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[zubeldia]

Now most of us are into the 2nd trimester and hopefully feeling a little better, was wondering if people are being active/working out. I saw the Crossfit post and was wondering if people would like to do a daily/weekly check in to help motivate and encourage us to be as active as we want to be.

I've had a couple of losses this past year,but before the first loss I was training for a half ironman, so was in great shape. I'm back to working out now that I have my nausea and vomiting under control and I have to say that it does wonders for my mental health! Right now I'm mostly rowing (indoors), running, and using the elliptical. I'll probably ride my bike outside for as long as possible though I'll be on my hybrid bike soon as opposed to my road bike or time trial bike. I'm also trying to lift some weights, and soon I'll get back to the pool....

Anyone is welcome to join in: walkers, yogis, cross-fitters!? I know I'd love to company!

[springmum]

I think I can! Morning sickness isn't all the way gone yet, but I've definitely got more windows of feeling good.

I don't know if I'll be a reliable weekly check-iner, life gets a little busy, but I'll try!

I was pretty fit before morning sickness hit too (though not training for anything specific - ironmans are tough, good for you!!) and then I couldn't even move for sooo many weeks. I've lost a lot of muscle tone and stamina obviously, so I'm starting slowly.

So far, I'm doing light weights, some yoga and hoping to get into a regular walking, hiking and/or elliptical workout. I don't think I'll work back into running or any heavy cardio - I've lost too much stamina, and I think it would be too much for my body in a hot summer.

I hear you on the mental health part - I feel so good mentally when I know I've had a good workout.

I'm about to go do a core workout and some arm weights while I feel good today. Then I'll likely do some home yoga later - I feel so good after some good stretching :)

I really need to find a good yoga class near me, now that I'm feeling good - that's my plan for next week.

[SunnyPerch]

I totally agree, if nothing else exercise does wonders for mental health. :) I do Crossfit 3x a week, and on the alternate days I attend a prenatal yoga class. I love my new schedule. When pregnant with my son I was so busy working 2 jobs that all I could do was bike to work occasionally and yoga 1x week, and sometimes at home using a video. I thought I was doing good then, but I'm in a much better place now, physically (even if I did start this pregnancy 10lb over where I was before).

I'd love to do a weekly check in to see how we're all doing!

[zubeldia]

Great to have you both joining in :)

I ran 5 miles this morning with DH. He was doing speed intervals so would run off and then during his rest breaks I'd stop for a quick walk. Felt so great to be out in the warmish sunshine.

[pregnova]

Wow! I'm like beyond impressed (not to mention a bit envious) of you ladies! Idk why, but I don't think I've done any legitimate 'working out' since high school track team! lol Ok, I have done a yoga class here and there, but the thought of beginning to exercise NOW...while pregnant and with one at home to chase around...sounds...daunting? 

But, I'm on a mission to have a normal length labor this go around and everyone I've heard from who had a quick-ish labor seemed to exercise a lot during their pregnancy, so I have been starting up walking every day. It's not much I know, but to be completely honest, I'm not quite sure what else is safe to do considering I wasn't doing anything prior to getting pregnant. Any ideas?

I'd be interested in some toning or strength building exercises...particularly legs/arms, but not sure where to look for something safe to start. 

[zubeldia]

Pregnova, good for you for starting. Honestly walking is a great exercise. As you get fitter you can walk for longer, walk some hills, and even take part in some 5 or 10k races as a walker. How about some swimming or gentle cycling?

I'm doing some weights, too, and I think that using your own body weight, some bands, or something else - would be fine. Start slowly and as you feel stronger then challenge yourself more. I mentioned it in another post, but James Clapp's book on pregnancy and exercise was sooooo helpful for me when I was pregnant with DS.

I had a super quick labor. I was induced with cervidil (baby was lying on my renal tubing and causing kidney probems) and 6 hours after they burst my waters we had a baby. I was active during labor and recovered so quickly. I was back exercising after a week as I felt so great!
 

[vegchica]

This is exactly the motivation I need.
I was very fit and active before morning sickness started. I gained 60 lbs with both of my previous pregnancies. Although I lost the weight right away, I was determined to have a fit pregnancy this time. So much for that.. I've gained 28 lbs already at 13 weeks!
I just started walking for 45 minutes outside but I want to make it more consistent like at least 5 days a week and work up to an hour. I might have to join a gym by June though. I don't think I can be walking for an hour in 100* heat!
I also want to work on my arms. I do Tracy Anderson workouts so I won't be lifting heavy weights.

[pregnova]

I hear you Vegchica. I gained 55lb with my son, and while the weight just melted off on its own soon after his birth, I'd like to gain less weight this time. Or, at the very least, to know that that extra weight was there for the baby and not just because I was inactive!

So, it sounds as though doing light weight work, possibly starting without any weights at first is fine...should I look for something specific to prenatal, or would anything concentrating on toning (particularly arms and legs) work safely?

