Real Life Stories From Those Who Exercised Throughout Pregnancy

[mbschneider]

Hello All! I hope you will allow me to post a 2-part question...

Part 1-- I wonder if someone can share their stories about how they faired if they faithfully exercised throughout their pregnancy? Pre-pregnancy, I was 5 ' tall and 103 lbs. I was very fit - cardio @ 5 x per week and weights 3x per week. I am now @ 24 weeks along and have gained @ 15 lbs. I hope to not gain more than 30 overall! My diet is extremely clean, but I do eat a bit more calories each day due to the pregnancy. I still exercise each day. I do low intensity cardio each day - @ 60 minutes, walking on slight incline or the like. I also do lift weights 3 x per week. Some suggest that labor and getting back into shape is markebly easier for those who workout while pregnant. As I enter my 3rd trimester, I expect that I will have to move even slower - but I will continue to do what feels okay for my body. I was hoping someone could offer their comments on what I might expect.

Part 2 - When my (first!) baby comes along in late May, I do not believe that I will have the luxury of working out at the gym every day. However, I believe that I will be able to incorporate Cathe's videos into my regime. I do not want to have to workout out everyday once the baby arrives - I want to have more balance in my life and exercising 5x per week seems much more reasonable. However, I do not want to lose my fitness level or my shape. Am I being unrealistic? It may not be fair for me to "have my cake and eat it too". Has anyone been through this transition from more to less?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post! Wishing you well, Mary Beth

 

[jennifersmom]

Congratulations Mary Beth!!!!

I will share my experience. I had my first child 13 months ago.
I exercised for 15 years before becoming pregnant and was able to
exercise up until my water broke. I am 5'7' 115lbs. I gained
23lbs. and it came off easy just from labor itself. The weight
came on quick in the first trimester. Hormones play a part.
I ate when I was hungry and that meant soemetimes in the middle
of the night. I had to stop much of the high impact at 4 months
along. I might not have had to but I felt it was the best for my
body and baby. I started incorporating pregnancy videos for
cardio. I did keep up w/the weight training although the weight
was dropped because it was too hard to breath. I did lunges and
alot of them along w/squats. I didn't eat whatever I wanted.
I ate healthy as I always had but did take in more than 300 extra
calories a day. No fast food/coffee/soda. I did eat oatmeal, egg
whites/lean meats/chicken and sea food which was mostly broiled
sole/hadddock. If you can maintain a healthy diet the weight you
gain will come off easier. If you are able to do something everyday
walking/weights/yoga that is all beneficial too. The most important
thing is a healthy baby. My family never quite understood my
devotion to fitness and I did get a few derogatory comments
about continuing my exercise. My husband preffered I not exercise
too which was hard not to have his support. I am currently 11 1/2
weeks along and still doing Cathe especially the Gym Series.
I look at pregnancy as a time to take even better care of yourself.
I personally feel it is not a time to overeat or not exercise.
There are days of course you are extra tired/hungry. Listen to
your body. I wish you the best of Luck Mary Beth.

Suzanne

Jennifer Claire 12/24/05
? 8/06/07

 

[Jennifit]

Congrats to YOU!!! YEAH!!

I just had twins 3 months ago and I exercised through my entire pregnancy. I have been exercising since I can remember - track and cross country since the 6th grade...I gained 35 pounds during my pregnancy and lost it all within a few weeks after giving birth. I also went full term and I attribute that to exercising!!

During my pregnancy, I did step, kickboxing, yoga, and lifted daily. I backed off running and any high impact because it was just too stressful for me. I am vegetarian, so I ate clean as well. When I was tired, I allowed myself to be tired and relaxed. After giving birth, I workout about 4-5 days per week. I thought I would go crazy not working out as much, but I am so tired, sleep deprived, and exhausted taking care of two babies - sometimes I am so happy NOT to workout. (which I never thought would be the case ) I just go with how my body feels.

I really have allowed myself to relax and accept this new phase in my life. I will be working out hard again soon enough. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Taking care of yourself is vital because it is taking care of your baby at the same time. Keep us posted on how you are doing!!

jenni

 

[GraceNote]

RE: Real Life Stories From Those Who Exercised Througho...

Hello!

I'm on baby #4, and I've worked out through all of them. I 'discovered' Cathe just after #1 and have to say that her workouts really got me in better shape before and during #2 than my own gym workouts had for #1. I don't have anything to compare to, since I don't know what it would feel like to 'not' workout through a pregnancy, but I can tell you that my doctors have been very pleased with my energy and fairly comfortable pregnancies. (I'm in the 'older mother' category but have not had any problems because of that.) I think that stronger muscles make it much more comfortable, especially in the last months when you're carrying all that baby around! With all that said, understand and allow that some days, you may just need a NAP instead of a workout - your body will tell you what it needs, so listen to it. Making a baby is a workout in itself!!!

If you work out while pregnant, I think you'll find your recovery will be much smoother and you won't have to do that much 'damage control' afterwards. If you think about it, before the baby is born, you're pretty much carrying an extra 20-30 pounds around wherever you go, so if you're doing step or even just walking, it's like wearing a weighted vest After the baby's born, you will feel so LIGHT!!!

After the baby is born, I found a new rhythm to working out. It's not as consistent, but it's supplemented by a much more active daily life, so I think it may balance out. You will find ways to be more efficient with your workout time if you have to, and squeeze in shorter sessions. If you think of fitness as a lifetime plan, then this stretch of maybe 6 years or so is just a phase that you'll get through as best you can. I accepted that the gym would not be my #1 focus and that I wouldn't have time for 3 hour workouts every day anymore. Instead, I focused on doing the best I can with the time I have and I've been happy with that.

You're right about it being a balance - with a baby, things just take on new importance I think, from the sound of your post, you'll be fine!! And, hey, we're always here for support if you need any ideas or just a shoulder to vent on!

 

[Shopahollic]

RE: Real Life Stories From Those Who Exercised Througho...

Hi and congrats!
I am a little under 5 feet tall, and weighed 108 before my first. I gain 23 pounds and exercised til the day I gave birth.I gained minimal the first trimester. By the time I my first was 9 months old, I weighed 101. With #2, I gained almost 10 pounds the first trimester but by the end I was only up 22 pounds. WORKED OUT TIL THE END AGAIN.
No epideral needed for either and now my 2nd is 8 months old and I am down to 102.