Not working out

Brannykaye · October 2014

I work 40-45 hours in a week. Usually 8-9 hour shifts, on my feet constantly. By the time I am home I have absolutely no energy to work out. I keep telling myself I want to start doing yoga in the morning or go for walks. I just have no motivation or energy. Just so darn tired ):
What are you ladies doing for motivation to work out? Or are some of you in the same boat?

CTri17 · October 2014

you'll find you have a little more energy in the 2nd tri. It is good that you have an active job. Try to start with just a walk in the am or pm.

mpiemont · October 2014

I think it's hard to find motivation to work out, especially in 1st tri. I think for the chance of being most successful, pick a workout that's convenient for you to do at home (I had a pregnancy pilates DVD and it was really low-impact and very easy). Maybe try to start slow, 2-3 times a week. Can you take a quick walk on your lunch break? If you have days off maybe try to do a little "more" those days (longer walk, treadmill, low impact pregnancy aerobics). There are a ton of workouts on you tube and some are no more than 20 minutes. Hopefully 2nd tri will bring you some energy/motivation!

Pintobean39 · October 2014

I don't even work and I barely have the motivation to make up my own bed. The fact that you get dressed everyday and leave your house, you are better than me.

Kitten80 · October 2014

I would love to, but the days I've had the energy DH has been OOT and I can't leave the sleeping baby to walk. I have no energy at night this week and I am not a morning person to start with much less pregnant and with a toddler up for hours MOTN. Chasing my kids counts as aerobic exercise, right?

Lalalady54 · October 2014

I'm on mobile so I'm not sure how far along OP is but I am 12 weeks tomorrow and just in the last 2 weeks have wanted to even step foot in the gym. I've been doing barre and it's the proven to be the perfect workout for my easily fatigued body these days. I also feel more energized after but getting there is hell.

Oh and @Pintobean39‌ the fact that you make your bed is a win for you. I may go to work and occasionally the gym but my bed is not made every day lately, I wish, but I crawl back in it to frequently

Brannykaye · October 2014

Glad I'm not the only one. Thankfully my husband is so understanding and has been helping around the house or our place would be a pigsty. I do not have any energy for anything... And @Pintobean39‌ our bed is never made. I see no use since as soon as I come home I crawl back into it (:
I am 10 weeks, three more weeks and apparently I will feel energized and happy! Looking forward to that and a clean house!

kerriam26 · October 2014

What has helped me get motivated is reading about all the benefits of working out during pregnancy. I've read that it will relieve a lot of your nasty symptoms (headaches, sleeplessness, constipation, blood circulation), it makes losing the weight post-baby easier, people who work out have on average shorter and less intense labors and it helps prepare your baby for labor since he/she will already be used to you exerting yourself. Believe me it's a still a huge struggle to get my butt to the gym after a long day of work (9a-7p) but I know there are so many positive benefits to it for myself and baby.

kerriam26 · October 2014

@Smilz4782 Yes, I haven't been too sick the past few weeks, but early on I couldn't make at it all. I got dizzy just walking to the bathroom which has also made it tougher to get back into a workout routine now that I'm feeling okay enough. But like you said, there are still benefits to starting in 2nd tri.

claudizzleriffic · October 2014

@Brannykaye, I'm in the same boat - working 40 hours a week and being on my feet the whole day... I am SO DRAINED by even mid-way through the day. It probably doesn't help that I have developed hypo-thyroidism with pregnancy so my energy levels are taking even more of a toll.
Thus, exercise has been on the back burner for a few weeks, when before I was doing some form of exercise pretty much every day (or 5 days a week).
Hoping that 2nd tri is better for energy levels for you, me, and anyone else in the same boat!

dj99 · October 2014

Same here, I haven't exercised since before my BFP. I've barely had the strength to clean my house these days. I figure once I start feeling little better I will get back into it. When your body feels ready you will be able to again.

SchoolPsychSteph · October 2014

I do a lot of walking at work, but eat much more than I should. I'm always so hungry and have the appetite of a teenaged boy. I feel I'm gaining weight like crazy. I know I shouldn't be losing weight, but I am not happy with the weight I've gained.

peacelovemama · October 2014

I work 12 hour shifts on my feet, I can't imagine working out yet

Im 10 weeks today and keep telling myself when the second trimester hits, I'm apparently going to stop feeling like I'm on a boat at sea and supposedly will have energy and I'll work out then!

