longtime Cathe fan -- 17 wks and have gained 17lbs -- help me!

[smileawhile74]

I have been a Cathe fan since 1993, stepping my way to losing over 50 pounds. I had managed to keep it off and keep my PCOS symptoms under control for quite a while -- until I got pregnant! We had tried for over 2 years. During that time, I had given up caffeine, ate a flexitarian diet, ate only complex carbs, and worked out 5 days a week.

Then I got hyperemesis during the first tri. The only things that made me feel better were caffeine and sugar! My doc said to just eat what I could get down and not to worry about proper eating until I felt better. Well, here's the rub...after pretty much eating the exact opposite of the way I had assumed I would eat and indulging in chips, ice cream, fries, burgers, Coca Cola, lots of cheeses, and Doritos I have gained a pound a week!

I have probably over 100 step and dance videos (including almost all of Cathe's -- up until the last few series). I have not touched them since January. I have barely even walked around the block. I am longing to feel some sweat again -- and perhaps not gain as much in the second half of this pregnancy! Any suggestions? I (and my hubby and my little babe) would be most appreciative!

Thanks!!!

 

[FiddleFit]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! After 2 years of trying, and dealing with the problems presented by PCOS, you must be over the moon I've heard of hyperemesis, but can't recall what it is? Could you please remind me?

I had a similar first trimester as you: craved high fat, high caloric foods, and was put on bedrest for 9 weeks, so wasn't able to exercise it off. I gained the equivalent of a pound a week, too. Very discouraging, isn't it?

Are you looking for cardio workouts, rather than strength? I've made no secret that I'm a huuuge lover of Cathe's Body Blast Series. The Step Blast/Step, Jump & Pump dvd contains two terrifically fun cardio workouts, and have a load of premixes that allow you to essentially do the workouts at a variety of levels and intensities. It's my favourite cardio dvd from Cathe. The SuperSets/Push Pull dvd from the same series contains two weight workouts that are ranked more along the lines of intermediate, and are really fun. I find them to be perfect for pregnancy. She uses the stability ball alot for many of the exercises, and I find I don't have to modify the workouts very much.

If you don't have/don't want to buy the entire Body Blast Series, then the Timesaver dvd from that series is a great pick. It contains 5 workouts that use segments from all of the Body Blast Series workouts, and adds some "bonus" weight work. Each workout is between 45 and 55 minutes, and I would rank them as intermediate (because the length of the cardio is relatively short).

LowMax from the newest series is terrific. You can work very intensely, or use the premixes to take it down a notch or two. I'm also enjoying the low-impact premix of KickMax.

Do you have any of Christie Taylor's step workouts? I find her stuff is pretty low-impact, but so full of energy that you work up a great sweat. In the few workouts of hers that I've tried, I notice that she doesn't throw in power moves the way Cathe does. It's really steady-state cardio. And fun. She has great music and fun choreography.

I hope some of this helps. Let us know what you decide to do!
Sandra

 

[smileawhile74]

Hi Sandra!

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who had to give in the first tri food indulgences. I was also on semi-bedrest for those first few months and now that I do feel better I feel like just a big slough...

Hyperemesis is severe nausea that pretty much never goes away. "Morning" sickness to the max...I was nausea and puking from morning til night for over 10 weeks. I couldn't even drink water because it made me nauseous. Thank god it went away after about 12 weeks...

I don't have that series of Cathe's -- I hadn't bought any new ones since about 2002. I do own quite a bit of Christie Taylor's videos (again, probably up until 2002 -- at that point, my hubby curbed my spending!). I do enjoy the dancy-types, but quite honestly, I'd like to anything that will make me feel a bit better and gain back some tone that I lost while lying in bed. So I'll take any workout suggestions!

People keep suggesting that I start walking -- but that is just SO boring to me!

Thanks for the help!!

 

[JulieL]

I second Low Max. It has several premixes. But really it just taking that first step. Just go with one workout and try to get through it and work to get your endurance back. My friend had hyperemesis and puked every day for 4+ months. She couldn't even grocery shop let alone cook w/out getting very nauseaus. Try to train your body to crave better things - fruit, veggies, low sugar. It shoulds like you kow how to eat healthy so that's a plus. Just take that first step - get some insentives going (maybe DH can help w/that - constant working out for a month = massage, spa trip , new book or so forth).

Good luck - you can check in with us weekly if you want.