Any weightlifting mamas out there?

Brambles23 · April 2017

Let's represent! Anyone here who is weightlifting and/or crossfitting throughout their pregnancy? How's it been going?

lola4411 · April 2017

me! its going great so far! i was able to lift throughout my first as well. i didnt get morning sickness so i was consistent through my 1st trimester too. i havent cut back in weight too much yet, i am just slower than i was before because i am tired and get out of breath. @Brambles23 how are you doing?

VLillyV · April 2017

I've done it intermittently. First trimester was very hard on me and I had to stop all my exercise. I don't do crossfit, but I do lift free weights. Right now I am focusing on legs and arms more then anything. It's going decent. I am barely getting back into the swing and I have lost considerable strength. I have to take longer pauses and I look like a cute mini whale lifting weights

@Brambles23 How ya doin?

@lola4411 I am so jelly right now. You lucky girl!

lizgirlie · April 2017

My dr said no sport for the first 10w whilst I had a SCH but now that it has resolved, I'm just too darn tired to get off the sofa and go lift. I've got a full set of free weights upstairs gathering dust

Now that I'm 14w I hope the fatigue will go away soon...

Uhlease13 · April 2017

I haven't lifted weights as much as I'd hoped, but with more energy now I am planning to get back to twice a week (hopefully) it's dwindled to once or less per week throughout first tri

I'm still doing pretty similar weight...just definitely slower and not as intense. And now I'm so freakin sore after each workout. I cut back on everything due to pgal brain but I want to stay in shape so I have to mentally push through that voice in my head.

Keep it up ladies!

Brambles23 · April 2017

@lizgirlie that's a bummer! That preggo fatigue is no joke!

@Uhlease13 Me too! I am so ridiculously sore afterwards. I take Epsom salt baths like they are going out of style!

@lola4411 and @VLillyV It's been better the last three weeks. The first trimester was hit or miss with the morning sickness and fatigue, but when I did go it was slow and steady, plus I didn't announce my pregnancy until about the 10th week. I made the excuse of a busy work schedule to account for my absence in the gym

We've started a new Starting Strength program that I absolutely love. It's three days a week of specific movements and suggested weight jumps. I'm listening to my body and have stayed at the same weight for back squats the last two weeks, but everything else has been good. I try to make it out to the gym on Saturday mornings for our group workouts where we are broken up into teams (usually body weight stuff like air squats, push-ups, running, rowing, burpees, pull-ups, kettlebells). It's frustrating at times because I can't help but compare my current self to my pre-pregnancy self, but at the same time my coach and all of the gym members have been super supportive and understanding. One of the coaches is planning a workout specifically for the men...saran wrap/tape med balls to their stomachs while completing the workout. I can't wait for that one!!!

cram314 · April 2017

I've thankfully been able to keep going with my crossfit workouts 4-5 day/week.
Weightlifting has been about the same throughout, but any crossfit workout time is a little slower. Any metcon for time, I add 10% time as my target and any AMRAP, I cut 1-2 rounds. My only noticeable modifications so far have been cutting sit ups and doing modified burpees whenever they're programmed.

Keep up the good work mamas @Brambles23 @lola4411 @VLillyV

lola4411 · April 2017

@cram314 nice job! i am right on par with you. i havent modified burpess yet but that will happen as soon as they are one the schedule again. basically just jumping in and out rather than get body to the ground.

@Uhlease13 @lizgirlie hang in there! you are doing awesome and our energy has to come back, right?

@Brambles23 i am so competitive that i hate being slower and lifting less than i did before. it is tough mentally for me. although, some workouts i LOVE using the "excuse" i am slow because i am pregnant lol. you need to take pics of the dudes with med ball bellies!

Brambles23 · April 2017

@cram314 yeah I'm also modifying WODs as needed. I'm keeping in mind that I don't want to "red-line" it and really mess myself up.

