Exercise!!

[akmeg]

I'd like to start a little discussion about exercising while pregnant since my last pregnancy I wasn't really doing anything active. I'm not quite sure if there's anything special I need to know and I thought you good mamas might have more ideas than me.

I joined a gym in the beginning of September and so I've been working out regularly about 4 days a week for around 6 weeks now. I do about 25-30 minutes of cardio and then a full body weight workout around a circuit. I also take a yoga class once a week and do whatever stretches I feel I need on other days. So my plan is to continue working out 4 days a week, and so far I haven't changed anything, but today I noticed that I had really bad side cramps while I was warming up for my run, then I only ran for two minutes and decided it was too uncomfortable so I stopped and walked a bit more. I just want to make sure I'm being safe but I want to keep exercising!

Also, as I'm getting stronger, is it still okay to be increasing weights and intensity and lengths of cardio? I don't really plan to push it really hard, but I want to improve if it's still safe to do so. Any experience with this would be helpful, or any links to pregnancy exercising information or books. I just am a bit clueless about all this. Thanks!

[mommy2boys]

I don't have much advice, I do yoga and cardio and have noticed I get sore and exhausted a lot quicker since I've been pregnant. I do 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. I would talk to your midwife or doctor about it.

[Keeta]

I've been noticing that I get sore a lot easier, too, from the stuff I normally did pre-preg.

I think the key to exercising while preggers is to always listen to what your body is telling you. If it feels uncomfortable to run, just try walking briskly instead (everywhere I have read claims that walking or swimming are the best exercises while pregnant).

As for the weights, I'm not really sure myself. I would think it would be fine, as long as it was a gradual increase and it feels ok to your body. I would ask your care provider about that and to get the go-ahead on running, if you want to try to continue doing so.

It feels so good to exercise, doesn't it? I've been making myself do it more, and I find that I really do have more energy afterward (even though somedays I would kick my DH's butt for telling me so when I didn't feel like it! :LOL )

[BundleFishMama]

I work out at Curves, 3-5 times a week, basically sounds the same as what you're doing, a mix of low-impact aerobics and weight training in a circuit. My midwife said both the aerobics and the weights are fine as long as I don't overdo it - heart rate should not get much above 140 or so, and you should be able to talk while working out (so if you're too winded to be able to carry on a conversation with the person next to you, you're working out too hard). This is an easy way for me to gauge my exertion level because I'm always at the gym! As for the weights, she said stick with what you've been doing and just don't push yourself quite as much as you would if you weren't pg.

I'm so happy to be sticking with an exercise routine (so far!) this time - with my first two I did nothing at all in the way of exercise (except spoon-lifts with Ben & Jerry's! :LOL) so I gained too much and never lost it, even with tandem-nursing. Anyway, in the 4 months before we conceived this time, I made some diet changes and started the Curves program, and I lost 20 pounds (yay!) so I feel like I'm healthier going into this pregnancy and I want to try to stay that way throughout it!

[CaraboosMama]

The only things I have to add to the pp's is that if you decide to keep increasing difficulty/time or weights & cardio -

1. Be careful of becoming overheated

2. Watch you heart rate (ask midwife or Dr. for a good target & max for you)

3. Watch your breathing - many people hold their breath (intentionally or not) during weight lifting. This is controvertial in general, and definitely a bad idea when pregnant.

I know long walks & yoga both kept me sane & made my 1st labor & delivery easier - but pregnancy is no time to train for a marathon either! :LOL

Kate

[Twilight]

I am trying to do a little something every day.. a walk with the dog and DD, or a bike ride.

BundleFishMama is exactly right... I wear a heart rate monitor sometimes and try to keep the heart rate below 140, but the key is like she mentioned to just not overdo it. The baby needs to be getting enough oxygen and so do you. So don't exercise to the point that you can't even talk. If you can carry on a conversation while you're exercising then you are doing just fine.

Increasing weights should be fine, increasing length of cardio should be dandy, but watch for increasing the intensity for that reason...

As my pregnancy progressed last time, I would get strong BH contractions if I walked too long or too far, and then I knew I overdid it and I would go home and lay down for a while. don't get dehydrated or it makes your uterus irritable.. and stop if you start having contractions!

[StacyL]

Exercise- what's that?



Ahem...

Anyway, one of these days when I start feeling "not-sick" I will try to take up exercising again. I did exercise in my first pregnancy. I did the Slim In Six videos until I got too big, and then I swam 2-3 times a week. Swimming was great.

There's a Curves nearby. Is it expensive? Do they have someone to watch your baby while you do the circuit?

