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Fitness Friday

bows22bows22 member
in October 2022 Moms
Saw this on another board!

What types of exercise do you like to do?

Any specific goals for exercise during pregnancy?

Any questions?

Any tips or advice you'd like to share?
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Re: Fitness Friday

  • bows22bows22 member
    I’ll start! I have a peloton, and like to take cycling and yoga classes. They have some prenatal core classes that I’m going to check out during my pregnancy too!

    I have no goals, other than to be as active as I can but also to listen to my body to not over do it. 

    My question is, what guidance has your OB’s office given you about exercise? Mine said I didn’t have to change anything and to just take breaks and drink water, but I’m still keeping an eye on my heart rate as a measure of not overdoing it. 
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  • EmilyE13EmilyE13 member
    @bows22 the advice you’ve gotten is the same as mine: if you were doing it pre-pregnancy, it’s fine to keep up. Key is not doing “sprint” type stuff for which you’re gasping for breath or overheating. Take breaks as needed, etc. 

    AFM I do a lot of weightlifting and some CrossFit, too, and did all of that through my prior two pregnancies. I’m still lifting pretty heavy but extra focus is on form now and I no longer do crunches or go upside down.

    I’m so glad you started this thread and love the idea of a regular Fitness Friday update!


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  • bows22bows22 member
    @EmilyE13 of course my RE was like “if you normally exercise for 30 minutes you should only do 20” kind of thing. Then I remembered the saying “REs get you pregnant, OBs keep you pregnant” and messaged OB who told me what I wanted to hear. I felt like a kid going between mom & dad to get a better answer 😂
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  • EmilyE13EmilyE13 member
    @bows22 there’s nothing wrong with a little forum shopping! My first OB was an athlete, too, and said my rule of thumb was that if I couldn’t count to 3 without gasping for breath, to take a break then. She said the old rules about HR limits have been thrown out. 
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  • bows22bows22 member
    @EmilyE13 so the heart rate thing came up on TTGP right before I got pregnant and probably the most knowledgeable person on the IF thread was talking about how her RE said that your heart rate being too high can cause your body to prioritize other areas and not as much blood flows to your uterus? I’m probably not getting that totally right but that was the idea. So that could be more of an implantation thing versus a pregnancy thing but that’s why I’m just trying to watch it a little bit. Someone else made the comment that it’s more of an average for your whole workout and that some spikes aren’t concerning as long as you bring it back down. It was an interesting convo, and stuck with me obviously! 
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  • EmilyE13EmilyE13 member
    edited March 2022
    The old adage was never to let your heart rate get above 140 in exercise during pregnancy, but that’s no longer the recommendation for healthy people who were regularly active prior to pregnancy. I’ve definitely heard that about heart rate in connection with IVF and implantation though and when I had IVF for DD1 I was laying down in warm socks with my feet up religiously!

    More info here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/exercise-during-pregnancy/faq-20058359

    The checking to make sure you’re not gasping is a really easy way to make sure you’re not “overdoing” it in a workout (and will bring your HR back down too) and has been recommended by two “athlete friendly” OBs I’ve had (I played soccer in college so always gravitated towards sports docs and lucked out with a couple jock OBs over the years 😂). 

    ETA words
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  • merostomatamerostomata member
    I’ve been doing a combination of run-walking and home workouts, which are usually either low-impact cardio or strength training :) it’s the same as I did pre-pregnancy, but much lower intensity. I found that even if I wanted to exercise more heavily, I kinda can’t. My heart rate and breathing are just out of control! I was running about 20 miles a week pre-pregnancy, and could run 4-5 miles without stopping. Now I run for like 2 minutes and I and have to take a walk break— but that’s ok! 

    It’s been kind of nice taking it more easy. But I still try to do *something* movement wise every day, even if it’s just a little walk. I think I get more depressed if I just sit at home. 

