton

Anyone else getting in some movement, or want to join me in some goals for next week?

mimser

I walk 20-30 minutes every day, but I only have 2 more weeks left of that as after my cerclage I'll take it reallllll easy. I am in very good shape and trained most days before pregnancy so I'm hoping my body won't mind the break too much...

mrosek91

I did two MommaStrong workouts so far this week, for the first time in...too long.
I'm hoping to do at least 5 workouts a week as we make it out of first tri, but we'll see how realistic that is. I was in a really good rhythm with it before I got pregnant, so I'm hoping to get back into the groove.