Getting fit while pregnant? stories and pics please!!!!!

sarahertzberger

So, I just recently found out I was pregnant it was a huge surprise, so I had my mind set into the weightloss/excersise, getting to my goal weight and now to have to change from that to hey you're growing a baby is hard and I still can't see not still being able to get fit, I know I'm not trying to lose the weight right now, I know that wouldn't want to be healthy but I still think I could make my body look better with exercise while I'm pregnant not to just maintain what I look like now, so have any of you not reached your goal weight before you got pregnant and still kept up getting fit and looking great I would love to hear about what you did, how much you ate, and if you have pics showing your progress that would be great. Thanks!!

jakidb

I'm interested in the responses/photos you receive--you and I have something in common. I've been on MFP since Apr 2012, loss 53lbs, bt am now 15wks pregnant. I've bn trying to stay w/i my recommended calories bt nt always sucessful YET I'm hanging in there. This site motivates me; can't wait to view your responses.

LovelyVegetarian

I haven't been in exactly the same position as you but I thought I'd share my story and maybe you can take something from it.

I was trying to lose weight after my first baby was born (I had just reached pre-preggo weigth actually) when by surprise I got pregnant with my second (my first was 12 months old at the time). I stopped tracking but was very active as I had a toddler to look after. I ended up gaining more than I did with my first (with DD I gained 56 lbs and with DS I gained 70 lbs!!!) but I looked great and had an overall very different pregnancy. Just keep in mind that the priority is heath at this point, yours and the baby's. Follow your body's cues. Stay as active as you can and eat really well. With my first pregnancy I was very active, doing yoga etc. until in my second trimester I started spotting so then I had to stop all activity. So safety and heath is paramount here. You can and will lose all the weight after the baby is born with patience and diligence.

Congrats by the way!!!

sarahertzberger

I haven't been in exactly the same position as you but I thought I'd share my story and maybe you can take something from it.

I was trying to lose weight after my first baby was born (I had just reached pre-preggo weigth actually) when by surprise I got pregnant with my second (my first was 12 months old at the time). I stopped tracking but was very active as I had a toddler to look after. I ended up gaining more than I did with my first (with DD I gained 56 lbs and with DS I gained 70 lbs!!!) but I looked great and had an overall very different pregnancy. Just keep in mind that the priority is heath at this point, yours and the baby's. Follow your body's cues. Stay as active as you can and eat really well. With my first pregnancy I was very active, doing yoga etc. until in my second trimester I started spotting so then I had to stop all activity. So safety and heath is paramount here. You can and will lose all the weight after the baby is born with patience and diligence.

Congrats by the way!!!

Thank you for the tips, hopefully I will stay really active

mcn79

I'm not pregnant but hope to be in the next year or so which will also still be in the midst of my journey. I'm definitely interested in hearing what women have to say. It seems like what Lilli said makes sense... as long as we stay active and remember what we've learned, I think we'll be ok! Congratulations to on your baby!

vanessapetit

congratulations!! I would start by having a chat with my doctor before doing anything. They usually recommend that you keep up the exercise you did before getting pregnant during your pregnancy (well to a certain limit of course). If you weren't exercising you can look for prenatal fitness classes in your area, they are great! You can also change your diet without necessarily limiting your calorie intake, just eat good calories not bad ones. Good luck!

xoyasminxo

If you have been exercising regularly, then you should be able to continue what you've been doing throughout your pregnancy.but ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR FIRST!! It can be dangerous to just decide to start working out once you find out your pregnant. Also, you don't have to eat double your calories (eating for two), its usually just about 300-500/day extra for the whole pregnancy. Educate yourself and CONSULT DOCTOR. Not every person is the same.