[zubeldia]

Great to see you posting here, vegchica (are you veggie/vegan?). I have horrible nausea and vomiting which is now mostly controlled with zofran (I had HG with my son for the entire pregnancy) and I think that exercising helps me once the very worst is over. I didn't do a thing for three months, and I'm now building up some fitness again.

Pregnova, there are some good pregnancy DVDS out there but mostly I just go by feel... so if it feels too much then it probably is too much, so I back off. If you can find an all over body routine for weights (think lunges, squats, some arm curls, some dips... trying to get each body part) then you'd really be in great shape.

I did a quick almost 4 mile run this morning with my boss. I'm planning on hitting the gym later..I only join when I'm pregnant so I can escape hot/cold weather and use the elliptical and their weights.
 

[vegchica]

Pregnova, I know what you mean, my babies were 7.6 and 7.11 so it wasn't baby weight! LOL

Zubeldia, 4 mile run?? That's awesome!

I've been vegetarian for about 15 yrs and vegan on and off (although I really don't like to call myself that). It took me about 3 months to conceive and during that time I was focused on eating the best I could. All organic, fresh produce, green smoothies, large salads, etc. All vegan.

When morning sickness hit, and even still, the thought of a green smoothie makes my stomach turn! I can barely eat a salad too. I started eating a lot of potatoes, and added cheese and eggs back into my diet because that's what my body wanted. I think the drastic change in diet and inactivity really made me pack on the pounds!

After my terrible experience with constipation, I've dropped the eggs and cheese because it makes me so sick. I'm starting to feel less nauseous so I'm eating a little better. I'm hoping the exercise will help too. Even just being out in the sun and fresh air feels great. I really miss my 2 hr pre-preg workouts.

I didn't think about squats and lunges. I might start adding that in once I'm walking regularly. My thighs have turned to jello! :)

[siddal]

I can't wait to get back to some exercise.  I had been doing well at going to the gym and walking since last Oct. Nothing hardcore, but at least some cardio and weights.  But right about the time I found out I was pg, (late Feb) I got a horrid cold that took about two weeks to get over.  And once that cleared, the 24/7 nausea set in.  I'm just now starting to feel a little better, but not totally.  And I feel like all my good work from last fall/early this year is now out the window, and I'm flabby and tired.  I managed to take a 30 min. walk the other night and it was so good to get out and move.  I'm hoping to do some pre-natal yoga and water aerobics if I can get rid of the nausea.

[DelawareMom]

Thanks for starting this conversation! I could use the extra motivation, too. I have been a runner for years and am currently teaching Pilates, though there are definitely poses I have to talk my class through now, instead of demonstrating. I am 16 weeks tomorrow and have only just recently been running again after a first trimester exhaustion break. I remember giving up on running while pregnant with my daughter because I just felt too much bouncing in the belly region. Any tips from other running mamas for some belly support?

I'd love to add swimming to my routine, but I feel weird about being in chlorinated water so much. Is that a ridiculous concern? I'd sort of love it if someone would tell me it is.

Happy exercising, everyone!

-LA

[zubeldia]

Thanks for joining, DelawareMom! Great to have a fellow runner. I didn't run during my last pregnancy as I had a running injury and had been sidelined for a long time (like, years!). But I have had a few friends run throughout. Some of my friends have recommended those pregnancy support bands - something like this:

http://www.fitmaternity.com/pregnancy-exercise/ga003.html

And I honestly think that swimming is fine :)

I ran on the elliptical for 7 miles this morning. I was tired at first but felt pretty good once my muscles were warmed up.

[pregnova]

Delaware mom- I also think that swimming in the pool is fine. I enjoyed dips in the pool while preggo with my son...especially when I got near the end...it's like being weightless! And we have a pool here at our current rental, so I've been trying to swim a bit here and there. But, if you are concerned about it, you could try looking for a saltwater pool? They're really nice just because there isn't that awful smell...especially if you're using an enclosed pool, but really I wouldn't think twice about swimming in chlorine. 

I'm proud of myself, lol, it seems like so little compared to you all, but I walked about 40 min. today. I've been walking ever since this thread started, but I started slow, because I REALLY don't want to push anything, but I felt great today! I do feel more energy afterwards, but unfortunately, it does seem to trigger a bit of MS as well. meh. Tomorrow, I'm headed to the library to find a good aerobics video to help me learn some moves! lol

[bostonmummy]

Love seeing all of this conversation about keeping the movement going! I'm doing circuit training about 5 days a week, and I feel SO good mentally. It can be tough in the morning because I go to a 9 am class and my breakfast goes right into my throat. Fortunately the trainer knows what kind of things to suggest so I don't always have to keep tipping forward and feel like I'm going to throw up all over the studio! LOL!

