Working Out & Planning Pregnancy

brittneyleighphotography

Okay y'all....I started on MFP to get healthier and tighten up a little bit. I started at 140lbs and am down 5 lbs which is a huge accomplishment since I feel being small already made it tough to lose. I feel like I have an awesome healthy lifestyle in place. My only concern is that in the next year me and my other half plan to start a family. I'm just wondering if tightening up will all become a waste and perhaps cause more "stretch marks," ect. Anyone encounter this or have any tips or words of encouragement? Thanks and feel free to add me!

BarbieAS

On the contrary, the absolute best thing you can do for yourself and your child(ren) is to be fit and a healthy weight before you get pregnant.

For most women (of course not all, there are always exceptions, but in general) the fitter you are before pregnancy, the easier it is to "bounce back" afterwards. Any exercise that's not specifically dangerous for a pregnancy that you did regularly before you got pregnant, you can continue during your pregnancy (of course allowing for anything you simply can't do anymore or causes pain as well as restrictions imposed by your doctor, if any). And the healthier eating habits you have now, the better eating habits you can continue during pregnancy. Of course you need to up your calories, and of course there will be some (even many) indulgences you just can't keep yourself from, but, please, take it from me - someone who gained 60lbs with her first and STILL hasn't lost it all, almost 5 years later - striking a balance is the best thing you can do for yourself.

And stretch marks are genetic, unfortunately. You're either going to get them, or you're not - not too much you can do about it, sadly.

Edited just to fix my terrible grammar. It's Friday! :drinker:

scraver2003

I was ten pounds heavier with #2, but I was in WAY better shape with #2 than with my #1. I ran a half marathon the day before I found out I was pregnant with #2. I tried to keep up with the exercise - I won't lie, it was very hard to do. I "ran" a 5k when I was 7 months along. It took me 54 mins, but I did it!

My second pregnancy was easier. My blood preasure was much better. And recovery (I did have a c-section both times) was much easier. I had almost NO ab strength after #1, but after #2 I was fine. (Like - it was hard to sit up after #1, b/c it was like I had no abs!!)

Work out! Do it now!! Pregnancy will not ruin it, trust me! You will bounce back much easier afterwards.

brittneyleighphotography

I appreciate the advice. Who knows when it comes down to actually getting preganant. I feel like that will motivate me to work even harder and to eat even better, knowing I will be becoming a mother. It's still really early, but I didn't know if anyone else had concerns such as these.