What are you doing to stay in shape?

LightBright515 · May 2014

I used to workout rather frequently until I started feeling like crap in the 1st tri. Now in my 5th month, I no longer have an excuse.

I'm looking to get into some moderate yet safe exercising to help with my "snap back" and delivery..

What have you been doing?

[Deleted User] · May 2014

Absolutely nothing! I hate exercise. I didn't do it before pregnancy, and I probably won't start now. Maybe afterwards, if I have trouble shedding the weight. So far I haven't gained very much, and I'm tall and lean naturally so never really felt the need to exercise. I know it's healthy though, so shame on me! I'm also PGAL and afraid of somehow hurting the baby by being active. I took it easy prior to being pregnant, and I especially take it easy now.

BeanNut · May 2014

Right now I just take walks. This pregnancy has been harder on me physically.

The first two pregnancies I continued my normal workouts (cardio & strength training) minus any ab work after about 20 weeks. I gradually decreased the length and intensity of my workouts as I felt I needed to but was still hitting the gym until a few weeks before delivery and was back by 5-6 weeks pp.

megaroo64 · May 2014

I am still running on a pretty limited basis - but at least it is a little right? Then I am in a yoga class and we go on walks around the neighborhood almost daily.

pushgal84 · May 2014

I was being really good about taking long walks multiple times a week and hiking on the weekends. Somewhere along the way I slowly stopped. Might have been a mix of hotter weather, adjusting to the new job schedule, our just laziness. I ordered a set of prenatal yoga DVDs that just arrived, so I plan to try them out today. I'd like to add some swimming and get back to walking too.

MrsSinner402 · May 2014

...nothing.

its been too cold and rainy for even taking a walk.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

I need to get back to walking. I was exhausted in first tri and didn't do anything. Today I dusted off my ol' fitbit and I'm going to jump back in. I plan to walk at least 30 minutes every day.

Wino411 · May 2014

This thread is inspiring me. I was hitting up the gym about 3 times a week and would walk 2 miles at work when I had downtime but that all came to a screeching halt in 1st tri. I was too sick and tired to do ANYTHING and as soon as I started feeling better I had a day or two of light spotting so I was too paranoid to exert myself after that. Today's such a nice day I thought about taking a walk but those few yards to the cafeteria and back darn near winded me. But this thread is giving me the motivation to get back out there... slowly! lol

ETA: hitting up the gym 3 times a week, not a day! I wasn't THAT committed! Lol

Liss1481 · May 2014

I go for walks/hikes and ride the stationary bike. Yard work counts too!

I wanted to keep up with Zumba during pregnancy, but I had to take a break for most of first tri due to feeling like garbage, and was afraid to re-start after 2 months off.

narabug · May 2014

Nothing really. I used to jog but got out of the habit over the winter. I felt too sick during first tri to even go for walks. Now I'm just being lazy. Although I do a lot of walking at work, and usually chase my friend's 3yo around for a few minutes everytime I see them. Girl has way more energy than I do.

melaniedel · May 2014

TicketTuesday said:

I have an insanely energetic toddler, so that.

This times two! I have always been a runner, but the kids have been my cardio and luckily I have lost all the baby weight and kept it off by chasing them around. I have to say that I need to tone up big time. I feel squishy! Anyone doing lunges or squats? I have the 30 day shred and wondering if I modified level 1 (w/out crunches or pushing myself), if that would be ok. I am going to call my doctor or bring it up next week and see.

roundabout2 · May 2014

Walk Away The Pounds dvd or Jillian Michaels (modified). Walking, biking, outdoor stuff. If I get the chance I'll walk in the treadmill or hop on an elliptical. I stopped my gym membership though because I could never make it to the gym so I miss the elliptical!

LightBright515 · May 2014

@pushgal84 oooooh! Which ones did you get?

Emerald27 · May 2014

I chase my busy 2yo around

ashie0610 · May 2014

Like other PPs, I try to go for long walks a few times a week. Nice days are hit or miss around here, so when it's nice out I try to make the most of it. I usually do at least a mile.

I also do prenatal yoga and a prenatal strength workout each at least once a week - both are about 30 minutes.

