Exercise accountability re-loaded « Back to Group Discussions

[typebug]

How is everyone doing? I thought  I'd try to breath some life back into our idea of exercise accountability and perhaps start with a little quiz.

1) How many weeks are you?

16 1/2! 

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

Some things feel strong still like arms and back is pretty good. I feel like the lower abs tire more quickly and perhaps I baby them a bit due to the aching in the round ligaments. I can still do upper ab work but I don't come up as far. My balance and stability for some leg stuff has changed a little. 

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

1-2 Pilates classes a week. My teacher had to modify quite a few things between week 12 and 14 and it became clear that I needed to change from traditional reformers with springs to the gravity reformers which just use my weight and have a slightly smaller range of motion. Happy with that shift. I also just started a one hour pre-natal yoga once a week as well.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I want to get to both of the pilates sessions every week. So far I've been trying for two but often going to one. They are damned expensive but I do feel like it's keeping my back aligned and my previous injuries from haunting me. The other thing I want to try is a series of water aerobics exercises I found online for the days in between. http://www.fitpregnancy.com/featured-galleries/water-baby-workout

5) A question for other mommas

Anyone have a good book or DVD that will go over the specific yoga movements helpful in labour? I hear bits and pieces from my teacher in class but was thinking i'd like to know a lot more about this end of pre-natal yoga. 

[kellybeth]

1) How many weeks are you?

18 weeks, 2 days.

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

my body feels weak, but good. i get winded easily, and i'm incredibly sick of sleeping on my sides already. it makes my hips hurt. 

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

i do prenatal yoga and exercises at home and stretch every day. i use 5 pound weights for arms, too. swimming twice a week also feels great on my body, especially my legs. i have 2 pregnancy videos that i use maybe once a week as a guide and i like them. i'm not home right now so i'll post the names of those videos when i get there.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

i would love to find a walking partner when i move down from the mountains. 'walking' is hiking where i live, and is all uphill or down steep loose dirt, so i'm not too keen on it.

5) A question for other mommas

if anyone uses weights for arms and strength training, is there a certain weight to avoid up to? i'm a first-time mama, so i'm really just feeling my way around, since i have had to modify so much in my normal routine.

[Chloe'sMama]

Hurray Typebug- thanks for getting this back!

1) How many weeks are you?

19 weeks, 1 day

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

Good!  I hurt my tailbone (really badly) 2 weeks ago and it has made everything really uncomfortable.  I had to stop any working out for a week, but added stuff back in last week.  It still hurts really bad.  Arghhhhh.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

Running 2 miles 4-6 days a week and a prenatal workout video with bands and a little cardio on the other days... Usually have 1 day off.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I really want to start doing my yoga at night, but I am dead tired by the end of the day.  I work out in the morning, so I can't do the yoga then.  I know as I get closer I will be doing more yoga.

5) A question for other mommas

Not a question, but I am feeling anxious about my sudden weight gain.  Today I am up 6 lbs from pre pregnancy weight and 11 lbs from my bottom weight.  Most of the weight has happened in the last 4 weeks and I am hoping it is not an indication of how quickly I am going to gain.  I need to stop eating so many sweets.

[typebug]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

Hurray Typebug- thanks for getting this back!

1) How many weeks are you?

19 weeks, 1 day

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

Good!  I hurt my tailbone (really badly) 2 weeks ago and it has made everything really uncomfortable.  I had to stop any working out for a week, but added stuff back in last week.  It still hurts really bad.  Arghhhhh.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

Running 2 miles 4-6 days a week and a prenatal workout video with bands and a little cardio on the other days... Usually have 1 day off.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I really want to start doing my yoga at night, but I am dead tired by the end of the day.  I work out in the morning, so I can't do the yoga then.  I know as I get closer I will be doing more yoga.

5) A question for other mommas

Not a question, but I am feeling anxious about my sudden weight gain.  Today I am up 6 lbs from pre pregnancy weight and 11 lbs from my bottom weight.  Most of the weight has happened in the last 4 weeks and I am hoping it is not an indication of how quickly I am going to gain.  I need to stop eating so many sweets.

Glad to see people getting into this! Tailbone injuries are the worst. They take ages to heal too. I separated my pelvis in an accident 10 years ago and it's been acting up but I find that pain kinda something I can deal with. It's a dull ache or if my joint pops out again it's like one leg becomes paralized. Inconvenient but I'd still but tailbone pain way above this! Good luck. I'm super impressed that you are able to continuing running. 

So for weight gain what I understood from the timeline is that the baby is having quite a growth spurt and we're taking on amniotic fluid and building the placenta at this stage and are supposed to see a jump upwards. I really didn't gain much in the first trimester and then just saw a jump in the last week or so too. 

