Any other joggers/runners/active mamas here? - Page 5

[joshs_girl]

I think it's time to find some new workout clothes - my belly is showing no matter what I do!

Catherine - sorry about the 1/2 But I totally understand!

[VeganCupcake]

xochi, thanks for the laughs with me! The really frustrating thing is that I think I could have done it as easily as I toiled in the yard--I feel like O-lan in The Good Earth, working the fields, going in for a couple of hours to give birth, then heading right back out to the field!

I really appreciate that my DH doesn't see me as in a "delicate condition"--sounds like your DH doesn't, either! I would totally do the 25 mile bike, if I had a bike that would be comfortable to ride. It's true--25 miles wouldn't even take that long--a couple of hours. Unless it's really hilly.

funfunkyfantastic, those hikes sound really nice! Let's hope the weather improves soon.

[TrippyLongstocking]

yipee im active again! I finally got a new bike and a bike trailer for my little one so she can come with me wherever i may roam!
Its awesome excercise and she absolutely loves the trailer! Thank goodness I got this really cushy gel seat cover though! the first few days my butt was killing me!
Ive never been a gym type but I always walk and now im so happy i finally got a bike again!

[lwuertz]

I've never really been able to run much because it kills my knees and I get really bad shin splints too. I do love to walk though. I was up to 10 miles a day before I got pregnant. Now that I'm not so sick anymore I'm trying to start walking again.

[truelife]

I need some serious motivation in this area! I was so incredibly active and healthy when I got pregnant but have never jumped back into a regimen. I do so much better when I have a goal I can push myself towards - a race, better times, longer distance, etc. I know that labor is intense and we should be active for that, and I know the benefits of exercise during pregnancy for Mom and baby but it just isn't happening.

What are you all doing to stay motivated and active?

[lwuertz]

Originally Posted by truelife

What are you all doing to stay motivated and active?

For me part of it is the goal of being in shape for an epidural free birth. So instead of a marathon or a race my goal is labor.

The other thing that has been a big motivator is just being so happy that I actually can do stuff now. I was pretty much bed ridden until about the 14 week mark because I was so sick. After that experience I'll never again take for granted being able to do the things I want to do like a normal person.

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by truelife

What are you all doing to stay motivated and active?

If I don't exercise, I feel physically awful, so that is motivating. Seriously, my muscles hurt if they are disused.

I'm also thinking about registering for a local 5 or 10K on the 4th of July. A short, local race--I ought to be able to do that, right?!?! Preparing for a race-like event motivates me.

[xochimama]

Originally Posted by truelife

What are you all doing to stay motivated and active?

I am seriously the LAST person on earth to give advice on how to stay motivated! BUT, having said that... these are my tricks for actually doing something:

-- make an appointment to meet someone else & workout together
-- schedule and keep a routine (same time, same day every week)
-- mix it up: walk, swim, cycle, hike, dance— keep it interesting
-- set small goals. REALLY small goals. As in, "put your running shoes on today!" And congratulate yourself for doing just THAT. Chances are that if you put your shoes on, you will actually go out and do that 2 mile walk.

Most importantly:
-- Never criticize or get down on yourself for NOT exercising. Maybe in the last two weeks, you weren't supposed to be exercising (well, obviously you weren't supposed to since you didn't!). So just start every day fresh and be as kind and generous with yourself as you would be with your best friend or daughter or son... (this last one is the hardest for me...)

[tjjazzy]

hi all! i'm not a jogger but i walk some (not enough) and i take muay thai kickboxing on thursdays. it's a sport with amazing conditioning. i make sure never to hold the pads for anyone (i'm afraid of getting kneed or kicked in the wrong spot) and the girls at the club have been great about letting me in on their groups and holding for me. if i feel like i've done too much, i take a break. everyone, including the trainers, has been so helpful so far. one trainer in particular seemed surprised and really impressed to see me there.

[xochimama]

welcome, jazzy!

[starparticle]

Hi Everyone!

I'm finally being "active" again

Either walking or using the elliptical or biking 45 minutes 5 days a week. And does mowing the lawn for 3 hours (why is it so big!!!) count? Plus yoga once or twice a week.

But I'm gaining like crazy (up 10 pounds already, I'm small so that is a lot) and pretty uncomfortable. I can't even imagine what it would be like without exercise!!

Sort of enjoying this time before I'm too big!

