x-post:Looking for dynamic/functional pregnancy workout and preg. fitness thread???

[JeanetteL]

Hey Ladies, any pregnant exercisers out there? I posted this in the fitness forum, but then wondered if maybe not too many pregnant women were hanging out there ;)

I am currently 14 weeks pg with number two, and determined to exercise and stay active throughout this pregnancy. As morning sickness is finally passing, I have made my way back to the gym this week - but I was pretty lame all fall, and so am quite out of shape. For now I've just been doing some cardio, but I'd like to start a strength routine as well. Anyone else exercise through their pregnancy? Lift weights? Videos? Any suggestions?

Also, any other preggos around who would be interested in creating an ongoing pregnancy fitness thread for inspiration and ideas?

Jeanette

[ebensmama]

I am looking to stay in shape too! I also slacked off big time once the weather cooled off (I'm in PA), so I'm quite out of shape, but I definitely intend to safely get back in.

When I was pregnant w/ my first, it was the same time of year, same scenario (I'd fallen out of shape :bag:), and I just started nice and slow. As soon as the nausea let up, I began lifting weights and doing simple toning exercises, slowing my pace if I started to exert too much. Eventually some strength and stamina returned to me, and by the time the weather warmed up, I began to walk for about 45 minutes/day, again starting slow and then working to a power walk very gradually. (Also I kept with the lifting, but only did very short sessions, about 15 minutes/day, alternating days w/ upper and lower body exercises.)

I have to say too, I *swear* it helped me have a short and easily-manageable labor! That's really the number one reason I'd like to get in shape again. I think it helped physically prepare me for the rigors of giving birth, and I had a pretty speedy, med and intervention free experience. :thumb

Keely

[nancy926]

I was running 3-5 times a week before I got pg....did a half-marathon in September, even. Now that it's freezing cold here (-26 this morning!) and I am sick/tired a lot, I haven't been running in a couple of months.

I'd love to find a good yoga/workout DVD or video that i can do until it warms up...then I'm planning to walk/jog every day.

:)
Nancy

[marieangela]

I worry about starting anything too strenuous while pregnant. I have never been a runner (blech!-just not for me). Before my last pregnancy I was very active with kung fu and in great shape. I switched to yoga and some free weight while pregnant. I lent me prenatal yoga video to a friend and am currently awaiting it's return in the mail. It's much harder to find the time to exercise since ds was born. Dh works late and a lot and my parents watch ds when I work (pt), so I have no one to watch him while I take an even class or somesuch. I certainly couldn't make it back to kung fu 3-5 evenings a week. I had been doing some old yoga routines after he went to bed for a week or so since I found out I was pregnant, but I worry that headstands and shoulderstand sequences aren't the best while you're pregnant, so I'm just stretching until I get my video back. I'm trying to think of the name of it...aha! here it is (the first one)
http://www.yogaspace.ca/resources/pregnancy-videos.html
It's pretty easy especially if you've done yoga before, but I thought it was a pretty good one. I'm interested to here anyone's thoughts on free weights if I haven't done any such strength exercises in a while?

[JeanetteL]

Glad to hear people want to chat about this - inspiration is always good!

Marie,
Regarding free weights, I had been doing a program prior to getting pregnant, but am meeting with a trainer next week to discuss a good, safe pregnancy program. I'll post the info/exercises she gives me after I meet with her.

Also - I've read somewhere that when exercising you should keep your heartrate below 140....does anyone know how strict a guideline this is? I swear, if I walk upstairs my heartrate is higher than than :) Okay, perhaps an exaggeration, but when I"m on the elliptical machine at the gym, it always reads higher, and I don't feel like I'm working that hard at all. Breaking a sweat, yes, but easily able to carry on an in depth conversation.

Jeanette

[natashaccat]

I'm a preggo stairmaster junkie! It started out as a way to help fight insomnia problems but now I'm hooked on my 20-30 minutes of daily stairmaster time. If I don't get if I feel restless and impatient until I can get to the gym again. I had tons of anxiety issues going into this pg and reg exercize has been so theraputic in helping me work these out.

I gave up eating out and as many other optional items to scrape together the $ to join a gym with a daycare, sooo worth it because my dd doesn't get daycare elsewhere and they have a pool and offer cheap swimming lessions to members which she loves dearly.

[Proudmom]

Also - I've read somewhere that when exercising you should keep your heartrate below 140....does anyone know how strict a guideline this is? I swear, if I walk upstairs my heartrate is higher than than :) Okay, perhaps an exaggeration, but when I"m on the elliptical machine at the gym, it always reads higher, and I don't feel like I'm working that hard at all. Breaking a sweat, yes, but easily able to carry on an in depth conversation.

Jeanette
Hey, Jeanette!! I exercised this pregnancy and during my first. While pregnant with ds, I was advised by my OB to keep my HR under 140. I never trust the machines at the gym, so I bought a HR monitor and that worked really well. I could pretty much tell when my HR would be elevated above 140 especially toward the last trimester. You are welcome to borrow it.

I definitely couldn't run anymore with either pregnancy due to my HR. So I walked, hiked, biked, elliptical, etc. Weights are always good. My mw didn't say anything about the 140. She advises to keep active and knows I walk daily (or should I say usually)...

Proudmom

[Divaostrich]

I can't say I do a whole lot of "formal" workouts (I do a lot of literal running around and active play with my Dd :love ), but I do try to either walk or do yoga as often as possible.

I really like Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea. It really helps especially in the third trimester when it is important to stretch to keep the aches at bay. I also have Mom and Baby Yoga....can't remember who leads it, but I don't like it nearly as much.

[melixxa]

I just joined both a prenatal yoga class and a prenatal pilates class. This is my first experience with both. During my first pregnancy, I hardly exercised due first of all to bad m/s, then extreme breathing problems, then a sinus infection ... at which point I was completely out of shape. I gained 52 lbs. and felt pretty debilitated, though I was able to do some treadmill walking in the 3rd trimester.

I've had the same ailments this time, but the yoga really helps with the breathing. I am hoping to also walk at least 3 days a week. Exercise more strenuous than this is really not for me. I've never been athletic, and I was just getting back to skating and starting up the practice of kendo when I got pregnant this time (at 14 mos. postpartum).

I *have* been thinking about getting a yoga video to do at home, though.

[3babiesin2years]

I started doing Curves when I found out I was pregnant. I was not exercising before, but this is 3 babies in two years, so I got nervous. I am now 28 weeks and still going strong. I get tired sometimes, but the good thing about Curves is you can go slower or skip things if you need to. I love it. My midwife said to do it as long as I still feel good. The other plus is I lost weight at the beginning and total I have only gained 2 lbs so far. I was overweight to begin with so my midwife is fine with it. I feel better than I ever have in pregnancy.

[JeanetteL]

I'm so impressed with all the different things people are doing to keep in shape through pregnancy. This thread is just what I needed to stay inspired. Keep the stories coming:)

Yesterday at the gym I ran into someone who was six months pregnant with the most beautiful belly. She was working away on the machines too, and really made me feel like I could do it to - actually stay in shape the rest of my pregnancy. I just know I would feel so much better afterwards, and I'm sure it can't hurt with labour and delivery.

Jeanette