Would love to be an encouragement for each other about the weight gain, too. I've gained about 15-16 pounds since conception, almost 20 if I go back to my weight at the beginning of January (I'll be 16 weeks on Wednesday), and I get so paranoid when I look at the scale! I know I'm eating really well, with tons of fruits and veggies and good pasture-raised protein, no junk, (okay, well maybe a little heavy on the peanut butter), and I'm still gaining what feels like a lot! One good thing about this is that I'm REALLY showing now, which is quite fun. And I love having breasts again. But the feeling of my legs rubbing together . . . well, that I could do without!  But instead of fretting about the weight gain, I just want to revel in my body's beauty. Let's help each other do this, all you gorgeous pregnant ladies!

Off to get ready for my workout . . . happy fitness!

[springmum]

This is great motivation - some days (like today) I'm just sooo tired, but I need to do some leg exercises, so I will.

For those just walking - it's great exercise! Getting our bodies moving is what is important, and the suggestion about adding hills, length of time etc is a great way to stay challenged.

I went for an hour walk (well it was slow since DS was with me on his bike, and he likes to stop every 5 min's) but I felt great. THe only downside was I felt like I got hit by a mac tired truck when I got home, had a wee nap, then woke up and threw up again. I'll have to figure out how to make it work a little better next time.

I'm not walking every day yet, but hope to be soon. The best thing about walking is doing some nice stretches after - it really feels good.

For the weight gain - I gained 45 lbs with DS. I literally gained a pound every single week no matter what I did (and a few extra at the end) I wasn't in a rush to get it off after, but it all came off within the year, so I guess my body knew what it was doing. It's hard to look at the scale, but really, if you're eating well, and getting in some exercise, there is a reason you're body wants the extra pounds - once the belly pops it won't seem like so much b/c it's so fun to have a belly sticking out!

I haven't gained as much this time yet, but the first tri morning sickness left me barely able to eat anything, so I'm sure i'll be making up for it pretty soon! 

Happy workouts this week!

[SunnyPerch]

Today was a fun Crossfit day! We did a 400M run carrying a bumper plate (I only used ten lb). Then 10 burpee/box jumps, 20 kettlebell taters (swing KB at chest level, then go down into squat), 30 overhead walking lunges  (again just a 10lb plate), 40 KB push-press (20 per arm, 18 lbs), and back down again doing the same set but in reverse, ending with another 400M run. I came in first in under 20 min. ONLY because I had the (by far) lightest weights. :) But hey,  I still did a 20" box jumps! Got the heart pumping, that's for sure...

Zubeldia, your distances are truly inspiring/impressive!! I can't imagine running a full mile nonstop right now, let alone 4-5. Whoa!! During my runs at CF (which seem to max out at 800M) I sort of glide my feet (almost like I'm on an invisible elliptical) to reduce bouncing. I've had intermittent groin strain type pains in the past week or two.

[zubeldia]

Wow, you lot are so inspiring! lots of super workouts! I honestly haven't been weighing myself and generally prefer not to know! Last time around I didn't gain much at all (around 15 pounds, primarily because of HG though I was also exercising as I got to the point where movement made things much better for me, and I have a very healthy 7 pounds 3oz boy 9 days early!). This time around I'm just not going to try and think about it..!!

Sunny, your workout sounds so intense. I am very impressed. I am not a lifter by any stretch of the imagination so it's great to see you doing the strength work. It is inspiring to me. I did do some weights at the gym, but I generally do a quick circuit. I have done a barbell class a few times, which I really like, but it's a lot of squatting and my legs are trashed for days! Over the weekend I could feel some achilles tendinitis coming on so I took to the elliptical. 7 miles on Saturday morning and then 5 miles on Sunday followed by weights. I find running on the elliptical harder than running, oddly, though it's less impact, of course, so I can do more of it. I haven't noticed any discomfort yet when I run, though my bump is not very big so I am sure things will change.

What do people have planned for the week? Today may be a rest day as I haven't had one since last Monday and we have torrential rain. Boo. Perhaps some yoga after work, though I can't imagine wanting to do much after work.

[DelawareMom]

I love all the diversity of activities in this thread. So inspiring.

Thanks for the suggestion, zubeldia. I'll check this out!

I'm excited to catch a Pilates class that I don't normally get to attend because of work. I hope to squeeze in a little cardio before-hand, if I have the energy. My high-spirited daughter seems determined to take it all today, though.  I might just go early and sit on a couch quietly for 20 minutes.

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

I'm finally ready to move more too!  I met with my midwife yesterday and she said to do a minimum of a brisk 20 minute walk everyday.    I walked for 45 minutes yesterday and it felt pretty good.  I'm also planning to add in swimming several days a week and hopefully also do a prenatal yoga dvd on the days I don't swim on top of the walk.  Hopefully this evening will be the first time I get to the pool.  I loved swimming during my last pregnancy and did it almost daily that summer.

I was taking hour walks almost daily while ttc, but other than that haven't been too active since DS was born.  This seems like a doable fitness goal for me though.  I'm starting out this pregnancy at pretty much my heaviest weight ever and my midwife agrees that I really should not gain much if anything this time around.   I also had diet controlled GD last time around so I'm already eating my GD diet too.

Thanks to all of you for the inspiration!  It's nice to see that there are a variety of exercises you all are doing as well.