October Exercise Accountability Thread « Back to Group Discussions

[kikaaaso]

Hi, Everyone :) It's a new month..and probably most of us are in or headed towards the worst part of the first trimester nausea and fatigue. How are we doing?

I am 8 weeks today, and for the most part I have been doing really well keeping up my running routine. Today was the toughest day so far though...I didn't sleep well last night (insomnia hit me), and so when I went for my run I could tell pretty early on that this was going to be more walking than running today!! That's ok though..I did what I could, and took it easier. 

I haven't found too much time to fit yoga or pilates in on a routine basis, but hopefully I will as the weeks go on.

I hope everyone is doing well (((hugs)))

[snozzberry]

Good for you on the running routine! And for being gentle on yourself after not sleeping.

I'm 9 weeks tomorrow, and I'm keeping up with my daily walking routine, for the most part. I have skipped a day here or there when I feel particularly yucky.

I'm also hoping to add in some yoga after 1) I don't feel like crawling back into bed 24-7, and 2) my thoughts aren't consumed with where my next food is going to come from to stave off nausea.

[AmandaLynnH]

I'm truly in awe of you women who are able to keep up with something like a running routine.  I didn't run before getting pregnant (unless it was toward free cake...).

I was super impressed with myself for doing my two mile lunch walk yesterday.  It's rainy here today and supposed to continue tomorrow so that's probably out of the question for me today and tomorrow.  Maybe I can convince myself to walk on the treadmill at home tonight.

My problem is that I'm sure I'm not eating enough.  Today I've had a piece of cheese, a few pieces of cereal, and half a protein shake.  So when I do manage to work out I end up feeling icky afterwards, probably because I'm not eating enough to support growing a person and additional exercise.  Part of it is that I just don't have the motivation to eat.  I'm not hungry most of the time.  But part of it is thanks to a fear of gaining too much weight during this pregnancy.  My mom has told me for at least 15 years that "she was skinny too before she had kids" implying that I'll be her size once I have kids.  She also comments on my body constantly, until I lost 20 lbs (I was never anything that could be considered fat...150 lbs at 5'7'' at my heaviest, still a healthy BMI) and would love nothing more for me to "get fat" in her mind so I'm determined not to let that happen.  I've read that you don't need extra calories in your first trimester so I'm trying not to go overboard but it's hard when you have to eat every few hours or feel like crap and don't have the energy to do a proper work out.

Any suggestions (aside from removing that toxic woman from my life?)?

[kikaaaso]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

I'm truly in awe of you women who are able to keep up with something like a running routine.  I didn't run before getting pregnant (unless it was toward free cake...).

I was super impressed with myself for doing my two mile lunch walk yesterday.  It's rainy here today and supposed to continue tomorrow so that's probably out of the question for me today and tomorrow.  Maybe I can convince myself to walk on the treadmill at home tonight.

My problem is that I'm sure I'm not eating enough.  Today I've had a piece of cheese, a few pieces of cereal, and half a protein shake.  So when I do manage to work out I end up feeling icky afterwards, probably because I'm not eating enough to support growing a person and additional exercise.  Part of it is that I just don't have the motivation to eat.  I'm not hungry most of the time.  But part of it is thanks to a fear of gaining too much weight during this pregnancy.  My mom has told me for at least 15 years that "she was skinny too before she had kids" implying that I'll be her size once I have kids.  She also comments on my body constantly, until I lost 20 lbs (I was never anything that could be considered fat...150 lbs at 5'7'' at my heaviest, still a healthy BMI) and would love nothing more for me to "get fat" in her mind so I'm determined not to let that happen.  I've read that you don't need extra calories in your first trimester so I'm trying not to go overboard but it's hard when you have to eat every few hours or feel like crap and don't have the energy to do a proper work out.

Any suggestions (aside from removing that toxic woman from my life?)?