    My goal is just to move every day-ish in some form through pregnancy, knowing that the level of intensity I can handle will continuously evolve. I was pretty sedentary when pregnant with my daughter, so I already feel ahead of the game!
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  • merostomatamerostomata member
    @rockstarmomma152 it really is amazing how quick the change can be, isn’t it? I feel like my stamina tanked immediately as well, practically at implantation or within a few days.

    In my last pregnancy I was able to do a lot more in the second trimester. I even ran a 5k and 4M race, while I was sedentary in the first. I didn’t get back to pre-pregnancy stamina or anything, but at least it was an improvement over the first tri. I’m holding out hope that’ll happen again🤞 
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  • sandy5693sandy5693 member
    I was moderately active before this pregnancy, lots of low impact exercise like long walks and yoga.  I am so winded by long walks and have had to change things up to just a mile or two at a time so I can rest and hydrate afterwards.  Hoping that as the second trimester hits my energy will pick up and the nausea will decrease and I'll be able to handle a little more movement.  
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  • rin_dancingrin_dancing member
    @pangolindrome ahhhhhhhh the cascade foothills!!!!!!! Former Oregonian here and I swear I could smell those woods when I read your post. ♥️

    I’m now in Colorado which still offers a lot of beauty (even if it doesn’t smell like home) so I try to get out for walks regularly. Sometimes I do a little jogging but I find it makes me burp a ton now! 😂 My weight is a good 50 pounds over what I consider healthy for my body so I take a lot of comfort in my ability to still walk 3-5 miles (time permitting) and finish feeling like I could have easily kept going. 💪🏼 I’ve also really been enjoying the downdog apps. They have quite a few including prenatal yoga. The apps are free to teachers, students and healthcare workers. Not sure how much they cost regularly. And of course just putting on great tunes and dancing around my kitchen. Greek folk dancing anyone? 😉
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  • g_gabs71016g_gabs71016 member
    I typically went horseback riding twice a week and worked out (cardio and strength) twice a week before pregnancy. More was just difficult with my two little ones and work being nuts. I have kept up with that for the most part, but I think I overdid it on Sunday because my legs are trembling whenever I use the stairs hahaha. I am still riding but on a very tame horse vs my spunkier ride that saw terror in every corner. Now I could set off fireworks and he’d be fine. I will probably ride until I get bigger and balance is an issue.
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  • EmilyE13EmilyE13 member
    @g_gabs71016 what kind of riding do you do? I grew up doing some western pleasure and barrel racing and also hunter/jumper. It’s been a long time, though. 
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  • krthousekrthouse member
    One of the big things with exercising while pregnant that I learned with my first was that second trimester onward you need be careful to not do core exercises that cause "coning" in your abdomen, as this can increase your risk of diastasis recti and pelvic floor issues. I love following thebellemethod on instagram for preggy and postpartum safe exercises and tips about pelvic health. My midwife told me to steer clear of a lot of core exercises in general, also to not over extend in any stretches as you can really injure yourself with all the relaxin hormone in your body.

    Also, you don't want to be laying on your back for extended periods of time from about week 14 onwards, the weight of your uterus and baby can put pressure on your vena cava.

