This thread is for those who are trying to maintain physical activity throughout pregnancy. It can be walking around the block, hitting the gym, training for a marathon, and everything in between.
There is no physical activity too small during pregnancy.
How far along?
How did this week go for you?
How are you feeling about your exercise?
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going?
(Inspire me with a new gtky question for next week!)
Not my best week. I haven’t worked out since Sunday. Between sciatica and family issues coming up, there just wasn’t a right time. We are out of town this weekend so I’m hoping to get back on track Sunday/Monday.
Really craving some warm weather because I would love to be walking outside more often. Today it’s 50 here and I’m so sad that I’m stuck inside at work.
GTKY: Interesting question. When I first started trying to exercise like 3 years ago, I somehow got it in my head that I wanted to be a runner (DH is). So I decided to do a version of couch to 5K. I’m obese so there was no way I could actually do couch to 5K, but I made my own version and did it with DH for about 8 months. I hated running. HATED it. I kept trying to push through and get that high people talk about so I would get addicted and keep doing it. Well then we moved and I gave up on running. I kept saying I would go back to it and I never did. I started doing occasional group fitness classes at our local Y and found that I actually did like exercise, I just hated running. A friend introduced me to an HIIT class at a gym near my work once I told her I liked group fitness. I did one class and couldn’t walk for a week. But I went back the next week and got the buzz. I don’t know what sparked it but somehow I got it in my mind that my size didn’t matter and I was going to do everything I could. I’ve been doing the same class for about 18 months and there’s still nothing better. I still hate running. I still can’t run for more than a few minutes, but I do alternates to running and I usually burn between 600-800 calories per 1 hr class (if not more). I’m always the biggest person in the room, still, but I am not the slowest and I don’t use the lowest weights so I’m happy with that (actually right now when pregnant I am the slowest but that’s on purpose hahaha).
Maybe another good question would be something about what type of activity have you always wanted to try but haven’t or something like that. Might bring up some interesting convos about extremes/non-traditional like triathlons, ultra marathons, surfing, mountain climbing, etc
How did this week go for you? Good. I was told I finally look popped... pretty sure I've looked like that for 13 weeks, but ok. Good to know I no longer just look fat. Ha. 6 more weeks until I hit my 30 week goal!
How are you feeling about your exercise? Still pretty good. Although I almost peed during my last workout on Wednesday.I was doing med ball jumping Jacks and that is a bad idea with a full bladder after drinking throughout the hour. So I quickly ran to the bathroom. The wife owner was working out and I went and told her what happened ad then we just laughed at how ridiculous pregnancy is. Then she told me not to worry if it happens sometime in the future. Pretty sure I'd move states if it happened!!!
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going? Our twins had just turned 1 and I was going through some of their birthday photos. I cringed and then cried when I saw how big I looked. I was barely in any photos because I didn't want to see myself later. That's no way to celebrate your kids! I kept seeing this small gym by my Target and I looked it up online. They did free first workouts and the pull that got me was that they always have a trainer there to help you and to push you. I knew I'd need something like that to hold me accountable and hiring a trainer would be way too much money. I seriously fell in love with it during my first workout. I kept going because I got to know the trainers and felt bad not going. Then I started to see a huge difference in my stamina around the house and eventually watched the pounds slowly slip away. It's easily one of the best decisions I have ever made.
How did this week go for you? Great! I've walked 4 times since last Friday and done yoga twice.
How are you feeling about your exercise? I feel like now that I am back in a routine it is a lot harder to opt out of it. It is also slightly helping my HG symptoms, so that is something I remind myself of when I am feeling unmotivated.
