New here and question...

[intensityjunkie]

I'm only 12 wks right now but i'm already having a harder time working out a bit. when i do like knee lifts i feel like i'm hitting my tummy and it sorta hurts.. also any high impact i sometimes start to get a tummy ache... is this normal? should i just reduce high impact things. i'm in great shape and used to working out hard. also i've read you can do abs on an incline after 12 wks.. what kind of things can you buy or use for the incline? i'm desperate to keep up my ab work but havent done any about the last week. i have some pregnancy workout videos but didnt want to start them till like 5 mo atleast since they are easy.. it is kinda hard to modify everything in a video. what do you all do? i'm due july 14th as of now. my appt is next week. i missed my 1st one cause my son came home sick from school. this will be my second child. my son is 4 1/2. anyone else about as far along as me? thanks a bunch! Jessica

 

[LHK]

Hi Jessica! We are at the same point! I'm 12 weeks, due around July 15-20!
As for the workouts, I did BodyMax yesterday- parts 1 and 3 (the circuits just seemed too fast). For the high impact part in the beginning, I did most of it (jacks, knee arounds, in-out-in repeaters) but about halfway through I felt like I shouold cut out most of the impact. So I did- I changed most of the impact moves to low-impact. I removed the hops from the T-steps, etc. It was okay, I think it was still a great workout. I felt like you- that the impact was giving me little stitches of pain in my lower abdomen- so that's why I toned it down.
I don't know about doing abs- all I've heard is that traditional on-your-back ab exercises are not recommended after the 4th month, which is why I'm doing them now. After that maybe doing planks would help? I agree- I'm not opening my pregnancy videos until I feel like I have to!
Lisa
PS How much weight have you gained? I'm up 5 lbs so far.

 

[intensityjunkie]

Lisa,
Thanks for your reply! thats cool we have about the same duedate! i guess i'll just have to tone down the high impact.. unless i dont get that feeling any more or something. i guess being pregnant we should do that anyway though right? i'm trying to think of what to do for abs. i have heard it is -12 wks- to not to ab work anymore and lay on your back? maybe i'll just pile up a few small blankets and do it on that behind my back? i need to start weighing myself. i just never think to do it. i think i've probably gained a few lbs though. i am going to start trying and keep a record of it. i feel pretty much the same but i do already have a belly and have to wear maternity pants. probably cause its my second and it just stretched out faster? but my pants were digging into my tummy and hurt. i was walking around with the button undone and shirt over it.. but felt goofy and it didnt help too much. my first appt is next week and i cant wait. sigh! i wish there were a pregnancy video made by like cathy that would be a great workout without overdoing for pregnancy. they all seem to be soo easy.. but i guess when were big and heavy with a belly it wont seem so easy. ha. Jessica

 

[LHK]

It is cool that we have about the same due date! And both do Cathes! Well whether it's 12 weeks or 16 weeks, I guess regular ab work is out for the time being. Oh well.
So no Dr visits yet? I've been 3 times already, and had 2 sonograms- they are AWEsome! It is so cool to see the baby's heartbeat and see it wriggling around in there. I won't have another sono until 18 weeks- I had the 1st 2 by flukes- the first was because I was spotting, and the second was because the doppler couldn't pick up a heartbeat so the Dr offered me a free unofficial sono just to make us feel better. They are very cool.

I've been uncomfortable in my jeans too, but my work pants are still fine because they are mostly low-waisted and stretchy.
I agree- a pregnancy video by Cathe would be awesome! For now I'll just modify, modify, modify
Lisa

 

[Erin-F]

Hi and welcome!

Congratulations on your precious little one on the way! What wonderful news! Welcome to Cathe's Mom's Board!

The pain you're feeling is probably from the ligaments that support your uterus. I experienced this fairly early on in this pregnancy ( I'm 31 weeks now. ), and was able to deal with it by getting one of those maternity support belts. It goes around your back and under your tummy so that your back and the belt support more of the increasing weight of the uterus, rather than those ligaments. Mine was $13 at the Motherhood Maternity store. I have been able to continue all of my regular impact so far ( knock on wood ) as long as I have the belt on. I've started wearing one most of the time anyway as of 2 weeks ago to help with low back pain I was having. I have been modifying some of the faster turns and eliminating tapes with a super fast tempo for about 3 weeks now. The impact itself, though, isn't a problem. I'm not doing BMax or CTX cardio, but can still do Rhythmic Step or any of Cathe's older workouts. I'm waiting on DVD for the Intensity series, so I can't comment on the do-ability of those.

I am still doing regular ab work with some modifications. I haven't moved to an incline because so far I haven't had any sign that it's a problem for me ( light headedness or shortness of breathe. ). My ab workouts last less time than most of the diagnostic tests and exams the doctor does with me on my back, so I don't think I'm doing any harm. If I DO have to move to an incline, I'll be using my aerobic step. I don't do reverse crunches because they very early on felt like they were "crowding" the baby. I substitute either the "dead bug" moves or slow bicycles. For planks I can no longer comfortably lift a leg while holding the moves, and often need to drop to my knees before Cathe is through with me. For "superman" work, I substitute the exercise where you're on all fours and extend the opposite arm and leg. Obviously I'm not looking for a 6 pack here, but I want strong abs to help push this baby out, and I want my muscles to remember where they came from.

I have some pregnancy videos, but am beginning to have hope that I won't actually need any of them except the yoga ones ( I never did yoga pre-preggo, so I'm sticking with pregnancy and beginner yoga workouts right now ).

Good luck! Keep in touch!

Erin and baby Rebecca ( 31 weeks and counting!! :-D )

 

[intensityjunkie]

RE: Hi and welcome!

Erin,
Wow! thanks for all the info. i'll go get me one of those belts! and i havent felt bad on my back either but didnt know there were signs to watch for? congradulations on the baby girl on the way. sounds like your doing great so far! i have a yoga video also i will do a bit later on in the pregnancy. i do yoga occasionally now. thanks again! i'll probably keep checking in on this board. Jessica

 

[Storm2]

RE: Hi and welcome!

Hi Jessica, congratulations and welcome
I am new here too!! I am due April 23rd, with my 4th. I am just over 24 weeks. I have found that I am continuing to do most of my regular workouts, but modifying the really high impact moves. So far this working well. I find that I am doing more step workouts than floor workouts. I still do some of Christi Taylor's floor aerobics though. I agree about the pregnancy videos. They are all quite easy. With my other pregnancies I only used them near the very end. I do however use the ab segments from them. I know it's probably ok to continue doing regular ab moves, but I just don't feel comfortable doing them.