[tjjazzy]

Originally Posted by xochimama

welcome, jazzy!

thanks!

[truelife]

I'm back on track! I'm working out 5 days a week (still can jog for a few minutes at a time) and weight training 3 days/week.

Question for you ladies though:

Are you eating your calories back? I'm burning about 400-450 calories but am taking in between 1600-1800 calories a day (would be enough for my height if I wasn't working out).

[xochimama]

I'm having pain problems-- hoping you all might have some ideas here:

After I workout, or even after a 2 mile walk, I get a sharp pain in my butt. (that sounded funny when I typed it, but it's not, I swear!) It's like a pulled muscle or something.

It first started a few months ago, towards the end of a run. Or maybe the end of a hill-climb on the treadmill??...can't remember now. Anyway, it was a very sharp, stabbing pain, on the left side in middle of my butt. It's very localized-- no pain/tingling down the leg. Just that one point.

It hasn't gone away. It is worse after a workout (which typically includes 2 mile walk, lunges/squats, weight lifting). It is very painful when I sit cross legged on a hard floor. Sometimes first thing in the morning.

During my usual busy day of walking & sitting & moving around, I don't notice it much.

...ideas?...

[LCB]

Can I join in? I wanted to join this thread in the very beginning but I was so sick that I didn't even bother. But now I'm feeling better and moving again! I have done yoga and walking for 7 years but suddenly, my pregnant body hates it, so I've been doing water exercise for a few weeks now (water walking and water aerobics) and I LOVE it. I don't know if I would do it when I'm not pregnant, I usually don't like the water much, but it seems like my body has some very particular ideas about what is good for baby. Anyway, being all bouyant in the water feels so good and I'm completely addicted now. Yay for not being sick anymore!! And yay for swimming!!

[joshs_girl]

Xochi - I have the same thing. I had it happen before I got pregnant, and it's happened again now. Except for mine hurts even walking and moving from sitting to standing - some days it makes me limp. My trainer and husband both think it's a pulled glute muscle - that's aggravated by having pregnancy back pain. I've noticed as my belly is getting further out there - my posture is changing - which is why I think my pulled muscle isn't healing. I just try to stretch it out as much as possible and when it gets really bad, I put heat on it. Other than that, I'm just living with it - though it sucks.

[VeganCupcake]

Welcome LCB!

Xochi, could it be sciatica?

I have some backside troubles sometimes, too, from an old injury that I reinjured last year and has just never quite gotten to 100%. I find that it feels a lot better when I really tighten my abs (and from my recent thread here in the DDC, I may be the only person who still has any . . . ) and flatten out the curve in my spine somewhat. And I do some yoga-style back and hip exercises from the book Active Birth. I like 'em a lot!

[xochimama]

So I've been doing a little online reading, and I'm thinking it's one of three things:

1. sciatica
2. pulled hamstring (at origin)
3. piriformis syndrome

I'm inclined to think it's #3 just b/c of the symptoms, the onset, and my natural pronation. But...?...who the heck knows. I would have to see a physical therapist or sports med. therapist to get a real diagnosis...

Ugh. Bottom line is I think I have to actively do more stretching and hip/butt strengthening exercises... I just don't want to overdo it and then have it get worse, kwim...

[cellarstella]

I'm popping in here because I'm jealous . I love to swim and used to run but my back hates it so I only do it when the weather is agreeable (rare) and I just neeeed to be active. Lately I've taken up belly dancing but if I could swim 30 min 4 times a week I'd be stoked.

Any tips for a mama with a 2 year old to get that kind of swimming in? I take her to the pool but then I'm just spotting her the whole time, of course. I'm trying to get my DH to come along, but he's working long hours these days. We have a bike trailer and I take DD out in it now and then but I live in the city so it's a little nerve-wracking. Plus it's either way too cold or way too hot lately. I'm so annoyed with the weather! Supposedly it'll even out at the end of this week :.

Keep up the active pregnancies, mamas! For me, it's all about being strong enough to endure whatever labor throws at me, and also about beating depression and lethargy and feeling good about myself.

[SaLT]

I'm new here to MDC...

I'm due September 3rd with my 3rd girl. I'm very active. I go to the gym about 3 times a week. I do at least 40 mins or cardio or more & weights. Makes me feel REALLY good & when I work out in the morning, it seems to help with my afternoon sleepies. ;o)