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going? Even though I am on a hiatus from running, I'll talk about that one since it is the most important to me. I actually hated running growing up and joined swim team in high school to get out of running. In 2010 I decided I wanted to lose some weight and started Weight Watchers. I ended up joining the Junior Chamber around the same time and met my RBF (running best friend) when I worked on a committee for an event she was chairing. She was starting a weight loss journey as well and had decided she wanted to run a 5K. A lot of the girls from the Jaycees were in to running and we started meeting on Saturdays to run and get breakfast. My RBF and I did our first 5K in 2011 and we kind of got addicted. We decided to do a few more 5Ks and then got gutsy and signed up for a 10K that June. We did a few more 10Ks and continued to meet every Saturday for our run and breakfast. We decided that we were really going to go for it and signed up for a half marathon in December of 2011 with a bunch of the girls and guys from the Jaycees. We trained religiously and both smashed our expectations at that race. We officially got the running bug and did 12 half marathons (10 of them together) in 2012. We also celebrate our Runniversary every year, the day we ran our first race together. Somewhere in that time, we both joined a great gym with a treadmill class and met some amazing trainers who really helped us mentally and physically with our running. Then when we were at a wine fest, we made a pact that we would run a full marathon together in 2013. We signed up and trained like it was our job. We were crazy about our nutrition, went to treadmill class two nights and week, and met every weekend, rain or shine, for our long run. I can easily say that finishing that full with her was one of the best days of my life, probably only outranked by my wedding and giving birth to my son (and soon to be this baby). We kept up the routine of signing up for races and did the Dumbo Double Dare (a 10K on Saturday and a half on Sunday) at Disneyland in the fall of 2013 and a few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant with DS. I kept training with her through that pregnancy and had a really hard time when she, DH, and another friend did the same marathon we did the year before that spring. There was no way I could have done a full at that point. It was one of the first times we hadn't raced together. It was unseasonably warm that day and she had been fighting some injuries and when I saw her at the finish line, she and I both started crying and she said "I am NEVER doing that without you again." Even after I had DS, we met every Saturday, starting with walking and slowly building back into running and doing races together, including another full marathon when DS was 10 months old (not my best idea, but we finished!), and a Ragnar relay.
Honestly, she is one of the biggest things that keeps me going. We encourage each other when we are down and injured and help hold each other accountable. She's watched DS for me during races when she was injured so that I could run without the stroller and taken him for the second half of a long run for me. I really don't know what I would do without her at this point. She's become one of my best friends. This last year has been hard because she has had to travel a lot for work and I've really missed her, but when she's here, we meet every weekend for a run or walk. [Sorry for that novel. That got a lot longer than I expected.]
@bjkay22 that's awesome you've kept with the class for so long!
@suchaglencoco trainers make such a difference. Even though I keep in touch with the ladies from my old gym, I miss them. I am hoping to be able to afford to go back once DS starts kindergarten.
@bjkay22 I'm glad you found the type of exercise you enjoy! That makes a huge difference in motivation. @suchaglencoco Your pee story has me laughing. It's crazy, I pee right before I run or start lifting and then I do something and the pressure hits and I'm like seriously?? I just went 5 minutes ago. @mileswithmyles I'm glad you found such an awesome running partner. I loved your story! I'm not much for working out with people besides my twin sister, we are pretty much on the same page for everything and it just works. It makes me sad because we live so far apart now and can only workout together a few times a year.
How far along? 26+2
How did this week go for you? Good! I went to the gym every day besides Tuesday. I did a good leg workout yesterday after my run and didn't have any cramping or BH's last night. yay!
How are you feeling about your exercise? I feel good, some days it still makes me sad I can't push myself like I usually can. I was running earlier this week and I just felt like sprinting but I ignored the urge. I was looking through my iphone pictures the other day and saw a picture I took of myself after a workout around this time last year. I was in such good shape. It did make me miss my old body lol. You all motivated me to buy a couple new workout items last week. I ordered 2 shirts and a pair of pants from target that just arrived last night. I am headed to workout now with them on. I have to say I love the pants so far. @mileswithmyles I ordered the ones you posted last week!
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going?
I've worked out a lot my whole life. I was really active in sports (basketball and track) in high school. In college I loved having my own routine vs being told what to do by a coach. I also went to a ton of group classes and loved them. After college I wanted to to try running more so I trained and ran a 1/2 and then a full marathon. I wouldn't say that is my cup of tea exactly. I love running but don't like super high mileage. Now I run 3-4 miles every time I workout and then do strength training. It works for me! I have experimented with lots of things. I've done P90x and the Insanity programs a few times. I tend to get in a groove and stick with that for a while and then get bored and switch it up.