I think it's what's been helping me keep my weight in check because, man, I am eating EVERYTHING in sight!

igotaprettyring · May 2014

First trimester I did absolutely nothing. Now that I'm feeling better, hubby and I have been going on walks/jogs, and bike rides. Nothing too strenuous, just enough to get my blood pumping and keep my muscles from dissolving lol. I plan on doing a lot of swimming this summer.

TheOtherJacobsons · May 2014

I started a workout routine last week. I have been working out 3 days a week at the gym doing cardio and then some pregnancy circuit training. The other days I have been walking.

1st tri kicked my ass and I didn't want to do anything. I read today in What to Expect that women who exercise during pregnancy have easier birth, the kid is less stressed out during birth, and that up to age 5 they observed that they were also smarter. That's a pretty good incentive for me.

MrsL2B · May 2014

The prenatal vinyasa yoga DVDs are great if you have a good yoga background.

I'm doing yoga a couple of times per week, walking on an inclined treadmill or using the elliptical machine (when my hip hurts) almost daily, and doing strength training three times per week.

LightBright515 · May 2014

@ashie0610 what are your favorite prenatal DVDs?

ladybug0088 · May 2014

I'm taking prenatal yoga at a center that the hospital runs. Its awesome!

nightowl1989 · May 2014

I stumbled upon a blog called To the Sea a few months back and she has a great fitness plan that doesn't make me want to die, and I've been really lazy of late. I modified the plan to run or do cardio only 3 times a week, but I've been following pretty much everything else with the strength training and then yoga/pilates DVDs and a Barre DVD that really can make you sore if you haven't done it before.

pushgal84 · May 2014

LightBright515 said:

@pushgal84 oooooh! Which ones did you get?

The "Complete Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga & Short Forms 2 DVD Set" on Amazon. It has 4.5 stars with over 400 reviews, so I figured it's pretty good. I liked that it has several different lengths since sometimes I might be up for a longer session and other times might just want to do a few quick poses. Plus, it has "relaxation" segments to help prepare for labor. I was planning to get a meditation DVD for that purpose and to help with my blood pressure (I stress easily and my OB recommended meditation), but maybe not if the relaxation segments are any good.

vmt617 · May 2014

After doing pretty much nothing in my first trimester, I'm doing lots of walking (especially now that it has warmed up outside) and the Pure Barre prenatal DVDs 3 or 4 times a week.

pinkshades05 · May 2014

I try to go for a walk every morning when it's not too hot out. I usually have to take DD with me, so I try to go when it's cool out.

pushgal84 · May 2014

TheOtherJacobsons said:

I started a workout routine last week. I have been working out 3 days a week at the gym doing cardio and then some pregnancy circuit training. The other days I have been walking.

1st tri kicked my ass and I didn't want to do anything. I read today in What to Expect that women who exercise during pregnancy have easier birth, the kid is less stressed out during birth, and that up to age 5 they observed that they were also smarter. That's a pretty good incentive for me.

I just read the same part of What to Expect a couple days ago. Definitely motivated me too!

pushgal84 · May 2014

anjb43 said:

Walk Away The Pounds dvd or Jillian Michaels (modified). Walking, biking, outdoor stuff. If I get the chance I'll walk in the treadmill or hop on an elliptical. I stopped my gym membership though because I could never make it to the gym so I miss the elliptical!

I've used these off and on for the last 10 years and they're great. As much as I love being outside, I don't do well in the heat and prefer to workout in the A/C. I'm pretty uncoordinated, so walking in place is right up my alley.

Klavanga74 · May 2014

You all are inspiring me to find a prenatal yoga class! I had been doing a little of my normal stuff (kettlebells along with deadlifts and squats - I'm an instructor) during the first trimester, but limited because I was SO tired. I finally got my energy back and had a great week of 4 workouts in a week and then I got this infection in my mouth so I've barely done anything other than walk my dogs. I did a workout last Friday - the normal workout and it felt pretty good. I have been walking my dogs, as usual.

I wouldn't start anything totally new. walking and yoga are good things to ease you into a routine while you're pregnant!

angeltennis3 · May 2014

As many pps have posted, I have been walking and taking a prenatal yoga class. I try to walk 6,000 steps per day, although sometimes that doesn't happen because I am just too exhausted.

narabug · May 2014

Can anybody recommend a good pedometer? I must walk strangely or something because I have a problem with them sticking and not counting steps.

