Tell me what you did when you were pregnant?

gidget1978

gidget1978

Cathlete
I know there is another forum for this but I wanted some views from everyone b/c I spent time here the most.

I am feeling good right now, no sickness but I am tired.
I know I need to talk to my Dr about exercise but i was wondering what everyone else did. I know LM is probably a good choice for a workout and maybe kickboxing as well, but can I do the Imax's and run for a little bit?
I think the biggest thing I am afraid of is that something bad will happen and my family will blame my exercise for it.
I will walk alot this summer but I would still like to get an hours workout in a day.
Any suggestions?
Lori :)
 
I exercised throughout my last pregnancy. I had pretty bad morning sickness, but for some reason working out made me feel better temporarily - maybe it was the increased oxygen.

I ran until I was 37 weeks pregnant and only stopped then because of the heat/humidity (my dd is an August baby). As the pregnancy progressed, I dropped down to run/walks because I would get out of breath on hills. I also made sure that I stayed very hydrated and drank water every 15- 20 minutes. I also didn't exercise for more than 60 minutes straight. I read somewhere that exercise doesn't allow enough blood to get to the placenta so you shouldn't go more than an hour. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I thought it was best to be safe.

The first trimester was tough and I definitely had to cut back on the intensity and duration of my workouts. I would get lightheaded and breathless very easily and have to quit workouts earlier than I planned on. After that, I felt better.

I probably wouldn't do Imaxes - I would stick with steady state cardio because you don't want to get anaerobic. I think the most important things are to stay hydrated, don't get breathless and, obviously, listen to your body!

My obstetrician wasn't comfortable with kickboxing during pregnancy, so I didn't do it. I know other women do and their babies are just fine. I continued strength training during my pregnancy, but dropped the weights about 20%. At this point, you want to maintain your fitness level and not challenge yourself to improve it.

Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy! :)

Erica

ETA - my first pregnancies were like Shelleys - I ate and slept! I had very bad morning sickness and didn't end up gaining much weight, but I didn't exercise at all.
 
Ohhhhh TIRED - yes, that's what I was for the first few months.......

In fact, I would come home from work-start supper-lay on the couch to wait for DH to come home (I'd fall asleep)-DH would come home and finish making supper-eat supper-clean up after supper-and then finally wake me up to go to bed :p I never even knew he came home, I was out like a light! ;-)

I, too, gained about 40 pounds, but I also taught step aerobics up until four days before I had DS. I ran for most of my pregnancy, only about 3-5 miles, though, but eventually I got so front-heavy that it was uncomfortable and I stopped. ;(

Your doctor will probably tell you that whatever you are doing now you can keep doing because your body is used to it, but not to try anything new or strenguous that you haven't been doing. Oh, and of course as always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. You'll know when to stop and rest or take care of yourself AND that little one inside you. :*

Take care - keep us posted on how you are doing.

~Marcia~
 
I didn't work out at all until after my 2nd pregnancy. With my 3rd pregnancy I worked out into my 5th month (that was with Charlene Prickett workouts, no where near the intensity of Cathe), I gave up on it because with a 2 and 4 year old at home I decided I'd rather nap instead;-) Years later when I joined a gym I was amazed at the women who would workout through their entire pregnancies (and look absolutely beautiful doing it). I hope that Sandra (FiddleFit) will answer your post, she was doing some pretty intense workouts right until delivery despite a rough patch in the middle of her term. I'm glad your feeling so well Lori, going into the pregnancy in great shape puts you in good stead for all that is to come.:)

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
I worked out until the day my water broke. I avoided high impact for after about the 4th month or so. I loved the IMAX 3 step only premix and I did do IMAX 2 but I just didn't put 100% into it, more like 60% into the blasts. I guess the only workouts I avoided were the circuit workouts because they just got my heartrate up too high. I was able to do all the weight workouts - I just used an incline for chest and back when necessary. I really used the premixes quite a bit because some days I just didn't have the energy for a full workout. The biggest tip is listen to your body - I know it can be really tough at times because you want to do everything you did before you were pregnant. My doctor was very conservative and wasn't in favor of my exercising but I felt great and when I didn't I laid off the exercise. I didn't push myself and after Brooke was born I was working out again in 1 1/2 weeks and I attribute it all to staying in shape during pregnancy. It also helped during delivery - the nurses commented on how low my heart rate stayed.

Hope that helps and good luck,
 
My first pregnancy I stopped working out as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I ate and ate and ate some more and gained 38 pounds.

The 2nd pregnancy I again stopped working out as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I ate and ate and ate some more and gaind 40 pounds.

My third pregnancy came 3 months after I delivered my 2nd pregnancy. I had lost all but 5 pounds when I found out that I was pregnant again. For this pregnancy I worked out throughout the entire pregnancy and only gained 17 pounds. At delivery I was five pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight from the first one.

Bottom line...Each pregnancy is different. Listen to your body and do what is right for you. Whether you work out for the entire pregnancy or take the entire pregnancy off from working out ...in the end.... you will come back to how you are today because you are committed to working out and living a healthy lifestyle.
 
I was able to do all of Cathe's workouts up until three weeks before the baby was due. I had really bad back pain. I stuck with IMAX2 for cardio and PS series for weights, mostly. For me, I felt great so I continued as usual. I did however; lower my weights so there wasn’t so much strain. Pregnancy is not the time to go for strength gains. If there is any recommendation I would make is to concentrate on doing lower back exercises now while you can (such as the exercises done in GS Back).
Susan C.M.
 