@mileswithmyles I use to LOVE treadmill training classes before I got pregnant with DS (and was a big runner in general then). I found it so motivating to be in a class wiht pumping music and a trainer, and it really helped me to take those classes. I miss doing stuff like that. After this one is born, I need to find a way to be able to get to gym classes again. They just make me feel so much better
how far along? 24+ 2
how did this week go for you? Terrible. I caught a cold from my toddler and just feel awful
how are you feeling about your exercise? I was feeling good. Hopefully next week I can get back into it. I have been doing mostly Jillian Michaels workout videos in my living room
gtky- what inspired you to do the workout routine you’ve been doing? What kept you going I feel so much on days that I workout. Right now I am only doing workout videos at home, but hope to get back in the gym in a few months!
@rachelg777 glad you like them and yay for no BH! I am having the same kinds of feelings about how I look and I just have to tell myself I will get back there.
@dem068a ITA. And it helps with with scheduling the time to workout.
@mileswithmyles I love the term RBF. She sounds like an amazing friend. I have signed up for the NYC marathon twice, but my stupid IT band ruined my dreams both times. I hope someday I can get my IT band in check and can finish a marathon.
@suchaglencoco@rachelg777 same on peeing. Hopping around or running are not fun for my bladder right now.
@rachelg777 I tend to get in a groove and then I don't really get bored per se, I just get lazy. So I will go to the gym like 6-7x per week for 8 months, then sit on my couch and eat cheetos and be a sloth for 3 months. Then repeat. I need to stop quitting. That's good that you just switch routines instead of quitting altogether.
@dem068a I agree on the classes. I am much better at being dedicated and pushing myself when I am in a class full of people.
How far along? 25w5d
How did this week go for you? Okay. I did barre, yoga, and aqua aerobics, but I did zero running + squats this week.
How are you feeling about your exercise? Okay. My IT band started bugging me last week after running so I took a break, but I could have gotten back into it a few days ago when my knee was feeling better. I let excuses get the best of me this week.
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going? I can't remember why I initially tried barre. I think a friend took me to a free class. All the teachers looked like ballerina supermodels, so I was in awe of them. I did barre sporadically back then bc it's so dang expensive. Once I got pregnant, I knew I wanted an easier workout (than my recent bout of kickboxing) so I figured barre was the ticket. And then I kept using groupons for cheap monthly memberships until I found a barre studio that I felt met my needs. I saw an 8 month pregnant lady at my current studio and the instructors catered to her and modified moves for her, so I felt comfortable with this gym and bit the bullet for the monthly membership. I will probably quit barre once LO comes though. It's really expensive and they don't have day care. But for now, trying to keep as healthy as possible, so worth the cost!
How did this week go for you? I'm taking baby steps and not doing an actual workout. I've been taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Our lab, etc. is on the first floor so I make multiple trips throughout a shift.
How are you feeling about your exercise? I want to do more, but I'm just not in shape. Last summer I was starting to get into yoga. I want to try to pick that up again. Not sure how to do the routine while pregnant, but I'll pinterest/google that.
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going? I can't keep up with DS and I want more energy. I know stairs aren't much, but I could barely make it up to my floor without having to recover for ten minutes before I was pregnant.
@crunchyice That's how progress is made! Sounds like you are gaining stamina too me. Keep it up.
@silverhope That's still awesome to go almost every day for 8 months out of the year. I workout a lot but cheetos are always my friend- eating clean is a struggle for me.
@mileswithmyles I'm jealous you have a workout buddy to push you! A lot of friends that run have running buddies and it makes me a little jelly, but not enough to run, ha.
@rachelg777 and @silverhope, I've been peeing when I get to the gym before I work out so I know I am nice and empty, but I'm starting to think I need a break halfway through my workout. It's just hard because I wear handwraps. The jumping is definitely not easy on the bladder.
@crunchyice we all have to start somewhere! You can totally YouTube prenatal yoga, and you can often find great deals on classes! I think prenatal yoga is awesome for preparing for labor! And post natal yoga is fantastic for recovery and strengthening your pelvis again...
How far along? 23 weeks tomorrow!
How did this week go for you? It was fair. I hiked Camelback mountain which is a beast and I felt great!! But it was a busy week, so other than that, just got 2, 2 mile dog walks in, and one short at home session with hand weights, squats, lunges etc.