Glas43 · May 2014

My job is pretty phyaical and i walk a lot so that helps. I also am still participating in CrossFit as i was prior to becoming pregnant.

ashie0610 · May 2014

LightBright515 said:

@ashie0610 what are your favorite prenatal DVDs?

@LightBright515, I'm doing the Prenatal Vinyasa yoga that @pushgal84 linked above. I LOVE it. When I was pregnant with DS, I did the one from Shiva Rea but it was very, very light on any real exercise and a little too gentle for me. The Vinyasa one is actually a good workout.

For strength, I do Summer Sanders' prenatal workout which I ordered on Amazon. She's a little annoying but it's a decent workout and they have an express workout which I like to do since I don't have a lot of time to workout. You do need a resistance band for that one.

heatherjeanp · May 2014

To stay in this lovely round shape, I've been finishing off each night with ice cream. I take a lot of naps and I have forgotten how to get to my gym.

I seriously need to get out and walk more. I'm pretty active at work (I'm a professional organizer) and I garden a lot on the weekends. I just can't find the time to work out like I used to!

ashie0610 · May 2014

@heatherjeanp, that sounds like such a cool job! I love organizing things.

jenndub · May 2014

I haven't done any real exercise in a long time. I am still throwing up a few days a week and I feel gross. But I'm counting playing with my 3 kids as working out.

cactus5 · May 2014

I just got back from a 3.5 mile jog/walk. I have been continuing with my boot camp and spinning classes. I modify a lot of the boot camp exercises to keep my heart rate in check.

knicoletti · May 2014

Same as a lot of you - 1st tri kicked my butt and I didn't do much. I am still having a difficult time with energy and puking. ugh!

I wear a FitBit so that has been keeping me accountable to at least not sitting on my butt all day. About three weeks ago I started my gym routine back up and am making sure I get there 3-4 days/week. We go for walks each night but that will end soon because it is already 100 degrees during the day. Boo.

I am going to try and start barre back up in the next few weeks.

Diet is what is kicking my butt.

narabug · May 2014

starla487 said:

narabug said:
Can anybody recommend a good pedometer? I must walk strangely or something because I have a problem with them sticking and not counting steps.
Do you have a smart phone or iPod Touch? (Or a nano even?) There are a ton of apps out there for that purpose. FitBit is one I see a lot, but I think it has a separate device.

I do have a smartphone. I don't know why I didn't think of looking for an app. I'll have to check them out later.

shannonshare · May 2014

In the past, I ran a lot and did at least one half marathon a year...since I wasn't running consistently at the beginning of pregnancy, my doctor advised against running too intensely.

In fact, to keep my heart rate at a workable BPM, I have to run almost two minutes/mile slower and that is just demoralizing.

Right now, I'm so tired after work (I have about an hour commute to and from...10 minutes drive to the train and 50 minutes on the train) that I don't do much on weekdays other than walk my Yorkie for a few minutes. I just got the Hilaria Baldwin "Fit Mommy to Be" prenatal yoga DVD and like that so far to do when I get home. On weekends, I try to go swimming at least once. Since I've been enjoying that more than running, my running has taken even more of a step back for now.

Saragoeswest · May 2014

I do yoga a couple times a week. Still going to a gentle vinyasa class instead of prenatal but I make adjustments. I also teach kids yoga twice a week. I was walk/running and that dropped off but I will pick it up again... today!

vrj0522 · May 2014

I run 2-3 days per week and do circuit or weight training 2-3 days per week. Occasionally I walk 3-4 miles and even that makes all the difference in how I feel.

I worked out during my first pregnancy up to the day before I went into labor. There were a couple of times when I stopped working out for 3-4 days and I immediately noticed a difference... more fatigue, swelling, constipation, back pain. I also had a very easy recovery, which even though I don't know for certain, I attribute to working out. I believe strongly in the benefits of exercise during pregnancy.

DaniW1984 · May 2014

Walking our puppy, swimming, yoga.

I also consider laundry, housework, groceries exercise now as I am suddenly out of breath easily.

Edit: spelling

Want a personalized experience?

What are you doing to stay in shape?

Re: What are you doing to stay in shape?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards