Athletic / Fitness Mommies-to-Be?

amyzen · July 2012

I am a competitive runner and fitness instructor. It is emotionally difficult for me to cut back from my physical activity, but I'm doing it! My priorities have certainly changed. Are there any other athletic / fitness mommies-to-be in da house? Have you had to cut back at all yet? What type of workouts do you do?

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2012

I'm a runner, not competitive or anything. In the summer, DH and I usually run outside several miles a day several times a week.We did this at the gym in the winter. However, we talked to our doctor and she recommended walking instead. So now we walk a couple miles a day every other day. On the other days, I do yoga. I miss running, but I am going to follow the doctor's recommendations.

Whatever+Ever · July 2012

I'm not a competitive runner, but I have been participating in distance events (marathons, half marathons) for the last few years. I definitely understand the emotional difficulty of forcing yourself to scale back - I was so used to ignoring the "I want to stop" feelings that now, when it's best to heed those warnings, I feel like a complete wimp - like I'm not trying.

Anyway, I was scheduled to do a marathon in early November, and I've switched that to a half marathon on doctor's recommendation. I've reduced my pace/intensity by about a minute per mile, but I'm still trying to get all of my normal miles in (right now, between 25-30). Also, if it's really warm outside, I just resign myself to the treadmill. I've also added an extra day of cross training (elliptical or biking).

Some doctors say to keep your heart rate below 150 (or 140), but I think that threshold has fallen out of favor with many researchers. If your heart's used to hitting 150 regularly, it's not as much of a strain as it is for those new to working out.

If you have specific questions about your particular workouts, I would run it past your doctor. Good luck!

Icecream4me · July 2012

I also am not a competitive fitness person, but I've worked out regularly and with decent intensity for my whole life!. It's been an adjustment. I'm in week 12 now. I still run, but with less intensity. However, when I run or use other machines at the gym it's a real challenge to keep my heart rate under the suggested 140 - it feel like I'm running in slow motion! I might be crazy, but I feel like there is a little activity in my abdomen when I exercise. I think this is a good thing. Like the little one is exercising with me All that I've read says that exercise is good for you and the baby - but slow down the intensity.

I find that I tire more quickly than I used to or maybe feel lightheaded - which means I have to stop. It's disappointing but I've never had any major issue. Just that occasionally, maybe I stop running after 12 minutes cause I just don't "feel right" and don't want to take any chances.

I'm really struggling with what weight machines and weight exercises to do! If you know of any sites with good suggestions, please share. All the one's I've seen are too lightweight for me. I had kept my routine the same for the first 8 - 10 weeks, but then I started to notice the different feeling in my abdomen and it's freaky and it makes me nervous. I'm no longer supposed to do ab exercises on my back and I have only 2 or 3 other kinds that I know of. I have this on my to-do list, but haven't spent enough time researching.

I will probably start prenatal yoga sometime in my 2nd tri. But I hope to keep up my cardio as long as I can. Especially now that I'm not so nauseous every day.

Icecream4me · July 2012

Also - if I was a little nauseous, I would opt for the elliptical machine versus running as it's a less bouncy! And yes - long walks on days when I was too sick to get to they gym.

k318 · July 2012

I am 4 weeks preg, and I regularly strength train with heavy weights. I am worried about continuing my current barbell strength training routine, which is very similar to Strong Lifts 5x5. I am going to take a little break from strength training until after my OBGYN appointment. I have noticed that my resting heart rate has been elevated, and my current routine is pretty strenuous and raises my heart rate quite a bit. So far, I have just been walking and stretching.

Any of you ladies do some serious weight lifting during pregnancy? What kind of adjustments have you made?

happy_un-bride · July 2012

I'm an ice hockey player, and I love to surf. Unfortunately I've had to give up both. It hasn't been too bad yet, but it'll be tough when we go on our next surf trip (in a couple weeks). I am trying to keep up with other exercising (running, biking, yoga), but it's been hard since I'm soooo tired.

runlong3 · July 2012

I was a few weeks into training for a marathon when I found out I was pregnant. It was difficult making the switch down to the half, but I felt it was the best thing for me and my baby since I was only up to 9 miles at that point. I still run multiple times a week, I've just slowed down and really really started listening to my body.

It's really been hard for me as I've always prided myself on not walking during my runs and my main motivation was always pushing myself to go faster. Neither which I can really do any more. It's definitely a mental switch to tell yourself it's okay to walk at some points or if things just don't "feel right" to stop. I'm about at the point I need to stop running with a watch because my times are becoming more and more depressing. There are absolutely days it's hard to turn off the competitive side.

BTW, the whole 140bpm heart rate thing is outdated info (think 1985 outdated). The current guidelines can be found here (which don't contain any HR recommendations): https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/1/6.full

JenBee74 · July 2012

As a former mountain bike racer and avid cyclist, trail runner and general gym rat.. Yes I have found myself in a few mental arguments with myself and husband for my need to chill a bit. I found a few articles in online research that helped me feel better about my decision to remain active. https://www.livestrong.com/article/553021-pregnancy-endurance-athletes/https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/the-pregnant-athlete

sararn2004 · July 2012

This is what I've been beating myself up about recently. I've gone from exercising 60-90 minutes 7 days a week to maybe 30-60 minutes of less intensity 2 times a week. I have a very high energy job(ER nurse) and experience a lot of nausea/fatigue in pregnancy. I used to be a competitive runner(ran track and xc in college), but with needing to have energy to perform at my job I literally lay in bed all the time that I'm not at work. It's depressing.