[chiromama]

Well, low impact exercise will be better for your body in the long run.. esp as you gain weight throughout the pregnancy. Walking, yoga, light weights... all good. I wouldn't increase your weights too much.. do it gradually cause you're growing someone in there.. and they need more of your calories than the dumbells do

As for me... i was taken off all exercise (except walking) during the IVF cycle ... they specifically told me NO YOGA so... now that we've seen the heartbeat.. I'm ready to get back to the y oga mat.. I bought a prenatal yoga dvd this weekend, as I was doing Astanga.. which is a little too intense for pregnancy... and I'm hoping to start walking again.


PS... for those who care.. Curves is owned by a really really right wing group that is very anti womens rights. I like their idea of a womens place to exercise... adn the whole circuit training is good.. but i don't like their political leanings.. but that's justme.

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by chiromama

PS... for those who care.. Curves is owned by a really really right wing group that is very anti womens rights. I like their idea of a womens place to exercise... adn the whole circuit training is good.. but i don't like their political leanings.. but that's justme.

What do you mean and where did you hear that?

[Keeta]

What do you mean and where did you hear that?

I think that this article might be what she's referring to.

Quote from top of article: "Curves gym, with its no-stress workout for exercise-averse women, is the fastest-growing franchise in the U.S. But revelations that its founder gives millions of dollars to antiabortion groups has its customers divided over just what a "female-friendly" business is."

Read the full article (you have to watch an ad b/c salon isn't normally free)


I've read about it before, too in other magazines (Bitch magazine, for one). It is pretty annoying if they're making money off of women and they funnel it straight back into taking away women's rights...(And I'm not assuming that everyone on this board is pro-choice, either. Just passing along the facts!) Personally, I'm not into the guy's politics. But like Chiromama said, that's just me.

One alternative suggestion: check out http://www.craigslist.org for cheap exercise equipment. We got our awesome treadmill on there for like $200. It was a steal, and one of those that fold up so it doesn't take up that much room. And if you join a local freecyclers, you might find weight equipment. We got a weight bench and a big chest-press barbell for free!

[chiromama]

Perfect reply Keeta. (oregon misses you!)
Here is snopes take on it. http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/curves.asp
Again, this is just my personal political leaning... I hope not to offend anyone, just to share the information with anyone who feels the same way.
If you love curves, and don't care what this guy does, then enjoy your workouts, and stay healthy

[BundleFishMama]

OT....Curves

Hmm....I guess we should try to keep this thread politics-free because I love hangin' out with all you other June mamas but it appears we have extremely different political views! I mean, I personally don't mind discussing our differences of opinion, I have friends of all political leanings, but I always think it's so sad when those types of discussions start out respectful and then get I would hate to let controversial issues get in the way of what we have in common here!

To respond to what you said though, I define "women's rights" very differently. I don't think of Curves as anti-women at all; I think of them as very pro-women AND, equally important to me as a mother, very pro-baby! I love the Curves workout and for me, the fact that the owners donate some money to pro-life causes is a bonus, not a downside.

Besides the fact that they donate to charities I support (which btw goes far beyond just pro-life stuff, they donate to tons of other charities too, like breast cancer research for example), I really think the workout and the atmosphere is great, and to answer the pp's question, no they are NOT expensive, another reason I love them! In my area (PA) it only costs $29 per month for unlimited use. There is a one-time registration fee but they are always running specials on that (usually $75 - I got it for half that during a promotion. Now for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they are doing a really good promotion - bring in proof of having had a mammogram and you can join free!) They don't have babysitting though - but many locations have hours to accomodate moms. The one near me opens at 6 am and doesn't close until 8 pm, so I can go either before DH leaves for work in the morning, or after he comes home. HTH!

(BTW I hope I didn't offend anyone, I am certainly not trying to start a debate or anything, there are other places for that on MDC, just felt that since once side of the whole Curves controversy was presented, in all fairness people should hear the other perspective, too!)

[Keeta]

BundleFishMama - I'm so glad you found a workout regimen that's working for you! I bet it's great to work out with other women and get moral support during exercise. DH and I used to belong to a gym, but we moved further away, and it would take us about 45 minutes round-trip just to get there and back! So we invested in our trusty treadmill, which I love. We also had this old NordicTrac walker (treadmill without a motor) so we can even workout together in the basement - which is fine, unless the smell of cat litter is too pungent for me for the day! :LOL

Does anyone out there have any yoga for pregnancy video recommendations? I'd take book recs, too, but I'd prefer to have the combined audio/visual experience if possible. I don't know about the rest of you mamas, but prenatal yoga classes here are expensive! Not to mention less convenient than my living room.

