Working Out

sid464 · March 2016

Im a fairly active person normally-- I hit the gym a few times a week, I like to run 5ks on occasion-- for fun, I'm not fast, lol-- and in general enjoy exercise. But with being so exhausted the first trimester, I hardly worked out... Now that I'm feeling better and trying to get back into a routine, I feel so out of shape and get winded so easily! Anyone else going through this as well? Any tips? I'd like to maintain an exercise routine throughout the pregnancy to stay healthy and help with recovery afterwards, but am struggling to do anything more than walking.

SLou24 · March 2016

Honestly, don't beat yourself up about not being very active during the first trimester. I was able to keep up with my workouts during the first tri, and I still get really winded much faster than usual -- I think it's more from being pregnant and having your blood supply changing around than anything else. Since we're supposed to keep at a "conversational" level during workouts, I now have to take way more breaks during my runs than I ever would (I never used to take breaks at all, and now it's like every half mile!!), and I've kept up with doing it regularly. It's frustrating, for sure, but I just remind myself that my body is working hard to do some pretty important things.

I would say just start slow, do some short run/walk intervals and increase those as you feel comfortable doing so. Including some weight training into your plan should help too, and will help to keep your muscles strong even when you're not doing as much workout "volume" as you would like!

kcl219 · March 2016

When I'm not pregnant I'm a regular exercise person as well. When I was pregnant with my son I could barely do 10min on the elliptical without becoming very out of breath and that continued the entire pregnancy. I just did long walks and did short bursts of strength exercises. I will probably do the same this time around, it seems to be what my body can handle. I gained 40lbs last time and started a regular exercise routine about 2 weeks after giving birth, and combined with diet (aka forgetting to eat due to baby) I lost it all and then some within 2-3 months. Just do what you can!

Tippy05 · March 2016

***** TW *****

I was working out 5 days a week, mostly weight lifting with some cardio. I had a mc in October and was in a pretty bad place so I stopped working out and just needed time to get myself together mentally. I got pregnant again in December and was afraid to go back or do anything that might "cause" me to lose this baby too (I know that's not right and there was nothing I did/didn't do to cause the mc, but still - that was my thinking then) so I never went back. Then 1st tri hit and I had no energy to do ANYTHING!

I'm hoping to get back to the gym or at least get outside more now that the weather is nicer. That will require some easy dinners or crock-pot ready meals so I can spend time outside with the kids rather than stuck in the kitchen during the weeknights. As long as I don't gain too much weight, can eat a sensible diet and can get some exercise in when I can, I'm not too worried about it.

kosmo86 · March 2016

I stayed relatively active during my 1st trimester but the shortness of breath got me anyway and is just a part of being pregnant. Now that I am in my second trimester I am back to walking everyday. I have a fitbit which helps me stay motivated. I do very light strength training every other day which is just a few body weight lunges and squats and light weight arm work outs. I plan to stick with this plan as long as I can and then switch to swimming in the summer.

For me anything more than a fast walk and it feels like I can't breathe! I wouldn't push yourself to hard just do what you can.

missshanab · March 2016

I've been able to stay with my weight lifting and strength training, but cardio sucks. It definitely takes more out of you when you are pregnant. Walking is good, and sometimes when you get your blood moving you start to feel less tired.
I'm going to a high intensity cardio class tonight..I try to get in at least one a week. Do what you can without pain or dizziness, and don't stress about it!

AnnaS930 · March 2016

I think our workout levels are pretty similar - also enjoy 5Ks just for the group experience and the fun of it, not so worried about the time it takes to complete (I'm a middle of the pack kinda girl). What works well for me (last pregnancy and just starting up this pregnancy) is to get in some good walks and a jog here and there (a mile or so.. nothing too extreme) and to set up small strength workouts that I can do in my living room so I don't have to set aside actual time - I just do them while we watch TV at night. This month I'm doing a legs challenge that includes squats, lunges and calf raises, and an arm challenge that I'm using about 5-10 pound weights for.. nothing extreme but it keeps me a bit tone and feeling strong.

I think just moving and staying active is the best you can do, I found it took months after having my first to get my lung capacity back.. not even sure if it was fully back and here I am knocked up again a year later.

sid464 · March 2016

thanks ladies!

Ah825 · March 2016

I feel the same way!! I use to run before I got terribly sick in the first trimester. Now that I'm in the second and feel much better I want to run but I'm scared.

RedMar · March 2016

I was worthless during 1st tri. I finally have energy to walk a couple miles outside or on the treadmill. I'm thinking about joining the Y bc of the pool and free childcare during workouts. I was in good shape leading up to the birth of my son, but I want to be in a better condition this time around. No amount of exercise can prepare you for the intensity of labor! I was sweating like a roasted pig.

audi681 · March 2016

Sorry it is sideways, but this! There are separate DVDs for each tri, and the longest workout is 17 minutes. It's enough without being too much.

