Exercise during 1st trimester- eastern vs western philosophy?

SareBear30 · December 2011

My understanding was that it was ok to stick with your previous exercise routines (maybe a little less intense though), unless your doctor specifically told you not to. And I think I heard hot yoga is bad, but I can't handle that anyway.

The past week between the cold and my headaches, I have only done really low 30 minute workouts on the elliptical and some free weights last night. I did take it down a little, but more because of the headaches and because I hadn't been doin much for a while.

Then last night my acupuncturist says not to work out "too ferociously." I have a friend who is a dr that is my workout buddy, and he agreed that I'm not working out that intensly. I just don't want to give it up, unless I need to, but I also don't want to risk the baby. I just feel like working out in moderation has got to be healthy (for circulation, for cardio benefits, to have muscle tone and endurance for labor.)

I was just surprised when I heard that last night. What do y'all think/what did y'all do when pregnant?

Mainer-in-Texas · December 2011

I kept up my routine but I didn't push myself quite as hard. I bought a heart rate monitor so I could watch it. I've heard some people (on the nest) say you shouldn't let your heart rate get above 140, but I would barely be moving and my HR would get that high. So I picked 160 as my cutoff, which meant sometimes I would have to stop and walk up hills. My RE and OB thought it was great that I was working out.

HSartteach · December 2011

My midwife encourages us to workout. Not as hard as before. Many of the girls in my group do pre-natal yoga. I think you are fine...esp if your doctor says it's okay (I mean your work-out partner.)

molliedb · December 2011

i don't think being cautious is BAD in any way, but i did not scale back my workouts. primarily the first pregnancy when i was training much more, i had trainers saying stuff to me all the time about 'be careful!' etc but my midwife was 100% comfortable with my training including weights. i even did abs until about 25 weeks (which makes me fall to the ground in laughter now, but i digress).

i think your body will tell you when you're doing too much.

SareBear30 · December 2011

Thanks guys. That's what I was thinking. I certainly don't want to push myself too hard, but I don't want to stop entirely either. I wonder if the eastern philosophy is just different?

Mrs.Froggianna · December 2011

Mainer-in-Texas:
I kept up my routine but I didn't push myself quite as hard. I bought a heart rate monitor so I could watch it. I've heard some people (on the nest) say you shouldn't let your heart rate get above 140, but I would barely be moving and my HR would get that high. So I picked 160 as my cutoff, which meant sometimes I would have to stop and walk up hills. My RE and OB thought it was great that I was working out.

This exactly, except I chose 150/155 as my cutoff. I did a kickboxing class where I let my HR get into the 160s here and there and I just felt bad the next day. My OB said that as long as my HR is going up and down, and I'm not sustaining a HR over 150 I'll be fine. The most important thing is to listen to your body. Believe me, when you've hit your limit you'll know. And when your belly gets bigger later on your body will tell you when it's time to scale back or change up your routine.

Good for you for keeping up your exercise routine!

Mrs.Purdue · December 2011

SareBear30:
My understanding was that it was ok to stick with your previous exercise routines (maybe a little less intense though), unless your doctor specifically told you not to. And I think I heard hot yoga is bad, but I can't handle that anyway.
...
Then last night my acupuncturist says not to work out "too ferociously." I have a friend who is a dr that is my workout buddy, and he agreed that I'm not working out that intensly. I just don't want to give it up, unless I need to, but I also don't want to risk the baby. I just feel like working out in moderation has got to be healthy (for circulation, for cardio benefits, to have muscle tone and endurance for labor.)

I think both eastern and western here are in agreement. they both say not to work out TOO intensely, which you already knew.

fjaril · December 2011

My first pregnancy I kept up my regular (mostly) routine until about 2 week before my due date. In the 3rd I think I dropped a day of water aerobics, but was still going to the gym 3-4 days a week.

Your body will tel you when it's too much. I agree both East and West are saying to exercise, just don't decide to train for a marathon all the sudden

august8080 · December 2011

I agree with MrsPurdue--I don't think Eastern med is discouraging you from working out.

