Getting back to exercise during pregnancy

[hokiegirl82]

Has anyone not exercised at all during first trimester and been able to pick it back up during second trimester? I did moderate exercise the few months before getting pregnant (used to be a CrossFit junkie) but completely stopped all exercise after getting a BFP because I was so damn exhausted from insomnia. I'm not sleeping 100% now but I'm definitely sleeping better and am generally less exhausted (but still going to bed between 8 and 9). I want to start at least walking on the treadmill so I'm not a complete slug by the time the 9 months is up, I'm scared about how hard it will to get back into even light exercise after being so inactive for so long. Any advice or success stories for getting back to exercise during pregnancy?

[smock]

I worked out semi-regularly until around week 8 when I had spotting off-and-on for 3 weeks and completely gave up all exercise.

So I took about a month off, and just started working out again recently. I've been walking, riding the stationary bike, and I just picked up a prenatal exercise video for motivation--it's the one with Summer Sanders, and so far I really like it!

I didn't find it that hard to get back into exercise. The hardest part was getting motivated, honestly. Your plan of starting with walking sounds great!

[smock]

Dec 4, 2013 8:41:26 GMT -5 bricco said:

I'll let you know how it goes.. I'm really trying to get back to it. I've lost motivation, truthfully. I'm trying!

See? It's all about the motivation!

Maybe we can have a workout check-in post every week to motivate each other?

[sneetch]

I did. I stopped exercising from week 6 to about 13 because I was just too darn tired. I got back into jogging by just starting slow and not being hard on myself for not being able to go as fast or far as I could prior to pregnancy. I did a 5k when I was just over 20 weeks and although my time was pitiful, I was proud to finish it. It's now pretty uncomfortable to run so I am sticking to walking and yoga a few times a week.

[bananapancakes]

I'm in the same boat. I was still running regularly until about week 8. Then school started back up again and the exhaustion hit and I stopped for a few weeks. I got back into a bit around week 16 but then I started having bad RLP and back pain so I stopped again. I'm feeling pretty good right now so I am hoping to get back to it, at least until I am too huge. I am thinking about aquafit as it should be a bit easier on the body.

[rt2008]

I ran a lot before getting pregnant, but stopped completely in the first tri due to horrible morning sickness and just being tired all the time. I was able to pick it back up in the 2nd tri, but I did the elliptical at the gym more than I ran. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad starting up running again after I had the baby.

[SJ]

I have not formally worked out once since my BFP.

I have just been a weird combination of busy/lazy, plus a terrible cold. I can't even blame morning sickness.

I really want to get back to it though!! Next week!

[annabear07]

I too couldn't get to the gym/ run due to m/s and fatigue the first tri. I was finally up to it at around 20 weeks and started doing intervals on the dreadmill and lifting weights again. It felt great to have a little bit of nrmalcy back in my life. My pace was super slow and I did 2 minute run 1 minute walk intervals, but it was sustainable and felt good. Around 28 weeks running started to feel uncomfortable so I walked on an incline or did the eliptical with the weight lifting until about 35 weeks when the tiredness came back!

So yes it's possible, just start easy and listen to your body. Also drink a ton of water! With all the sweating on top of your extra water needs drinking more than a gallon a day is recommended!

[simpsongal]

I couldn't do much because of MS through 18 weeks. I've been good about taking the dog for walks and doing quite a few physical projects around the house.

I went to yoga yesterday for the first time in months. It felt really good and it was like riding a bike. I felt like I had a lot more energy at 32 weeks than I did around 20 weeks.

When you get back to exercising, just listen to your body and your limitations. When you hit 3rd tri, be careful about overstretching too.

[sporklemotion]

I did a lot of walking from about 11 weeks to 30 weeks. Towards the end, I tried to walk when I could, but winter weather and reduced lung capacity made it harder.
For me, it was all about changing expectations about what "counted" as a workout. A six mile run was out, but a slow 3-4 mile walk (with a break) might not be. And I had to go easy on myself if one mile exhausted me. Working out 2-3 times a week was OK if it was all I could do. I had to remind myself that this is temporary and not a sign that I'm out of shape.
I also had to detach working out from my appearance or weight. Losing weight is not easy for me, but I had always seen some connection between exercise/eating and my weight or appearance-- I might not lose a lot, but wouldn't gain, or clothes might fit better. Pregnancy threw that all out the window, and I had to remind myself that gaining weight was NOT a sign of failure.

