Fitness instructor TTC

Fitnessteach2010

My husband and I are TTC and I'm a fitness instructor. Anyone else in a similar position? This is our 1st month TTC and I'm worried that my career may hinder our efforts. Thanks

hesakeeper

Could you teach prenatal fitness classes?! I think it'd be awesome if the instructor of those type of classes was pregnant and could relate.

pantsarella

What do you teach? Almost everything is fine to continue while TTC and during early pregnancy as long as you're not doing anything super strenuous and new.

You can also always modify classes to focus on form rather than effort. I've take several classes where on any given week, the instructor will tone things down to make sure everyone is doing the moves properly so as to not injure themselves. 

jglenn4

I'm no fitness instructor but I work out a lot.  Prior to conceiving my baby my husband and I tried to conceive for apprx. two years.  For the first year I didn't have a period and for the following 6 months I didn't ovulate regularly. After countless prescriptions for provera and clomid, I finally asked my doctors if it could be my weight.  Since I wasn't underweight by medical standards they said my weight was fine, but we weren't making any progress despite all my tests being normal. I finally took it upon myself to put on five pounds (and not focus on it being muscle) and scale back the time and intensity of my workouts. Once I did that my body went back to normal with regular periods and ovulation. We were a month away from exploring IUI and in vitro when I finally became pregnant.

All of this is to say that I do think you continue to your job while trying to get pregnant.  I know of a few fitness instructors who got pregnant and had healthy pregnancies.  I would just make sure you're not exercising too strenuously, for too long, and that you maintain a healthy weight (that includes enough body fat). I've read some articles that suggest a woman not workout more than 7 hours a week when trying to conceive.  I don't think 7 is a hard and fast rule, so do what you feel is best.  

I don't know what you teach but hopefully it's not something that requires you to do the entire routine (e.g. spinning or Les Mills type classes).  If it's spinning or a Les Mills type class maybe you can swap a few out for other types of classes, do the routines with less intensity or eliminate any personal workout you do on your own.  Just a thought and sorry this was so long.  Hope it helps. 

COB

I am not an instructor but was SUPER active while TTC (with my first I was a professional triathlete). With baby #1 we got pregnant right away, #2 took a bit longer (about 6 months) but I was nursing until we started trying to get pregnant and my cycles didn't regulate for a while. If you are having regular periods you should be fine. TTC can be very consuming mentally (especially if it doesn't happen right away) so the more you can do to stay sane and feel like yourself the better!  I know many athletes and coaches that have had normal healthy pregnancies. Good luck. 

IncogNeato

I'd suggest you look into charting for a month or so (taking your temp to see if you're ovulating.) If it appears based temps that you are ovulating then there really isn't any concern although you could always then take it a little easier during the two week wait. If it looks like you aren't ovulating then you might want to consider scaling back and/or gaining some weight.

tasiaceleste

I'm a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and I'm 35.5 weeks along now.  It took 4 months (including detoxing from the pill) to conceive.  If your body fat is in a healthy range, you'll be fine.  You can work out at intensity throughout the pregnancy, as I did, provided you don't have medical history that prevents it. 

Fitnessteach2010

Yes, I teach intense spinning classes but I am not underweight! I am very muscular lol....I know spinning is safe for pregnant women....I just might have to "dial it down" a notch. But I have regular cycles.

thenorris3

I'm a fitness instructor. I teach Turbo Kick, Bootcamp, and Aqua Fit. I taught all three throughout TTC and while pregnant. It only took us a month to conceive. I also taught through 37 weeks and was back teaching bootcamp at 3 weeks post partum. Good luck!

katsue0xo

I have been instructing for 10+ years- and am pregnant with my 4th baby. I have taught all the way till the end with all of them. As long as your body fat isn't so low that it's affecting your cycle, you should be just fine. Exercise is good for fertility!! Good luck!

MesmrEwe

Don't worry, I know a lot of fitness instructors who trained literally until the day that they delivered.  Women have run marathons while 9mo PG.  There were several women in the 2012 Olympics who were PG and competing at an elite level.  I lifted competitively until complications (i.e. felt like my abs literally ripped apart) took me out of lifting at the start of 8mo. and will continue to keep me out until I have surgery to repair the diastasis.. 

The most important thing above ALL else is the normal rule of thumb "Don't train like a knucklehead!"  If your body says "no go" LISTEN!  Your body will dictate things for you.  It's extra hard when complications crop up, but you've got to listen to your body when they do.  Until such a time, keep up your normal activity!