April exercise thread?

[emmaegbert]

Anyone still out there to do this thread?

I am supposed to be exercising 2x per day and its getting hard to motivate.

I have noticed my standards for what constitutes "exercise" have fallen quite a bit. Though today I did (slow) lap-swimming for 30 minutes and then later took a leisurely 2-mile walk with my son to get him new shoes. Walking has gotten hard- its just SLOW going, though I am still doing it almost every day I am starting to sort of dread it (rather than look forward to it!). Like, I don't want to walk to the bus-stop, which is less than 5 minutes away.

Looking forward to slinging my baby around the neighborhood though- and I've got my own old ring sling and wrap sling, plus handed down ergo carrier and pouch sling- lots of choices!

[*Amy*]

I haven't been posting anything in the exercise thread lately because I am having the same problem of actually classifying what I do as *exercise*! When I walk, it's usually pretty slow!

I have also been thinking about getting back into the groove after the baby's born. I found a really nice park yesterday, just 5 minutes from Brynn's school, with a pond and a walking loop - so I plan to just drop Brynn off at school and head straight over there for a good 45 minutes to an hour each morning. I can't wait to start getting rid of some of this extra weight!

[michanders4]

Thanks for starting this. I debated it, but then didn't. I'm still exercising (sometimes ). Hmm - this past weekend I went swimming for 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday I also did 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the elliptical. On Monday I swam for 30 minutes. Yesterday I walked for 30 minutes and boy is it getting hard to walk! I find it easier to do the elliptical! Last week I went to the gym two days in a row and did the elliptical for 30 and 35 minutes (I reported on the other thread but figured I'd report here too). I am pretty proud of myself that I still have it in me to do that and I HOPE that means I won't have a terribly hard time getting back into shape physically (the weight thing is another story but its good to know that I will hopefully be physically fit shortly after). I plan to walk with the baby as much as possible when he's first born (once we are settled and before I can get back into exercising). Yay for spring babies!!!! :

[Murph12334]

Wow ladies, i'm impresed!

My excersises consit of getting ready for baby. I do squats, sit on birthing ball a lot, kegels, thigh stretch, and pelvic rocks.

I really should walk a little too. Not only is it good for me but good for getting baby here too. I'm in the country with no sidewalks and it's been pretty cold lately or very windy. And I don;t feel like driving to go to the mall or somewhere. Ah well.

[emmaegbert]

I should go over to the gym on campus and try the elliptical, I can see how it might be easier than actual walking. Hoisting my big self around on these loose joints is getting hard! I am going to try and swim a few times a week until the baby is born (I am 37 weeks today! so it could be any time now... or it could be May....)

I woke up with excruciating calf cramps in the night (I woke up shouting!) and now my calves are all sore and horrible again, I can hardly walk. Sigh. I guess it will be prenatal yoga for me today and a lot of slow creeping around... I am going to schedule a massage with my neighbor who is finishing her massage therapist training- hopefully that can get me back on my feet faster! I wonder if swimming would make it feel better or worse?

Good luck everyone w/ your exercising. I am looking forward to hearing about your births and how you feel afterwards- what feels good and healthy in those first weeks after baby! (I remember just getting out and talking very slow neighborhood walks was about all I could manage for a week or two without completely exhausting myself. But I was so glad to get out and about).

[wobblykate]

I've been mall walking:. I hate the mall, but it won't stop raining. I found one without an abercromie, though. That place smells so bad I want to hurk when I walk past. Okay, so yesterday I had a frozen yogurt while I walked, but it distracted m,e from the pain in my pubic bone, at least. I'm 40 weeks now, so I'm allowed to grumble.

[michanders4]

Originally Posted by wobblykate

I've been mall walking:. I hate the mall, but it won't stop raining. I found one without an abercromie, though. That place smells so bad I want to hurk when I walk past. Okay, so yesterday I had a frozen yogurt while I walked, but it distracted m,e from the pain in my pubic bone, at least. I'm 40 weeks now, so I'm allowed to grumble.

Does it hurt you to walk too? Do you get any tightening/braxton hicks while you walk? Whenever I walk (more than just from my desk to the printer) I get such uncomfortable braxton hicks. I have been getting them whenever I walk for weeks now though... it's very frustrating! :

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by michanders4

Does it hurt you to walk too? Do you get any tightening/braxton hicks while you walk? Whenever I walk (more than just from my desk to the printer) I get such uncomfortable braxton hicks. I have been getting them whenever I walk for weeks now though... it's very frustrating! :

yes, i get some tightening, but my only thought is 'bring it on'

[michanders4]

Originally Posted by wobblykate

yes, i get some tightening, but my only thought is 'bring it on'

I think that too, until I rest for a second and it goes completely away grrr!!!!!!!!

[emmaegbert]

I often get the BH from walking/exertion, very uncomfortable. I try to use it as a guide to slow down but at this point if I go much slower I'll be standing still!!

My MWs actually suggested having an emergen-c while I walk/exercise b/c it can help balance minerals and keep me more comfortable. I have GD so thats not a great choice for me (its got fructose in it) but yesterday I did do it when I was on my second bout of activity for the day!

I notice also that once I get going and warm up, I often start to feel better.

[MelW]

Yesterday I walked (actually kind of quickly) up the hill to my community garden plot and back. It's been rainy, and I don't have a coat that covers my belly, so my walking time is limited by how quickly I get wet

Today I went swimming, which is wonderful (no aches, no extra contractions, and my swelling goes down!). I swam 1.2 km in 30 minutes :

[emmaegbert]

okay, since I at least am still pregnant, I will revive this, and it gives me some more exercise for my fingers...

I know some of you all are still doing exercise. (And, LOL, some of you ladies are probably enough past baby to be starting again!)

I went swimming on Wednesday (have been trying to get over there to the campus pool at least once a week) and the shocked looks on the faces of the undergrads... especially the guys... its worth it! I borrowed this hot-pink hawaiian-flower maternity bathing suit from a neighbor. It also feels great to be in the warm water outside (thank you San Diego weather, for almost making up for all the other inconveniences of living here!). I am EXHAUSTED afterwards (and this swimming would hardly be considered "exercise" normally!). I do breaststroke, sidestroke, and kickboard laps for about 30, 35 minutes.

Also, I've been trying to walk at LEAST an hour every day w/out my son in tow (though 4yo pace is feeling about right lately, haha, I just want to go for longer). I get tons of contractions while walking, then usually some pretty painful/productive feeling ones when I get home for 1-2 hours, and then, thats it. I did some stretching last night too, but I think I should probably get back to my prenatal yoga DVD for some hip opening and back relief... I remember last time (well, okay, I was never pregnant this long last time!!) that all of the sudden that DVD wasn't feeling so "gentle" anymore during the last weeks!!