Using weights while Pregnant

L

Labree

Active Member
Hi everyone, I have been using Cathe's workouts regularly and just really started getting into using her weight workouts, specifically MIS. I found out yesterday I am pregnant with my 4th child. I wanted to know if there are any limitations on using weights while pregnant. Also, any recommendations as to which Cathe tapes to use during my pregnancy? Thanks for any advice.

Lynn :)
 
I personnally, am not using any cathe workouts for the first trimester, But that is because I have had difficulty staying pregnant in the past. For a normal healthy pregnancy I think you shoul dbe able to continue doing your normal routine if it feels good to you. I believe as far as weights go Cathe stayed with her heavy weights until her body told that she needed to lighten up. I thikn she put it as "it started making funny noises." I'm not 100% on that quote any longer though. But I do know that she didn't change a thing until later on in her pregnancy.
I hope that this helped. I would have been working out to Cathe through out my entire pregnancy, but I just didn't feel comfortable being that I had miscarried twice. It probably had nothing to do with my miscarriages. But I am taking out all possabilities this time. Including absolutely no caffeine, no tight pants, and no sugar alternatives. It wasnt' just Cathe that I omitted, in other words.
Glad to have to have you on board, and congratulations!

Kathy
 
Hi Kathy,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Thank you for your input. I was doing Imax2 yesterday, and got dizzy around interval 7, so I jumped to the cool down and stopped. I guess that's what I'll do is listen to my body!
Take care, thanks again!
Lynn
 
Hi Lynn -
Here's what I've been doing. I'm about 8 wks along and I've been doing a few Cathe tapes, but have had to modify already because I've just been so tired. My legs especially.

Before I found out I was pregnant, I was pretty sure something was up. I was struggling through PUB & PLB one week. Another day I did ME but my legs couldn't handle the step-ups w/ 5 risers, which are typically pretty easy for me. I had to lower the weight AND take one riser off! Uugh! When I received my BB DVD's I did SJP and also felt a bit tired but I got through it. I've also used SS & PP once each (I'll have to wait until I feel better to try those two again.) And L&G will have to wait - my poor legs will fry, I'm afraid. KPC seems to be ok for me, too. I'll probably use the Timesaver soon. And I've done just the step portions (combos 1,2&3) of Step Blast (I watched the blast part and almost passed out!)

Since the fatigue and morning sickness kicked in hard I've done MIS but I couldn't use my normal weight (again my legs rebelled!). But I like this tape because it's easy to modify so I'll use it again. Last weekend I did Circuit Max and was very tired but I got through it - it's easy to make modifications on that one. I'll probably give Cardio Kicks a try, too.

This week, all I can handle is the CTX series which I think is great (except I shudder at the thought of trying LL!). It's just enough right now considering how I feel. Oh I hope I get my energy back soon!

So far I haven't done anything else from the IS and probably won't except for C&W but only when my energy returns. I will not do any intervals so IMAX1&2 are off limits for me. Interval training isn't recommended during pregnancy.

Anyway, this is a little long but I hope it is helpful!
Diana
 
Hi Lynn - I was exactly like Diana in my first trimester!! I was pooped and my legs felt like a ton of bricks! I still continued with similar workouts (did Cathe and Firm) but just modified based on how my body felt. Now that I am almost done with my second trimester, I have been able to maintain a similar pre-pregnancy routine. I still have my days where I need to take it easy. I just lift a little lighter than I used to, mostly because I couldn't make it through my workouts if I didn't. I am starting to get a little more tired now, though, and am noticing that I have to take a day off after about 4 days, and then start again. You are exactly on the right track - listen to your body and don't overdo it, you'll be just fine! Congrats to you! If you would like, some of us do a training log each week. It helps to see what others are doing and we are always there for support. We post our workouts for the previous week and just basically talk about how things are changing! Have fun and enjoy this time!! :D
 
Hi Lynn.

I think you've got good advice here. Unless you have some reason to be more cautious, I would just listen to your body. It was in the last few weeks of my pregnancy that I finally had to lighten the load and then stop altogether because I was so tired. But that was just me.

Congratulations on your latest little blessing!
Keep us posted.

Maggie
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I didn't realize interval training is not recommended during pregnancy. That explains the dizziness. My legs bother me too. I did MIS today, but started with the upper body, then did the legs, seemed to have helped a little. I was also considering just using the CTX series because they are shorter workouts, and maybe the Timesaver. I'm almost 5 weeks, so I think it's going to be a little trial and error, if it doesn't feel right, I won't do it. Thanks again.
Lynn
 
First off, congrats on your pregnancy! :)

I will tell you what my doctor said - 20 pound weight restriction - which includes workouts. I am perfectly healthy and I suppose she says this to all her patients.

I agree with what all the other ladies have said and that is to listen to your body. I've found that for me I had to remove all my high intensity and hard core strength training workouts from my schedule. I do workouts with weights, however it's high rep & low poundage. (such as the Firm or Slim Series). I find this works well for me right now.

Good Luck!

Christy
due 6/29/04
 
Congrats. So far you have gotten excellent advice. I didn't modify at all my first trimester. I was lucky, i had good energy and no morning sickness. I lowered impact around 5th month and stopped suppine work. In terms of weights, i lowered the weights around month 7 and used dumbells at my side for leg work instead of barbell. my favorite cathes during pregnancy were the wedding video and stepheat. I also used my firms during pregnancy.
 
I don't know if it's morning sickness, or just having my 4th baby that's taking it's toll on me, but I don't seem to have any energy. The wedding video and step heat, are two I may try also during the next 8 months. I was thinking of getting some FitPrimes. Does anyone know if these are good to use during pregnancy? Also, I was thinking of getting Fit Mama with Leisa Hart. Any input would be great!
 
Congrats on your pregnancy! Lots of good advice above. I have basically just listened to my body. Some days I felt strong, other days my legs were like lead and I couldn't fanthom a workout. I've worked out about 3-4 days/week. There have been several weeks that I only did 1-2 workouts, few weeks of 5+ workouts.

I'm not a biggie on strength training, so I've never really used heavy weights. My heaviest weight is a 15-lb dumbbell. Usually I use 5 or 8 pounds, so I didn't bother to modify there. I did do interval workouts, but paused the video whenever I felt my heartrate may be getting too high or I felt anaerobic. I haven't done IMAX's for a couple of months now. I have continued to stick with Cathe's cardio workouts for the most part & have modified them. For a long time I did just CTX Series b/c the exercises were shorter. I even splurged & purchased the DVD. Now that Timesaver is here I do these workouts often. I just don't have the cardiac output I once had. I have done lots of 1/2 videos too. For example: CArdiio & Weight section 1-2 on day 1 and sections 3-4 on day 2. Spliting them up is easy and allows me to continue with my workouts.

I encourage you to join the weekly workout log post. :) I think you'll be pleased at how helpful eveyrone is.

Melanie
Baby boy due 1/25/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I just wanted to add that I have Fit Mama with Leisa Hart... and in my opinion, it is a mediocre workout. The first half is floor aerobics. She calls it "salsa aerobics" - she does awkward steps that aren't very fun and didn't raise my heartrate (might as well enjoy a moderately paced walk with a friend for the equivalent output). The second half is yoga type stuff, but really I didn't enjoy it and didn't consider it much of a workout either. Basically, it is some stretching type moves - and her heavy breathing into her microphone is SOOOO annoying.

I have heard that her postnatal workout is better, but I haven't tried it. Hope this helps, and GOOD LUCK!
 
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