Trouble maintaing/increasing muscle tone during pregnancy?

[TCB]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to these forums, but not new to Cathe's workouts or pregnancy. I'm on baby #3 and am not only a running fiend, but also teach aerobics several times a week. I've noticed after the first couple of babies that I managed to retain a bit of baby fat that just wouldn't budge despite good diet and marathon training, etc (I'd like to blame breastfeeding for keeping on that little layer of belly fat but since I became pregnant while breastfeeding twice I won't know until I'm done being both pregnant and breastfeeding if this theory is true). I stepped up my weight training prior to getting pregnant this time and while I've maintained my weight lifting throughout this pregnancy I am utterly frustrated that I seem unable to get the same definition I had in my arms in particular that I had achieved before being pregnant (with not nearly as much weight lifting). I just thought I'd see if anyone else out there had noticed that it was hard or impossible to maintain or improve muscle tone during pregnancy just so I can get over my frustration and know that I'm not alone. BTW, I'm in my 7th month and will continue working out and teaching class probably past my due date (as I tend to go late).

TIA,
Kate

 

[chefkate]

Another Kate here! And yes, I have not been able to maintain muscle definition in my arms. I'm also on baby #3, due Oct. 18. My best guess is Baby takes all of our good stuff making it nearly impossible to better our bods while pg. I see small "bat wings" and the dreaded back fat creeping up on me, depsite the fact that I'm actually gaining LESS than the recommended amount. Hang in there! We'll be back to our pre-preg bodies in no time!!!

 

[LisaMarie]

I'm right there with you on the difficulty maintaining muscle. I noticed it from very early in pregnancy. I'm almost 35 weeks now and have recently begun to feel I need to lighten my weights a bit (had been maintaining nearly what I was lifting pre-preg), as I have difficulty lifting heavy since it's harder for me to engage my core. Despite the lack of visible results, I'm trying to make myself do some sort of lifting 1-2x/week just to keep my muscles awake.

lisa

 

[chefkate]

Hey LIsa! How are you doing?!
I'm lifting pretty much what I have been. Trying to be extra careful on shoulders - scared of pulling something out of place on flyes with all of the relaxin flowin' thru our pg bods! LB work makes my round ligaments pretty sore sometimes. (No more B&G for me for the next few weeks) But I was thinking about something..... I've only decreased my squatting weight by 5#. At last check I'd gained 18 punds. So I wonder.... if after I hatch this chick maybe I can go 20# heavier on squats than I did in the past since I am technically squatting that much more weight anyway?! I'll be anxious to find out!

 

[LisaMarie]

Hmm...interesting thought about the squats, Kate! My pregnancy has been remarkably easy so far (other than the typical crappy feeling 1st trimester), and I've been feeling great.....though I know lots can happen in the last 5 weeks. I haven't been working out nearly as much as I could be. I average about 4, sometimes 5 hours/week, whereas I had been at 6hrs+. I also shelved the step workouts a couple months ago. I know that I could still do them if I wanted, but I really wanted to take this opportunity to relax the workouts and do something I really enjoy in the summer---evening power walks (ok, as "powerful" as I can still manage ). I'm at +18lbs, so I'm pretty happy with that.

I must say that I'm worried about the 6 weeks post-partum where, as I understand it, I shouldn't be doing more than some light walks. How hard will it be to get back into it??

 

[cyclinggirl]

Hi Kate,

I was pregnant last summer, my daughter is 9 months. I haven't been on this site in a while but read this and had to respond. I absolutely had a tough time with muscle tone. Pre-preggo I found it very easy to be lean and cut with mostly cycling and light weights and calisthenics. But wow, being pregnant I felt I had to lift heavy to get any muscle to show up..I felt very thick. Funny, at the end of my pregnancy I had a big move into a new house and while doing that I moved a lot of boxes, did tons of stairs, kept up with my walking and around the same time decided to go with lighter weights for my arms, shoulders, etc. Anyway, my arms got smaller and more defined during that time.(!)

When I gave birth I looked pretty good, it was after the baby came that I packed on some bat wings and was astounded by the amount of back fat that I accumulated post-partum - I was nursing and did some light weights before 6 weeks and then resumed walking and pilates. And eventually running and spinning, and lots of push-ups. I'm okay with my body now, abs, arms and back are pretty good but I'm about 8lbs heavier than I was pre-pregnancy.

The back fat was the big shocker for me. I would say I put on a good 5lbs in my back immediately after giving birth...but it was winter and I was probably eating more than I really needed to to keep up with the nursing. (Big mistake!)

Anyway, hope some of this helps. I wish you the best, big congrats on the pregnancy!!!

Steph

 

[chefkate]

Lisa, It sounds like you're doing great! Don't worrya bout the 4-5x/week. If you've only gained 18 pounds you're doing fantastic! I haven't been doing too much step either. The weather has been so nice for walking outdoors and that is much friendlier on my growing belly!

Steph, Re the back fat: Your back is the place where you store a LOT of the fat your body needs for nursing. In fact it is the last place you will lose your nursing fat. Bummer huh???!! Women typicaly don't lose it all until they've completely stopped nursing. Thank goodness I'll be delivering in the fall!!! Thank you sweaters!!!