[chiromama]

No offense here. I agree. no fighting on the DDC! just sharing opinions, and glad we can respect eachother.

Keeta, I just bought a prenatal yoga DVD, but haven't even looked at it yet. I'll let you know when i get to it

[StacyL]

So, Curves' owner donates to pro-life groups? How refreshing!

Personally, I don't believe a woman has a "right" to kill her baby, although I know I am likely in the minority here. To hear of a business that isn't donating to Planned Parenthood is a good thing. That would actually make them something of an anomaly since the list of corporations that donates to Planned Parenthood is extremely long. I just don't get why they do either - if one does the slightest bit of research into Margaret Sanger, it is a no-brainer to be opposed to her "ideas." She was a lunatic.

But as someone said, this is not the thread for this type of discussion. So, I will step off my soapbox. :

[akmeg]

Thanks for all the tips about working out during pregnancy. I definitely will continue doing it because I've committed to two years at my gym, so no going back now!

Actually, I'm really looking forward to this pregnancy and hoping I can keep really fit and strong! I've also just come off of a 6 week candida cleanse and so my diet is very healthy and free of sugar and refined products. Hopefully I'll be able to keep that up for the next 8 months as well.

I just got a book from the library today called Exercising Through Your Pregnancy, so I'll let you know if there's anything amazingly insightful in there. If anyone would be interested in keeping sort of a running thread about exercising (no pun intended ) I'd be happy to have other people to share workout ideas with and ask questions to.

Happy healthy pregnancy!

Cheers!

[BundleFishMama]

Stacy, yes, it's nearly impossible to find companies that don't donate to Planned Parenthood, in fact I once tried to boycott them at the same time I was trying to be a good lactivist and boycott Nestle and all its affiliates, and literally I couldn't buy a thing!

Yeah, we're definitely in the minority all over MDC, what can ya do, I love it here anyway You know it's funny, I find sometimes in a weird way, the most conservative women and the most liberal women actually end up having the most in common - it's the mainstream, suburban, junk-food-eating, Ferberizing, bottle-feeding, SUV-driving, commercialism-obsessed types that are really the ones we *all* have less in common with, KWIM? :LOL (Please don't flame me if you formula-feed or drive an SUV, I am just using these stereotypes all together to illustrate a point! And as for junk food, I in fact had Chik-Fil-A for lunch today : )

It's funny, really - you could take my most out-there liberal girlfriend and I to the mall and we'd be there feeding our kids organic snacks and then nursing our 3-year-olds and our babies together and wearing slings and discussing cosleeping, gentle discipline and our plans to homeschool, and changing cloth diapers, and all the while we're doing all these things for totally different reasons, but still, everyone's looking at us together saying, "Look at those extremist nuts!" :LOL

[TryingMommas]

Well, reading this thread tonight was timely because I was planning on going ot the gym after work ... but I am just. so. tired.

I never used to exercise at all and started to in Januaury (part of the "getting healthy for ttc plan") with a goal of 3x per week, and was doing pretty well. It got to the point where I noticed that i felt better when I excercised and felt worse when I didn't. Fast-forward to getting pregnant, and now I have not gone to the gym AT ALL in the last 3+ weeks! I did go to one prenatal yoga class 2 weeks ago with a friend. I know I'd probably feel less tired if I exercised more, but I am working so much that I feel like I need some down time (not doing anything) wherever I can find it.

When I do go excersise at the gym again, I plan to swim because that is what I liked best pre-pg anyway. And I'll hopefully keep going to prenatal yoga once a week - even though I found it pretty difficult (I'd never done yoga before and my hamstrings are *sooooo* tight). OK, there's my confession.

PS: thanks for keeping the curves conversation civil - it makes me like *ALL* of you even more.

[seekermage]

exercise....ugg you make me tired just reading your post..... Im terrible about excerising, but really trying hard to stay active. Im trying to do daily walks with the girls, or atleast some form of activity. Im going to try the walking the mall thing atleast a few times a week, and taking them outside...but sheesh next time Im bringing a watch! I wayy overdid it last time and payed for it all day! This little one definitely lets me know when I overdo it.

[mountainsun]

Does anyone out there have any yoga for pregnancy video recommendations?

I heard a rec for GAIAM Prenatal Yoga - I have one of their videos, AM/PM yoga and it is great.

As far as excercise...um I have been too tired to even think about it! Dh and I do try to take an evening stroll every night when don't have a bunch of other stuff going on. I really want to try and get some more excercise though......I am going to try and get that DVD that I mentioned. HTH!