Before I got pregnant with Daniel & Rebecca, I was working out somewhat regularly with a personal trainer. But between the miscarriage and the specter of a high-risk twin pregnancy, I was quickly spooked and did not exercise a single time while I was pregnant.
On the one hand, I can’t really say I regret the fact that I was very physically cautious during my last pregnancy. I took it easy on stairs, stopped doing the grocery shopping and hauling the laundry to the basement, rested when I could, etc.. I felt like I listened to my body. And while I obviously can’t prove any kind of direct causality, I was never threatened with bedrest or any other restrictions, so I won’t complain.
The down side of that, obviously, is that I was completely sedentary. Out of shape. Achy. Weak. So very uncomfortable for my entire pregnancy, and so physically unprepared for carrying two infants around. It took me more than two years to get into a regular exercise routine and lose the pregnancy weight. I didn’t want to drop it all the moment I got pregnant again. This first trimester, though, almost did me in.
From the very first weeks of this pregnancy, I realized I had to stop running. Running is, for me, the most intense exercise I can get. Even after months of regular running, it was still incredibly hard for me, even at my slow pace and relatively short distances. The heat and humidity of summer hit, and I suddenly realized how much I actually liked running in 20-degree weather in January. That, combined with the exhaustion that is my one major pregnancy symptom, and I was all done. It didn’t just feel hard, it felt awful. Not worth it.
Even without running, the heat, exhaustion, and general routine upheaval of the summer meant I exercised once or twice in about 3 or 4 weeks. If that. But somehow I managed to convince myself to crawl back. Not only was I determined to cling to my exercise routine, but I gave myself permission to feel good about each thing I did, even if it had been three weeks since I last did anything at all. Every day of exercise, I tell myself, is one more day that I didn’t do last time.
So, I’m back in a routine, more or less. At the moment, it’s Spinning and Yoga. The teacher I like does Spinning three days a week, and there are two Yoga classes a week that work for my schedule (one Hatha, one Prenatal, soon to be both Prenatal). I don’t generally manage all five of those days, but I try to do at least three. And some weeks, it doesn’t happen. But I drag my ass back the next week.
Why am I doing all of this? I certainly don’t harbor any illusions about being that svelte little pregnant girl with the basketball belly. (HAHAHAHAHA) I will always be the one who turns into a small beluga whale during pregnancy, and my current eating habits are doing nothing to alleviate that. Whatever. If, as a result of the exercise, I end up putting on fewer pounds than I might otherwise have done, great. If not, ah well. I can blame the ice cream.
No, mostly I just want to keep everything moving for as long as I can. Try not to let the muscles atrophy, try to keep the heart pumping, try to prevent the joints from becoming too stiff. It’s already getting hard. I wear a heart rate monitor to Spinning and have had to cut WAY back on the intensity. That bike seat is less and less comfortable on the pregnancy-modified lady parts (ouch). But still, I go. This morning, I was about 60 seconds from taking a nap on my couch instead of hitting the gym. But my head laid down right next to my socks and towel, and I sat up and dragged my tired self out of the house and off to class. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stick with it, but I’m going to keep going until I just can’t anymore.
The yoga is a new addition to my routine. I had always liked it when I tried it, periodically, but never added it to my previous weight-loss-focused routine, because I was so fixated on cardio and burning calories. But now, it’s great. I’m still moving, I still break a sweat. But it also gets me to stretch and work the supporting muscles that Spinning doesn’t really get into. And with the prenatal classes, I know I can safely keep going for as long as I’m still upright.
So, that’s where I am today. 19 weeks more exercise than I got last time, and counting. Hoping to keep moving as long as I can. Hoping to be able to get back on the wagon without too much of a delay after this baby arrives. Hoping it won’t take two years this time.
Anyone have any good (or bad) pregnancy exercise stories to share?
Great job!! I’m proud of you for giving yourself credit for what you’re doing. Sometimes that’s really hard to do.
way to go!
Amy recently posted..Tip of the Day
You’re doing great, Mama!
Even if you reach a point where you can’t ride the bike, you can walk on a treadmill or swim. Seriously, I know a lot of women who swim during the last trimester.
Beth recently posted..Out of Whack
Running was the ONLY thing that cured my morning sickness. I tried to run at least once a day in the beginning to get some nausea-free time.
Then I took a prenatal water aerobics class and HALLELUJAH. If you are ever hurting, getting in the water while pregnant is freaking amazing. Even just floating in water.
I overdid it in a class and that started the beginning of my limited activity because I started having contractions at 21 weeks.
Good for you, you will need the energy and stamina to keep up with three kids!
LauraC recently posted..The difference between boys and girls- age 4ish edition
Good for you! I am determined to get in a good routine now before trying for baby #3. Like you, my pregnancies have been very uncomfortable because I do nothing but sit and eat. I have been so inspired by Kristen and her work outs while pregnant. I am hoping that when the newborn insanity dies down for her she will post on Shredheads about how being healthier helped her during pregnancy and beyond. Thanks for the kick in the pants for tomorrow’s run!
