The Exercise Thread - Page 6 « Back to Group Discussions

[kitteh]

I really think you will pop over the next 4 weeks. I have known a lot of mamas who did not show til later, but all of them popped before 24 weeks. I think that the Running for Two shirt is a great idea! I was going to get one, but was too cheap to shell out $50 for a running tank, so I just bought a fabric marker instead, ha. I was going to write Baby's First HalfMarathon but didn't have enough room on the shirt, lol. So I wrote Baby's First 13.1! and hoped people got it. Plenty of them did. But I definitely think that if you are going to run a race while pregnant, you want people to KNOW that you're pregnant! The encouragement really helps!

As for biking to the race, the 3 mile ride actually served as a nice light warm-up, and though I wasn't really in the mood to ride another 3 to get home, I actually think it helped my legs. I was a little sore the next day, but nothing like I expected to be and today my legs feel 100%

So, I'll post the pictures now and if I get yelled at I'll take them down. If not I plan to replace them with the official purchased copies once they finally arrive, but I'm waiting for MarathonFoto to start bringing down the price a bit. I'm not paying $60 for race photos when I only paid $35 for the race! These are all out of order, but:

After the race

Approaching/crossing the finish line

During the euphoric phase

Around mile 6. You can't tell here, but I REALLY HAD TO PEE OMG

Also, I don't think these photos show just how pregnant I actually look now. I think that the running tank kind of tents from my boobs to the bump, instead of hugging the curves, which makes it a little less obvious that There's a BABY in There!

[spotty4]

Wow! $35 is a steal for a half marathon! Congratulations, kitteh. What a great experience and great story. :-)

[kitteh]

Yeah, $35 was an awesome price. I got it during the post-race Blitz last year, but of course I signed DH up too and he didn't end up running it with me, so it's really like I paid full price for the race. Oh well.

About to go lace up for an easy 2-3 miler soon. I've been a total lazy shlop and haven't gotten out the door even once since the race last Sunday. I was intending to take it a bit easy during the week after the race, but this is a bit extreme. I haven't even done my pre-natal workout DVD during this whole week! My only exercise has been biking to and from work, which isn't exactly strenuous. I'm pretty sure the belly has had a growth spurt since Sunday, so it will be interesting to see how today's run feels. Off I go.

[CrystalMarie]

I'm still keeping up with my training plan for the half. I had a really nice 9 miler on Saturday and a a short recovery run yesterday, 2 miles on the dreadmill,  I never run on a treadmill and I'm convinced it was my hardest workout in 2013 and I've put in over 50 miles so far. I loath the treadmill. Never again, I say each time I get off one, but then it's freezing rain  I somehow convince myself that the treadmill is a better choice. It's not, it's a mean, cruel machine. End of mini treadmill rant! 

I'm hoping for a steady but hilly 4 miler today, a easy recover run tomorrow and then we'll see where I'm at pace wise during my 10 miler on Saturday! 

[kitteh]

I was just wondering how you have been doing with training. Sounds like you're rocking it! I can't wait to hear how the race goes.

[spotty4]

Good for you on the dreadmill.  I also abhor that machine.

Our temps have been soo soo cold each morning this past week (teens) and now we have snow on the ground so I've not run since the weekend.  I need to but for now walks w/ our dog will have to suffice.  I don't need to take on a snowy run and then slip and fall!  A fall is otherwise embarrassing, but now its downright dangerous w/ precious cargo!

[Mama4life14]

I know that most of you are runners and are very active, but what kind of tips do you have for someone who isn't an exerciser?? I've been pretty inactive this pregnancy so far due to being sick at first then finding out about an SCH so I was on modified bed rest, and now I am just super paranoid and don't want to over do anything. (The SCH is resolved now, thank goodness!) but I feel like I can't just jump into exercising because I never really did pre-pregnancy..

My first pregnancy was nothing like this one, I walked everyday, because I was pregnant in the summer. And I also worked a full time job, I wasn't too active but I felt like I was doing enough. This one I know I'm not doing enough. I would go walking, but its been cold here where I live, not really good conditions for taking my 3 year old outside with me. And the sidewalks aren't exactly stroller friendly. And I don't own a treadmill or anything.

Any tips for me? I don't want to gain any unnecessary weight so I feel like I need to do something!! I also don't want to have a "weak" body for childbirth. As I hear exercising helps with labor. If anything I want it to be better than my last labor of 18 hours, and not worse! Anything? thanks ladies!

[kitteh]

I have a few pre-natal workout videos that get me sweating but don't feel *too* intense. It's nice to work out while looking at other women with preggo bellies, and its nice because they offer specific modifications for mamas who are further along, or not as fit, or just feeling up for something a little less challenging.

