Exercise motivation.

HollywoodxBettie · August 2012

First pregnancy, 14 weeks, 1 day along. I started out overweight, but was working out, and my doctor(s) (there's 6 at my OB/GYN office, and you visit with all of them) want me to continue to work out-- which is fine.

How do you find the motivation to work out? Confused

chance_encounters · August 2012

Well, I bought 4 workout videos and I too would like to know where everyone is getting the energy/motivation from. I didn't work out much before pg and i am overweight and over 35.....I know the weight will be hard to lose after the baby but seriously I need some suggestions here!

drpayne · August 2012

My motivation comes from not wanting to gain as much as I did last time. I gained 40 lbs, which isn't terrible BUT the stories you hear about the weight just falling off with breast feeding aren't always true. It took me almost a year to lose it. No desire to do that again!

pb_bride · August 2012

I must admit that it helps that I was exercising before I got pg, but it's tough to get my butt out the door almost every day, esp since I walk outdoors and it's been hot and humid. My main motivation is as follows:

1) it's good for LO and myself to exercise at least 30mins a day (I usually do brisk walks for 1hr)

2) It helps to keep my weight in check. I'm terrified of gaining a lot of weight. Right now I'm up 18lb at 28wks.

3) Ever since the top of my thighs started rubbing against each other, I'm even more determined not to gain that much weight! I started with a normal BMI; now I'm so disgusted by the yucky feeling of my thighs rubbing.

AlyssaRoseKeane · August 2012

What drpayne said.

But with my first, I had gotten a puppy 2 months before I got pregnant, so I had a large breed dog wanting to go for walks multiple times a day. I got most of my exercise from walking around the dog park with him!

ljhgrey · August 2012

Walks with the dogs help... it's necessary for them as much as me!

Wanting to be in the best shape possible to help ease labor and delivery as much as I can control is a major motivator for me.

Lferr417 · August 2012

we have a mini gym (couple weights- bench pull up bar etc) in our basement and DH started his workout kick again- so i go down and workout with him for a little bit now (bout a half hour) using resistance bands- and i actually love it! could do all the excercises i did pre-preg safely without fear of lifting too much!

We normally take the dogs for nightly walks- and saturdays me and my sister will go for a 2 mile walk on a trail.

Find things that are exciting for you and dont seem like work- thats really the only way I can find my self to do anything!!

Good lukc!

emd886 · August 2012

I exercised some before finding out I was pregnant but I didnt work out at all during the first trimester (constant m/s) I am just now starting to get back into working out. My motivation is:

1) It improves circulation (which helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, leg cramps, and swelling of the ankles). It also prevents back pain by strengthening the muscles that support the back.

2) Helps me sleep better and improves my mood (which my hubby likes lol)

3) Some studies suggest that the fitness level of the mother can result in a shorter labor, fewer medical interventions, and less exhaustion during labor. Being in shape will not decrease the pain, but it definitely will help give you the endurance needed to get through labor. (could there be anything more motivating than this?)

4) If I exercise through the pregnancy, it'll be easier for me to continue after having the baby if I already have a routine. Goodbye baby weight!

StarlitRN · August 2012

emd886:
I exercised some before finding out I was pregnant but I didnt work out at all during the first trimester (constant m/s) I am just now starting to get back into working out. My motivation is:

1) It improves circulation (which helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, leg cramps, and swelling of the ankles). It also prevents back pain by strengthening the muscles that support the back.

2) Helps me sleep better and improves my mood (which my hubby likes lol)

3) Some studies suggest that the fitness level of the mother can result in a shorter labor, fewer medical interventions, and less exhaustion during labor. Being in shape will not decrease the pain, but it definitely will help give you the endurance needed to get through labor. (could there be anything more motivating than this?)

4) If I exercise through the pregnancy, it'll be easier for me to continue after having the baby if I already have a routine. Goodbye baby weight!

This pretty much word for word! Also with DD I had horrible back/hip pain throughout most of my pregnancy (I rarely worked out other than walks)....with this pregnancy I have noticed that when I'm good about working out several times a week the hip/back pain is almost nonexistent. If I slack on the gym it comes roaring back in.....great motivation!

CrazyLife3 · August 2012

I am 32 weeks, this is my fourth pregnancy. This is the only pregnancy where I was in great shape before I got pregnant and have kept up working out 3-4 days per week during the whole pregnancy. Let me tell you how things have been different, I am assuming because of exercising.

1. I rarely swell. With my other pregnancies I blew up like a balloon with so much water weight.

2. I have zero back pain. Zero hip pain. No leg or overall pregnancy pain like last time. I do have the pubic bone pain which I always seem to get during pregnancy.

3. I have gained slightly less than my other pregnancies (22 pounds at 32 weeks) and I have noticably less fat in my legs and upper body, there is some extra padding but the last pregnancies I gained weight all over, this time it mainly in my belly area.

4. I get exhausted but have periods of lots of energy where I can get a lot done. I don't remember that happening before.

I never *want* to go workout, I am usually so tired. I tell myself that I will go there and just do what I can. I usually end up staying 45 minutes and feel so good. I do notice that if I am overly tired I am probably getting a little anemic (I only know this because I happened to have and iron test done during one of those times) and need to increase iron consumption.

dodo1202 · August 2012

i started to take an hourly walk a day after 2 miscarriages. i was so fatigue tht time and i talked to my acupuncturist. he told me that if i can keep an hourly walk everyday, i would not have to see him. He was my church friend's nephew who helped many migrants at church. i listened to him and didn't go back because i didn't like his acupuncture method but i stay walking an hour from then on. After a while, i feel obvious transformation of myself not only physically but mentally as well. plus, it's the lowest impact that i can do during pregnancy. i am prone to allergy asthma and anxiety and genetic anemia. i cannot do other high impact workout but by just stay walking and can make a big difference, i truly feel motivated. i normally drink more water to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercising . this will keep me from getting tired of exercise.

ataylor979 · August 2012

pb_bride:
I must admit that it helps that I was exercising before I got pg, but it's tough to get my butt out the door almost every day, esp since I walk outdoors and it's been hot and humid. My main motivation is as follows:

1) it's good for LO and myself to exercise at least 30mins a day (I usually do brisk walks for 1hr)

2) It helps to keep my weight in check. I'm terrified of gaining a lot of weight. Right now I'm up 18lb at 28wks.

3) Ever since the top of my thighs started rubbing against each other, I'm even more determined not to gain that much weight! I started with a normal BMI; now I'm so disgusted by the yucky feeling of my thighs rubbing.

OMG....I'm sooooo right there with you on #3. This is the first time in my life that my thighs have rubbed together like they do now. It's so gross, especially here in the humid south. I only wear pant/capris because I can't stand the thought of my legs rubbing together with a dress/skirt on.

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