@lola4411 hehe, I've also been using my pregnancy as an "excuse" for my slower pace. I've made a joke of it if anyone is teamed up with me during a WOD...they'll get a longer rest built in

bluejeanbabi05 · April 2017

*lurking*

Just wanted to say that I think you're all amazing and I strive to be you ladies when I grow up.

carry on.

VLillyV · April 2017

@bluejeanbabi05

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/IJxXv0MeL2aUE/giphy.gif

bluejeanbabi05 · April 2017

I did Crossfit for two years, and it's the best shape I've ever been in. I also did a competition literally the week before my wedding. So lucky I didn't hurt myself- my mom refused to speak to me for the entire week leading up to the comp, lol. And during that same competition my friend ended up dropping the bar during a set of thrusters, it slid right down her legs and skinned the hell out of her shins. Not the brightest decision I've ever made.

I miss it, though!

eta because they were thrusters, not cleans

Brambles23 · April 2017

@bluejeanbabi05 you know you wanna

edited because apparently I'm gif-posting-challenged...

mbledsoe06 · April 2017

Way to go girls! I've lifted for years, and did all through my first pregnancy. I have a large SCH this time around though and it's unlikely I'll be able to do much exercise at all this go around. I'm already researching which program I want k start back with when I'm cleared after delivery, though. Keep at it if you can. I know my first pregnancy it helped with the delivery to be in good shape.

baker1jm2 · April 2017

I'm still lifting...now that the first trimester sickness has past going to get back to being more serious about it. I did it with my first pregnancy and bounced back so quick after delivery so hoping to do the same

wittyacronym · April 2017

I typically lift weight and I have done a few fitness/bodybuilding competitions. I did lift during my first pregnancy but this time around - um no!

Usually working out out gives me more energy and I sleep better but not this time. I keep hoping that 2nd trimester energy surge will kick in but so far nothing.

Yesterday i I did a tabuta style workout with only 10# and today i feel like I may have been run over. It is super frustrating.

It is super motivating to read this thread. Keep up the good work ladies!

Uhlease13 · April 2017

I'm proud of myself - did 2x last week, but I had to force myself to get to the gym over the weekend had NO energy! even after starting my workout, I didn't get much energy until 30 minutes in and I usually only workout like 45 min so I'm glad I did it, but can't believe how exhausted I still am

lizgirlie · April 2017

I'm gonna try to get off the sofa tomorrow...

Brambles23 · April 2017

I went yesterday afternoon, after work. I'm so glad I did. My body wasn't feeling it (I spent the all day Sunday in the backyard working on putting in our summer garden, clean up, etc) and my legs were smoked. But I'm glad that I did afterwards.

@wittyacronym I hope the 2nd trimester energy kicks in for you! It certainly makes a huge difference. And like you, I sleep so much better when I work out....not to mention it helps to regulate the digestive system and can, *ahem* poop.

lola4411 · April 2017

i worked out today with another mama pregnant with her 1st. she is furhter along than me, about 24 weeks. she was doing so many movements that were not good for how far along she was. a lot of core and work lying on her back. i am absolutely NOT an expert and dont claim to be. the coach should have said something but he was clueless. any thoughts on what i can do? i dont want to be nosy or a know-it-all and maybe i'm overreacting...

Uhlease13 · April 2017

lola4411 said:

i worked out today with another mama pregnant with her 1st. she is furhter along than me, about 24 weeks. she was doing so many movements that were not good for how far along she was. a lot of core and work lying on her back. i am absolutely NOT an expert and dont claim to be. the coach should have said something but he was clueless. any thoughts on what i can do? i dont want to be nosy or a know-it-all and maybe i'm overreacting...

Hmm that's tough. How close are you to her? I'd probably mention that exercises on the back are not recommended after 1st trimester, but wouldn't go much further unless she's a close friend. That's just me tho.