[typebug]

Originally Posted by kellybeth 

5) A question for other mommas

if anyone uses weights for arms and strength training, is there a certain weight to avoid up to? i'm a first-time mama, so i'm really just feeling my way around, since i have had to modify so much in my normal routine.

I don't think it's a rule like don't lift above XX amount of weight. I'm doing quite a few pre-natal classes and hearing some interesting stuff on modifying movements for pregnancy. For arms I've gone a little lighter on days when I'm tired or feel like I'm just relying on my core too much to lift. If I feel like I can isolate my arms and not feel my back or abs strain I feel like it's fine. My side bend movements are modified so that I rotate starting from the bra-line and not the waist. I can do the twist movements also as long as I stabilize the lower body and don't twist at the waist - only the upper above bra-line rotates. I've been told to pull up the pelvic floor muscles to help stabilize my torso during arms exercises too. Anyway, it's not a definitive answer but those are my recent modifications from my teacher. :)

[josie423]

1) How many weeks are you?

17+5

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

I feel fairly strong. I have mild ligament pains, but if I exercise too much, my SPD flairs up.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

*Crickets chirping* Lol!! I had been walking daily until around 13 weeks but stopped when I was passing large amounts of brown mucous (it happened 3 times from 9-13 weeks) and it really freaked me out. Then, right around that time, I started getting daily headaches. So, I haven't gotten much in.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I hope to add my walking back in, and keep up with stretching and using my birth ball.

Edited by josie423 - 9/13/12 at 4:46pm

[HouseofPeace]

what a great idea for a thread!  as the weight thing is something i tend to not keep on top of, the exercise aspect is priority!

1) How many weeks are you?

18

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

strong, solid, a little heavy, no pains and at this point stronger than before pregnancy.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

at this point, i walk 2 miles a day, and 4-5 days a walk it's more like 4-5 miles, usually with a stroller w/ the baby and 40lb 2 1/2 year old in it.  it's slow walking b/c the 4 1/2 year old isn't super speedy.  it's usually a 2 hour long morning walk (with picking veggies, fruits, and exploring the farm) and usually a quicker 45 minute 1-2 mile walk at least 3x a week for evening meetings.  most days i do some mild stretching.  

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I would love to add in some weights, squats, more toning exercises.  as is, i seem to be busy w/ chores and work when not doing activities w/ the kids, and have no time during the week that i don't have 4 kids on hand, so figuring out how to do more is a bit challenging.

5) A question for other mommas

my energy is not low- but by the time i'm doing what i need to do just to get through a day, the last thing i want to do is more exercise!  how do you get and stay motivated with something?  and how do you get the time alone (if you have other kids) to focus on this for yourself?

[rachieface]

Good idea typebug!

1) How many weeks are you?

18.2 by latest EDD.

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

Good! Tired, but I nap most days when my toddler does. :) My only complaints would be some back and hip pain (already? ugh, annoying).

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

It varies. I'm trying to make it to the gym a couple times a week, where I do running or the elliptical and some weight lifting and stretches. We walk a decent amount in daily life, and I have also been doing some videos at home (typebug, I like 10 Minute Solution Prenatal Pilates. It's easy to fit in!). Yesterday I ran a mile and then did sprints alternating with walking to make 2 miles total.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I want to start doing some swimming! I just think it would be a great addition to my routine and break up any monotony I feel.

5) A question for other mommas

What are some of your favorite back exercises? I need to strengthen my low back.

[etsdtm99]

1) How many weeks are you?

18+3 (4th baby)

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

pretty good, overall strong - i get slightly winded, and have BH and ligament pains if i overdo it .. (BH while doing whatever, and ligament pains later in the evening) seeing my chiropractor usually gives me 2-3 weeks of relief from both of these (its been 4 weeks now, i go tomorrow)- so far my hips and back are feeling great.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

walking daily (shopping, hiking, circling the playground instead of sitting on a bench), caring for and playing with 3 kids 6 & under, - recently i've added squats to my regular activities, instead of bending over o sitting on the floor, because i read they are good for pelvic floor strength .. I have also tried to do some major household reorganization twice a week - this really wears me out so i know it must be good exercise..  I honestly don't have time for anything in the way of traditional exercise so i just work it in to daily life.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

more activity in general, without over doing it.. I'd like to work back up to pre-pregnancy routine of no sitting down until 7:30pm - i figure i'll have to cut back on that as i get bigger and the swelling starts..

5) A question for other mommas

anyone else find they are rapidly gaining weight as they increase activity levels?  I was glued to the couch and i gained 2lbs the entire first trimester, in the past 6 weeks i've gained 12 lbs!!  i'm eating better and way more active, so  ?!? 