Lleldiranne

When I got pregnant with my last, I was overweight and I did not want to gain the typical (for me, anyway) 40-45 pounds. I talked with my OB, and he agreed that a 15-25 pound gain would be ideal for where I was. I walked through most of the pregnancy, swam through the last trimester (it was summer) and logged food here - my goal was to eat 2000-2250 calories, but I usually didn't get all of them in; still, it was very helpful to be aware of what I was putting in my mouth, rather than the "I'm eating for 2 so I can have more" mentality. I ended up gaining 17 pounds total, with 6 pounds being baby (and most of the rest being the "essentials" like placenta, fluids, increased blood volume, etc). So it's really doable to keep it down

I would suggest talking to your OB to find out what kind of gain you should aim for (it depends on your starting weight - it would be 20, it could be 10, it could be maintain) and how many calories you should aim for to do that.

woodwardtm

Keep in mind that you really don't have to eat for 2 but don't deprive yourself either. Eat healthy and WALK! I walked every day up a hilly country road when I was pregnant (many years ago) and kept very fit. Getting and keeping fit will also benefit you when it is delivery time. If there are specific exercises you want to do and are concerned about, ask your doctor. The response that I always got was "if you could do it before, there is no reason you can't do it now".

slackerwoman

I am currently pregnant. I was on MFP before I got pregnant and the pregnancy was a surprise. I have been trying to walk 30 minutes a day. I usually break it up in to two 15 minute walks. If you aren't used to exercising at all, that would be a great place to start. It is fine to exercise when you are pregnant but you don't want to overdo it, especially if you are not used to it. I have not been logging my food really since I got pregnant because I have been very busy and quite frankly I don't always make the best choices. I do try to choose more wisely now though most of the time. However, you don't want to look at my diary today. LOL. I still have cravings and yes, I give in to them sometimes. But so far I think I am doing good. My doctor said my weight/size was right on track at my last appt which was at 25 weeks. I am carrying all my weight in my belly. My legs are pretty, arms, etc. are pretty much the same size. I have felt good most of my pregnancy. I am 27 weeks as of today and starting to feel tired. I am wondering though if I might be anemic. I go for my glucose/anemia test on May 7th so we will see. I try to drink plenty of water too. I can't really tell you what I weighed before I got pregnant. I was 8 weeks pregnant before I found out. I think I weighed about 120 lbs but my scale was broken so I wasn't checking. At my last appt I weighed 133 lbs. I have not had any morning sickness at all. Also, the walking really relieves my back aches.

slackerwoman

BTW, I am also 41 years old. So I have the age factor on top of being pregnant! But I figured if I stay active now, maybe I can keep up with a toddler!

aseymour13

Ditto to woodwardthm. I walked and swam with both of my daughters and no, you dont have to eat for two - but you DO have to eat and eat healthy. Lots of water. I was very active when I got pregnant with my girls - played tennis probably 6 days a week. There are some things they would prefer you stay away from like heavy lifting but truthfully use common sense and talk to your Doctor. You will feel so much better at delivery and post if you keep at it and you might be surprised at how the weight comes off. I had a c-section with my second daughter (both my kids were over 10 lbs) but I was on the treadmill the day before.

AllThatWeightlossJazz

I lost 40 pounds while pregnant with my daughter simply by drinking only milk or water and making "clean" choices with my eating. I wasn't trying to lose weight but rather make healthy choices for me and baby.

Congrats. Good luck!

aseymour13

BTW, I am also 41 years old. So I have the age factor on top of being pregnant! But I figured if I stay active now, maybe I can keep up with a toddler!

I was 37 going on 38 when I had my second. so it can be done

iaminspired127

I just had my 2nd almost a year ago, (she will be One on Saturday). After I had my first it took me a while to recuperate and I was a little heavier when I had my first so losing the weight was hard afterwards. Before I had my second I got pretty low, but not at goal weight, I was exercising a few days per week and eating pretty clean. While I was pregnant with my daughter I went on short walks but that's the most exercise I did, I didn't count calories but I made sure what I consumed was good, except for the milkshake cravings. After I had my daughter it was alot easier to lose the weight, I just went back to exercising and eating clean (and breastfeeding helped). Right now, I am below pre-pregnancy weight. I was 142 when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter and I am 133 now. (But I still need the toning for sure, My goal is 130, back then my goal was 135)

