Exercise and health accountablility thread Nov.26-Dec. 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[CoBabyMaker]

OK, the holidays are upon us and it's getting cold! For me, the cold weather always makes me just feel like curling up so I need some accountability! I am finally feeling well enough to exercise and I need to make some changes to my diet now that food aversions are lifting and I can eat more variety in food.

My goal is exercise 4-5 days a week right now. This morning I did an exercise video so I can check that off for today! I need to get back to taking my supplements now that I can (hopefully) swallow things.

How are you ladies doing with your health goals?

[nstewart]

Co, thanks for starting this thread!  The "activity" threads died while everyone was in the throes of MS but hopefully we can get started up again!

I haven't been working out as much as I would like.  I've been making it to they gym approx. 3 times per week most weeks.  I'd like to go 4 times, plus attend my yoga class.  I've been doing my circuit weight training with my gym buddy.  It's a pretty intense work out (my gym buddy is a very fit man and the work outs are the one his trainer friend designs for him) but I just modify as I have to.  (Obviously, I do less weight than him, I've also been doing 12 reps instead of 6, and then only doing 3 sets instead of 4 sometimes).  Since it's circuit training, I haven't done much cardio as my heart rate gets up there with just the weight training. I have to say though, going with him is really good as we keep eachother accountable and he doesn't let me wimp out on going or on cutting corners on the exercises.

I'd like to make my 4th workout just cardio.

I'm signed up for prenatal yoga right now, and my session ends just before Christmas.  I'm really enjoying it so far, and plan on registering for another class in the new year.

How is everyone else making out?

[adventuregirl]

Totally need this. I have been a bit better lately, got a good prenatal workout video that I've been doing 4-5 times a week. It incorporates weights, which I really needed to add back in. In my first tri I had a tough time doing workouts, everything I did before was awful, so I switched to prenatal yoga. But that was a bit too light for me and I really fell out of shape, so this new one is helping me get back to it, although I didn't do it much over the long weekend. I did do plenty of other things like walking and cleaning my house non-stop for 5 hours, but I still felt like a sloth when I didn't bother to go downstairs and do it this morning.

I'm also really making an effort to eat better, I've been doing much better since my last mw appt when she gave me a diet diary to fill out, it really made me think about what I was eating, and it does feel rather good.

[AmandaLynnH]

Who has two thumbs and needs this thread?  This girl!

The last 2 weeks I've been good and done my requisite 3 times a week for 30 mins at least (well ok I fudged a small bit last week and did a 60 min, a 30 min, and a 20 min but I figure it all evens out and the 20 mins was on Thanksgiving so I figure I was also up and doing stuff that day and it's really a work out retraining myself from killing my mother...) so that I can qualify for a health reward from my work program.  If I do it for 6 weeks straight I get $50!  I'll take that!

Nothing so far this week but I plan to walk for 30 tonight.  

My back has really been bothering me for a good week and a half and was not fond of the 5 hour car rides it got on Wed and Fri.  Yesterday I woke up and could hardly move.  Worked from home so I could ice and heat it all day and had DH rub it which really helped.  Walking seems both to help and hurt.  Scared to do much beyond that.  It's my lower back and I have a knot right in the middle of my right butt cheek.  I get a massage on Thursday (assuming they remembered to schedule someone who can do a prenatal massage THIS time around) so maybe that'll take care of it.  I certainly hope so.  I don't want this back thing to mess up my rewards program money.  Plus I'd like to stay active, or, rather, get active again during pregnancy so labor is easier and I keep my weight reasonable.

How much has everyone gained so far? I'm 15.5 weeks (nearly) and am up about 9 lbs.  It's gotta be boobs and water retention but it still makes me sad.

[adventuregirl]

15 weeks and up 10 lbs total. Not excited about it, but whatever. I wish I could say it was mostly in my boobs, but it is most definitely not.

Well, I have worked out yesterday and today, went for a short walk yesterday and planning one for today (still unsure if that will actually happen), so I am doing good. I struggle with the walking, I just bury myself in other things and push it off. Do any of you ladies have motivating ideas for getting out for walks?

