toning exercises

I am at ten weeks and my husband and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat! The doctor says that the possibility of another miscarriage is very slim now, as I had one in July when I was 5 weeks. I was just curious if anyone could recommend any modified versions of Cathe's tapes for toning. For example, is her Maximum Strength video safe so long as I use light weights? I've lost two pounds since my last visit, and I'm sure that it's all muscle loss. I know that a hercules type approach to any weight training is out of the question, but I's like to do what I can to remain as unlike the StayPuff Marshmallow Man as possible!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
How Exciting!

I'll leave the fitness questions to Sheila or someone more educated but wanted to say congratulations and how exciting to hear the baby's heart beat :D!! So glad you are feeling "up" to exercise. Keep us all informed! Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
RE: How Exciting!

Debbie-
Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm regarding my baby's heartbeat. That relly means a lot to me. It was quite an amazing thing- sooo fast!!! I did a pregnancy step aerobic video today. Although it only lasted 25 minutes, I was certainly feeling my heart race. However, I made certain that it didn't go over 130 bpm. After a couple hours, I could feel myself feeling rather fatigued from the exercise. I think that it's because it's been so long since I exerted myself. Anyhow, I just wanted to thank you for your thoughts and I hope that this letter finds you in the same cheerful spirit that you extended to me! Have a great day!
Tinytaebo2(AKA: Alicia)
 
Thank you Alicia!

Thanks for your kind words. Actually, I am very excited too because our daughter is expecting our very 1st. grandchild! :-jumpy She, unfortunately, has been having some problems with major sickness and some side effects from meds and had to be hospitalized but we think that she is on the mend now. Count your blessings that you feel well enough to workout. I think it is wonderful you are able to do a 25 minute workout! Keep up the good work and LISTEN to your body! Keep in touch. Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
congratulations, grandma!

Debbie-
I'm so happy for you and your daughter! I hope that everything works out for her and the baby. I was brought up in a Catholic school and I think that I have prayed more in the past 5 months than ever before- even after 8 years in perochial school! It really helps me at these difficult times. It's almost as if it's out of our control- these tiny miracles. It's nice that you're daughter has such a compassionate mother to be there for her. With you by her side, and lots of good prayers and thoughts, I'm sure everything will be fine! Please keep me posted!
Alicia
 
I have been doing Cathe tapes and just modifying what I need to. I also don't use over 8lbs. but I was never the strongest before being preg. Just don't exert yourself too much and Congrats!

DebbieH I really feel for your daughter and hope she is feeling well soon. Sickness is the only reason I am NEVER doing this again if I can help it! I get so jealous of those who felt wonderful!

Andrea
 
Alicia & Andrea!

Congratulations to you both and thanks again Alicia for your kind thoughts. You & my daughter are right about the same weeks along. We believe she is between 9-10 so it will be fun to follow both of the pregnancies together! (with lots of prayer!!) Andrea~I hope that you are feeling well very soon. It is so hard when you hear of others that just breeze thru with no sickness or fatigue. Hang in there. We are all rooting for you. Keep this GRANDMA posted! :D Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
DebbieH

I didn't mean I am still sick. I meant I WAS disgustingly sick up till about 4 mo. It then tapered off and I only feel icky once in a while now. So don't feel too sorry for me! As far as fatigue, I can handle it:-rollen Cathe somehow infuses me with energy for my workouts:-jumpy

Andrea
 
Hi Tinytaebo,
You may have read this before on this forum, but just in case you missed it, there are 2 books that Cathe and Sheila both recommend very highly regarding staying fit thru pregnancy. They are "Exercising Thru Your Pregnancy" by Dr. James Clapp and "Expecting Fitness" by Birgitta Gallo.

I plan to purchase one (or both) of these books sometime in the near future since I am hoping for baby #2 sometime next year.

I hear these books are very helpful for the pregnant woman that wants to stay fit thru pregnancy. It should answer many of OUR questions. Hope this helps.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Keep us posted.
Lisa Seymour
 
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You should be fine continuing with strength training throughout the duration of your pregnancy as long as you note the following:


At this early stage in your pregnacy, your strength training workouts are fine to do as usual. My only suggestion is that you go for strength maintenance and NOT try to lift heavier than usual weight at this time. The main two reasons for this are 1) You don't want to work in a very high heart rate zone, which can happen when lifting heavy weight. 2) You want to be be careful to not over stress your joints and ligaments since they gradually become softer and softer as your pregnancy progresses(due to relaxin hormone). By the way, this softening process is very normal and is the body's way of naturally preparing for childbirth. As a matter of fact, toward the end of your pregnancy you may find yourself having to lift even lighter weight since your balance and joint stability will have altered quite a bit.

I would also strongly recommend that you begin to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by doing kegel(internal contraction) exercises throughout your pregnancy(even forever after is great). This will not only help to keep you from leaking urine when you sneeze, cough, or jump (since the baby puts more pressure on your bladder as he/she grows), but will keep your pelvic floor stronger overall(a big plus) since it will become stressed from holding the weight of the baby.

As you get into your fourth month of pregnany, it is no longer recommended that you work flat on your back. For this reason all flat bench work (ex. bench presses) should be done in an incline position and abdominal work is recommended in an all fours position. I'll provide you with ab examples if you need them.

As you end your second trimester and enter your third, you may find your center of gravity shifting, causing you to be a bit off balance at times. During these times, you may have to be more creative finding more comfortable positions to do certain exercises(or eliminating them altogether, if no safe modification is available, until after the baby comes). This is the time to especially take advantage of that spotter if you have one available.

You can continue to exercise right to the end of your pregnancy(of course, modifying more and more as you get closer to the end)as long as you are having no complications.

Good Luck!
 

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