Samanthapohaku · July 2012

Hi ladies! I occasionally lurk on this board (I spend most of my time on TTGP).

Thr DH and I are planning to TTC starting in Sept and I'm already worrying about this! I go to a very intense bootcamp style gym 3-4 days a week. I'm 99% certain that I will have to stop doing that once we get a BFP and I have no idea what to do then!

It is god to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't want to scale down too much. I'm very interested to see what you are all doing.

Thanks for lettin me lurk!

JumpAroundBucky · July 2012

I'm a rock climber. I had to cut back only because "morning" sickness hit me so hard. I have barely been able to leave my bed, let alone work out.

I hate the feeling of just sitting here doing nothing, but I keep telling myself that it's for the baby. Once I feel better, I'll probably go back to climbing. I'm allowed to climb as long as my harness fits properly and I listen to my body.

URMySunshine77 · July 2012

Icecream4me:
I also am not a competitive fitness person, but I've worked out regularly and with decent intensity for my whole life!. It's been an adjustment. I'm in week 12 now. I still run, but with less intensity. However, when I run or use other machines at the gym it's a real challenge to keep my heart rate under the suggested 140 - it feel like I'm running in slow motion! I might be crazy, but I feel like there is a little activity in my abdomen when I exercise. I think this is a good thing. Like the little one is exercising with me All that I've read says that exercise is good for you and the baby - but slow down the intensity.

I have read that it is useless to monitor our heart rate because the baby's blood flow throws off our normal readings. The best advice I've heard is to exert energy from 5-8 on a scale of 10. As long as your body is used to the exertion and you are not carrying twins, you should be fine. Also, no twisting or jumping. :-)

Living The Good Life · July 2012

I feel your pain. I was a profession kickboxer for ten years and very much into jiu jitsu as well as a martial arts instructor. I really can not do any of my martial arts training at this point. I also have done crossfit for years. I still do crossfit but I have moved to the crossfit mom.com page and have toned it down. So now I still do pilates, yoga, crossfit, swim, in-door rowing (while I can), and my elliptical.

tiff012982 · July 2012

I am a fitness instructor and teach 6 classes a week (3 days for 2 hrs each). I still teach and do classes at my same intensity. I also take a class once a week besides teaching. I just take more breaks if necessary. The most important thing is to listen to your body and hydrate. It will tell you when you're doing too much.

Dereksmommy1027 · July 2012

I had to go from playing soccer six times a week to zero! It sucks and it was really hard, but I found that support from my teammates and my family really helped me. I was able to train for a short amount of time before it was just too much. Just listen to your body like you said, and you'll be fine! Plenty of women work out until the day they give birth, and I have to say...they are my heroes lol

Being in shape really does make your pregnancy a lot easier!

laurakaz13 · July 2012

Already had my baby. However, I have been running competitively for 20 years. I had such horrible morning sickness throughout my entire pregnancy, that I could not work out at all from 6 weeks until I delivered.

I was mortified But I started running at 2 weeks post-delivery and 6 months later I was skinny and back in shape. It took a lot of hard work, but I am proof that you do not need to worry and it's possible to bounce back.

p.s. I also have a 6 pack again! It's better than it's ever been since I work so much harder now to stay in shape.

phdwyfe2013 · July 2012

I was told by my midwife that as long as you can talk, you're fine. Seeing as I can still say a complete sentence during spin class with my heart rate at 160, the answer is no, I haven't slowed down completely.

I do watch my heart rate and I make sure I can talk, but I'm still at the gym 4 days a week doing cross training, spinning and yoga. With the type of yoga I do, their philosophy is no yoga from weeks 11 through 14 so I have to lay off that work out for a few weeks, but I have every intention of going back to yoga at week 15 (and my instructor is trained in prenatal yoga so I don't have to find a new class!) and I will continue my other workouts as I see fit. I have lowered my weights a little bit and I'm focusing on maintaining the muscle that I have rather than building muscle.

I also intend on working out all the way to the end as long as I am able to get to the gym and feel well enough to work out.

AKN10 · August 2012

Congrats on your pregnancy! I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice? I'm a personal trainer and non-competitive weightlifter and have been trying to conceive for 6 months to no avail. My friends/family who know I'm TTC blame it on my weight lifting and say I'm 'too intense.' I'm a healthy weight and body fat %, so I don't feel like I take my training too far. I'm trying to avoid cutting back too much because I enjoy training so much as a hobby; plus, I know I'll have to cut back once I am pregnant so I want to keep up my routine as long as possible. There are no official recommendations against weightlifting while TTC, so I was wondering if you got pregnant while keeping up your regular training regimen?

As an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, my advice for working out during pregnancy is to gradually pare back the intensity of your routine, which is what I intend to do. You don't want to cut out your lifting all at once because that will be just as much a shock to your body, since you're used to your training routine. My plan is to do moderate intensity lifting (so 40-60% max, rather than 80%) in short sets with long rest periods a few times/week during the first trimester. Light weights (<40% max) in low intensity intervals a few times/week throughout the second and possibly third trimesters, moving into body-weight only exercises in the third trimester. I'd also like to try prenatal yoga throughout. Hope this helps!

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