I don't know how to post pictures, I wish I did

ScottishMrs

I recently had a miscarriage before the 5wk mark but before that happened I found this group that you might be interested in: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1920-fit-fabulous-pregnant-. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

harmonyh10

If you are interested in continuing tracking I would suggest setting your goal at maintaining until you are in your late 2nd term/3rd term and then add in another roughly 300 calories a day. It is also really good to increase your protein intake and not to track your sodium, unless your provide suggest otherwise. (During pregnancy its important that you body has enough sodium to retain fluid for your body and baby).

I would also suggest walking, walking, walking as long as your provider oks it.

And if possible take a Bradley class, best childbirth class ever!

smadacarlyle

i ditto the walking routine. walk as much as you can. If it is too hot, walk in the mall. If it is too cold, walk in the mall (shopping helps pregnancy... :bigsmile: )
Also, drink lots of water, and make sure that you are eating fruits and veggies that will provide your vitamins and iron intake. I did not take any pill/gummy vitamins but i did make sure to have a spinach salad 4-5 times a week and lots of fruits and veggies.
I was working out a lot prior to getting pregnant, but found that after the 3 months i could not handle the hard workouts (side note - i was working out for about 6 months before getting pregnant, so my body was still not "used" to exercise). I changed jobs that allowed an hour lunch break, so i would walk around the city all summer long, about 1-2 miles a day. I walked slower the bigger i got, but walking helped my hips and helped with ease of delivery/recovery (Delivery it self was not easy, but it could have been a lot worse!).

sammielealea

When my son was about 1 1/2 I started running to support my sister in law, we signed up for two 5 km runs, about 2 1/2 months apart from each other. Well, in the middle of training for my first 5km, I found out that I was pregnant. My Dr. told me to continue as I was, so long as I paid close attention to how I was feeling, making sure not to push myself too hard. I was 13 weeks pregnant when I completed my first 5km in 35 mins along side my sister in law. I thought about not doing my second 5km, but I felt good, so I kept running. I did my second 5km as scheduled (ran and walked, because it was hot!), and while I was walking at about the 4km mark, a lady stopped and walked with me and said that she was trying to keep up with me during the entire race, and that if "that pregnant lady" could do it, so could she. She told me that I inspired her, and I will never forget her, or the way that she made me feel. In that moment, I knew I was a runner. I finished that 5km in 41 mins. After that, I jogged and walked almost everyday until I was too big and was uncomfortable; my Dr approved that this activity was fit for me, and I always listened to my body. I completely agree with the other posters that have recommended you talk to your Dr about what kind of weight gain is appropriate for you, and what type of exercises are appropriate as well. Stay active, have fun, and enjoy your pregnancy! :flowerforyou:

PennyM140

Bump- very interesting. I want to come back and read all the responses later.

dhencel

I am surprised by the amount of weight gain by some people when they are pregnant. I gained 22 pounds with my baby and lost all but 3 before I left the hospital.... I did have some belly flab that I worked off after the ok from doctor.... So now many women gain 50 pounds???? I just ate the good stuff and "treated" myself every now and then with ice cream,etc....

rahlpn

No pictures but here's my story. Pre pregnancy (any pregnancy) I was about 190, I've always hovered between 170-195 throughout young adulthood. So when I got pregnant with my first I was around 190, I ended up gaining 35 lbs or so to full term, had the baby and left the hospital at 211, I breast fed exclusively for 3 months but couldn't keep up, started supplementing but still BFing as much as I could, went down a bit then back up to 210 when he was 7 months. I then found out I was pregnant with #2 (daughter). My pregnancy with her was completely different, instead of craving meat, cheese and PB like I did with my son all I wanted was fruit, fruit and more fruit. I also stayed more active and went to my gyms pool almost every day after work. I would do push ups on the pool wall, flutter kicks, go up and down the stairs, jog in the pool, punch the water holding pool weights, anything to stay in motion in the water. I only gained 17 lbs, and the baby came out weighing 9lbs 1oz ! So I pretty much maintained my weight and just gained baby and fluid. Since then though being started on a medication that made me gain 30+ lbs in a year my new starting weight was 240 but I am now back down to 202

tamjak

Every pregnancy and woman is different, so just be patient with yourself if you don't match what others are saying happened to them. Do the best you can with keeping up the exercise. Eat the freshest and healthiest food you can, but don't go overboard on eating large quantities.

