Thigh work for toning/ultrasound

[Acp22]

Hi Cathe, Thanks for the ab info., it really helped a lot. Modifying gave my workout a boost just when I needed it too. I need to ask about thigh work. I've never really done a lot in that area because of walking and BodyPump. However, in the last couple of weeks, that's where all the weight seems to be going and I need some target exercises to do. Mostly inner thigh. Any suggestions?

Also, any thoughts on ultrasound. My first ultrasound was at 11 weeks, to check my ovaries and so I didn't get much feedback. I'm having my 18 week ultrasound next Monday to find out what we're having. What was you're experience like when you found out about Eric?

 

[Mandy Lee]

Inner thigh work

I found that laying on my side and lifting my 15lb bodybar like Cathe does in Pure Strength Legs works the inner thigh really well. I rest the leg that is not working on a step or bodyball. What is it with this weight gain in the inner/outer thigh and butt?!! I get it too! It's like all the weight gain is there and in the breasts! I think it's our bodies nourishing a new life and then having to nourish him/her after birth. Just keep weightlifting and that should keep the muscle toned. Our bodies are so intelligent! With my body when I'm pregnant and nursing, it harbors a layer of fat everywhere! But I "know" that the muscle is there because I feel it working when I weight lift. Then after I wean my baby, the fat layer disappears and I have such great muscle tone.

On my ultrasound, I saw my baby boy put his fist up to his mouth. She said,"It's a boy!" and then I got all teary-eyed. It really was like my baby was 1/2 born knowing the gender. It also helped me realize that all this suffering I'm enduring is 100% worth it!

 

[Alison]

Weight Gain

I didn't ask the question, but thanks for the advice. Just yesterday I was really noticing that I'm gaining so much weight in those exact places. It's so frustrating that my regular clothes are too tight but maternity clothes are too big. I need to get back to doing PS Legs.

I have my ultrasound in a few weeks. We decided not to find out if it's a boy or girl, but I'm so looking forward to seeing the baby. I hope it helps realize all the suffering is worth it too.

 

[swhitney]

big thighs?

You know, the old wives' tale says if you're putting weight on in your legs, you're having a girl. I'm 30 weeks pregnant with a little boy and my legs and butt have remained about the same. Even if the old wives' tale isn't true you may be genetically prone to putting on weight there.

I'm not Cathe, but as far as ultrasound goes, my experience was similar to Mandy's-- not only did I see my little boy suck his thumb and play with his toes, but I could even see his little lips sucking around the thumb, and that he has big feet like his dad. Ultrasound is wonderful-- enjoy! And let us know if you are indeed having a girl...

 

[Acp22]

it's a ...

Hi,
Well, the technician says it's a boy. About the ultrasound, the baby was waving and tapping it's foot. It was very cool. I think I'm just prone to weight in my thighs and butt. I have been doing the exercises recommended and they seem to be helping though. That and walking 3 miles a day.
I just needed to get over the 16-20 week hump, I think. I'm now into my 21st week and things seem to be working better in the exercise/results category. Thanks for all the support. Keep me posted.

 

[swhitney]

very cool

Congrats-- did you want a boy? I really, really wanted a girl but now I'm very into having a boy. As far as the 16-20 week hump, I can relate-- 20 weeks is about when I started exercising seriously again, and luckily regained what I had lost very quickly.
PS-- So much for the old wives.

 

[Acp22]

yeah, it's cool

Hi- thanks for the well wishes. I really wanted a boy. I don't know why. My husband kept saying, I don't care as long as it's healthy, but he was grinning from ear to ear when we left the lab.

I'm back to my 5day/wk exercise routine and feeling really good. I'm hoping I can keep this up so that I at least maintain some of the old bod.

Hey, let's reinvent the old wives... afterall, we'll be them someday, we should really make it count.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Congratulations!

Hi and sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Well, now you already know that the 20 week ultrasound is such a neat one. It was the one that really kicked me into full pregnancy mode. After finding out it was a boy and seeing him squirm all over the screen, I was totally psyched to have a baby. Don't get me wrong, I was excited before that too, but I somehow wasn't really feeling like I was going to have a baby yet. As for your thighs feeling like they are losing tone, that is sooo normal. A pregnant woman will hold extra fat in her thighs and breasts during pregnancy. Its hormonal and you can't stop it but you can keep the muscle toned underneath so that your postpartum comeback will be much easier. Some days you will feel much heavier and fuller than others due to fluctuating hormones and water retention. I wouldn't go too heavy with weight training for the inner thigh area since this is the area that becomes very vunerable by your last trimester(your round ligaments are located in this area and I was told that they will stretch to about 9 inches long by the end of your pregnancy).

Hang in there and lots of luck and comfort to you in the remaining months ahead

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