Fitness!

pshaortao · May 2014

Fitness is one of the things that I enjoy talking about, regardless of what kind. How are you ladies doing with that? Is it something you're trying to maintain?

Since I got my energy back, I've been making an effort to go to the gym at least 2-3x a week to lift weight. My DH and I also do an activity most weekends such as a light hike or going somewhere that require a lot of walking. I'm hoping that it won't be too difficult to maintain well into the third trimester!

Sunnyalj · May 2014

I've been doing a barre class 3-4 times a week and the elliptical as well. It has definitely helped boost my energy!

kami09 · May 2014

I've been doing that thing where you say you're going to work out...& then come home and sit on the couch.

MrsKasel10 · May 2014

I jog and do spin class.

A&DPritchett2be · May 2014

@kami09‌ I have been doing the same thing! Glad I am not alone. My DH will go for a run and then afterwards we will take a walk together but walking is my only activity.

BethanyAnn27 · May 2014

I don't have a gym membership, but I have been making an effort to do a lot more walking. I now try to go for at least a 2 mile walk on every day off (skipping rainy days though), and have started some home prenatal yoga dvds. DH is a good sport and has been doing the yoga with me...but it is hard to relax and get a good stretch when I am laughing about DH doing prenatal yoga next to me! I am really looking forward to hiking again once the weather gets better and DH and I have a shared day off.

whataboutscience · May 2014

I jog on my treadmill 3x a week. I'm going for less time and slower than I did pre-pregnancy because my doctor wants me to run at a lower heart weight than I usually do to avoid overheating.

jesca024 · May 2014

I do yoga 2-3 times a week but since only 1 class is vinyasa it's getting harder to do the more intense classes. Other than that I take my Husky on 2 mile walks when it's not deathly hot here in SoCal, or walk the mall and window shop

mavelle93 · May 2014

I'm trying to run every other day (it's now a lot slower) and then other days either lifting some weights and/or an HIIT workout on youtube. I'm gonna try to keep this up as long as I can. My mantra/motivation is "healthy mommy, healthy baby" and also hoping that labor will be easier on me and the baby if I can keep it up.

nienot · May 2014

Walking is really my only activity now...and it seems to do the job if I walk 4 miles or so 3-4x a week. Especially now that temps are in the 90s here, I don't think running is really an option, seeing as I get very hot just walking. I've been lifting a few small weights, but that's about it. I'm really impressed with y'all who have maintained your pre pregnancy work out or are still running. My bump isn't very big, but I still feel like it gets some stress when I walk too much, but I know everyone is different. I had a friend doing half marathons throughout her pregnancy which is so hard for me to imagine doing!

Bonnesetter27 · May 2014

Right now dh is coaching a high school softball team, so I can't get to the gym after work (I don't want to take ds from daycare to the gym daycare). But I either walk on the treadmill or take ds for a walk. I do about 3 miles at a really fast pace. If I am on the treadmill I go at 3 incline and if I go outside I pull ds in the wagon. When I can get to the gym I like to spin. I just gave up running a week ago since my bump makes it uncomfortable. I worked out all through my last pregnancy and it really helped in the delivery room and with the recovery, imo. I have previa this time so I am nervous dr will say no more exercise/bed rest soon, so I am living it up until then.

kmbk27 · May 2014

I was going to the gym 3x a week and getting in a great workout on an arc trainer. I was doing some arms those days, too. I was also doing squats daily. I haven't done anything the last two weeks, and damn - I can tell working out makes me feel better. I've been so tired and just all around pissy. I am excited to get back at it this week.

BrightMoon1 · May 2014

Thanks ladies! Y'all motivated me to go for a 5 mile walk today! I'm normally fit and pre-preg worked out 4-5 days/wk (usually a 30-45 min jog plus light weights for 10-15 min) but I just haven't had the energy to keep up with that routine. I've been doing that only 1-3 times/wk. After reading this thread I'm gonna have to step up my game!

blue+skies · May 2014

I'm a fairly serious runner, I've been running for 19 years and post collegiate career I've done several marathons and too many halves to count. I had to take a little break during 1st tri due to m/s and lack of energy, but since then I've been slowly climbing my mileage back up. I did 11 miles today and it felt really great. I'm doing the Brooklyn half marathon in a couple weeks. I am running significantly slower than pre-pregnancy though, and my routine is less intense. I've been trying to run a couple times, do a couple cardio/strength classes (cardio kick, kettlebells), and one yoga class a week. It's been a really busy spring so I don't always get it all in but I try!

Songbird2 · May 2014

I've mostly been walking 2 or so miles three to four days a week. I also do yoga a few times a week. It seems to really help with any discomfort in my back. Keep up the good work ladies!

NYGirl02 · May 2014

I do my stroller fitness class once a week with my daughter. It's circuit training and power walking around a park. It's super fun but keeps getting rained out which is a bummer. Also doing some prenatal yoga and a prenatal water aerobics class once a week.

drae86 · May 2014

I still continually switch it up. The one thing I try to do reguarly is walk an hour at lunch then it's out of the way so if I don't go to gym that evening its not as bad. But I change it up from yoga/pilates (modified), kick boxing class, weight class, and swimming. I tried to keep jogging but every time I tried it felt like I had to pee.