[Mama4life14]

Okay thanks Kitteh! I'll look for some prenatal workout videos!

[CrystalMarie]

Any interest in Yoga Mama4life14? I find that on days when I don't feel like going for a run a nice long yoga session feels glorious. It's relaxing but if you're not used to doing things like downward dog can give your muscles quite a workout. There are tons of short beginner yoga videos on youtube. The great thing is that you can hold the poses for as long as you want or as little, really work your muscles or use it more for relaxation. I must admit, I do yoga almost exclusively post-run to relax and stretch my muscles out so I'm already pretty tired but I get into warrior II sometimes and my legs are shot by the time I'm done. 

There is also a easy weight workout video that I've done a few times that I'm really happy with. It's from http://www.trainermomma.com. It might be worth looking into, heres a link to the video I do the most. HERE! 

If I was only able to do one active thing during my pregnancy it would be SQUATS. I can't remember where I read it, some preparing for labor book I think...I remember reading something along the lines of if we were all willing to do 300 squats a day during our pregnancies, labor would go much quicker for all. I don't know how true that is and I'm certainly not at 300 squats a day right now but I'm trying to incorporate more squats into my day. 

[Mama4life14]

Originally Posted by CrystalMarie 

Any interest in Yoga Mama4life14? I find that on days when I don't feel like going for a run a nice long yoga session feels glorious. It's relaxing but if you're not used to doing things like downward dog can give your muscles quite a workout. There are tons of short beginner yoga videos on youtube. The great thing is that you can hold the poses for as long as you want or as little, really work your muscles or use it more for relaxation. I must admit, I do yoga almost exclusively post-run to relax and stretch my muscles out so I'm already pretty tired but I get into warrior II sometimes and my legs are shot by the time I'm done. 

There is also a easy weight workout video that I've done a few times that I'm really happy with. It's from http://www.trainermomma.com. It might be worth looking into, heres a link to the video I do the most. HERE! 

If I was only able to do one active thing during my pregnancy it would be SQUATS. I can't remember where I read it, some preparing for labor book I think...I remember reading something along the lines of if we were all willing to do 300 squats a day during our pregnancies, labor would go much quicker for all. I don't know how true that is and I'm certainly not at 300 squats a day right now but I'm trying to incorporate more squats into my day. 

Wow thanks for all the info!!
I've tried a little yoga pre-pregnancy just for fun. But it never stuck! It's definitely worth a try! I know what my limits are, and I would be okay starting off super slow going. I never thought of the squats thing! Makes sense!!
Thank you so much! I think videos will be the best route for me. Something I can do indoors!

[dayiscoming2006]

Mama4life: I'm kinda like you. I was exercising pre-preg., but not at the level of these amazing runner chicks. :)

I was just doing regular 20-40 minute workout videos and taking walks with the kids. Was in pretty good shape when I got pregnant, but the whole first trimester as soon as the nausea and fatigue kicked in was a bust despite my good intentions. I just started back walking with the kids and doing this prenatal pilates dvd. The pilates makes me feel great because it helps me get stronger and have less pain from weak muscles. I have a somewhat bad back and it helps. If you live close to a mall, you could drive there and take walks around with your kids if they will handle that alright. I've heard of people doing that. I also like Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds. It's not specifically for pregnancy, but it's lower impact for the most part. Some of her dvd's are meant for a little higher impact, but most of them are gentle. Link to the first dvd I ever bought of hers. I'd get the danskin 2 lb weighted balls or just use 2 lb weights if you get that one. You can try the one's it comes with, but I didn't like them much. 

I like this one too http://www.amazon.com/Leslie-Sansone-Walk-Sleek-Pilates/dp/B002PCKWVS/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1359567796&sr=1-3&keywords=walk+away+the+pounds+pilates

This is a newer one I haven't tried yet... http://www.amazon.com/Leslie-Sansone-Ultimate-Walk-Plan/dp/B006NKFAA6/ref=sr_1_10?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1359567616&sr=1-10&keywords=walk+away+the+pounds

There are many more, if you are interested, just watch out for duplicates. Some of the dvd's are the same workouts repackaged. 

When your done being pregnant, try zumba. I love zumba. :) It helped me lose more weight when I hit a wall and it was fun. The dvd workouts are fine, but my preference is using the games on xbox with kinect. I don't have money or time for classes. But, that's another route.

