How do I get more energy?

jenmgo

jenmgo

Cathlete
This may be a dumb question :) I've recently switched to 4 10.5 hour days instead of rotating 12 hour shifts. I now have to work days instead of 2pm-2am.
So..I am getting up a lot earlier than I ever have before since I have to be at work at 7am. Lately I feel so drained. I'm not sure if its the change of shifts or the pregnancy or both.

This week i've felt SO tired doing my workouts. I was doing Cathe gymstyles and i was quivering and shaking for most of the tricep gym style portion. today i did the legs and that felt pretty good but i did a half hour step cardio afterward and just felt so tired and winded. And that used to be easy for me!!

I guess I'm just discouraged. I also feel BLOATED all the time. I think my stomach is all bloat, and no baby. I'm only at about 6-7 weeks so i know i'm not showing yet but when i look in the mirror - blech

lately i also feel so thirsty all the time! i'm drinking alot more water than i used to. i dont touch coffee except a cup of light coffee on the weekends and diet soda is rare. i mostly stick to water and sometimes milk.

i feel weak sometimes too. Just how much should i be eating right now? i am taking a multi vitamin, altho its not a prenatal.

I dont have my first doctors appointment until mid july

any words of advice or support? I know my body is growing a baby and its essential to gain weight and normal to feel tired etc...but still...

:)
 
I wish I had any helpful advice. I am 10 weeks and have been in a world of hurt. There is really no controlling what you are going through right now. The bloat is from all the progesterone in your system. And being weak is totally normal. If I had to give advice, I would say rest all you can, take your multivitamin and eat only nutritious whole foods (no junk). Take a break form your workouts too. This usually only lasts until 12 weeks, but you will make it hard on yourself if you don't take it easy. Please join us on the check ins, there are so many smart people that can help or just listen!
 
I"m right here with you! I also work 10hour shift, and then drive 1.5 hours each way to work---makes for a long tiring day ESPECIALLY during first trimester.

I want to make sure you are taking a multivitamin with at least 0.8mg folic acid in it. This will help with the development of your baby's spinal cord and it causes no nausea. If your regular vitamin doesn't have at least that---you should take a folic acid supplment.

My belly has aleady poked out. Noone can tell, except me & my family when I'm wearing form fitting clothes at home. I have gained anywhere from 4-8lbs--depending on what the scale says. It's discouraging to be so big so soon, but I know I'm not eating more so I guess it is what it is.

I believe my iron was low, so I've taking an iron supplement. It has helped immensely with my fatigue. I needed a nap every 4 hours w/o it.

Keep us posted!

~Melanie~


Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94
 
hi everyone! Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it, as usual :)

I am taking centrum multivitamin - i beleive it has 500mg of folic acid, but i could be wrong since i dont have the bottle in front of me. I'll have to double check, unless someone here happens to know that. I'm at work right now, getting ready to start my day.

Is it normal to feel so thirsty all the time?
 
Hey Jen! Sounds like anybody would be tired working that shift plus your body is getting used to being pg. No WONDER you're tired!:) I was exhausted the 1st trim. You'll be thru it soon but I know while you're going thru it it feels like forever. Hang in there!!

As far as the thirst goes...never had that but follow your body's lead. Baby must be wanting it!
 
I've been extremely thirsty lately. Is that vitamin for women only? Vitamins specifically for women normally have 800mcg of folic acid--which would be great. Aim for 1000mcg (same as 1 gram).

Have a great day!

~Melanie~


Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94
 
THanks all :) This forum is great Glad its normal what i'm feeling.

THe vitamin is centrum, so its not specefic for women. I suppose i should get a prenatal. I see my doc on july 16th so i'll have to ask her about that. Along with a zillion other questions.

Every day at work i bring a huge water bottle with me . Its 32 ounces. I drink that throughout the day. When i got home i suually have another 16 oz or so, and extra if i workout. I still dont think its the daily requirement but its hard for me to drink that much! So I will keep at it.
 