I just started showing two weeks ago and it's definitely weird how the bump prevents you from doing things and how your body seems to be constantly changing. I feel like my legs are getting stronger but not because of my workouts (i know it's weird) but also my muscles are getting much tighter. I definitely need to stretch more! When I don't do anything active though is when all my terrible symptoms come as far as back and hip pain, heart burn, etc. I also eat worse. So will try and maintain being active even though it is becomign significantly more difficult!

jmolr · May 2014

I'm so bad. I have an elliptical in my basement and I still don't use it. In my defense we had a cave cricket problem down there that has left me traumatized. I do prenatal yoga once a week so that's my "workout". I also have a massive 30 lb 18 month old so I carry him around for exercise though that's getting harder with my baby bump.

Bella2425 · May 2014

I'm trying to do more, but I start getting braxton hicks if I so much as go for a long walk. I'm hydrated and take rest breaks too. It's really frustrating. Happened last pregnancy too. I'm a big workout person non-pregnant, so now I just feel so lazy! Going to try to start doing some of my prenatal DVDs and see if I do better with that.

whataboutscience · May 2014

I'm proud to say I still jogged today after stupidly wearing new shoes to an outdoor fest this weekend. My feet felt sore when I started and I guess I got used to it. By the time I was done, I'd forgotten about my feet until I took my shoes off. The heel of one of my socks was blood-soaked. Gross.

pshaortao · May 2014

I'm loving all the responses, regardless of fitness level! It's nice to hear that I'm not alone in feeling lazy. It was tough trying to my butt back into the gym but it feels oh so good after.

I'm at the stage where I'm trying to get used to certain modifications, such as how I squat, decreasing how much weight I use (I feel more of a pull in my core when I lifted at my max in certain workouts) etc.

drae86 · May 2014

@Bella2425 I think this happened to me for the first time yesterday. I had them on and off all day for the first time but a lot more when I walked at lunch and when I went for a swim that afternoon. They felt really weird in the water. I guess I'll ask my midwife next week but I'm just curious if your doctor told you to stop being active when you experience them? Or?

Bella2425 · May 2014

@drae86 - I haven't mentioned it this time yet, but I know last time she just told me to "do what I can" and "rest when I need to", so yes and no?

I did successfully go for a short walk last night though. Of course it's probably becasue I took my LAZY dog who stops to lay in the cool grass every other house, so I guess it works out

froglegs04 · May 2014

I still do kickboxing twice a week and go to the gym for more cardio at least 1-2 other days. I was jogging, but since I got diagnosed with previa, I'm only going to do the elliptical at the gym and probably stay away from jump-kicks or other jumping moves in my kickboxing class from now on. I feel so lazy when I'm not doing what everyone else is, though!!

drae86 · May 2014

I love the classes at the gym! Today is weight class day! Also been trying to swim a mile every day because I have an open water swim race in 3 weeks that i started training for a little late

But swimming all my life so never truly out of swimming shape just buildin' that endurance.

pshaortao · May 2014

JudyBlume14 said:

@pshaortao - do you work out on your own, or with a trainer/at a gym. Trainers / Gyms are expensive - get your money's worth and ask them for suggestion and assistance on modifications and scaling

I work out on my own. My DH and I used to live at an apartment complex with a gym for 2+ years so he taught me so much about weight lifting and proper form. So far, what I've been doing has been working for me. One thing I do miss working out is my lower back, especially knowing that it would probably help reduce back pain! My gym unfortunately do not have a machine that won't interfere with my stomach. I definitely plan on randomly asking a trainer at some point if they can show me a couple things I can do instead!

drae86 · May 2014

@pshaortao, planks!! they've gotten significantly harder with the weight gain but still doing planks and side planks almost daily.

kirstynikole · May 2014

@pshaortao‌ that's great!! I miss working out and the extra energy! I'm sure using weights and briskly walking will be more than enough to keep you feeling good and mobile during this pregnancy- after all you don't want to overexert yourself. Keep up the good work and hopefully it'll make easier a bit easier for you

Anyone have suggestions for a pregnant lady with a torn meniscus and torn MCL ?

I'm looking into getting a stationary bike but even that bends my knee a bit too much.. My doctor hasn't been too helpful about safe knee exercises other than to say "stay away from squats and weight related exercises involving your knee" so I'm at a loss.... The thing is I've always had thick toned thighs and since this injury at the begging or December they've been getting less toned and I feel very self conscious! I just want to be able to wear shorts in the heat and not worry about my legs looking un-toned.

kirstynikole · May 2014

@criscbish‌ yea i was thinking swimming too! I've been a swimmer for years but froze my gym membership because they didn't have a rec pool... Looks like it's time to find a pool!

ritzgrrl · May 2014

Thank goodness for a fitness center at work, otherwise I wouldn't do anything. Right now, I do Zumba, cardio groove (dance fitness class), and yoga with modifications on an almost weekly basis. Then I'll occasionally make it to a Tai-Chi class.

High five to all you ladies bold enough to swim. I often see cute pregnant ladies in the pool during DD's swim class, but I myself hate getting into a swimsuit while pregnant. Or while not pregnant.

mavelle93 · May 2014

@pshoartao I agree w/above. You can still do deadlifts if you have free weights or a curl bar.

I also just discovered an HIIT workout on youtube for standing ab workout! Woohoo!

pshaortao · May 2014

criscbish Thanks for the suggestions! I do the dumbbell rows and cable rows, they don't really work my lower back much though. I should try out the deadlifts, I don't normally do them since I feel like I'm working my legs more than anything else (although I know it's a combination of legs and back).

I may just have to reintroduce planks too. I hate them, but I hate back pain more (and I'm totally getting whiny about it lately). Four more months of regular back rubs from the DH to go.

kami09 · May 2014

You ladies totally inspired me to get my ass off the couch! Finally! & I actually love working out so I don't know what got me to be this lazy...but no more!