Help with workouts

[jannylee]

Hi there everyone:

I am looking for some workout advice during pregnancy. I am pregnant with my second child (entering my eighth week) and just recently moved back to Canada after living in North Carolina for 2 and half years. I started working out with Cathe about a year and half ago and managed to get my husband involved. I also have a few of her videos and equipment.

Prior to my pregnancy I was really quite active and exercised regularly. Due to my move and pregnancy I stopped working out and just started back with cardio workout for the past week. I understand that I cannot work out to the extent I did before, but I need to workout...not only is it good for me, but it really helps with my mood.

My problem is this...my toddler does not sleep consistently in the afternoons so workout is difficult, my husband works long hours and I do not have a babysitter. I am tired a lot of the time and time is an issue.

I need help with my designing a new workout program for myself that would incorporate cardio and weights. This is my vidio selection:

LO-MAX
Gym Style Series (Legs, Chest and Triceps, Etc.)
Time Saver (I forget which one)
Cathe's 3 new videos for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced

I have a number of free weights, but do not have any cardio equipment except that I run. I would like to continue to run, but did not know up to what point. I would also like to mention I do have a jogging stroller, but of course my daughter does not like to sit in it.

Thanks in advance for all your input. I am happy to be pregnant, but would be even happier to workout again.

Thanks.
Janet

 

[lindakh]

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy!!

I know the other folks here will have lots of great advice, but I'll tell you about my experience so far (at 29 weeks).

The Time-Savers should be great for you since they're all under an hour, and they include both cardio and weights. You could a rotation of just those workouts - one each day of the week. Lo-Max and Gym Styles also have Pre-Mix options for a shorter workout, too. I use the Cathe Beginner Workouts when I'm low on energy- I love "Body Fusion" because it gets both cardio and weights at the same time.

As far as running, just listen to your body. I am still doing 1/2 hour walk/jog 3 times a week, making sure I don't get out of breath. You could run through your entire pregnancy if you're comfortable doing so. I personally have started getting a little bellyache during my jogs (from the weight of my belly bouncing around on my internal organs - TMI, I know), so I don't think I'll be jogging at 40 weeks. But it's a personal thing.

 

[morris]

i cannot offer any advice for managing with another child at home to fit in exercise, but i can empathize with the need to do so for mood/hormones/well-being. i really enjoy exercising early in the am - perhaps you could before your child wakes up. thinking back to first trimester, though, that wasn't quite so easy.

i love low max, and it does lend itself to being broken up a bit into smaller workouts.

good luck, and join us on the check in.

 

[shopaholic]

Janet, congrats and please join us on the moms to be check in.
How old is your toddler? My daughter is 2.6 and usually exercises with me. I exercise in my basement and keep alot of toys downstairs for her to play with. I also have light weights for her to use which she does. I sometimes have difficulty with step as she sits on my step but do great with kickboxing with her. You may want to invest in some tae bo or Turbo jam videos or dvds. The other option is breaking up your workouts into smaller segments and perhaps exercise when hubby is home. Also, listen to your body, the first trimester is tough due to fatigue.

 

[jannylee]

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it. I did forget about my Taebo tapes...thanks for reminding me.

My husband has been great...he set up an area in the basement for us to workout. I will have to get together a little area for my 2 and half year old.

I will also check in with you guys.

Thanks for the support.

 

[shopaholic]

Jannylee,
If you need any further advice, let me know, I am now a pro at exercising pregnant with a 2 1/2 year old. Another tip-food! I always bring down a snack for dd. What month was your daughter or son born?

 

[sfthomson]

Congrats on the pregnancy. I continued to run during my pregnancy until it simply became too uncomfortable (around 30 weeks or so). I wore one of those elastic bands that are meant to help stabilize your tummy. Just listen to your body -- when it says stop, then stop. After I couldn't run anymore, I switched to low impact.

 

[annettej123]

Congrats on the pregnancy!! I can't help with the toddler, since we just had our first. But I did run up until 30 weeks, when I was put on bed rest for my blood pressure. Now I ran progressively slower each week and not as far either. But they did say I probably would have had more of a problem with the blood pressure if I hadn't done the running!