Exercising Mamas? « Back to Group Discussions

[camprunner]

I thought we had a thread like this but I guess not.  Anyone interested in discussing how exercising is going? I am 19 weeks and have struggled to stay active for the most part. There have been highlights...a 60 mile bike ride at 8 weeks and a International Distance Tri at 14 weeks but mostly I've just been trying to make sure I do SOMETHING 3 times a week.  For awhile I'd resorted to water running replacing my running on the ground though I still did some. 

My gym just started a running club to run 5k's so I've started run with (or behind?) them and am motivated to run regularly again. Today I did 3.3 miles and the longer I was out there, the better it felt. Hoping to build back up a little.  I'm also trying to swim twice a week.

I could use encouragement to keep going and thought that I can't be the only one.

What are you doing? How is it going?

[1babysmom]

I'm not able to do anything really intense or high impact...I contract a lot and my SPD flares up to where I feel like I'm dying. (I can't even jog to the mailbox without hurting!) LOL  Soooo...I've just been trying to accomplish a set amount of monthly minutes.  I get in a lot of floor work when I spend my 15-20 minutes on my Denneroll, and I have been trying to spend at least 15-20 minutes on my elliptical every day.  We live in a farm too so there's plenty of physical activity in the everyday things, but it never feels like real exercise to me.

[camprunner]

I've started using the elliptical some as well. Honestly, I think it's what has allowed me to really start running again since it mimics the motion...that and the pool running I've been doing.  I think that any minutes you can get in are great. I'm also calculate minutes instead of worrying about how far and how fast. And I don't actually take a watch with me. Just look at the clock before I leave.

[TIFF4NY]

I was working out in my garage (crossfit) gym for the first couple of months but then that all pretty much stopped when ms hit. I got out of the routine so I haven't really been able to get back into it. I do plenty of physical stuff around the house and with DD, including the big re-arrange of our bedrooms recently. I have occasionally gotten out there and done some kettlebell work or walked on the treadmill but nothing super consistent. I just need to start doing it during DD's naps and I'll be good. I'm going to begin doing max # of squats each day as well seeing how those are helpful for labor. 

[camprunner]

Yep. That's why I started this thread. Hoping we could support and motivate each other.

[IronMam]

I just bought a prenatal workout DVD (Buff something or other). It's not as hardcore as the workouts I was doing pre-pregnancy, but I've been so lazy lately, I need something easy to make sure I don't just say "eh, screw it" and keep my butt planted on the couch. It really helped with my energy. I'm usually wiped by this time of day, but I feel fine. So I'm aiming to do that 3x a week. It's too snowy to run. I ran during the winter last year, but it gets slick and I'm stuck either running early morning or in the evening (which means in the dark). I'm too worried about falling (especially with pregnancy balance issues) to force myself out there this winter.

I might sign up for a prenatal aqua workout class though. I've got a coupon for one.

[camprunner]

I've been looking to see if I could find prenatal exercises to do in the water on my own but didn't really find any. I've been adding a lot of breaststroke because they said it can prevent SPD and I had it bad last time.  Also been thinking about a video for home but can't find anything I like.
 

[IronMam]

Originally Posted by camprunner 

I've been looking to see if I could find prenatal exercises to do in the water on my own but didn't really find any. I've been adding a lot of breaststroke because they said it can prevent SPD and I had it bad last time.  Also been thinking about a video for home but can't find anything I like.

 

My experience has been that prenatal DvDs are never that great. The one I just got is just OK (Buff Moms to Be). The one I had last pregnancy (can't remember what it was called) was terrible. I wish Jillian Michaels had a prenatal DVD.

[brooklyn_warbler]

I am really enjoying the Erin O'Brien prenatal video I have.  It's the first prenatal workout I have done that didn't have me cringing from how cheesy it is and how lame the workout is.  The music is TERRIBLE though.
 

[1babysmom]

I have an Erin O'Brien one too, the Fitness Fix one I think?  I also have one of the kinda corny 10 minute prenatal pilates one but I actually like it.  It's VERY low-key, so great on those days where I'm hurting or I'm huge or just don't have very much energy or motivation. 

[spruce]

My younger three started skiing (cross-country) last week...and it is killing me that I can't go with them. I have a great set of xcountry skis of my own, but because of my asthma, and the fact that nothing i own zips up the front any more, I stay inside while they ski.

(we have looked at maternity coats, but this is our last baby, and it is a big expense).

The big issue is that I am already taking everything I can for asthma, and if I had a bad attack, and ended up nebulised or in the hospital, it would be VERY hard for me to recover without large doses of steroids, and I certainly don't want to add Prednisone to this pregnancy if I can avoid it.

So I am still riding a stationary bike, lifting weights, and swimming three times a week...but I had to give up pushups and a few other exercises with the ball because my right hip kept going out on me. Fun!

Love, p

[camprunner]

Spruce, it's hard to give up something that you love!  Good for you for staying active anyway though.

Today, I did a 5K. It was slow but I just felt good to be out there doing it. I actually placed 3rd out of 18 in my age group even with a 10 min./mile pace.  To me it seems like the attitude about running through pregnancy has changed but I'm finding some people are giving me "that look" when I mention running. 

[spruce]

Wow, camp runner, good on you for coming in third!

And I giggle when people look startled at me for exercising while pregnant...they do know those toddlers don't lift themselves and groceries don't magically appear in the pantry, right? I loved the looks I got when pregnant with my youngest and still responding as a FF/EMT. Hilarious.

[camprunner]

Originally Posted by spruce 

Wow, camp runner, good on you for coming in third!
And I giggle when people look startled at me for exercising while pregnant...they do know those toddlers don't lift themselves and groceries don't magically appear in the pantry, right? I loved the looks I got when pregnant with my youngest and still responding as a FF/EMT. Hilarious.

Yeah...it really wasn't all that impressive. We are a little behind the times here and I think the fitness bug is just now hitting....so many of these people had probably been running for about a month from doing nothing Nonetheless it was very motivating.