[CoBabyMaker]

No tips on walks other than just do it. I actually love walking but I hate being cold so it's a hard time of year for me to get out there. Today is cold, rainy and super windy so I am planning to pop in my exercise DVD again after I tackle the dirty dishes. I'm telling you that I'm doing it so I feel obligated! I really need to get some other prenatal dvds or rent some from the library. I picked up the one I have to $2 or $3 and it's an ok workout I guess but the girl bugs me. We thought we were done after DD2 so I got rid of my favorite prenatal yoga DVDs and then we decided to have another baby. Oops!

I am 15 weeks up 7-9 lbs. depending on the day. Last night's pizza and cookies at a memorial service probably didn't help but I was so hungry! The pizza was easier to eat while keeping track of the kids than salad. Oh well. I have never gained in the first trimester before because I was always sick. Since I was sick enough to be on Zofran this time I wasn't puking but still had crazy food aversions and had to eat constantly to avoid puking so I ate bagels and cream cheese, quesadillas and apples for a month. Not so good but it was what I could do. I gained 37 lbs. with both previous pregnancies so I am a little nervous to add first trimester weight gain to that. I just have to do the best I can though. OK-dishes then exercise!
You can do it ladies!

ETA: Did it! I totally crashed and ran out of steam around 5:00 though. I can hardly function.
Edited by CoBabyMaker - 11/28/12 at 6:38pm

[adventuregirl]

I walked yesterday, phew! Seriously just have to make it happen. Need to make it happen today too. I will. I will. I will!

I got a pretty good prenatal exercise dvd from the library that I am liking right now, its Gabrielle Reece (couldn't really tell you who she is, but must be some sort of celebrity) and there is a workout for each month, so you mix it up. I loved the first tri ones where she looked like she was gonna puke the whole time, it made it feel real.

[CoBabyMaker]

Good job Sheryl! Just getting started is always the hardest part for me too. This morning I was SO exhausted and had an icky stomach. I was sitting there contemplating a video for the kids and more time in bed for me. I exercised instead though. I am glad I made myself do it. I'm still tired as all get out but at least I exercised.

[AmandaLynnH]

Motivating me to walk?  Perhaps place an ice cream shop about a mile away?  Lol.

But I've done it twice this week so far, and even did an extra 10 minutes yesterday.  So now I only have one more to do to meet my goal, more obviously, to exceed it.  I've been feeling super fat lately so I'd like to exceed it but we'll see.  I get a glorious 90 minute massage tonight so I may not want to walk today and then I babysit tomorrow night so I may not be able to.  May just have to be Sat.

Anyone have good suggestions for exercising with a sore lower back?  I don't know if it's a bad disc or what but I injured it a few years ago and re-injure it every so often and pregnancy doesn't seem to agree with it.  When I get off the treadmill sometimes it's worse (usually 2.5 pace at a 5-7 incline) but I'm scared to do something more rigorous that may involve kicking when it's like this.

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

Anyone have good suggestions for exercising with a sore lower back?  I don't know if it's a bad disc or what but I injured it a few years ago and re-injure it every so often and pregnancy doesn't seem to agree with it.  When I get off the treadmill sometimes it's worse (usually 2.5 pace at a 5-7 incline) but I'm scared to do something more rigorous that may involve kicking when it's like this.

Yikes, that doesn't sound fun.  Have you tried yoga?  Prenatal yoga specifically would be good.  Have you considered a chiro?  Something could be out of alignment.

So, Monday started off with a great workout.  My arms were killing me Tuesday.  However, DS got super sick Monday night, so I didn't get any sleep Monday or Tuesday night and hense haven't made it to the gym again until today (partly because my brain was so fried I was really inefficient at getting any work done and partly because I just didn't have the energy).  I should be able to get a work out in tomorrow, and then Sunday I have Yoga.  So as long as I make it tomorrow that'll be 4 times this week.