The women around here are awesome! I love your advice and like I said, I know this is a question for the pregnany forum but most of you have been pregnant and I am so confused! I had heard that you could do what you always did before but nothing new and not as intense but I just wanted to confirm.
The other fact to , is my Dr was the one who todl me to stop working out while I was trying so I can only imagine what he is going to tell me now! LOL

I think I am going to stick to workouts like C&W, LM and maybe 30 min runs. Other then that, I will do weights but I will ligthen up as well.There are a few women around here who ran through out their pregnancies so maybe I will ask them as well.
My sister also told me that maybe I should stick to walking b/c this wasn't exactly our first month trying so I have to put this baby in a bubble! LOL

And still no sickness, not that I am looking for it but I would like to have some sort of symptom that there are two of us! I guess 2 pregnancy test will have to do for now!

Thanks again,
Lori:)
 
Lori, don't feel like you should be sick.
I had my daughter 21 yrs ago.I was sick for about a month only in the am if i ate cereal. I love burnt toast. Settles my stomache.I did everything i always did until i got too big and tired.
I say if you can workout do it. When running becomes too much walk.
I think you are safe on workouts for now , i just wouldn't increase the weights. Your uterus is not big enough right now to give you any problems.
I would check with the doc though. I don't know if you had miscarriages or problems.
I was told when i was pregenant. If you sit around and do nothing , labor and delivery will be tough. Do what you always did.
Your belly will pull if it is too much. I do remember that carrying a bucket of ice. My boss was flippin. It was fine. I felt no strain. I told him leave me alone....
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
Lori,

Morning sickness is not a given. I didn't have it at all with my first and only slightly with my second. Which was really a blessing; I had friends who were incapacitated with it and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Everything I've read indicates it's perfectly safe to continue the exercise regimen you're used to; the idea is you're not going to be looking for any gains (i.e., strength or endurance) until after the pregnancy. I do think it's important to be comfortable with your doctor's advice, though; if you don't agree with him about something integral to your lifestyle, is he the right doctor for you? Just a thought.

I hope you continue to feel well. I loved being pregnant so I hope you really enjoy it this time around. :)

Marie

PS: I didn't really start working out until after my 2nd. I gained 60 or so pounds the first time and 35 or so the second...
 
Lori,

I backed off out of nervousness and fear but as it turns out from everything I've heard/read...you don't have to. You can continue with your "normal" exercise routine. Just don't try to make any GAINS. I don't know if I would suggest an IMAX but running shouldn't be a problem at all....atleast until the bouncing makes ya want to pee yourself! LOL :7
 
With my first pregnancy, I continued with my regular routine for the first trimester, the second trimester I switched to less impact and continued with strength training. In the 3d trimester I walked and did strength training.

With the 2nd pregnancy I ran until the 6 or 7th month then switched to walking, I also continued strength the entire time. Both children were just over 6#'s and I gained 40 with both. I lost the weight within 2 1/2 months. Susan
 
"is my Dr was the one who todl me to stop working out while I was trying so I can only imagine what he is going to tell me now!"

Why did your doc tell you that. I'm wondering because I'm trying to get pregnant and I want to workout and get in the best shape I can before I do get pregnant.

Farrah
 
I ran 4-6 miles a day until the day before I gave birth. My doctor was all for it. It really depends on what your body was used to before you got pregnant. I also did weights and lowered them slightly toward the last trimester. I gained 25 lbs and ate a LOT. My advice is definitley keep up with your workouts and ignore people that tell you that it is bad for the baby unless your doctor tells you so or you have some complications. Enjoy your pregnancy!!! It is a wonderful experince as you know.


Susan
 
Oh yes, and I must add that I exercised the day before Joey was born! I would have exercised that very day but I went into labor before I had the chance! :p

Lori, do NOT give it up! If you are tired or whatever, allow your body it's rest time but continue to work out. It is soooo good for you and will make L&D easier!!!! I did not have a very hard time during labor and delivered Joey only after 20 mins of pushing! I firmly believe part of it was due to my fitness level/working out during my pregnancy!:)

Ofcourse everyone is different and my 2nd may not be so easy. Also folks who are in great shape and work out will have a tougher time than I did and it has nothing to do with exercise/fitness but why not do what you can to make it as easy as you can, right?
 
Here is Cathes opnion on what a pregnant women, being a normal healthy pregnancy, should do. You can stay at your current level of fitness but do not try to make any cardio gains or strength gains.
I know that Cathe has said what she did while she was pregnant, but I don't know where that is any longer.
I didn not quote Cathe because it's not a quote, but it's along the lines of what she has said in the past.
What you need to do is what feels right for you. If you can still do your normal workout and you feel good doing it, do that. If you are too tired, listen to your body.
But for sure talk to your dr about everything!

Kathy
 
I only worked out for about the first few weeks after I found out I was pregnant (mostly light elliptical) because I started spotting and was afraid I was going to lose the baby. So, I stopped working out and didn't througout my entire pregnancy. However, the day I got back from my postnatal check up and they told me I was clear to exercise I was on the elliptical going like a mad woman. I hadn't discovered Cathe yet at that point.

Katie
 
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