I know that Dr. Nash will tell you anything but hot yoga is OK and it's perfectly fine to keep up with whatever routine you've been doing, as your body will tolerate it. Keep in mind that your blood volume is building in the first tri which will naturally cause an increase in your resting heart rate. This may make you feel like your suddenly out of shape when you're working out, so don't worry!

Once I started feeling better with DS, around 20 weeks, I resumed working out and plan to do the same with this pregnancy once the all day nausea/vomiting is gone. I think it can definitely help you feel less achy and help during labor and delivery. Also, make sure you're doing plenty of stretching.

esbeek · December 2011

I agree with other posters - go go go in moderation! I did hot yoga before pregnancy, then moved to vinyasa and hatha, and now am fully into prenatal. If you've done yoga at all, I say definitely try prenatal, if you can find a good teacher. I thought I loved yoga before, but now that my hips/back/shoulders/everything ache in new ways, the prenatal classes are remarkable. That being said, I did strain my back from over-stretching one week. The relaxin (sp?) chemical that kicks in to help your joints relax for birth can make you feel super flexible, but be careful! If you want prenatal yoga teacher recs, let me know. Feel good, enjoy!

jakbtx · December 2011

i kept exercising too. i cont'd running as well as swimming, prenatal yoga and weights/squats/that type of thing. i think it helped my pregnancies be better than if I had not continued to exercise. my midwives were all ok w/it and i was able to run til 36 wks w/2 out of 3 of my pregnancies. as long as it felt OK i kept with it. like the pp said...feel good & enjoy!

kirknsarah · December 2011

I do flow (non hot) yoga several times a week, and have been continuing with that. I also have continued walking, and plan to continue swimming (although I haven't had time recently).

My sister is a yoga teacher, and also pregnant, and she said for now I should stay away from more jarring things--ie, don't kick up into head or handstand, don't jump back to chaturanga, that kind of thing.

esbeek:
I agree with other posters - go go go in moderation! I did hot yoga before pregnancy, then moved to vinyasa and hatha, and now am fully into prenatal. If you've done yoga at all, I say definitely try prenatal, if you can find a good teacher. I thought I loved yoga before, but now that my hips/back/shoulders/everything ache in new ways, the prenatal classes are remarkable. That being said, I did strain my back from over-stretching one week. The relaxin (sp?) chemical that kicks in to help your joints relax for birth can make you feel super flexible, but be careful! If you want prenatal yoga teacher recs, let me know. Feel good, enjoy!

Where are you going? Who is your teacher? I know at some point I'll need to add prenatal yoga and would love a recommendation.

SareBear30 · December 2011

Thanks guys, I'm thinking there might be a language barrier issue. He kept saying, "no gym. It's too intense. Some walking or light jogging ok." Um, I don't run and don't plan on starting. I can see if he didn't want me doing my intense spin class, but he was saying that even a low level on the elliptical or treadmill was "too intense." And I'm thinking that I'll just do what I can unless Nash tells me otherwise. I was also glad to hear from you guys the other thing I was thinking, just do what your body says you can! I'm a big believer in listening to yourself.

Esbeck, I would love prenatal yoga recs, particularly if they are reasonably priced!

aggieoj · December 2011

I say listen to your body as key. My ob told me not to let my heart rate get above a certain level (I forget what it was) and it didn't take much to get there! I was also short of breath quicker even with my easy, no big deal exercise routine. If your body is telling you to slow down then do it, if you feel no difference then I say get your exercise on! Some women run marathons through their full pregnancy as they were used to it anyway...I don't think it would hurt so long as your body's ready for it.

MrsNole · December 2011

Do what your OB allows and what you are comfortable with.

thethomps · December 2011

I'm still working out with my trainer twice a week, as I have been since January. Depending on how I'm feeling, we may ratchet the intensity down a little (no one wants puke on the training room floor!), but it's been fine otherwise. My OB said today that I can still do the same intensity, just make sure I'm not lying flat on my back for any exercises after the first tri. And she said obviously once my belly gets big in the third tri, we may have to find different ways to do certain exercises, too.

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