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May 2016 Moms
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May Crossfit Moms

seasalt123seasalt123 member
in May 2016 Moms
We used to have an exercise thread which included Crossfit but it appears to have sunk to the bottom of the group. 

Are there any others in this group who are planning on doing Crossfit (or even any other heavier lifting/metcon style workouts) throughout pregnancy? 

If so, how are you finding it? How often do you go? What modifications have  you been making? What has your trainer recommended for you? 

We've had several women at my box who continued to WOD while pregnant, but I'm still not finding my trainers a great source of info and have been learning most of my information online/using common sense (ie the day I found out I was pregnant, I stopped doing excessively high box jumps because I'm a big klutz). I was hoping some of the other women here would be able to share how things are going for them. 


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Re: May Crossfit Moms

  • tgortneytgortney member
    Crossfitter here!

    Almost 3 years, I use to go 5-6 times a week but I've really dropped off since getting pregnant (1-2 times). There's a girl at my gym who is due 11 days before me and she still RXs every WOD that she can (she did competition before that). I, on the other hand, am very cautious so I go light and watch my heart rate and pace. DH watches me a freakin hawk!

    My trainer gave us this guide that I've found very useful :)
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    @tgrortney that is so helpful! Thank you!

    What has your trainer told you about sit ups? They are not really 'lying on your back for an extended period of time' so I've seen mixed opinions about this online with some trainers saying they are fine, and others saying not at all. 
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    I did them throughout the first trimester and haven't done any in the second trimester. Really, any impact on the abdominal area is not recommended, so I do modified burpees and push ups against a short box too. I haven't done any toes to bar or knees to elbows yet, but I will if it's part of the WOD.

    Most important thing to me right now is to get a good sweat in and squats to prevent cellulite! :neutral:
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  • LemmyRNLemmyRN member
    Sit up and crunches type of movements can cause a separation of the abdominal muscles called diastasis recti. You can google for more info, there is also this website called befitmom.com that is a great resource for the postpartum period.
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    Thanks both. I've read that as well so it bothers me that there is so much conflicting info out there. 

    @tgortney - toes to bars/knees to elbows and planks are ok though? If so, I can easy sub for those. 
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    I believe so, mostly use your best judgement. If you feel too much strain on the abdominal area, just stop and scale as much as possible (use a box to support partial body weight etc).

    I know Crossfit mentality is go hard and go fast and don't quit but I've started taking plenty of water breaks in WODs so I don't red line.
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    Oh yeah, I have zero interest in going hard and fast. I'm just getting confused by all the conflicting info out there. I think I'll stop the sit ups and do planks and knees to elbows/t2b instead. Thanks for the advice!
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    You're welcome!

    On another note, has anyone thought about getting a HR monitor as they get further along? Like a Fitbit or something? If anyone is already using one or has done research, I'd like to know if they're worth it.

    I was hoping my in laws would get me one for Christmas :wink: but all of this year's presents for us will be for the baby...(not that it's bad or anything)
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    @tgortney, I've ordered a fitbit but not one with a HR monitor on it. I've been taking the advice that I should be able to say a sentence out loud mid workout without needing to stop for a breath. So I have a sentence I say routinely throughout the workout. 
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  • TheThornBirdTheThornBird member
    Ooooo, me me me!

    To be honest, I stopped for a few weeks because I was so dang sick and tired all the time, and finally got my butt back in the gym 2 weeks ago. I still plan on lifting 3 days a week (squat, deadlift, bench, and press), although I reduced my weight quite a bit since it's been awhile, but I plan on building it back up. I used to go all out on my sets until failure, but am now just doing sets of 5. I also do a lot of pushups and chinups. I absolutely loathe doing conditioning, but have settled on a fast walk for 1 hour per day plus a few sets of burpees. I tried doing a running program, but hated it. I like sprints a lot, but will probably hold off on them (which sucks!). 