I also had a chiro appointment yesterday afternoon with someone who specializes in prenatal and postnatal chiropractory.  Her philosophy is that if you have everything aligned you will not only be more comfortable through your pregnancy but will have a faster,easier delivery.  Here's hoping.  She did an assessment and my pelvis is pretty out of alignment and my sacrum is really tight.  So, I'll see her again this week, and twice next week and then go once a month provided things are getting straightened out (pun intended!).  Oh, and on the plus side she said I am not to do lunges any more as it can put your pubic bone out of whack if you do them in pregnancy.  I HATE lunges, and my gym buddy is an avid skkier so he always wants to do them, so YAY!!!  Also, no more deadlifts, Romanian or otherwise.  Just in case any of you ladies were doing these as well, there are not a lot of things on the no-do list but according to this chiro these two are out.

[CoBabyMaker]

I would also suggest yoga and chiropractic.   I typically have a lot of pain in my hips during pregnancy and they both help so much.  I waddle and limp badly unless I am adjusted and doing yoga.

Her philosophy is that if you have everything aligned you will not only be more comfortable through your pregnancy but will have a faster,easier delivery.

I've heard that as well.  I have been going to my chiropractor since the fifth grade and he even offered to come adjust me during labor if I wanted. 

That is interesting about the lunges.  I guess it makes sense though since it's a lot of weight shifting.

NStewart, I think you get a free pass when you have a sick little one.  That sounds like it was rough!  I hope he is all better now.

Edited by CoBabyMaker - 11/29/12 at 9:40pm

[timesway]

some pilates may also help, yoga is no good if your too flexible, it will just add to your  flexibility and if your spine is susceptable to injury especially on hills i'd say you need to focus on breathing excersises and strenghening your core, and maybe then move on to yoga after otherwise you mite put something out of place.. i'm really good at yoga, so much it doesnt do anything lol because i can get into all the non standing poses without stretching, when my physio found out i was doing yoga she lost it lol.. pilates mite generally be a better one for all when pregnant anyway because of the relaxon? altho if your doing yoga already i dont think it will make much difference.

Its times like these when i wish i could run.. when i was younger (pre wheelchair) i was SOO sporty, loved it.. i miss it alot.. im trying to convince my physios to let me do hydrotherapy atm, but so far they dont seem to think its a good idea :S
 

[Quinalla]

I've just been trying to walk as much as I can, so parking far away for lunch and then walking from there to Kroger to pick up something for a snack or dinner and back. It's not much, but it's something! I need to start doing some light pregnancy yoga, that always helps my back especially to feel better! Otherwise, I've been squatting whenever I can and tailor sitting and I'm about to bring my exercise/birth ball into work to start sitting on at least some of the day. I know some of that isn't exactly exercise, but it will help get my body in good shape for labor.

Stairs and ladders are killer right now, carrying twins is very different for me anyway than a singleton! I'm really trying to limit my stair trips and I'm also limiting carrying DD as much as possible, only doing it when it is a safety issue and DH isn't there.

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by Quinalla 

I've just been trying to walk as much as I can, so parking far away for lunch and then walking from there to Kroger to pick up something for a snack or dinner and back. It's not much, but it's something! I need to start doing some light pregnancy yoga, that always helps my back especially to feel better! Otherwise, I've been squatting whenever I can and tailor sitting and I'm about to bring my exercise/birth ball into work to start sitting on at least some of the day. I know some of that isn't exactly exercise, but it will help get my body in good shape for labor.
Stairs and ladders are killer right now, carrying twins is very different for me anyway than a singleton! I'm really trying to limit my stair trips and I'm also limiting carrying DD as much as possible, only doing it when it is a safety issue and DH isn't there.

Katie, I think every little bit we do can help!  And the exercise/birth ball actually does strengthen your core, so that's good!!

Steph, you are right that you have to be careful not to over-stretch in pregnancy, but prenatal yoga is a bit different than regular yoga in that the postures are designed to keep that in mind.  There's no twisting movements, no backbends, nothing that would mess the pelvis, etc.  Plus, interestingly (I just learned this from my new Chiro) not all parts of the body become increasingly flexibel during pregnancy.  Some become less so.  The body seems to know what should move and what shouldn't.  That being said, some people have more relaxin than others and probably need to be more careful than others!

[BaileyB]

Does reading the exercise and health accountability thread count as exercise? What about knitting? How many calories does that burn? Now that I am FINALLY not throwing up and I seem to have gotten out of my anemic funk and I just got a bunch of my nesting projects done, my treadmill is staring at me. I have been feeling guilty about not using it and I am getting into the holiday season and the part of my pregnancy where my weight can really get away from me. Then I get the the third tri and look at my legs and go 'Waaaaaaaaaa! How did this happen!?'