How are you feeling about your exercise? Happy I am doing something, but need to make yoga and hiking priorities. I just think they are best (for me) for preparing for labor.. I love my yoga studio but there’s no child care so it’s just hard to make time. I have had no luck with child care at gyms here.. boo.
Gtky- What inspired you to start the workout routine you've been doing? What kept you going? Moving to AZ 2 years ago got me really into hiking. I’ve always loved yoga, but the post natal yoga (specifically the amazing instructor) I had after DS, completely convinced me of how awesome it is for preparing for and recovering from labor. All the stretching, breath work, and pelvic floor work!
@crunchyice mine was combined with “mommy and me” ... so we did baby massage and songs and such, but also focused on recovery of your muscles that get all out of whack in labor
Re: Physical health check-in 1/26
Not my best week. I haven’t worked out since Sunday. Between sciatica and family issues coming up, there just wasn’t a right time. We are out of town this weekend so I’m hoping to get back on track Sunday/Monday.
Really craving some warm weather because I would love to be walking outside more often. Today it’s 50 here and I’m so sad that I’m stuck inside at work.
GTKY: Interesting question. When I first started trying to exercise like 3 years ago, I somehow got it in my head that I wanted to be a runner (DH is). So I decided to do a version of couch to 5K. I’m obese so there was no way I could actually do couch to 5K, but I made my own version and did it with DH for about 8 months. I hated running. HATED it. I kept trying to push through and get that high people talk about so I would get addicted and keep doing it. Well then we moved and I gave up on running. I kept saying I would go back to it and I never did. I started doing occasional group fitness classes at our local Y and found that I actually did like exercise, I just hated running. A friend introduced me to an HIIT class at a gym near my work once I told her I liked group fitness. I did one class and couldn’t walk for a week. But I went back the next week and got the buzz. I don’t know what sparked it but somehow I got it in my mind that my size didn’t matter and I was going to do everything I could. I’ve been doing the same class for about 18 months and there’s still nothing better. I still hate running. I still can’t run for more than a few minutes, but I do alternates to running and I usually burn between 600-800 calories per 1 hr class (if not more). I’m always the biggest person in the room, still, but I am not the slowest and I don’t use the lowest weights so I’m happy with that (actually right now when pregnant I am the slowest but that’s on purpose hahaha).
Maybe another good question would be something about what type of activity have you always wanted to try but haven’t or something like that. Might bring up some interesting convos about extremes/non-traditional like triathlons, ultra marathons, surfing, mountain climbing, etc
23w5d
Good. I was told I finally look popped... pretty sure I've looked like that for 13 weeks, but ok. Good to know I no longer just look fat. Ha.
6 more weeks until I hit my 30 week goal!
Still pretty good. Although I almost peed during my last workout on Wednesday.I was doing med ball jumping Jacks and that is a bad idea with a full bladder after drinking throughout the hour. So I quickly ran to the bathroom. The wife owner was working out and I went and told her what happened ad then we just laughed at how ridiculous pregnancy is. Then she told me not to worry if it happens sometime in the future. Pretty sure I'd move states if it happened!!!
Our twins had just turned 1 and I was going through some of their birthday photos. I cringed and then cried when I saw how big I looked. I was barely in any photos because I didn't want to see myself later. That's no way to celebrate your kids!
I kept seeing this small gym by my Target and I looked it up online. They did free first workouts and the pull that got me was that they always have a trainer there to help you and to push you. I knew I'd need something like that to hold me accountable and hiring a trainer would be way too much money.
I seriously fell in love with it during my first workout. I kept going because I got to know the trainers and felt bad not going. Then I started to see a huge difference in my stamina around the house and eventually watched the pounds slowly slip away.
It's easily one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Honestly, she is one of the biggest things that keeps me going. We encourage each other when we are down and injured and help hold each other accountable. She's watched DS for me during races when she was injured so that I could run without the stroller and taken him for the second half of a long run for me. I really don't know what I would do without her at this point. She's become one of my best friends. This last year has been hard because she has had to travel a lot for work and I've really missed her, but when she's here, we meet every weekend for a run or walk. [Sorry for that novel. That got a lot longer than I expected.]
@suchaglencoco trainers make such a difference. Even though I keep in touch with the ladies from my old gym, I miss them. I am hoping to be able to afford to go back once DS starts kindergarten.