[Mama4life14]

Wow thank you Dayiscoming!! I'm going to look those DVD's up and get a few for these next cold winter months. We also have a Zellers store that is closing in my small town, maybe I could find some prenatal work out DVD's there for cheap.
We don't have a mall close by, closest one is an hour away. I wish we had one closer! That would be my exercise of choice. Lol!
My sister does Zumba and absolutely loves it. She has a membership at a gym and can just drop in anytime. I think maybe next winter when I am not pregnant and am in this same predicament with lack of activity, I will join!
Thanks for all the great links and ideas ladies! I knew if I asked you all, I would get some great ideas!
Ill let you know how it goes

[CrystalMarie]

Well I did my last long run (12.1miler) before the half. Mentally it was no big deal, physically, my hips are a little unhappy. I've been fighting a nasty cold for the last week and hadn't run at all for a while and just hope to not lose too much ground over the next two weeks. I'm thinking of running a low key 5k this weekend, if I can get DH to join me. Then it's RACE Weekend!  

[kitteh]

Nice work CM! I think my hips were pretty sore about 3/4ths of the way thru my last pre-race long run (which was also 12.1 miles!) but it didn't really show up on race day til the last quarter mile or so (though my calves mysteriously hated me over the last 5k. Must've been the hills.) From everything I have read, you really won't lose much if any fitness in 2 weeks of taking it a bit easy, so rest up and kick that cold! I can't wait to hear about how it goes, I think about you and your upcoming race a lot on my runs. How is that bump looking these days?

AFM, I did a "long run" of 7 today, in just over an hour. I've been getting in 15-18 miles a week but its generally fewer days and mid-distance runs of 4-6 miles. My goal is to throw in a few 1-3 milers a couple times a week, to keep it up to 4 or 5 runs a week. Super hilly 10k coming up in 3ish weeks, so I've gotta start tackling some big hills in training. Running has felt really amazing lately, I think I'm in that sweet spot where I've got more energy and more speed than a month ago, and belly isn't ridiculously huge yet. Hope it lasts.

[CrystalMarie]

Ooh hilly 10 miler, sounds tough. I've noticed hills becoming increasingly more difficult and my midwife said I'll start noticing difficultly with my regular runs soon as well due to our little ones pushing up into our lung space. Should be interesting. So far I'd agree with you. Running is feeling pretty amazing right now. I've been sick but when I get out the door I feel like I'm flying, I really hope this will stay for a few months but we'll see. 

Mentally I'm totally prepared for the distance even though I missed a long run due to being sick. The distance isn't intimidating me at all. I know I can run 13.1 miles, that does make me nervous. It's how fast or slow and how bad is it gonna hurt. :) but I'm excited to see what happens! 

I'm also considering a 10 miler on April 13th just to keep myself motivated to push the long runs into my training because I know that if I don't have a goal, I slack pretty heavily and I'm sure it will not be easy to start again if I take too much time off. 

The bump is still feeling pretty small but It's making leaps and bounds everyday now. I received my first congrats from an unknown women in the store and that was fantastic. So I'm sure it must seem bigger to other people. Sometimes I look at it and feel huge and other times I feel tiny but I'm measuring dead on for 22 weeks! 

[kitteh]

Oh yeah, you've definitely popped a bit! Isn't it exciting when you finally look pregnant to strangers?

[kitteh]

Originally Posted by kitteh 
 I've been getting in 15-18 miles a week but its generally fewer days and mid-distance runs of 4-6 miles. My goal is to throw in a few 1-3 milers a couple times a week, to keep it up to 4 or 5 runs a week.

Well I did manage to get in 4 runs and 17 miles this week, but it felt like less because I squished the runs half at the beginning of the week and half now at the tail end with a big gap in of 3 days in the middle. With all of the stress this week, finding out that my birthplace is now up in the air and I'm not sure who will be delivering this baby or how we will afford the birth we want etc etc, I definitely needed those runs for my sanity!

I work my prenatal cradle last night for the first time during my 3 miler and it really helped. This belly is rapidly expanding and I'm feeling pretty uncomfortable through my ribcage and mid-back, so the extra support was amazing.

Goal for next week:

Sun 7 miles

Mon Rest

Tue 2 miles

Wed 5 miles

Thurs Make out with my hunny

Friday 3 miles

Saturday 3 miles

[spotty4]

I ran my 5K race today!  I finished it in 34:41, so an 11:09 min/mile pace.  Its my slowest 5K ever, but its my first pregnant 5K.  I'll take it! :)

It was a great morning and a lot of fun w/ 2 other girlfriends.  Once I got back to my car, though, I learned that another pregnant girlfriend of mine had just lost her twins at 12 weeks.  Now my heart is heavy. :(

[kitteh]

Nice work Spotty!

So sad about your friend though. It really hits home when it happens to someone close to you.