(((Hugs))). A two mile walk is great..and when baby comes, you can continue to go on walks to help take off any extra weight from pregnancy. Try not to let your mother get to you. Do what is best for you and your baby..which is get in the nutrition and calories you both need right now. Try not to stress over too much. Eat when you feel hungry, and try not to go overboard..or use the excuse that you are eating for two..and you should be fine. Continue to exercise with what you feel is the right amount for you..and then know you can exercise more after baby is here. Your mother most likely didn't lose her pregnancy weight/or gained weight after children because of poor eating habits, and lack of exercise. Just because she did, does not mean you will too. Be healthy..make healthy choices, and you and your baby will both benefit, and be fine. (((Hugs)))

[kikaaaso]

Oh, and in the first trimester..you are right you don't need really any extra calories. With nausea and fatigue, the first trimester is more about eating what you can tolerate, and trying to find the healthiest choices that won't make you too uncomfortable to manage to keep down. After you start feeling better, usually after the 1st trimester, you then should be more cautious of what you eat..and make sure you are getting enough calories!!

[kikaaaso]

Originally Posted by snozzberry 

Good for you on the running routine! And for being gentle on yourself after not sleeping.

I'm 9 weeks tomorrow, and I'm keeping up with my daily walking routine, for the most part. I have skipped a day here or there when I feel particularly yucky.

I'm also hoping to add in some yoga after 1) I don't feel like crawling back into bed 24-7, and 2) my thoughts aren't consumed with where my next food is going to come from to stave off nausea.

Great job :) I can't wait until the fatigue and nausea ease up!!

[AmandaLynnH]

Originally Posted by kikaaaso 

(((Hugs))). A two mile walk is great..and when baby comes, you can continue to go on walks to help take off any extra weight from pregnancy. Try not to let your mother get to you. Do what is best for you and your baby..which is get in the nutrition and calories you both need right now. Try not to stress over too much. Eat when you feel hungry, and try not to go overboard..or use the excuse that you are eating for two..and you should be fine. Continue to exercise with what you feel is the right amount for you..and then know you can exercise more after baby is here. Your mother most likely didn't lose her pregnancy weight/or gained weight after children because of poor eating habits, and lack of exercise. Just because she did, does not mean you will too. Be healthy..make healthy choices, and you and your baby will both benefit, and be fine. (((Hugs)))

Originally Posted by kikaaaso 

Oh, and in the first trimester..you are right you don't need really any extra calories. With nausea and fatigue, the first trimester is more about eating what you can tolerate, and trying to find the healthiest choices that won't make you too uncomfortable to manage to keep down. After you start feeling better, usually after the 1st trimester, you then should be more cautious of what you eat..and make sure you are getting enough calories!!

Thanks so much for the kind words.  As I've mentioned before on other threads my mother and I have a very difficult relationship due to her having a personality disorder that makes her extremely emotionally abusive and manipulative.  She was giddy when I put weight on during grad school (hello, I was working full time and going nearly full time to grad school and so was DH), always asking about what size I was and making sly comments about how my clothes fit.  She gained weight because she paid no attention to diet or exercise.  Still doesn't even when she claims to be dieting (her sister made the mistake of losing weight and becoming skinnier than she is which set her off) she still eats out constantly and thinks it's fine because she has salads for lunch.  I'm literally terrified of becoming what she hopes I'll be (depressed, overweight, and unhappy).  Eventually she will no longer be a part of my life but until then I have to live with her constant "helpful" suggestions, comments and comparisons.

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

Thanks so much for the kind words.  As I've mentioned before on other threads my mother and I have a very difficult relationship due to her having a personality disorder that makes her extremely emotionally abusive and manipulative.  She was giddy when I put weight on during grad school (hello, I was working full time and going nearly full time to grad school and so was DH), always asking about what size I was and making sly comments about how my clothes fit.  She gained weight because she paid no attention to diet or exercise.  Still doesn't even when she claims to be dieting (her sister made the mistake of losing weight and becoming skinnier than she is which set her off) she still eats out constantly and thinks it's fine because she has salads for lunch.  I'm literally terrified of becoming what she hopes I'll be (depressed, overweight, and unhappy).  Eventually she will no longer be a part of my life but until then I have to live with her constant "helpful" suggestions, comments and comparisons.