Brambles23 · April 2017

@lola4411 I agree with @Uhlease13. I look at it as it's none of my business, and I don't know what conversations she has had with her doctor. But if you are somewhat friendly with her, maybe approach her in a non-confrontational manner (if you feel comfortable), and frame it as "I'm so glad to see I'm not the only preggo mama here. I see that you were doing (insert whatever movement you saw her doing) and I thought that those weren't good after the first trimester?" And just leave it at that.

natleilynn · April 2017

lola4411 said:

i worked out today with another mama pregnant with her 1st. she is furhter along than me, about 24 weeks. she was doing so many movements that were not good for how far along she was. a lot of core and work lying on her back. i am absolutely NOT an expert and dont claim to be. the coach should have said something but he was clueless. any thoughts on what i can do? i dont want to be nosy or a know-it-all and maybe i'm overreacting...

A coworker at my last job was a pretty hard core fitness instructor in her spare time and taught Body Pump and something else until she was like 36 weeks. She did stuff that I wouldn't even do at this stage in my pregnancy but her doctor had told her because her body was so conditioned to working out a certain way, that her body would tell her when she needed to back off.

I'll just sit here doing my speed walking and hammer curls.

cram314 · April 2017

@lola4411 I would probably say nothing, but if it's someone I semi-knew I would say something like "Saw you doing x, y, z. My dr told me I couldn't do those after the first trimester - so many different schools of thought on exercising while pregnant." It at least gives her the heads up there is a dr. that wouldn't recommend it (maybe that thought hadn't crossed her mind) and gives her the benefit of the doubt that she's spoken to a medical professional about it.

lola4411 · April 2017

@Uhlease13 @Brambles23 @natleilynn @cram314 thank you all for your advice! we are not close at all, so i dont feel like i can say too much. i love the idea of casually bringing up my doc's advice. diastasis recti just scares me!

baker1jm2 · April 2017

@lola4411 if she was pretty fit pre preggo her dr. Might have said it was fine. I did exercises on my back pretty much until delivery and my dr said it was fine as long as it wasn't for extended periods of time. If you really feel the need to say something you could just be like "oo I wish I could join you for those abs but my dr said it was a no no for me" and see what she says

lola4411 · April 2017

@baker1jm2 thanks! i think i am probably overreacting. i may not do sit-ups or lie on the floor, but i haven't cut weight either...maybe i am a bit of the pot calling the kettle black? lol thanks ladies!

wittyacronym · April 2017

I like @baker1jm2's advice. Without knowing how fit she was pre-pregancy it is hard to say what she can and cannot do.

Sierra Williams won a grand slam while pregnant and many professional and Olympic athletes continue to train.

SN: there was a lady at my gym that was a beast during her last pregnancy - training belly out and everything. i vowed the 2nd time around I was going to be more like her. Yeah not so much. But I highly commend those who can.

cram314 · April 2017

Yesterday's WOD was a long 45 minute one with some runs throughout. About 2/3 through I started to feel some pressure, maybe I would describe it as mild cramping? I was taking some breaks throughout but thought this may be my body telling me I needed to slow down more. It subsided by the time I walked home from the gym (~ 10 mins). Anyone else feeling this towards the end of workouts? I'm not sure if it's a warning sign to do less or just how it feels with a little more weight down there and things stretching.

Brambles23 · April 2017

@cram314 I haven't done a 45 minute WOD in a long time. Our gym has started a strength training program for those that want to get better at their lifts. They also provide daily WODs, but it's not recommended to do both. Nowadays I'm weight training 3x/week with a WOD on Saturday mornings. Our Saturday morning WODs are partner/team workouts (they were before the change too), so there are built in rests at times (one person working at a time). I've honestly backed off from really pushing myself when running is involved. However, I've noticed similar "pains" (not really hurting) this week, outside of the gym, but not during.

I think listening to your body is key. If something feels off/weird, then slow it down/lighten it up/etc. Maybe modify if you feel necessary (row instead of run, for example)?

Brambles23 · April 2017

Also, you are a beast to stick through a 45 minute WOD that involves running, @cram314.

Me on the other hand...