Jenmgo,

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

Very sorry to hear about your situation... it seems the transition to the new schedule is rough enough without adding the 1st trimester on top of that! I remember I was EXTREMELY tired during the 1st 3 months and I slept sooooooo much. And although I was a big water drinker pre-pregnancy, all of a sudden I only wanted juice.

Also, I barely worked out during those 3 months because my body just wasn't responding the few times that I did make an attempt. But eventually I started feeling better and went back to my routine without a problem. Now that I'm at almost 8 months I'm back to feeling tired all the time and cannot make myself get up early enough to get my workout in before work, and forget about when I get home - straight to bed! Don't get me wrong, I feel guilty about not working out, but I'm really trying to do what I need for my body.

Please listen to your body. I'm definitely not a pro and this is my first time being pregnant, but that's the best advice I can give. Best of luck!!!
 
You should get more folic acid BEFORE you appt. You can buy it without a rx, or if you call your drs office they may phone a prenatal into your pharmacy---but folic acid is VERY important (I'm a pharmacist).
I look forward to getting to know you during our pregnancies. :)
~Melanie~


Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94
 
i just checked my centrum multivitamin and it has 500 mg of folic acid. it says 125% dv.

today after work i came home and said hi to hubby briefly. he was on his way out to start his 12 hour shift. he is also a police officer. i will never see him anymore with our new schedules. he is off the next two days. i normally would have been too but now i work mon-thur each week.

anywya i was starving so i had a peice of chicken parm and ate that right up. i eventually got around to my workout at 730 or so. i chose In the Ring. Bad choice...i could only do combo one and two so i only got about a 35 min workout. I was cramping and sluggish. I think i had eaten too close to my workout even tho i thought i had plenty of time to digest. I just couldnt force myself to do the second half so i quit :( i am pretty mad about that but i should listen to my body. Im just trying to be healthy with this pregnancy and maintain my sanity as well.

I am going on the RT in August and hope i have enough stamina. It'd be such a waste of money to not be able to workout since thats why i'm going! Hopefully by then i'll be more energetic.

but i shouldnt complain so much. i've been blessed with a baby :)
 
Jen, Will the schedule change at all in the future or is this how it's going to be? Sorry about the WO, but 35 min. is great! I think we catheites have it programmed in our heads that WORKOTUS MUST BE 1 HOUR (myself included) and I've had to really learn to let go of that this pregnancy. OH!!!! I thought you were on July RT! I'm going in July. I'll have to tell you all about it when I get back so I can let you know what to expect. You'll be towards the end of your 1st trim. so maybe you'll be feeling better by then. ((hugs))
 
Yes, Kate is right on w/o's. During your duration of pg---30 minutes will be great on some days---and some days you won't be able to at all. Your main purpose in pregnancy is to maintain your workout habit & to stay healthy. You'll have time to train like Cathe again after bambino is here.

The dv% on the back of your vitamins are for nonpregnant adults. Pregnant women need different amounts of specific nutrients, folic acid being the most important in first trimester to help prevent spina bifida--a rare but serious neural tube (spine) defect. You can also get folic acid from dark green veggies, most noteable our friend the broccoli. :)

Have a great day!

~Melanie~


Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94
 
At the beginning of your pregnancy, you are going to be incredibly tired regardless (and the shift changing doesn't make it easier). At this time in pregnancy, rest and cat nap as much as you can, you're body is going through so much.

But don't worry, usually torwards the end of the first trimester you'll feel normail again and continute with your usualy routine (minus agressive workouts) and you'll regain your strength. You also start to feel tired and weak (possibly) at the end of your pregnancy as your body gets ready for birth.

But keep excerising, it's so good for you and the baby! Just watch your heartrate and becareful of July and August's hot and humid months, drink plenty of fluid!

PS. I found my self drinking ALL THE TIME in my pregnancy, especially milk, I actually craved it for what felt like 24/7! So it's not unnusual to find yourself always feeling thirsty.
 
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