    I have had zero energy for exercise in first tri this time, though my work is very physical with lots of lifting and going up and down stairs, but I'm hoping to get back to prenatal yoga again. It was really helpful in my first pregnancy both physically and for helping me sleep better.
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  • siouxieq87siouxieq87 member
    I’m glad I read this thread, I feel a lot better about not feeling better lol. I worked out religiously 5-7 days a week pre-pregnancy- lots of cardio, mostly HIIT and running. I’ve managed to mostly keep up the same workout schedule but it DRAINS me, and every second feels like an eternity lol. Exhaustion is my main pregnancy symptom anyway, and I’m not sure if not working out would really help- either way I’m falling asleep in front of the TV by 8:30 lol. But I’ve been beating myself up because I remember keeping up my usual intense workouts with my last pregnancy until the 3rd trimester, and I don’t really remember it being that much of a struggle! Maybe selective memory, lol. Or maybe just that every pregnancy is different. I’m really hoping this exhaustion takes a hike after the first trimester!
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  • krysnicole1022krysnicole1022 member
    I work out daily. I'm so exhausted right now that I keep it to under twenty minutes. I'm not currently doing any strength training but will pick it back up in the second trimester. I've mostly been sticking to the elliptical and really taking it easy on there. Not because it's hard but because I get so tired! I'm wiped out by the end of the day! I assume I will have gestational diabetes again this go round so I'm trying to establish a healthy workout routine. My OB said I can continue doing what I normally do but to not get to the point where I'm gasping for air. It's totally fine to get a good sweat going. Hoping to not gain 43 lbs this pregnancy. Haha. 
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  • g_gabs71016g_gabs71016 member
    @EmilyE13 I do mainly western dressage but I love hunter/jumper and started with English as a kid. But there aren’t a lot of places here that do English, so I’m learning Western styles! It is fun. My dream is to get a horse after this baby (last baby). 
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  • krusty_kikokrusty_kiko member
    I love reading what everyone else is doing to stay fit and healthy! It’s certainly a challenge when you’re feeling pooped.

    This might be an unusual one but I figure skate 4 days a week, 1-1.5 hours per session. I’ve been skating since childhood so I don’t see a reason to stop until I physically can’t skate anymore. Sadly I get so winded now! After just a few quick laps around the rink forward, backward, and edge exercises, I start getting winded 😢 Of course I’m concerned about falling and hurting the lil one, so I’ll probably take a break from the ice once my bump gets big/in the way. Really not sure when that will be, this is my first pregnancy! I’m only 6w +5.

    On non-skating days, I used to do a lot of off-ice jumping and HIIT type exercises. Now I do milder activities like yoga and Pilates. Still stretching to stay flexible. I’m so tired these days, the only workout I feel motivated to do is skating. Everything else is like…a chore :(

    I also noticed my muscles being slightly more sore lately, even if I didn’t feel like I did anything super strenuous. I wonder if that is pregnancy related?

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  • pangolindromepangolindrome member
    knottiefd80e8984850eb40 said:
    I love reading what everyone else is doing to stay fit and healthy! It’s certainly a challenge when you’re feeling pooped.

    This might be an unusual one but I figure skate 4 days a week, 1-1.5 hours per session. I’ve been skating since childhood so I don’t see a reason to stop until I physically can’t skate anymore. Sadly I get so winded now! After just a few quick laps around the rink forward, backward, and edge exercises, I start getting winded 😢 Of course I’m concerned about falling and hurting the lil one, so I’ll probably take a break from the ice once my bump gets big/in the way. Really not sure when that will be, this is my first pregnancy! I’m only 6w +5.

    On non-skating days, I used to do a lot of off-ice jumping and HIIT type exercises. Now I do milder activities like yoga and Pilates. Still stretching to stay flexible. I’m so tired these days, the only workout I feel motivated to do is skating. Everything else is like…a chore :(

    I also noticed my muscles being slightly more sore lately, even if I didn’t feel like I did anything super strenuous. I wonder if that is pregnancy related?

    I MISS ice skating, although I could never get along with figure skates. I skated my entire childhood and eventually got recruited into a hockey team, although it was too violent for me.

