Exercise

carryon

I was wondering what you are doing for exercise while pregnant?  I normally work out 2-4 times per week plus try to get a few long walks in.  So far, I've been too tired to do anything other than a few short walks with my dog.  I found a few prenatal classes in my Peloton app.  Looking for ideas and inspiration!

Also, anything you are aware of that we should NOT be doing exercise-wise while pregnant?  I've read to avoid twisting, but not sure what else.

TIA!

rac2718

I'm sure you know, but don't push it if you're tired. Your energy level will perk back up! If continuing exercise remains important, try a different time of day or shorter sessions. I aim for 12,000 steps a day and getting my heart rate up for about 10 minutes at a time 2 or 3x per day. During my first pregnancy I taught Zumba until I was 36 weeks and that was a blast. For me, main thing to avoid is too much bouncing (tender breasts plus center of gravity changes so I fear falling) and accidentally overstretching as your body's ligaments get looser. 

sprout1234

I’ve been tired too! I’m taking naps when I would usually been working out ha! 

I’m just trying to walk everyday and do some short (20minute) strength training sessions when I feel up to it - which was only once last week and this week so far.

I do believe their are some abdo moves that are not safe and you can’t lay on your back later on but best to check with a doctor! 

superprexy

I don't work out but during work day 4days i do 15-20K steps in (0 to -10 temp) and during off i do 10k a day.

I work in the afternoons honestly at the end of my shift im really exhausted.

Kristib1985

I haven’t been able to bring myself to do anything this week. I’ll give it a one week pass and then figure it out.

My doc told me I could do whatever—CrossFit included. She said just don’t do it if you feel any sort of cramping or pain.

Shauntee

I have been doing Sydney Cumming workouts for almost a year now. She is currently 28 weeks pregnant so she’s showing all of the modifications. She has 5 free workouts a week on YouTube. 

I worked out during my second pregnancy until the day I was admitted to give birth. It made a huge difference. 

303mamab

I am almost 6 weeks but still running a couple of miles every other day - running in Denver's Mother's Day 5K and trying to stay in shape!

My first pregnancy I was terrified to workout or do something wrong -but I've learned that is very unlikely if we listen to our bodies. Listen to your doctor, listen to your body, trust yourself! I have to keep working out to stay sane and help manage my anxiety, my doc supports it - I hope this helps!

lulam13

I work FT and have a toddler so I get up early to do a workout on our recumbent bike. I also try get a couple miles in every day just walking as well as some yoga. I try to sneak in other things anywhere I can like doing squats when I brush my teeth, some floor exercises if we’re watching tv or playing with the little one. I have horrible nausea and exhaustion but I’ve found that getting up and moving really helps me more than sitting. It’s just SO hard to initially get out of bed!

mrssmithak49

I’ve been so tired & caught up in this exciting life event that I completely forgot I signed up for a 5k as a motivator to get back into running- it’s in 3 weeks and I haven’t run a single step since before the holidays 😂 Whoops!

jelliebeen27

Hey there! I’m a powerlifter and immediately told my coach the news so she could adjust my programming. I was so tired I couldn’t do anything but sleep for 4 days. I finally got a little energy. Luckily my gym is at home so I didn’t have to go anywhere. I lightened the weights by a lot. Squatting and bending over for deadlifts made me feel nauseous so I took that really easy. But I did my normal bench press routine. I got a lot of energy afterward, so I’m going to keep listening to my body and doing what I can. My coach has experience with pregnant women and my doctor said all is good if I feel good. I hear being strong is going to help me during delivery and as an older first time mom (40) I’ll want all the help I can get. Take it easy ladies. But don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Keep on moving! Even if that’s walking down the block. We’ve got this 💪🏼

hello-baby_number6

I train jiu-jitsu and my midwife said I don’t have to stop until I feel like I need to. I told my training partners and we roll lightly. I try to stay on top and work drills. I was told to keep doing what you have already been doing, but do not start something new. I’m sure if you didn’t do anything before you could still pick up walking or other things that aren’t a lot of strain. 

sarahkdenny

 I do the peloton 3 days a week 20-30 min rides , and go on walks with my dog . Hopefully can do this throughout. 

carryon

Thanks everyone!

Thank you, Shauntee, for the Sydney Cumming suggestion.  I looked her up and will definitely be trying some of her workouts.  They look in line with what I get from the coach I've worked out with, but I like that she is modifying as appropriate for pregnancy.  

Jelliebeen27 - your point is exactly why I do want to keep up with my workouts.  I'm 43 and frankly worked hard the last few years to take good care of my health and am probably in the best shape of my adult life.  I also understand that keeping up with my exercise regime will help with delivery and recovery from childbirth.

I have found my energy coming back the last few days and have been comfortable doing more again so hope to get a workout or two in this week and go from there.  Definitely listening to my body!

Shauntee

You are SO welcome! Her workouts are awesome. I’m 40 and in the same boat with being in the best shape. I’m glad you were able to get some energy back. 

jelliebeen27

Yes! I love us women in our 40s in the best shape of our lives. This is so encouraging. Today during benching I had to cut reps because I noticed my heart rate going up quicker than usual which I’ve read is due to blood production. 🤷🏻‍♀️ And I had to take longer tests in between. Still not ready to deadlift but I did everything else in my programming. Now I’m ready for bed. Everyone keep us posted.

narwhal33

So I'm normally pretty active - hiker, jogger, and some light weight lifting, but spend most of my time doing aerial silks and hammock, and have been taking handstand and flexibility classes. Obviously a lot of these will be things I will have to give up eventually - I do know some ppl who are nervous for me bc obviously w any aerials, there's the risk of falling. But for now I'm trying to keep up w it - doing things not too far from the ground and not compressing on my belly and with a spotter. It's what gives me the most joy (though I'm not great at it, I've been doing it for about a year and a half now), and how I've managed to get in shape over the last couple of years. So hoping to just maintain with things I'm comfortable with until it becomes untenable. I did get the greenlight from my doctor to keep doing what I'm doing at a level comfortable for me right now. I'm sure at some point I'll be too paranoid or uncomfortable to continue, at which point I'll switch to prenatal yoga or something.