Edited by etsdtm99 - 9/13/12 at 5:56pm

[iamkateiam]

1) How many weeks are you?

18 weeks 1 day

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

It changes day to day.  Some days I'm super tired and cranky.  Some days I feel like I can take on the world!  I agree- I hate sleeping on my side.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

Yoga one night a week.  I try to take my dog for AT LEAST a 20 minute walk most other days.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

Pre pregnancy I was walking my dog 45 minutes per day.  I'd like to increase it from 20 to at least 30 minutes

5) A question for other mommas

Any good mantras for eating healthy?  So far, it's mostly been "you're pregnant, go ahead and eat 2 donuts".  What I really need is something like "you're pregnant and responsible for not only your health, but the health of your baby"- but not so wordy.

[loveandgarbage]

I don't feel right answering the questionaire because I haven't exercised yet. But I am planning to, I swear!!! I am 19 weeks and am feeling pretty tired (worse now than first trimester) so it's hard to get motivated. My kids have now started school and as my younger one goes part days, I have about three hours to myself in the afternoon. I would like to get to the gym 2-3 times a week and am looking around for an affordable prenatal yoga class that fits with my schedule.

HouseofPeace, I think when you already have kids to care for, finding time to exercise is just plain difficult. Do you ever do childcare swaps with a mama friend? If my kids weren't in school I would be doing that. I mean, I do it anyway (I am lucky to have a great group of mama friends who support one another!) but I usually spend that time catching up on chores, going to thrift stores, having a day date with my DH when he's off work, etc. When I was pregnant with DS2 and DS1 was a toddler, I plopped him in the stroller and we walked between 1-5 miles every day to do errands, go to the park, etc. I miss that now!

[Chloe'sMama]

Houseofpeace- I only have the 2 girls right now, but DH and I get up early and run together with the jogging stroller.  If we don't do that, we still get up early and I do my 30 minute dvd workout and he watches the kids then goes to work.  I don't know if I could find the motivation if I didn't work out in the AM.

Also, we homeschool (or preschool actually), so, no place to be most days.  I could still get the work out video in while the girls play if DH had to work early or something similar.  I seem to make working out way more of a priority when I am pregnant, making sure to get 5-6 days in a week.  Normally, I have good weeks and bad weeks (or months sometimes) where I don't work out at all, or just 1-2 days.....

[HouseofPeace]

HouseofPeace, I think when you already have kids to care for, finding time to exercise is just plain difficult. Do you ever do childcare swaps with a mama friend? If my kids weren't in school I would be doing that. I mean, I do it anyway (I am lucky to have a great group of mama friends who support one another!) but I usually spend that time catching up on chores, going to thrift stores, having a day date with my DH when he's off work, etc. When I was pregnant with DS2 and DS1 was a toddler, I plopped him in the stroller and we walked between 1-5 miles every day to do errands, go to the park, etc. I miss that now!

thanks for the feedback, ladies.  my husband is gone for the next 2 weeks, so i'll probably just push him to help me out more so i can exercise when he is here after his event and hopefully get some more movement in.  I used to dance a lot, and that was my favorite form of exercise.... I miss it terribly.  I tend to get bored w/ videos, and like to be outside, but with winter coming, maybe i should just find one and start doing it.

i don't have any childcare swaps with any mamas.  most of my mothering friends don't seem to do that.  we just moved in July, and so we're working on it, but from what i can tell, it's usually me and the kids together expected to all get-togethers.  i do all my chores (traditional cooking/housework), work from home, and any errands with everyone on board.  homeschooling as well.  i think i'd be very interested in sharing with other kids, but right now my kids LOVE to be around other parents/people/kids, while a lot of kids the same age as mine are less interested in being away from their parents.  my husband and i might get 1 date a year away from the kids....  i do love the stroller and walking, and that's about what my DH and I do for spending time together outside of the post-bedtime chore-n-chat!  speaking of- must go and do kitchen before i fall asleep.

[etsdtm99]

Is my post above showing up blank to everyone else? cause when i go to edit it, it is there, but it is blank otherwise ..

my answer to exercise with kids is to exercise with the kids, getting rid of them would just be too difficult.. that is the only way i can do it - i mostly avoid sitting and count housework, gardening, play time, walks etc. as my exercise..  I do have several friends who take advantage of the free child care (with membership) at the YMCA and they drop the kids off and work out daily..
 

[kellybeth]

it's blank on my end. 

maybe b/c i'm a first-time mama, but i would be terrified to leave my child with someone i didn't trust with my own life, let alone with the life of my baby. childcare doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.

[typebug]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99 

Is my post above showing up blank to everyone else? cause when i go to edit it, it is there, but it is blank otherwise ..

