Working out during 2ww?

[Shelley71]

I do not currently work out and I am 20lbs overweight. I want to start working out, but I'm afraid that if I start during the 2ww that it will have an adverse effect on my body.

Any advice?

[RosieL]

Hi Shelley. I recently did a bunch of research (searching for medical articles) on the issue of working out while trying to conceive. The study that seemed the most clear was a prospective study of a few hundred nurses who basically journaled everything they did while TTC. Fertility went up with "vigorous" exercise" (which included tennis and jogging, moderate was walking). I had a really hard time trying to find studies that truly differentiated between implantation and miscarriage risks with exercise. 

Sorry couldn't be of more help. I'd call your doc or midwife and ask. My midwife said "As for exercise, if you have an average BMI I think you can do whatever you want.  Exercise should not keep you from conceiving unless it is so extreme as to lower your % body fat below where it needs to be to allow an egg to be released from your ovaries.  If you are cycling regularly this is probably not an issue for you" but she didn't talk about implantation.

I'm *guessing* that consistent exercise and healthy eating to bring you down to a good BMI will better increase your chances of conceiving than risks during the TWW would reduce...especially since BMI fertility issues are well-documented and known, whereas I don't think there's much about implantation and exercise being an issue.

Here's an article about it: http://www.livestrong.com/article/312146-is-exercise-safe-during-the-implantation-stage-of-pregnancy/

Good luck!

[Shelley71]

Thanks for the response! I didn't think about calling my GYN (they're closed on Friday anyway) because I haven't even told him we are for sure trying yet. My next appointment is in November. Maybe I need to call next week and make an appointment and he can tell me anything and everything I need to do to get this started from exercise to TTC at 40.

He's always told me not to worry about my age, but that I should make a decision on going for it as soon as possible.