Mary recently posted..One Perfect Ambassador
Liz, this is fantastic. It’s all about doing what’s right for you and yes, moving as long as you can — so you have the strength to get through delivery and then after, will be a huge benefit. I’m so happy you’ve found a routine that’s working for you!
Cannot advocate for yoga enough. I always alternate running with yoga. It just stretches everything out so happily while building strength (good since I’m totally not into weights and machines).
-Christine
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Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I loved your post with Daniel’s sign – made me think which I don’t really like but I know is necessary
I exercised until 26 weeks (2nd bleeding episode) when the doctor said, “no more. It’s not worth it!” and I was so ready for that as I’m not a fan of exercise anyway LOL
My exercise regimen consisted solely of chasing around, lifting and wrangling two very young toddlers. That was about as much as I could handle. But, I had not been working out before, during or after the twins (I claimed that BFing was working out, my muscles disagreed), so I’m sure your hard work will help you get through the bulk of this pregnancy.
Many, many kudos to you for sticking it out! I am very impressed.
Nicole recently posted..Upgrade
Good for you! I’m very impressed, I didn’t manage to do much of anything my second pregnancy. My first pregnancy I did yoga, swam, and walked a lot. Since I had no other kids I could nap when I needed to in order to get some energy, and I had the time to take care of myself pretty well.
With #2, I tried to keep up with jogging a few times, but it soon fell by the wayside. It was winter, I had a 2 year old to watch when I wasn’t at work, and I just didn’t stay as fit as I would have liked. I definitely noticed a difference between the pregnancies (the first was easier). You are doing great!!
Allison recently posted..Race Day
Good for you! I definitely cut out running the day I found out I was pregnant both times (and even earlier the second time, due to a miscarriage and fertility treatments). But I think yoga is the best during pregnancy. Doing that exercise on all fours where you arch your back and then do the opposite (something like cat and who-knows-what poses) was the absolute best for stretching out my cramped belly. Keep up the good work, whatever you can do! You and your kids will all be better off for it later!
Tara recently posted..Back to School & New Dos
I am with you…I just can’t imagine how I will be able to juggle three kids if I let myself get as out of shape as last time. I did keep up the running through about 22 weeks….but then a couple of good contractions have knocked me down to just walking. And that is OK…I still sweat
I dropped spinning kind of the same time, mostly because I was slowing down and can’t get out the door quick enough to make it to the class I like…and I think the teacher was getting a little nervous that I was going to pop the baby out in her class 
I gotta get out that old maternity swim suit and see how that feels…Brrrr…
Good for you. I second the comments on yoga and swimming (or even just bobbing in the water) for comfort and happiness. My (in retrospect perhaps foolhardy) pregnancy workout story: I ran a 5k just-for-fun run at 33 weeks with twins. I came last. Actually, that is not true, a very gracious 70+ year old fellow hung back to let me come second last. I am proud I did it, but that was definitely my last run for that pregnancy!
I am totally with you. I did nothing, literally nothing as soon as I found out I was pregnant with the twins.
This time around, I am trying to keep it up and have been walking pretty consistently since the beginning. First trimester was rough for a couple of weeks, but I really believe that keeping active has made me feel better and somewhat less tired this pregnancy. And, I keep telling myself that it will be nothing but helpful when it comes to getting back into shape after the baby arrives.
So keep it up and here’s to fitter pregnancies the second time around!
Erin S. recently posted..Cheer- cheer
When I envisioned myself pregnant I saw myself running and continuing my dance classes. Ha! All of that was forbidden between the fertility treatments and the twin pregnancy. In the end, I couldn’t even go for a walk because it exhausted me utterly and completely. I wanted to swim, I wanted to do yoga, but even thinking about it was too much.
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Dude – pregnant or not, maintaining consistent motivation to exercise is a job! What you are doing is pretty awesome.
I was a total gym rat before I got pregnant. In fact, exercising was my one and only hobby. I totally pictured myself as one of those crazy huge pregnant women on the stairmaster when I got pregnant. Not so much. The first trimester nausea knocked me out so bad I could never get going once I started feeling better. Then I got so big so fast carrying twins that i rarely did a thing.
Cut to THREE years later and I’ve never gotten back into it consistently. I think the fact that you are maintaining a routine during pregnancy will only help you continue it after the baby gets here.
Liz, I think it’s great (and so important) to keep moving and active during pregnancy. As you mention, I didn’t want the muscles to atrophy and feel completely stiff and out of shape for 9 months.
With the twins, my heart rate began to skyrocket after 5 mins of running once I got into the 2nd trimester, so I modified to walk/run, then just walking on an incline, and eventually some safe weight or resistance band exercises. I wanted to keep moving and do “something” at least 2-3 days a week. I was always so envious of the preggo ladies I’d see at the gym who were going strong on the elliptical at 9 mos! 2 babies vs. 1 really does make a difference. You will probably feel so much different this pregnancy and it will be easier to stay active, longer.
I never got into the pre-natal yoga and wish I had. Although, my belly was just so huge, I can’t imagine I could have done it for too long
Good luck!