    Everyone is freaking out a bit that I'm still working out (even my dearest SO, who is a kool-aid drinking Xfitter that originally told me I was not allowed to stop working out), but I'm not too worried. I've been doing it a long time, I do a crap-ton of yoga to help compensate, and overall I feel pretty awesome. I'm sure people at the gym will give me their opinions once I start showing; I work out at a globo-gym, and there are very few people who actually lift. 

    As far as sit-ups, honestly, I never found them useful for building so-called "core" strength. Lifting and yoga have done far more for me- even without doing direct ab/core work in years, I can still do more than most people (like, I can hold a plank pretty much indefinitely, even though I only do them a couple times a year to show off, ha!). 

    @tgortney- Personally, I probably won't use a heart rate monitor because I'm way too lazy to track stuff like that :)
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    @seasalt123 yep! That's exactly what my trainer has me do, he keeps track of me during WODs to make sure I keep that pace. He even calls the other pregnant girl and me "the two-fers" lol. Random note, I have a tank that says "WODing for 2" that I love!

    @TheThornBird I absolutely hate conditioning, even before I got pregnant lol and running is even worse. I'd rather row. And I'm also too lazy to track but I kinda want one so I can get DH off my back. He always thinks I'm going too hard or that I can't do this or that lift :expressionless: so annoying
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    @tgortney I have seen those tanks and was thinking of getting one! What fit did you get and from where? I am at that awkward stage right now where I don't have a bump but sometimes have a blump which looks a bit funny. So right now, I'm not looking for form fitting things but who knows I may be down the road again. 

    @TheThornbird ha ha, I actually think sit ups do nothing for core strength too. I can do tons of them, yet I struggle with yoga moves/plank which, I agree, are a better indicator of core strength. 
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/202399549/woding-for-two-pregnant-pregnancy-wod?ref=shop_home_active_23

    I got it off Etsy, I usually wear S but I got a M to wear for later. It's super lose and flowy which I like, because I feel self conscious right now from my awkward blump/bump combo.

    I got the blue one before we found out I was having a boy (because it's a color I usually wear) but now it's fitting :blush:

    The other girl got a pink one but we won't know what she's having till next week lol
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    LOVE this one @tgortney! Just tried to buy it but the shipping to where I live makes it a bit cost prohibitive. So cute though. 
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  • RMLandyRMLandy member
    I'm technically a June mom but my EDD is 6/2 and I was early with my first so I'm bouncing between the 2 BMBs! I slacked off bad between weeks 6-11 because I felt so sick but I've started back at 3 times a week! Because I took so much time off I'm having to build back up a but but I'm looking forward to getting back to RXing most workouts like I was before. My coaches haven't been much of a resource either. I just research on my own and decide what I'm going to modify, if anything.

    I'm only 12+3 and just have a tiny blump but I swear I was self conscious during snatches and felt that I couldn't maintain the proper bar path already! Anyone else feel this way yet??
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    @RMLandy I am due the 3rd of May so I often lurk on the April board as well :-) You sound like a champion! I can RX any bodyweight movement but can't come close with anything involving heavy weights. My body just doesn't seem cut out for heavier weightlifting so I've just accepted that and kept the weights less than RX.

    I don't have a bar path issue yet, but I can see that being a problem in the future. I feel awkward running, particularly during the warm up when my adrenaline hasn't kicked in yet. TMI but I always feel my uterus/the ligaments around it are a bit sore and the jumping up and down feels super weird. Once the work out is underway, I don't notice it anymore.
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  • RMLandyRMLandy member
    I definitely feel pulling in the groin area throughout an entire workout. Crossfit is HARD even not pregnant so I applaud all of us for keeping at it!!
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  • TheThornBirdTheThornBird member
    So y'all may appreciate this- I swear, I am normally not a jealous person and am very loving towards my fellow women. But, the other day I was lifting at globo gym, where I am usually the only woman in the weights section, and in comes a very attractive girl wearing booty shorts and a shirt so ripped up there was really no point in wearing it. Okay, fine, whatever- I usually just wear sweats and a ratty t-shirt/hoody, since I'm there to work out- but no judgement from me, I support people wearing whatever they want (although this could have been a hygiene issue). 