    About the soreness, I’ve gotten sore from regular existence than I used to get from strenuous exercise.
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  • siouxieq87siouxieq87 member
    No one has posted here in a loooong time, so even though it’s not Friday I thought I’d see how everyone is feeling about exercise these days! I have been putting a lot of pressure on myself to keep up my pre-pregnancy fitness routine until the 3rd trimester, because that’s what I did with my last pregnancy, but man it is getting SO hard! I run 3 miles 2x/week, do a YouTube HIIT video 2x/week, and do a 40 min cardio circuit at the gym the other 3 days. Some days I’m so tired from my workouts (or sore) that it puts me in a bitchy mood for the rest of the day. I think I may need to adjust my expectations a bit, because my last pregnancy my belly was quite small, and my daughter was born at 36 weeks at only 5lbs 5oz. My 3 older kids were in the 8-10lb range, and I just really feel like this baby is on track to be more that size. I didn’t really do any workout during those pregnancies because I just wasn’t a very active person back then, so I really have nothing to compare in that sense. Does anyone else feel like they can’t keep up their current routine much longer? I’m 22 weeks today, btw.
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  • krysnicole1022krysnicole1022 member
    I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow and I've started doing shorter workouts. My body just can't handle the stress of a 30-40 minute long workout most of the time. I stick with 15-20 minutes. With pool season hitting I might try finding some pregnant aqua aerobics so I can do that in my pool and ease my joints. I've always been a smaller person and now that I'm over the halfway point my hips are killing me. I can barely walk by the end of the day. I do need to incorporate more yoga. I LOVE doing my active workouts but it's really not going to last too much longer. It's so awkward.
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  • sandy5693sandy5693 member
    I am 22w4d and I have been able to get to my normal workouts - which for me is low impact cardio usually daily long distance walks and some yoga throughout the week.  I really want to incorporate some strength training which I don't normally do, but I feel like would be a good addition, but I'm struggling to start it.  It tires me out way more than my other exercise.  
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  • karen983karen983 member
    I try to exercise every day, at least half an hour. I like pilates and HIIT. I also ride a bike and walk a lot.
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  • pangolindromepangolindrome member
    25 weeks tomorrow. FTM and showing relatively small to my understanding. If I try, I could still play it off as being a little chunky if I wear the right clothes and it's someone who doesn't know me, LOL. I am not trying at all, it's just for reference.

    I am exclusively walking with doggo still. I am trying to get back to four miles/day, but we get at least three. My workouts pre-doggo were a lot of plyometrics and upper-body work that revolved around the plank, so none of it was very pregnancy-friendly anyways. I have to admit that I miss it and would love to get back to some strength work, but we have neither the space nor do I have the energy.

    I really want to go two miles in the morning and another two miles in the afternoon. With the uphill and forest roads, we average 21 minutes/mile, so it is at least an hour per day. I'm almost down to 20-minute miles (pre-pregnancy I was more like 18-19) which feels good. 
    Pre-pregnancy, we covered AT LEAST five miles per day and I would take her for 4-7 miles at the end of my work week. I tried a four-mile walk one day and it felt great during the walk but I was a literal wreck for almost a full 24 hours after. I can't even describe how much it sucked.


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  • EmilyE13EmilyE13 member
    @siouxieq87 thanks for resurrecting! I was thinking about posting another of these this past Friday but was dealing with flight issues and forgot. 

    I’m still weight training multiple times a week but have had to go a touch lighter in the weights lately because I’m feeling so loosey goosey in my hips. Also finally had to modify push ups last week for the first time this pregnancy because my belly is definitely in the way now. Am going to keep trying to do CrossFit 1-2x a week, too, in addition to more walks during the work day. 
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  • siouxieq87siouxieq87 member
    @pangolindrome, im so jealous that your dog lets you walk a 20/min mile! My dogs are so obsessed with sniffing everything and barking at other dogs thst I’m lucky to do a 26 minute mile, many days it’s 28-29🙄. At that point I don’t even think it counts as cardio but I’m sure it’s still good for me.
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  • pangolindromepangolindrome member
    edited June 2022
    @siouxieq87 It might help that we live on the literal edge to national forest and it's not a hiking area or anything like that. There are no other dogs except for the neighbors', she does sniff everything but also listens pretty well to leave it/drop scent/hurry up (after nine months of effort so far, still improving). We get log trucks and logging equipment and locals like to go up with their ATVs and to go shooting (even though they're legally not supposed to, because 'Murica!), so we get passed by a decent number of vehicles of varying sizes. She hates loud trucks and barks back at them. Clearly, I need to be protected!
    We feel very fortunate that she is a good match to our lifestyle and needs. You never know when you adopt, but hubbs saw her and knew she was meant to be ours. I frequently joke that she is clearly my kid because we are similar in many ways.
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