Hi everyone! I'm sort of a Cathe old-timer (was on the first and second Cathe trips - way back when!) and haven't posted in a while, but thought I'd say "hi" to all the fit moms out there! So many of you are such a great inspiration (expecially Cathe - my fitness hero!!)! I'm nearly 7 months pregnant and have been a total exercise wimp during my pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy, I was a Cathe queen, a gym rat and kickboxed for a hobby (not just cardio, but actually taking punches - and kicks!). As soon as I got pregnant, I felt my stamina and energy drop - it was wild! Although I had very little morning sickness, I was so exhausted my first trimester that exercise faded into the background. Then the holidays came and, well, you know how that goes! Now, I'm finally back to working out at least 3 times a week (usually step videos for pregnancy) and I try to do yoga. But I have say that I'm still amazed at how much I feel like an exercise wimp compared to my pre-pregnancy self! Can any of you, who have been through this, tell me about your experiences of getting back into shape after baby? I really miss my Cathe tapes and can't wait to get back to my old routines! Thanks!!!
Exercise Wimp!!
- Thread starter NancyM
- Start date
DebbieH
Cathlete
Hi Nancy!
I can't give you any advice on getting back into shape after pregnancy being that it was 22 1/2 years ago for me. :-wow I did want to tell you "GOOD FOR YOU" on making a comeback. That is great. Working out 3x/week is great plus adding the yoga in should really help you! You're not a whimp at all. Exhaustion is normal the 1st. trimester. Maybe Sheila or someone closer to your situation can jump in here for a post-pregnancy workout. Let us know when the big day arrives! Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH
I can't give you any advice on getting back into shape after pregnancy being that it was 22 1/2 years ago for me. :-wow I did want to tell you "GOOD FOR YOU" on making a comeback. That is great. Working out 3x/week is great plus adding the yoga in should really help you! You're not a whimp at all. Exhaustion is normal the 1st. trimester. Maybe Sheila or someone closer to your situation can jump in here for a post-pregnancy workout. Let us know when the big day arrives! Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Nancy! Congratulations on your pregnancy. I think all of the experiences that you have mentioned are so normal. You are certainly not a wimp. You are just going through the normal changes that all pregnant woman go through. Some days are good, some are not so good, some days are bursts of energy, and others are "someone pull me out of the bed" days. Hang in there, you are doing great.
When the baby arrives you will initially be overwhelmed with spending time with your baby and recovering from delivery that working out will be on the back burner. But when you get your doctors clearance and are ready to get back into it, just take it slow. Start out with three days at 20 minutes of light cardio. Then over time slowly and gradually add either time, additional days, or intensity to your workouts. One day a week you can do light weight, general toning, exercises (no longer than 20 to 30 minutes worth). Eventually and gradually add more weight and more exercises to complete a total body workout.
Good luck and keep us posted!
When the baby arrives you will initially be overwhelmed with spending time with your baby and recovering from delivery that working out will be on the back burner. But when you get your doctors clearance and are ready to get back into it, just take it slow. Start out with three days at 20 minutes of light cardio. Then over time slowly and gradually add either time, additional days, or intensity to your workouts. One day a week you can do light weight, general toning, exercises (no longer than 20 to 30 minutes worth). Eventually and gradually add more weight and more exercises to complete a total body workout.
Good luck and keep us posted!
KATHY SANDVOSS
New Member
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-24-01 AT 10:00AM (Est)[/font][p]Nancy and Cathe or Shelia,
I was so glad to see Nancy's question. I would like to follow up on that question with another question. First let me say that I began using Cathe's videos because I really needed a challenging workout. I had been doing the Firm videos and running, but I was bored. I have been using Cathe's videos: Body Max, Cardio Kicks, Max Strength, Max Intensity, and Circuit Max. All great workouts. When I learned that I was pregnant, I vowed to stay in shape and to continue my normal routine. But my family and friends told me to slow it down and to keep my heartrate around 140. At first I could not do it. I felt like I wasn't being challenged unless I worked at a higher heart rate. Plus, with Cathe's videos, I am working at a higher intensity, thus my heartrate gets above 150. I resited modifying my workout until one day it hit me. I could not maintain the same intensity that I had before my pregnancy. Yes, I also feel a little wimpy. My question is: Can I still do Cathe's videos throughout my pregnancy? Are they safe for pregnant women? Are some better than others? What modifications can I make? I feel wimpy, but not enough to do a wimpy workout like some of the pregnancy videos out there.
Also, I have had episodes of light bleeding and spotting. My baby is ok. But is exercise causing or contributing to the spotting?
Thanks for allowing me to speak.
Kathy
I was so glad to see Nancy's question. I would like to follow up on that question with another question. First let me say that I began using Cathe's videos because I really needed a challenging workout. I had been doing the Firm videos and running, but I was bored. I have been using Cathe's videos: Body Max, Cardio Kicks, Max Strength, Max Intensity, and Circuit Max. All great workouts. When I learned that I was pregnant, I vowed to stay in shape and to continue my normal routine. But my family and friends told me to slow it down and to keep my heartrate around 140. At first I could not do it. I felt like I wasn't being challenged unless I worked at a higher heart rate. Plus, with Cathe's videos, I am working at a higher intensity, thus my heartrate gets above 150. I resited modifying my workout until one day it hit me. I could not maintain the same intensity that I had before my pregnancy. Yes, I also feel a little wimpy. My question is: Can I still do Cathe's videos throughout my pregnancy? Are they safe for pregnant women? Are some better than others? What modifications can I make? I feel wimpy, but not enough to do a wimpy workout like some of the pregnancy videos out there.
Also, I have had episodes of light bleeding and spotting. My baby is ok. But is exercise causing or contributing to the spotting?
Thanks for allowing me to speak.
Kathy