I workout regularly at the YMCA where I teach -- usually on the elliptical trainer & weight machines, but I haven't been participating in the regular aerobics classes since I've been pregnant. I'm 24 weeks now...
I got brave last week, though, and I took a pretty challenging step-interval class... I modified by drinking more water and taking out the repeaters toward the end (a little hard on pregnant hip flexers) and power moves(I kept steping, though), and I really felt that I was doing better/looking better with my breathing, posture, and overall participation than 75% of the class... many of whom were skinnier than I am on my best non-pregant day were huffing and puffing, and although I was definitely working hard and sweating, I never once felt out of breath. I was kind of proud of myself not only because I'm fit and strong, but because before I became really committed to the health of exercise, I would've been comparing myself to the 25% doing better than me -- and, even more so, I'd have been beating myself up mentally for not looking as skinny/muscled/etc. as some of the other women who obviously were struggling with the cardio. Instead, now I just think of how great I'm doing exercising with a 15+ lb. weight plate.
It helped that the instructor is my boss... she's 28 weeks... and still teaching 7 regular step, interval, and power classes a week. She looks amazing, and she still does all of the power moves (and is comfortable doing so, I might add). Very inspiring
Susan
I got brave last week, though, and I took a pretty challenging step-interval class... I modified by drinking more water and taking out the repeaters toward the end (a little hard on pregnant hip flexers) and power moves(I kept steping, though), and I really felt that I was doing better/looking better with my breathing, posture, and overall participation than 75% of the class... many of whom were skinnier than I am on my best non-pregant day were huffing and puffing, and although I was definitely working hard and sweating, I never once felt out of breath. I was kind of proud of myself not only because I'm fit and strong, but because before I became really committed to the health of exercise, I would've been comparing myself to the 25% doing better than me -- and, even more so, I'd have been beating myself up mentally for not looking as skinny/muscled/etc. as some of the other women who obviously were struggling with the cardio. Instead, now I just think of how great I'm doing exercising with a 15+ lb. weight plate.
It helped that the instructor is my boss... she's 28 weeks... and still teaching 7 regular step, interval, and power classes a week. She looks amazing, and she still does all of the power moves (and is comfortable doing so, I might add). Very inspiring
Susan