    She then proceeds to flirt with Every. Single. Guy. in the weights area. "Oh, can you spot me while I bench and check my form? Here, let me push my tits on you! Weightlifting is so much fun!". And for whatever reason, this ticked me off so much! We're here to train, and dammit woman, you are giving us lady lifters a bad name!

    But! I lifted way, way more than her. While pregnant. After having not lifted at all in weeks. Which made me so, so happy. Yea, I get she probably just "lifts" so she can hang with all the hawt guyz and gives zero fudges that I lift more, but it made me happy :)

    And yes, I know this makes me a terrible person! I blame the pregnancy hormones!
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  • LemmyRNLemmyRN member
    @TheThornBird she was Obviously trolling for bones! Hahaha.
    That is one way to earn a reputation. If she keeps it up the regulars won't respond or respect her.
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  • RMLandyRMLandy member
    My sister lifts at a globo gym and will send me pics of these types of women so we can talk trash about them, ha! I admit some women in my crossfit box could stand to wear more clothes but, I haven't seen anything this bad! I'd feel awesome out-lifting her too!
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    For some reason, I really, really dislike when women do the whole 'helpless' routine while flirting. Particularly if they are flirting with everyone in circumstances which should be more serious (ie working out). 
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  • TheThornBirdTheThornBird member
    @RMLandy- Sometimes the guys are just as bad! At my old crossfit gym, there was a guy who, the moment he stepped in the front door, took his shirt off and paraded around. I always wanted to say "bro, you haven't even started working out yet! Put that back on!"



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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    @thethornbird ha ha ha ha I've seen many men like that too!
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  • RMLandyRMLandy member
    @thethornbird @seasalt123 @tgortney

    What are your thoughts on hand stand push ups? I've researched as much as I can and have found conflicting info. I'm thinking as long as I don't get dizzy I should be okay?

    And what about burpees? I just have the tiniest of bumps now but I'm feeling like it may be time to modify to straight arm burpees to avoid the belly impact??
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  • tgortneytgortney member
    edited November 2015
    From our head trainer, he said absolutely NO inverted movements.

    And as for burpees, we have a short 12 inch box for beginners who can't do box jumps yet and/or too hard for them to step up on the standard 20" box.

    I do the push up motion on that by touching my chest to the box edge. It's a stricter push up than the usual momentum of the floor to push off on, but you're not using your full body weight and no belly impact. :) does that make sense?
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  • RMLandyRMLandy member
    Yes! Thank you! I just wish I was noticeably showing so people know I'm not just wimping out!! I need to get over that though and just do what works for me ...
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  • TheThornBirdTheThornBird member
    @RMLandy- Well, I'm not a huge fan of HSPU at any time (for various reasons), so I say skip 'em! As far as inversions, I've heard conflicting things- many sources say no inversions (including the limited prenatal yoga training I've had), and some sources say it's actually good for you. If you wanted something similar, you could try one of the exercises in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Px56lA2H4. Or just do regular ol' fashioned pushups :)

    Regarding burpees- in "The Pregnant Athlete" by Brandi Dion, she has burpees included in the workouts until 7 months and recommends substituting squat thrusts (same thing minus the push-up) if needed. There are also a bunch of variations online you could try to make it more difficult. Or like tgortney recommended, use a box (although I can totally see myself wiping out and smashing my face into it, ha!). 
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  • seasalt123seasalt123 member
    I had a bad bout of tendonitis in my left wrist for about 4 - 5 months before I found out I was pregnant. As a result, I had been modifying burpees for months to land on my right hand and then transfer to my left elbow and then lower myself down and up. I did this the first few months I was pregnant as it made the landing more controlled, but now, even that impact feels like too much on my stomach. I've now moved to just doing full push ups instead of landing roughly and launching. I basically land on my right hand (which I'm used to from months of experience) and then put my left hand down, do a full push up and then stand up, jump and repeat. A lot more strenuous on the muscles and a lot slower than a regular burpee, but it is getting the job done. 
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