[changedname]

All I did was walking in first tri. Since week 13 I have been working out 5-6 times a week (yoga, pilates, swimming, elliptical. I took it easy at first and then have gradually increased my intensity/weights. I guess I will now start decreasing as I reach term.

[hokiegirl82]

These are all good suggestions ... I have no excuses really because I have a treadmill, elliptical, tv, weights, etc in my basement - I just need to get my lazy butt down the stairs on the treadmill for a walk, even if just a mile at 2.5 mph.

Looking back I think I must have been crazy to think I could keep up Crossfit through pregnancy. I was pretty heavy into Crossfit from Nov 2011 to this past summer (even with 2 breaks for 2 bunion surgeries thrown in there) and I swore up and down I would continue CF throughout pregnancy with modifications and doctor approval. I stopped going to CF this past summer because I was unhappy with the changes at the gym I was going to, and now I just think I must have been crazy to think I could continue with it. I've known a few pregnant women who did CF through their entire pregnancies, but I think they must be super women or something.

[VillainV]

I ran a lot before getting pregnant, then cut way back because of fatigue, but also because by 10 weeks or so it was getting uncomfortable (lots of bladder pressure). When I got my energy back I started walking/elliptical about 3-4 days a week, but now I'm having some really bad sciatic pain so I'm trying to switch to about half swimming/half walk or elliptical (and just suck up the sciatic pain).

I really really wanted to be one of those women who was able to stay really active through pregnancy, but my body just isn't letting me do it without major pain and discomfort. I'm trying really hard not to judge myself too harshly (it's not like I haven't TRIED to stay active)…but it's hard. I definitely feel like others who HAVE been able to stay active judge those of us who don't (or can't).

[earlgreyhot]

The exhaustion and nausea hit this week making my regular yoga classes near impossible. I bailed this week but hope to get back next week. I feel great afterwards, but the getting there is rough.

[daisycat]

I need to get back into exercise too. I was just starting to get back to it before I got my bfp, but then I had a couple of early bleeds and some spotting and was just too freaked out to do much. Then I started with afternoon into evening morning sickness and being constantly tired, so there went the rest of the motivation. Of course now that I am starting to feel a bit better and get motivated, I come down with a horrible head cold and the outside temps are below zero so it is tough to get motivated again.

I did purchase a groupon-type for a place that has prenatal yoga so maybe if my cold is a bit better by Saturday, I will start doing that at least once a week and then go from there.

[laurack]

I've been not going as much as before, but I still go maybe 2-3 times a week at lunch. I mostly just do the elliptical for 20 minutes then maybe 20 minutes of light weights. Some days I just do a little cardio and spend some time foam rolling my aches.

I think last time I was at the gym up until about 33 weeks so we'll see.

I lack motivation. The only time I can go is lunch time so if it doesn't happen then that is it for the day. And now that I have christmas shopping to do, I often do that at lunch time instead of the gym.

[Wonderwall]

My BFF and I work out every morning before work for 30 mins. We've been doing this for about a year now so I didn't want to stop. I asked the doc if this was OK to do and she was super supportive and encouraging about it. She said now is not the time to increase intensity but it is perfectly ok (in fact, recommended) to keep working out.

Honestly, I feel SO MUCH BETTER on days where I work out. Nothing to crazy- I recommend Jillian Michael's DVDs which are only 30 mins and are a good combo of strength and cardio but aren't OOC like INSANITY which is super high intensity and absolutely exhausting.

[Wonderwall]

For the record, it does take EVERYTHING in me to get up and do it now-especially because my sleep isn't as good these days, but I always feel better after and never regret it.

It makes a huge difference in my day!

[robinsbff]

i hope to get back on the treadmill soon. just for walking not for running. pretty much right after my BFP i got a bad cold so i'm waiting for my lingering cough to go away before starting back up. hopefully this weekend.