Yup, showing up blank. I went through the source code and your text is there. Can't see an obvious error that I can fix but there's definitely something going on. I'll just copy and paste your post again here for everyone:

QUOTE:

Originally Posted by etsdtm99 

 

 

1) How many weeks are you?

 

18+3 (4th baby)

 

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

 

pretty good, overall strong - i get slightly winded, and have BH and ligament pains if i overdo it .. (BH while doing whatever, and ligament pains later in the evening) seeing my chiropractor usually gives me 2-3 weeks of relief from both of these (its been 4 weeks now, i go tomorrow)- so far my hips and back are feeling great.

 

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

 

walking daily (shopping, hiking, circling the playground instead of sitting on a bench), caring for and playing with 3 kids 6 & under, - recently i've added squats to my regular activities, instead of bending over o sitting on the floor, because i read they are good for pelvic floor strength .. I have also tried to do some major household reorganization twice a week - this really wears me out so i know it must be good exercise..  I honestly don't have time for anything in the way of traditional exercise so i just work it in to daily life.

 

 

4) What do you hope to add or change?

 

more activity in general, without over doing it.. I'd like to work back up to pre-pregnancy routine of no sitting down until 7:30pm - i figure i'll have to cut back on that as i get bigger and the swelling starts..

 

5) A question for other mommas

 

anyone else find they are rapidly gaining weight as they increase activity levels?  I was glued to the couch and i gained 2lbs the entire first trimester, in the past 6 weeks i've gained 12 lbs!!  i'm eating better and way more active, so  ?!? 

[Jenny01]

Originally Posted by kellybeth 

if anyone uses weights for arms and strength training, is there a certain weight to avoid up to? i'm a first-time mama, so i'm really just feeling my way around, since i have had to modify so much in my normal routine.

I agree with typebug.  I would also say that if you were using weights before you got pregnant, and are used to them, then just keep using them unless you feel discomfort.  If you are a beginner, start light and slowly work your way up in your own comfort level.  I don't think there are any specific restrictions really, especially for arms/legs, non-twisting stuff.

[Jenny01]

1) How many weeks are you?

18 tomorrow!

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

Feeling pretty good - fatigue is better than it was during the first trimester. I get ligament pains if I overdo it though.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

I've been slacking in this area.  I was also slacking before I got pregnant (I used to have a regular exercise routine) so I'm going to be starting from scratch.  The only thing I've been doing is walking the dogs in the evenings 1-2 miles every other day or so.  I also walk to and from work which is 10 mins each way and I go home for lunch.

4) What do you hope to add or change?

I need to work on getting back into a strength routine - I'll be starting with body weight and slowly adding weights as I feel comfortable.  Definitely want to focus on squats and leg strength from now until I'm due.  I also ordered a prenatal yoga dvd that I will be trying out.  I have a treadmill and upright bike too so there is really no excuse.  I just need to get my ass into gear!

[shazrael]

1) How many weeks are you?

16

2) How is your body feeling? Weak? Strong? Ligament pains?

I feel pretty good, but I have a really hard time walking up any sort of hill. I can use an elliptical without a problem, but walking around my city I get really winded. When I stop to drink water i get awful stomach cramping/Braxton Hicks. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to mention it at my next appointment.

3) What does your exercise program look like right now?

I belong to the YMCA and work out 2-4 times a week. I love their child watch program and on days of really bad morning sickness can drop my son off to go read in the locker room and throw up in peace. On good days I do 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training on arm and leg machines, and then get to stretch and shower. For arms I tend to do two sets of ten reps at 50 lbs and then another two or three sets at 35. I have a 30 lb toddler, so 50 lbs feels like 20 =) 

4) What do you hope to add or change?

Next Monday I'll start a one hour water aerobic program at the Y once a week, and then on Saturday my 17 month old and I start a swimming class together.

5) A question for other mommas

Does anyone have any suggestions of fun athletic games to play with a toddler? I want to introduce some exercise besides walking into our outside time, but I need ideas.

[Teles]

I'm officially calling it at 6 months: I hate prenatal yoga. I really love regular yoga and have been doing it for years now, but I seriously hate the slow pace of the prenatal stuff and trying to manage my messy body (dripping nose, gas, poo balance) is stressful and distracting.

I'm also no longer running due to the iffiness of the whole thing with my definitely pregnant body in addition to the sciatic nerve pain that flairs up when I even power walk. I also seriously dislike indoor pools as a person who grew up next to the ocean.

All of this has led me to the following conclusion: I will walk and maybe do the occasional squat for the remainder of my pregnancy, but I'm not going to do any other kind of exercise and I refuse to feel bad about that. If I gain slightly more weight as a result, I can deal with that after Baby is born and I can get back to running and normal, enjoyable yoga. It's just not worth the misery otherwise.