anybody running or exercising? thoughts about the 140 HR restriction
sbaz
member
so at my first appt I asked my OB if it was cool for me to keep running as long as I felt good, didn't go crazy, and scaled back my mileage some. She gave me the stink eye, wrinkled up her nose and said she did NOT like running, to maybe try walking instead. When I pushed her as to why, she eventually said it'd prolly be ok to continue running as long as I kept my heart rate below 140. I didn't argue or ask any more questions bc at that point I was feeling like a terrible person who was stubbornly endangering her baby.
From what I've read, the 140 heart rate thing is totally arbitrary and the ACOG rescinded that recommendation several years ago, instead switching to rate of perceived exertion to determine if you were exercising too strenuously during pregnancy.
My issue is that my heart rate is naturally high, so I easily hit and pass 140. I'm on the treadmill running slowly, still able to sing and loudly complain to my husband about how much this stupid heart rate restriction sucks, and my heart rate is above 140. Have been stopping to check it every half mile, walk till it comes down, then start again more slowly. It sucks and I think it's stupid but I'm not a doctor so have been trying to stick to it until my next appt when I can ask her to explain the rationale and see what's up.
But tonight during our after dinner walk my husband asked why I was being so stubborn about the whole running thing, suggesting that maybe i should just stick to walking until my next appt (bc EVERY time i run, even a mile, my heart rate is in the 140s or a lil above, so even tho I stop to walk, it still gets up there for a lil bit).
I'm so frustrated. I know I'm pregnant. I want to have a safe and healthy pregnancy with a happy and healthy baby. But sometimes it feels like the only safe thing for me to do is sit on my butt and eat. And how unhealthy is that? At this point I feel great and would like to continue running but I totally don't want to risk the baby's health...thanks for letting me vent and any thoughts/advice would be appreciated
Re: anybody running or exercising? thoughts about the 140 HR restriction
DD #1 born 4/1/2012
My Married Bio
I am having the same problem as you. I have a naturally high HR and I wanted to continue going to Zumba. When I told my OB that I rarely stay under 140 she said she would actually prefer closer to 120.
I went to a half hour class yesterday and hit a max of 156. I tried to keep it between 130 and 150 but it was really hard. It sucks to stop doing something I really like but I would hate for something to go wrong and wonder if it was because of that.
I work out with a trainer 3 times a week and do spin class on the other 2 days. I also try to fit in a yoga class and my DH and I rock climb (see siggy). When I had my DS, all I did was walk and not very much really because I was afraid of having another m/c (I had one before DS that had nothing to do with exercise).
Needless to say, I ate my way through all of the Holidays and gained 60 yep, SIXTY pounds with my Son. I lost only 40 of it.
I plan to continue with all my exercise but just modify it if needed, take more breaks and listen to my body. I will not - CAN NOT gain that much weight again. I'm already 30 pounds overweight.
I want to enjoy this pregnancy and feel good about my body and my spirit and that would be impossible without exercise.
If you were running before you were pregnant, you should continue. Slow down a bit and cut back on your mileage. GL!
I'm a runner too and have scaled back significantly from what I was doing before. I don't go out as often, don't run as far or as fast, and run for 10 mins and walk for 1min.
I'm not so worried about HR, etc.
But have been having serious anxiety related to overheating -- am I working too hard and causing birth defects? I went out for a run a few days ago and it was stupid hot and now I'm worried. Running used to relieve my stress, now that I'm pg I feel as though it's causing it.
you can keep doing whatever you were doing. Your body will naturally scale it back for you anyway via first trimester exhaustion, then later you will just feel different and things will seem harder, certain things will hurt etc.
My midwife just said keep doing whatever, if something hurts, don't do it. She said up to 20 weeks everything is fine, then maybe certain things will begin to get uncomfortable, balance will be off etc. But to just listen to your body.
there was no mention of heartbeat which is a silly measurment anyway as people vary so much. Putting any sort of blanket statement out there like that (140bpm) is dumb because for some people that would be TOO high and for some, that would happen when just warming up.
The 25lbs thing is dumb too. Don't lift more than 25lbs? Regardless of whether you weigh 100 or 200lbs or how much experience you have with weight lifting?
Mine said, you will probably have to reduce your weights a little anyway due to feeling weaker and more tired (true) but don't have to drop it back too much. Last time i went instead of using 115-125lbs for barbell squats, I just stopped at 95lbs as I was tired.
So I'd say listen to your body! If you feel really tired when running, don't be afraid to take a walk break or slow down a minute or two per mile. Just get out there. Being a lazy bum is no good for anyone (unless you are spotting/on bed rest etc.).
Of course, I am the laziest bum there is right now as I am barely getting to the gym at all. Toooo tired. But I plan to get back in there regularly as soon as this incessant cloud of nausea and exhaustion lifts!