brigiddeming · October 2014

What's kept me motivated to work out is reading out fitness levels during labour, I've read if you have better endurance and strength it can help...a little. Saying that I did take a little break for a week from my normal 5.30 work out before work as I struggled with nausea but found if I had a little protein before and straight after it kept the nausea at bay. I recently ran out and tried a banana and was pulling over all the way to gym

11 weeks now can't wait till this is all in the clear!!

laowaigringa · October 2014

Here too! AndI was sooo good about working out everyday when I was pregnant with DD. I had a great routine; I'd come home from work, take a nap, exercise, then shower and go make dinner. This is not happening this time around, but obviously I now have a 9month old who NEVER stops moving to chase around the house. No time for a nap anymore! We do usually go for a long walk every day, and I'm a teacher so I am up on my feet and moving all day. One thing I swore by when I was pregnant last is the popsugar fitness videos on youtube; they have several that are specific for prenatal excercises and they're only about ten minutes each, so it's easy to fit in somewhere.

a316b · October 2014

I chase my 2 yo and 3 yo. That's it. No remorse.

Lauracox3 · October 2014

I know there are a lot of women struggling with this. Everyone is different. I do not have children yet. I also work 8 hour days typically on my feet all day, because I'm an occupational therapist. For me, I could not get up the energy to workout at all during my first trimester. However, I found that once week 11 hit I started feeling better and had more energy. So, I start my days with a workout because by the end of my work day I am drained. I find that going to a scheduled gym class outside my home helps, because I do not get as motivated at the house. Also, it's a scheduled time/ routine which I like. I only go 3x/week, but the benefits I have found once I'm done are: less nausea, more energy, and less back/ body pain. Again, this is my experience, but I hope it offers another perspective.

Morenajuliet · October 2014

I really rely on my workouts to feel better mentally and physically. However I have to tell myself it's okay to knock the frequency back to only 2-3 times a week. Try to eat well if possible but take it easy on yourself. Sometimes working out will make you feel better BUT sometimes it is better to just rest your body

kaynix21 · October 2014

I'm not either. I was too scared at the beginning b/c of a previous m/c. Now I have no energy and I'm afraid it's been too long so it's going to be too hard or not good for the baby.

shri929 · October 2014

Even though I dread my runs all the way there, when I am finished I feel a bit more energized. It helps me get at least a few things accomplished afterwards. It's hard gathering the motivation but well worth the bit of energy in addition to all the benefits for you and baby (and shorter labor!:)

OnceInLoveWithAmy · October 2014

I worked out a lot with my first pregnancy-- mostly because I didn't know why I was putting on so much weight !

However, I am MUCH more tired/sick this pregnancy and I haven't been able to do anything. This time around I also have a toddler to care for as well.

OP, I am not sure how far along you are, but I hit 12 weeks this weekend and I am finally starting to feel better. I might try to get out for a walk tomorrow-- we'll see how that goes.

tinalovescauliflower · October 2014

I've been relying on the days when I'm a nanny for my exercise. Those days, I go up and down the stairs 20+ times carrying an 18 pound wiggler and we go on 2, 1 hour-long brisk walks. So I figure on my days off I can sleep all day. :P

KER9171 · October 2014

i've been trying to work out during the day at lunch time when I can. I know this probably won't work for most of you, because I have the ability to work from home. I am just too tired by the end of the day to motivate myself. I would like to try some pregnancy dvds though that would work for evening work outs too.

nicunursetomommy · October 2014

Before I got my BFP, I was in the gym 5 days a week. Now, I am lucky if I make it there once. I try to at least walk the dogs more if I have the energy. I think once I'm into 2nd tri I'm going to start doing prenatal yoga weekly!

vic8504 · October 2014

Can you go before work? I work full time around 45hrs a week with a 2yr old at home. The only time I find that I can go to the gym and not make excuses not to go is in the mornings before work. Yes I hate getting up at 5am and morning sickness does get to me some mornings but working out 3 days a week is better than none.

supersarah77 · October 2014

It's a struggle to do most anything these days I'm just so tired. I run on my lunch break because no way I'm getting up earlier and I'm dog tired after work. Thankfully im in the routine from pre pregnancy but I do skip more bc I'm nauseous. Hey, even once a week is way better than not at all. Could you walk on your break?

Yoga, however, fell to the wayside for me. But I just bought a 10-pack of classes for prenatal yoga, which I loved last time, so hopefully that'll help motivate me. I plan to start in 2nd tri. It's fun to be around other pregnant ladies, is there something like that in your area?

blawndmommy · October 2014

I'm craving a good work out but the thought of it exhausts me even more! Working full time and on my days off, taking care of my busy little toddler leaves me short of energy this time around! I remember how blissful swimming was while pregnant!