rfornelli

Bump -- this may be useful to me in the future.

savemama

It is dangerous to aim for weight loss while pregnant. Depending on your health and starting weight- you might only need to "maintain" or "gain a small amount" but a doctor would know.

There is some interesting research on pregnancy calories- in that they are not all created equal. It is certainly true in my experience. My first pregnancy I had GD and ate VERY healthfully because of it (no sugar, balanced carbs). Second pregnancy I did not, so I ate more of what I wanted. The weight came off very differently. The "healthY" weight melted off after. The unhealthy weight I'm still doing battle with.

I'd aim for "maintenance calories" +100 in the first tri, and "Maintenance"+ 300 in the 2nd and 3rd. But check with your doctor. I plan to get pregnatn in the future and I will track calories so I don't let my mouth run away with me again!

Stay active and eat healthy. It will come off in the end

CONGRATLS!!!

nicola1141

I'd try to continue to log as much as you can. Remember to give yourself a few extra calories (probably 350) for pregnancy (and afterwards 350-500 for nursing if you nurse). Try to stay as active as possible, but listen to your body.

Sparlingo

So, I just recently found out I was pregnant it was a huge surprise, so I had my mind set into the weightloss/excersise, getting to my goal weight and now to have to change from that to hey you're growing a baby is hard and I still can't see not still being able to get fit, I know I'm not trying to lose the weight right now, I know that wouldn't want to be healthy but I still think I could make my body look better with exercise while I'm pregnant not to just maintain what I look like now, so have any of you not reached your goal weight before you got pregnant and still kept up getting fit and looking great I would love to hear about what you did, how much you ate, and if you have pics showing your progress that would be great. Thanks!!

I'm glad you're not looking to lose weight while pregnant! I have a friend on MFP who was told this was okay and went into premature labour . . . her baby is in the NICU (not necessarily related, but it makes me nervous). Just a word of caution in case you ever begin considering it.

In terms of getting fit while pregnant, I sure wish I had! I wish you luck in it .

sarahertzberger

Thanks for all the great responses :-)

cmmoc

I'm also very interested in this thread.

I am 35 and I lost 20kg before getting pregnant (100 to 80kg) by tracking 1200 cals on MFP and exercising 5 days a week. When i got pregnant I lightened up a little but still went to gym etc. Then I had a big miscarriage scare (bleeding) at week 6 and was put on bed rest and told no more exercise, no sex, no calorie restricting (in fact I was told to increase it to help hormone levels). I am now 12 weeks and doc says I can start '''light activity again'' and need to watch my food (I have gained 8 kg now in 8 weeks by eating whatever I want). So after some research I have decided I will stick to around 1800 calories tracking on here and then increase to 2000 as I get more into 2nd and 3rd trimester. I am going to start walking on treadmill again at gym and doing some light exercise at home.

My only advice to anyone would be to really take things easy in the first trimester. It's so easy to over do it in those first 12 weeks and you really need to be extra careful. It's not really worth the risk if you do overdo it.

Once you have doctors clearance then you can be more active but make sure doctor clears everything including your calorie limit and how much weight he expects you to gain.

savemama

Oh ps- google the Blue Ribbon diet while pregnant. Super interesting!

mooglysmom

Staying active is really good while you're pregnant! I mean you don't want to be doing hard core exercise, lol, but walking is perfect. I had such an easier time my second time because I stayed active, and a lot less weight. Having a 1 1/2 year old helped, lol.