AnnaS930 · March 2016

@Ah825 - Don't be afraid to run! Or maybe get an app that times out jogging for a certain amount of time spaced between chunks of walking to get going again (like a couch to 5k). Although babies tend to think bladders are trampolines, I think a nice easy jog is a really good mood/energy boost especially when pregnant!

erinkerr13 · March 2016

I am totally experiencing this. I was so sick during tri 1 that I didn't do any cardio. I kept up with seeing my trainer and doing weights 1 time a week. Now I am able to do some cardio but not nearly like before. I can jog for 5 minutes compared to 30 before. I am just going to keep going at least once a week (hopefully more)so I don't completely lose the routine, and keep doing whatever I feel I am able to. I hate feeling winded all the time though. It is embarrassing.

geminigirl16 · March 2016

Before I got pregnant I had been going to crossfit 3-4 times per week but stopped as soon as I got pregnant. Not out of fear but due to my lack of energy, extreme fatigue and how out of breath I was. My doctor ok'd me to exercise (even CF) and told me that cardio is important for the baby but I just can't seem to muster the motivation nor energy to restart again despite feeling much better now in the beginning of my second tri. Maybe I am better to start off with some basic walking and work my way back slowly. I don't want to lose all of my muscle

Caroline7703 · March 2016

I was a regular runner and CrossFitter before I got pregnant. Since I'm AMA my doctor has been very strict about excercise: no running at all and no crossfit any more. I find that I am getting winded easily (like walking up a single flight of stairs!). However, I've started working out with some co-workers after school and I've noticed I can still do laps around most of them! I just take an occasional break and scale down when I need to.

CRich15 · March 2016

sid464 said:

Im a fairly active person normally-- I hit the gym a few times a week, I like to run 5ks on occasion-- for fun, I'm not fast, lol-- and in general enjoy exercise. But with being so exhausted the first trimester, I hardly worked out... Now that I'm feeling better and trying to get back into a routine, I feel so out of shape and get winded so easily! Anyone else going through this as well? Any tips? I'd like to maintain an exercise routine throughout the pregnancy to stay healthy and help with recovery afterwards, but am struggling to do anything more than walking.

I'm right there with you. I worked out a good 3 times a week and enjoyed running, not to the extent you did but enjoyed and performed with ease. Now I have the want to work out but the motivation and some of the energy just isn't there. I had to stop teachin a class yesterday because I got so winded from just talking.. Looks like I will have to ease back into working out. Good luck!

Langur · March 2016

It's so helpful to hear about everyone's experiences. I was a regular runner for ten years before getting pregnant and I stopped in the first trimester due to morning sickness (all day). Starting in week 12 I told my husband that I felt like getting back out on the tennis court (casual play). I've been out a handful of times and I have to take frequent breaks and can't play for the same period of time. The main issue is feeling like I have to breath so much faster/harder than before. I'd love to start running again but I feel like I'd only be able to go a few blocks anyways. Anyone take off the whole first trimester and manage to get back to some light runs later?

tayloraustine · March 2016

I can relate! My doctor says to keep my exertion level at 7. I should be able to hold a comfortable conversation. It's pretty stressful because my physical abilities are much more limited than they have ever been. My 7 was my old 4. I have to fight a lot of negative self talk when I become frustrated about my new, reduced capabilities. Sometimes a couple mile walk is all I can do and even though it doesn't feel like exercise I have to pat myself on the back. A for Effort

TheTamedShrew · March 2016

I rarely wanted to exercise during first tri, but I managed to squeeze in one or two runs/workouts per week. Now that I'm feeling better I try to run 4 days a week and do at least one of my pure barre videos so I don't lose all my muscle tone. My jogs are more like "trots" now, and I stop and walk between each mile to catch my breath and steady my HR. I usually try to get in 2-3 miles with each run, but I am definitely getting winded easily. I'm just taking it slow and listening to what my body tells me.

AmMcc12 · March 2016

If you're looking for YouTube videos BodyFit by Amy has done great prenatal ones

Cassandraspregnacy2 · March 2016

I've been doing prenatal palates. It's felt so good on my lower back. But have not attempted anything more than this. Lol

estellegetty · April 2016

Thanks @ammcc12 I am totally going to try bodyfit by Amy. Looks just about my speed for now!

AnnaS930 · April 2016

I did a monthly leg/arm challenge. I was going to double up last night (I had gotten a day behind) but the jump squats were making my round ligament scream. Nope nope nope. Will try to finish it up tonight if things feels good again, otherwise I learned my lesson not to push it so hard.

SaraJuul · April 2016

I ran for a 1/2 hour on the treadmill on Wednesday. I had to stop to pee every 10 minutes...that's 3 times then a 4th after my 5 minute walk cool down. I'm fine on the elliptical, bike, stair stepper...it's I feel like it must be the bouncy-ness of running and the baby bouncing on my bladder. I was getting really annoyed. I wanted a catheter and a pee bag to hold onto so I didn't have to keep stopping...but I that would be gross.

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