This sounds like such a difficult, awful situation!  Ugh.  REALLY big hug for you! 

While we don't need extra calories during the first trimester, I know that I do get extra hungry and hungry at different times.  I wake up hungry at 4am sometimes. lol.  Just listen to your body and don't worry about the weigth you gain provided you are trying to stay active and eat healthy.  We are all so different.  I gained well over 40lbs with DS despite working out almost daily and eating healthy.  6 months after DS was born, I weight 15lbs LESS than when DS was conceived without dieting or going to the gym (just being active at home with DS, walking, etc.).  The 40 plus lbs was just what my body did with the pregnancy hormones, etc.  Pregnancy is not a sentence to becoming over-weight, any more than not having children guarantees you will be skinny!

AFM - did weights today and might aim to get in a half hour of cardio after work.  Last week I made it to the gym 3 times (weights twice, cardio once) but also did a few walks with DH and DS after supper.  This weekend I WILL do my yoga video, tomorrow I WILL make it to the gym.  Otherwise, I'll aim for a good walk or two.  It's thanksgiving this weekend in Canada and I have a 4 day weekend which means I won't be making it to the gym since it's in my office tower and I have no desire to drive downtown on my long weekend!

[jacquelinej]

Ugh, I guess I will just jump on in here since I am losing my motivation slowly due to exhaustion.  If I didn't have to walk DD to school every day, I might not walk at all.  At least that's a built in 1 miler but I really need to up that to 2 miles or more.  I was walking 3-4 before we left Boston.  But since we got here 4 months ago, we walk an insane amount and it's hard to judge how much we are actually walking.  The pedometer is no help, I have a new one and it doesn't work as well as my old one did (or maybe the old one lied really well??).  And I loved my heart rate monitor but it has also died (12 years and the monitor itself is great but the chest strap is broken)...maybe it's time for some new items...

So I am doing my morning walks with DD and then walking an extra 1/2 a mile around the long way to get back home.  I think tomorrow I will go a different route and that should get me closer to 2 miles.  

I am also scared of gaining too much weight.  AmandaLynn I am right there with you except that I was overweight before (but losing weight now that we found out about the celiacs - lost 30 pounds in 6 months just by not eating gluten) and was still slowly losing (1 lb/week).  It takes a long time for my body to let go even if I walk religiously 6 days a week plus weights and change up with swimming.  The doctor said it may take 2 years for my body to heal itself from the gluten and this is likely part of it.  My mother is obese and I hate it.  I really don't want to be like her at all physically.  She always complains about not feeling well and being tired, but she doesn't make any effort!  I am scared I will fall into her mentality although DH says there is not a chance in the world that would happen because my mother and I are so opposite.  I hope he's right.

I've been having pain in the muscle just below my right hip when I first start walking in the morning on my fast portion (after dropping DD off).  I have no idea why it hurts, I thought it could be sciatica but it does stop if I push on it long enough and keep walking.

[PGNPORTLAND]

Hi, I'd like to join.    I am trying to find a happy medium between my pre-pregnancy running and workout out routine and what I am feeling up to right now:)     Mostly I think I'm succeeding:)    I had a calf injury when I got pregnant but it seems to have healed with resting and easy jogging so now I am back to running again and it feels great.    Probably doing about half of what I was doing before I got pregnant - Maybe 4-5 miles a day and couple weightlifting class with about a 1/2 of the weight I was using before.    Staying fit during pregnancy is a new experience for me this time around as I did absolutely nothing with my daughter (now 6).        I only wish I could eat a little healthier right now.    I started this pregnancy only wanting raw veggies and thought "Great!" but, at this point, all i was is noodles!    Veggie and fruit sound so gross!   
 

[nstewart]

Wow PGNPORTLAND, sounds like you are doing awesome.  Only 4-5 miles a day?!! 