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/TtAo9puKRyBVu/giphy.gif

lola4411 · April 2017

@cram314 yeah, i will echo @Brambles23 here. i haven't done 45 minutes straight either. our workouts are usually broken up into two 20 minute blocks. strength training first, cardio/strength second. i agree that you should just listen to your body. also make sure you are hydrated. it could be cramping due to dehydration.

cram314 · April 2017

@lola4411 @Brambles23 - Thanks! We usually dont do WODs this long. It just happens to be deload week - 3 weeks/month its weightlifting for the first half and then a 20 min max WOD. I skipped a bunch of the runs for "stand outside for the amount of time I would have been running."

I think I do need to up my water intake too.

cram314 · May 2017

Confirmed - running definitely gone for me. I couldn't even jog the 400m warm up without feeling weird. Sticking to row, ski and bike for the foreseeable future! (not sad to see running go at all)

wittyacronym · May 2017

I made it back to the gym! Whoo hoo

It took about half an hour to convince myself but I made it. I did increase my warm up and dropped my weights but I made it and I am really proud of myself.

For me the last part of the workout is the hardest. Non-pregnant I just grunt and push though. Pregnant me want to rest and drink more water. Lol. Luckily in my baggy gym clothes I look chubby, I know once the belly really pops the comments are coming.

Anyone else feel feel nervous about pushing, grunting, and working thru those last sets?

Brambles23 · May 2017

@cram314 I hear you sister!

@wittyacronym awesome! It does take some gentle coaxing. I was going to go this morning but I ultimately decided to go after work today. Sleep had a much higher priority. Pre-preggo me grunted/snorted/swore during the last few sets and it's still the case. However, I do get nervous with anything related to back squats (part of the strength cycle we're doing). I've been real careful about increasing weight. The program calls for adding 5 pounds each time we lift (usually twice a week), but I haven't been doing that. I've stayed at the same weight for days at a time before feeling comfortable with any increase. I also take a lot of time in between those sets, just incase. For WODs, it really depends on what we are doing. I haven't had any panic moments, but now that everyone knows that I'm pregnant, I don't push myself as hard as I used to.

cram314 · May 2017

@wittyacronym - 100% you should be proud of yourself! I like to push at the end so I now force myself to take a break and get my breath back before I get to the last bit so I'm not really dying. Also, there are some things I can still do at my previous level and some things I can't do at all right now. No one but you will know what feels right so even though everyone at my gym knows I'm pregnant, how I look and how I feel could be completely mismatched.

Also, I read this article on birthfit last night and really liked it. Good reminder to use pre and postpartum as an opportunity to focus on form and breathing and not the things I usually focus on (weight or time).
https://www.birthfit.com/2017/05/01/postpartum-gift-rebuilding/

wittyacronym · May 2017

@cram314: thanks for the article! It helps to have some prospective from heathy BTDT mommies.

It's just hard not to judge myself based on my previous levels of fitness. But obviously my body is giving me a quick check and I have to listen.

lola4411 · May 2017

@wittyacronym i am super proud of you too! we all have to remember that we are making a person AND working out. that is pretty bad ass.

nice article @cram314 and a good reminder.

i am not crazy about my gym's may cycle. we have snatches this month which i am NOT a fan of. i will do them as long as i can, but will likely switch to dumbells as i get bigger. i havent really dropped weight yet, but am just slower than before. i am a weirdo who loves running and weights. i avoid the rower at all costs, so @cram314 your love for the rower is crazy to me!

Brambles23 · May 2017

Hey Mamas...any recommendation on comfortable shorts? I'm at the point where my current pairs of shorts are uncomfortable (drawstrings and elastic bands are not my friend).

FYI, I did find a pair of compression shorts at Old Navy that has a panel similar to those on maternity pants.

natleilynn · May 2017

@Brambles23 I've been wearing 3/4 length spandex-type pants with a longer shirt for my workouts. I have 2 pairs that have the panel (they're not maternity, one I got from Target and one is asics). But they grew with me easily - the asics pair is actually what I was wearing when I went into labor last time so it was still very wearable at 9 months.

Normally, I am not a spandex kind of girl, but they were just way more comfortable for me than shorts were, especially the bigger my belly got.

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