in need of encouraging words

Kelli2507

I walk on the tredmill every day for 1 hour @ 2.8-3 mph...and i feel like its the most pointless thing ever and i feel a little discouraged mainly because after i am done sweating a little i turn around and eat a sandwich or my daily 3-4 cookie intake (more lately due to girl scouts... Grrrr) ... I just need reassurance that i'm not wasting my time...and that any type of light exercise is going to do something positive whether its make birth go smoother or fit into my jeans shortly after delivery... any advice? should i walk faster as long as i can breathe? maybe longer? add some elevation?

thatgirlang

It is very much worth it! If you want to increase your speed or time, then of course be sure that you aren't getting yourself out of breath to where you can't talk. Keep it up! You should be very proud. Walking the way you are is one of the best things you can do for yourself while pregnant.

lbittma80

I am hereby encouraging you to give up.  The only point of exercising right now is to make yourself feel better about getting pregnant-er: something you can't really fight.  Seriously, exercise is not going to make anything easier.

Let it go until post-baby.

lennonlover

You are not exercising to lose weight so if you eat afterwards, it's okay.  The point of exercise while pregnancy is to keep yourself in shape....so of course, keep it up!!!  It's good for your heart and baby....you can elevate or speed up as long as you are comfortable.  Keep on walking!!!

Starlette1983

It is definitely better than nothing!  If you are feeling like its pointless, just do what you said and bump up the elevation a little, or try go a little faster and see how you do.  Keep it up though!

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

You are not wasting your time.  At least you're doing something and an hour is quite a while!  My Dr. recommended at least 1/2 hour, 4-5 times per week, so every day is pretty awesome!  I've barely been doing anything, if that makes you feel better (it certainly doesn't make me feel better at all, but I'm starting to get up the motivation to do more).

JCM052707

lbittma80:

I am hereby encouraging you to give up.  The only point of exercising right now is to make yourself feel better about getting pregnant-er: something you can't really fight.  Seriously, exercise is not going to make anything easier.

Let it go until post-baby.

Seriously???? There are many reputable sources that says mothers who exercise have easier deliveries and an easier time losing the weight.  Not to mention it's just HEALTHY. (Say the girl who hasn't exercised in a couple weeks, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in it!) 

To the OP - don't give up! You are doing something healthy for you and your baby REGARDLESS of what you then go put in your mouth.  Think of them as independent. 

FirefightersBride

You are doing a great thing!! If you feel like you can handle a more brisk pace by all means, do it. Rest assured though...I workout 5 days a week, and trust me, I consume my fair share of thin mints! ;-)

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

lbittma80:

I am hereby encouraging you to give up.  The only point of exercising right now is to make yourself feel better about getting pregnant-er: something you can't really fight.  Seriously, exercise is not going to make anything easier.

Let it go until post-baby.

Why would you ever say something like this to someone that is doing something so good for herself and her child?  Didn't your dr. tell you to exercise during pregnancy?  Like I said above, I haven't done much due to it being so cold this winter and my complete lack of motivation, but I would never bring someone down for getting up the motivation!

Mrs_mam

Don't give up, any exercise you do will increase your stamina and help you get through labor. I do yoga twice a week, it's hard to actually get in the car and go than to do the class but I always try to talk myself out of it Keep walking! Switch it up and go for a walk at the mall or outside (if you don't have icy sidewalks) too. Keep it interesting. And instead of cookies, have a piece of fruit after you walk.

mooninlv

any sort of exercise is great! and something, even light, is better than nothing. however,  you would get a better workout walking faster and/or on an incline. 2.8 is on the slow side

KrisFlower

I believe any kind of exercise is going to be good for you and baby! ?

Kelli2507

Thanks everyone... this definitely helped.. my mom and some others scared me into the whole walking thing by showing my their before and after pg pics.. and i hate exercise, but hate being out of shape, so i usually walked before pg.  i think i just need to get out of the "i'm not doing this to lose weight" mode and just remember i am doing it for other reasons... Thanks again ladies! so my Tyra & Tredmill date is back on for tomm!

kyrastapp

It's amaizing how walking works, even if you dont think it does.  For the last three months I have only gained 3 lbs due to walking every other day.  The baby is growing I'm just not gaining the weight I dont need!  Keep that walking up

mooninlv

JCM052707:

lbittma80:

I am hereby encouraging you to give up.  The only point of exercising right now is to make yourself feel better about getting pregnant-er: something you can't really fight.  Seriously, exercise is not going to make anything easier.

Let it go until post-baby.

Seriously???? There are many reputable sources that says mothers who exercise have easier deliveries and an easier time losing the weight.  Not to mention it's just HEALTHY. (Say the girl who hasn't exercised in a couple weeks, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in it!) 

To the OP - don't give up! You are doing something healthy for you and your baby REGARDLESS of what you then go put in your mouth.  Think of them as independent. 

double, seriously?!

continuing to exercise during pregnancy has many benefits. and all of my friends that worked out throughout their pregnancy said it made things so much easier, and they felt better. why would you tell someone who is trying to take care of themselves to give up and be lazy?!

gulbyholloman

walking is a great way to stay in shape...
walking outside is always nice too - get some fresh air and helps relieve stress -- i take my dog to the dog park so i feel more productive.

peachypear

It's not worthless! Activity is really good for you. It will lubricate your joints, so you're less achy, keep you in shape, let you release tension, and help you sleep at night.

Don't worry about doing an impressive workout. I'm definitely not doing anything close to what I did pre-pg. But that's to be expected, since your body is already strained to keep baby breathing and fed.

But since it sounds like you'd like to do more, I'd encorage you to try to walk faster. If you're walking at that speed because you're scared of falling, then use an eliptical at a low setting. I also highly recommend taking a class. I'm loving my water aerobics class. I feel great afterwards, and it's not too strenuous. Swimming is a good way to mix up your work outs. Or take a gentle yoga class (just be sure to tell the teacher you are pg so that they can advise you of alternatives for poses you shouldn't do). Or find prenatal yoga or pilates classes in your area.

Keep it up! You don't have to be an olympic athlete - just do what you can do.

annibes

Don't give up!! I get a little discouraged the way you do- and I don't even go every day. It seems like I'm going so slow on the elliptical and that it can't possibly be doing any good.

But it is- I can tell it does *some* good, because I sleep better (and who among us doesn't need a good night's sleep these days?) and I don't get restless legs if I run for even 20 minutes every other day (I usually do 45 min to an hour- until I get 2 or 3 miles or I start to feel tired).

To the fool who says give up: sarcastically or not- OP's baby is going to be healthy and OP is going to recover well from labor/birth. You might want to think about that before you start telling people to give up their workout regimens.. some of us don't view pregnancy as a reason to quit being healthy for 9 months. We see our babies as the exact reason we should become HEALTHIER in the next 9 months.

scarlett2288

you need to eat, so don't feel bad about it.  plus, if anything... all the walking is building up your cardio and tolerance, you know?  gotta give that heart what it needs. 

Dreamofmusic768

Exercising can also help burn off the sugars in your system to keep the baby from getting too much sugar. My baby is measuring on the big side and my OB told me to try upping my light walking and exercising to help burn off excess sugar.