AFM, I didn't fit in the yoga, but I did fit in 3 work outs at the gym, did a pile of yard work on Sunday and managed a nice walk with DH last night.  That barely counts as exercise as we weren't exactly sweating by the end, but it beats sitting on the couch, right?  I did a cardio routine today and will try to do weights at least twice and cardio at least once more by Friday. In other news, I've lost 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks so now weight essentially half a pound more than I did when I got my BFP.  I attribute this to actually exercising, and not feeling as nauseous which means I'm not cramming my face every 5 minutes trying to overcome the nausea. 

[jacquelinej]

So I did a weigh in this am.  Today I am 8w1d and I am now under my pre-pregnancy weight.  Attributed to severe MS I posted about in another thread and quite possibly actually getting enough exercise.

I also finally figured out how much I am walking.  I am walking about 3-4 miles a day, its just broken up into 2 milers usually.  Saturday when we went into town, I did 5 easy walking miles (had DD with me) and came home with a really sore and swollen ankle because I was not wearing walking shoes, I was wearing sandals.  One day of limping around, one day of semi-limping and yesterday I could finally put my foot flat on the ground again.  But because I was so sick, I was not going anywhere anyway.  Yesterday I did a 2 miler and today a 2 miler, tomorrow I will be doing 4-5 miles as I have a dr appointment in town and Friday I have another 4 miles anticipated.

I guess, overall, I am not doing as badly as I thought.  Although I should probably walk faster...not sure how fast although I know about the 10 sec rule.  Acupuncturist recommends not walking "too fast" - they have a different set of cultural rules here for pregnant women and actually do not recommend any exercise for the whole pregnancy.  Weird!  I could not do that, I will be getting some serious stares when I am further along.

Not sure if I should be adding in any weights...that was the plan pre-pregnancy but not sure now.  And I don't have any easy access to a gym here...it would have to be book-lifting!  Or water bottle-lifting!

[PGNPORTLAND]

Originally Posted by nstewart 

Wow PGNPORTLAND, sounds like you are doing awesome.  Only 4-5 miles a day?!! 

Awww...    Thanks nstewart.    I was running half marathons before I got pregnant so a slow 5 miles or so is not biggie for me.    I'm just trying to focus on feeling good.   Although i am considering doing a race in a few weeks - just for fun.     It would be a 5k 3.2 miles.      I'm just enjoying running while I can.    Even my most hardcore runner friends have told me they have to stop around 5-6 months along as it just becomes too uncomfortable.     I'll probably switch to hiking/walking when that happens.

[AmandaLynnH]

I've been bad ladies.  The last week and a half, nada.  I think I may need some iron because I spent two days last week feeling weak if I was standing too long and I still get a bit weak if I do too much.  Like, I had to sit down a few times yesterday when cleaning.  Then DH gave me his cold so we've both spent the last few days at home.  I'm finally starting to feel human again so I'll have to start walking again soon but since I stayed home yesterday I have to work through my lunches to make up the time.  Hopefully I can work up to aerobics again.  I'm back up the three lbs I lost when I first got my BFP and I'd really like to drop that again if possible.

[nstewart]

Checking in ladies - how is everyone doing??

I've made it to the gym twice this week for some really great weight routines.  My gym buddy's cousin's husband is a trainer for the Canadian olympic rowing team and has been giving gym buddy workouts to do.  I'm pretty sore but it feels really great to finally have the energy to do a proper work out again.  I should be able to fit in cardio tomorrow  (maybe even end of the day today as well) and will have to make a point to do one other workout at some point this week.

Oh, and I signed DH up for a intro to Crossfit class.  I am jeleous, actually.  I'd love to try it myself but I don't know if it's a good idea right now.  Although I'm doing weights anyway...maybe I'll ask my midwife next week.  So, I am vicariously doing Crossfit for now.

Hopefully with easing morning sickness this thread gets more active again.  Hope you ladies are all doing well and starting to feel better!