@suchaglencoco Your pee story has me laughing. It's crazy, I pee right before I run or start lifting and then I do something and the pressure hits and I'm like seriously?? I just went 5 minutes ago.
@mileswithmyles I'm glad you found such an awesome running partner. I loved your story! I'm not much for working out with people besides my twin sister, we are pretty much on the same page for everything and it just works. It makes me sad because we live so far apart now and can only workout together a few times a year.
How far along?
26+2
Good! I went to the gym every day besides Tuesday. I did a good leg workout yesterday after my run and didn't have any cramping or BH's last night. yay!
I feel good, some days it still makes me sad I can't push myself like I usually can. I was running earlier this week and I just felt like sprinting but I ignored the urge. I was looking through my iphone pictures the other day and saw a picture I took of myself after a workout around this time last year. I was in such good shape. It did make me miss my old body lol. You all motivated me to buy a couple new workout items last week. I ordered 2 shirts and a pair of pants from target that just arrived last night. I am headed to workout now with them on. I have to say I love the pants so far. @mileswithmyles I ordered the ones you posted last week!
I've worked out a lot my whole life. I was really active in sports (basketball and track) in high school. In college I loved having my own routine vs being told what to do by a coach. I also went to a ton of group classes and loved them. After college I wanted to to try running more so I trained and ran a 1/2 and then a full marathon. I wouldn't say that is my cup of tea exactly. I love running but don't like super high mileage. Now I run 3-4 miles every time I workout and then do strength training. It works for me! I have experimented with lots of things. I've done P90x and the Insanity programs a few times. I tend to get in a groove and stick with that for a while and then get bored and switch it up.
pumping music and a trainer, and it really helped me to take those classes. I miss doing stuff like that. After this one is born, I need to find a way to be able to get to gym classes again. They just make me feel so much better
how far along? 24+ 2
how did this week go for you? Terrible. I caught a cold from my toddler and just feel awful
how are you feeling about your exercise? I was feeling good. Hopefully next week I can get back into it. I have been doing mostly Jillian Michaels workout videos in my living room
gtky- what inspired you to do the workout routine you’ve been doing? What kept you going
I feel so much on days that I workout. Right now I am only doing workout videos at home, but hope to get back in the gym in a few months!
@dem068a ITA. And it helps with with scheduling the time to workout.
@suchaglencoco @rachelg777 same on peeing. Hopping around or running are not fun for my bladder right now.
@rachelg777 I tend to get in a groove and then I don't really get bored per se, I just get lazy. So I will go to the gym like 6-7x per week for 8 months, then sit on my couch and eat cheetos and be a sloth for 3 months. Then repeat. I need to stop quitting. That's good that you just switch routines instead of quitting altogether.
@dem068a I agree on the classes. I am much better at being dedicated and pushing myself when I am in a class full of people.
I can't remember why I initially tried barre. I think a friend took me to a free class. All the teachers looked like ballerina supermodels, so I was in awe of them. I did barre sporadically back then bc it's so dang expensive. Once I got pregnant, I knew I wanted an easier workout (than my recent bout of kickboxing) so I figured barre was the ticket. And then I kept using groupons for cheap monthly memberships until I found a barre studio that I felt met my needs. I saw an 8 month pregnant lady at my current studio and the instructors catered to her and modified moves for her, so I felt comfortable with this gym and bit the bullet for the monthly membership. I will probably quit barre once LO comes though. It's really expensive and they don't have day care. But for now, trying to keep as healthy as possible, so worth the cost!
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
@silverhope That's still awesome to go almost every day for 8 months out of the year. I workout a lot but cheetos are always my friend- eating clean is a struggle for me.
@rachelg777 and @silverhope, I've been peeing when I get to the gym before I work out so I know I am nice and empty, but I'm starting to think I need a break halfway through my workout. It's just hard because I wear handwraps.
The jumping is definitely not easy on the bladder.
Moving to AZ 2 years ago got me really into hiking. I’ve always loved yoga, but the post natal yoga (specifically the amazing instructor) I had after DS, completely convinced me of how awesome it is for preparing for and recovering from labor. All the stretching, breath work, and pelvic floor work!