[AmandaLynnH]

Originally Posted by nstewart 

Yikes, that doesn't sound fun.  Have you tried yoga?  Prenatal yoga specifically would be good.  Have you considered a chiro?  Something could be out of alignment.

Originally Posted by CoBabyMaker 

I would also suggest yoga and chiropractic.   I typically have a lot of pain in my hips during pregnancy and they both help so much.  I waddle and limp badly unless I am adjusted and doing yoga.

I've heard that as well.  I have been going to my chiropractor since the fifth grade and he even offered to come adjust me during labor if I wanted. 

That is interesting about the lunges.  I guess it makes sense though since it's a lot of weight shifting.

NStewart, I think you get a free pass when you have a sick little one.  That sounds like it was rough!  I hope he is all better now.

The massage yesterday helped a great deal, course now I'm sore as all get out but since I babysit tonight that's no biggie, wasn't going to be able to work out anyway.  

Once the new year starts and I have my high deductible plan (that's really not that high and the same out of pocket cost as the lower deductible plans due to no coinsurance) I'll look into a chiro or napropath and massage on a more regular basis.

Does it have to be specifically prenatal yoga?  I have a couple of yoga videos that I've done but they're not prenatal.  From looking online it looks like you can do regular if you just avoid certain positions.

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

The massage yesterday helped a great deal, course now I'm sore as all get out but since I babysit tonight that's no biggie, wasn't going to be able to work out anyway.  

Once the new year starts and I have my high deductible plan (that's really not that high and the same out of pocket cost as the lower deductible plans due to no coinsurance) I'll look into a chiro or napropath and massage on a more regular basis.

Does it have to be specifically prenatal yoga?  I have a couple of yoga videos that I've done but they're not prenatal.  From looking online it looks like you can do regular if you just avoid certain positions.

Yes, you can do regular yoga you just have to avoid or modify certain postures.  As time goes on you may just also have to modify postures that are ok right now but using blocks or something since your belly will get in the way and your balance will be off.  Maybe you could check out a prenatal yoga DVD from the library or something just to get a feel for what postures are ok, and which should be modified?  Or I have also seen prenatal yoga books at our library, those could be a good resource just for modifications too. 

[OtherMother]

Joining, excercise is one of bigger things on my pregnancy I-know-I-need-to-work-on-this list .. we joined the Y this past week, and it's been AWESOME. I've been going at least every other day, DD loves it, so I have no qualms about longer work-outs as I get stronger. Did a yoga class; it was kind of too low key for me but good for stretching purposes. My awesome new sneakers (birthday gift from hubs) and new gym clothes (motivational gift to myself) have been helping too .. I just feel like I have more energy, want to move more, happier, and less likely to put crap in my body. Yay for that! This week I plan to go M-T-TH and either Fri or Sat. Maybe one additional day. And will try to ramp up the workouts (doing mostly cardio plus a lot of good stretching) and add some strength training. I feel great!

[CoBabyMaker]

Oh boy, the last two days have been really busy and tomorrow will be too.  The good kind of busy but just busy.  So I might only make 3 days this week.  I'd have to wake at about 5:15 tomorrow to exercise and I am just not sure I am willing to do that-just being honest.  I have to be around people (and be nice AND awake) from about 8 am -6:30 pm tomorrow soooo.  That's my excuse for now.  Maybe I'll go do some floorwork, light weights and stretching in front of the TV.

[adventuregirl]

Been so busy this week, I haven't been able to walk at all, but am going to today when I pick up dd from school. I have been doing my am workouts though, so at least I have that. Although this morning I pulled a muscle in my back at some point while working out, not sure when or how, but afterwards the long muscle in the center/left side of my back is totally tight and sore. I've been trying to stretch it a little, but sitting on the exercise ball for work was killing it, so I've switched to a back supported seat which is better, but still not totally comfy. Urgh. Thinking a hot bath may be in order tonight. And maybe I can remember where my heating pad is...

Keep going girls, even thinking about it (or reading this thread) is a step closer than nothing!