Staying in shape throughout pregnancy

frogz21
frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I am currently 25 weeks into my pregnancy with baby #2. I have been living a solid strict healthy active lifestyle 5 days a week with no exceptions since August of 2013. I was doing Jillian Michaels dvds as part of my fitness routine and I continued to do her 30 Day Shred program up until 21 weeks of my pregnancy, Since then I have turned to Summer Sanders' Prenatal program. Besides that, I take 30-60 minute walks with my 2 year old in his stroller. So far I am happy with the way my body is adjusting with me continuing to be active throughout this pregnancy, but I really don't like Summer Sanders' program. I think for 50 minutes I should feel like I got a workout...not a warmup. It literally feels like I am warming up for the actual workout. I dunno if it's just my body not being used to turning down my physical activity a notch but I really miss Jillian Michaels..and I cannot wait to try Insanity out a couple of months after my baby is born. It has been very hard for me to not turn back to the harder workouts, but I know I need to keep myself safe and my unborn child safe from anything too strenuous or harmful. I dunno what I can do to feel satisfied with my level of fitness, Should I take more walks? Do the dvd twice a day? Do the dvd 7 days a week instead of 5? Or just accept the fact I can't "do it all" right now until bub is born? It's really hard having so much energy that I can't rid of with what I am doing currently. I am literally so excited for the day I can get back into getting in better shape and pushing myself as far as my body will let me.

What did you do for prenatal fitness while you were pregnant? How far along were you when you decided to stop until baby came and the 6 week post partum checkup cleared? I am really hoping I can workout up until I am at least 39 weeks pregnant, and I am also hoping I can slowly start working out after she is born. I won't start anything besides a walk until I get the go-ahead from my obygn at my 6 week checkup. My SO thinks I am a little nuts for having such expectations of myself, maybe he is right..maybe not. I just have a lot of motivation to be healthy and fit no matter the circumstance.

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Have you discussed it with your Ob?

    I'm 35 weeks pregnant. My workout routine consists of:

    - 5 mile walks with my husband and 2yr old son when the weather is nice
    - Shaun T's Rockin Body DVD workouts following the modified dancer 4x a week (was doing it 5x a week and following Shaun T before pregnancy)
    - Strength training with dumbbells 3x a week

    I discussed my workout routine with my Ob and he is perfectly fine with it. He has actually encouraged me to continue doing it. My mom on the other hand thinks I'm doing way to much and should just cut back to only walks. I feel great. Not near as many aches and pains as I had when I was pregnant with my son (I didn't workout at all that pregnancy). Now, I will probably have to back off a bit after the baby's born and it really depends on whether or not I end up having a c-section again.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    I discussed continuing my workout routine with my obygn at my first appointment at 12 weeks. He told me to keep at it and he didn't really seem too concerned. He was happy when I went back for my last appointment at 21 weeks when I finally gained a couple of pounds. The only reason I chose to stop doing Jillian Michaels 30DS at 21ish weeks was because it started to make my tummy ache in a not so good way. My SO told me I needed to find something a bit easier on my body..so I did, but Summer Sanders' isn't that satisfying. I am thinking of continuing Summer Sanders' dvd 5-6 days a week along with my daily 30-60 minute walks, but I want to add in something like hiking and cycling soon. I really just miss that "high" feeling I got from working out before I got pregnant.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Maybe see if you can find something on youtube with more intensity then the Summers Sanders DVD, but at the same time less intensity then Jillian Michaels.
  • victoria_1024
    victoria_1024 Posts: 915 Member
    I just got a surprise positive pregnancy test today so I'm starting to think about what I need to do! I've already been noticing the past few days that my endurance isn't as good and I get more tired more easily, so obviously I need to listen to my body's cues but I really want to continue working out if I can!
  • katebrog
    katebrog Posts: 44 Member
    I'm currently 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant and I'm still doing similar exercise routines I did before becoming pregnant. I run (slower runs now) roughly 4 times a week, totaling 26-30 miles. I also do 30 minutes on the elliptical and then 30 minutes of a group cycle class my gym offers 1x/week. I also try to do a little upper body strength training, but nothing too extreme. So, I've been getting in around 5 days of one hour cardio sessions with my runs/cycle class/elliptical and then a little weight training. I usually take 2 days off a week, but sometimes add in an extra easy 6th day either on Saturday or Sunday of an easy 4 mile jog. Overall I still feel really good, but the runs are starting to really make a difference to my bladder, having to stop every so often to use the bathroom. My doctor was fine with my routine since I was an avid runner before becoming pregnant and logging up to 35-40 miles a week.
  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
    The best thing you can do is listen to your body, it will protect the baby and pregnancy over you at this point. Exercise is great while pregnant, it also make the birth easier and less risky. You won't get the same high, but you can look for more low impact exercises, these can keep you fit and be safe for the baby. Swimming can feel wonderful when pregnant and is a great full body workout. Also huge Congrats!
  • jennk5309
    jennk5309 Posts: 206 Member
    I don't know how you ladies do it! I was in decent shape before getting pregnant, could do Jillian Michaels videos, the elliptical at a strenuous pace for an hour, etc. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I had to drag myself through 30 minute walks and I felt like I was going to puke the whole time and just wanted to lay down and take a nap. At 14 weeks, I can finally get on the elliptical some days, but can't push myself nearly as hard as I used to. I still get nauseated sometimes, and it's hard to push myself physically or it makes it worse.

    Maybe it's my age.....38, will be 39 when I deliver.

    You ladies are awesome for keeping it up though! I'm just doing what I can do for now and planning on working on it really hard once the baby comes.
  • atynk
    atynk Posts: 400 Member
    I'm currently 39 1/2 weeks prego and have been crossfitting through the entire thing. I don't do anything too crazy and def dropped down the weights in the 3rd trimester, but at this point I am just going to move a little bit each day and hopefully go into labour lol !
    Just listen to your body and adjust accordingly . If the workouts seem too easy then try something else. Pregnancy is a part of life def not a disease so enjoy and have a fun workout :) Don't stress if you miss a workout from being tired or sore, you are doing great!
  • roxannemezzapesamulder
    roxannemezzapesamulder Posts: 17 Member
    Usually the rule is that if you did it before you got pregnant then it is safe while pregnant unless your body or doctor say otherwise with few exceptions.

    I would be more concerned with jumping back into strenuous exercise too soon after birth though. That is how women end up hemorrhaging. Take it from me, who ended up in the emergency room losing so much blood that I had to be taken into an emergency D&C and given a blood transfusion. Just be careful! If you are cramping and bleeding, passing clots etc... don't keep going!

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