Working out

Has everyone kept up with their usual workouts? I take a fitness scult class at my gym two to three times a week and from what a read online, a lot of things we do in there you can't do, such as lunges, ab exercises, working with weights laying down. Has everyone stopped their workout routine?

Re: Working out

my workouts have dramatically changed!

I went from teaching classes 2 times a day to around 7 weeks having to stop (for over a month) because of a problem with baby.

Then when I got the Ok I had to slowly build back up walking and then add weights, as my body would let me handle.

Now at 26+ weeks I am lucky if I can walk everyother day because of hip pain.

I cannot wait until I will be able to run and workout they way I love to!

Re: Working out

my doctor advised against working out in the first trimester. I tried to take long walks and things like that. She also advised against any kind of heavy lifting, she said nothing over 10-15lbs.

Re: Working out

I cannot even muster the strength to do anything let alone work out.

I plan on swimming once I feel better.

Re: Working out

Oh how I try, I just dont have the energy anymore

Re: Working out

I wish I had maybe I wouldn't be sitting here with an extra 45 pounds on my body!!!

Re: Working out

I still work out my upper body as almost intense as before, just don't do flat bench or abs. I train lower body with less weight because I used to do very heavy lifting with my legs (more than my body weight) before I got pregnant.

I do not run on the treadmill, just use the bicylce or elliptical.

Re: Working out

i wish.... i have ZERO energy....

Re: Working out

I havn't tailored my workouts too much yet. I am only 10 weeks. With my first I started to cut back a bit on weightlifting and abs around 20 weeks.

Re: Working out

I had some issues with Pilates at around 7 weeks so i stopped working out until i hit the 13 week mark. Now I take body conditioning classes about 4-6 times per week. I am still going strong and I will be 37 weeks on Monday. I think it has really helped me a lot thruout this pregnancy.

If you continue to work out my advice would be to do the following:

1. Talk to you doctor and find out what he/she recommends and if they have any particular restrictions for you.

2. Buy a heart monitor and get to know your limitations. I take breaks if i notice my heart rate climbing too high.

3. If you take classes, inform all instructors that you are pregnant. Many of them are certified prenatal trainers and are more than happy to give you modifications thru out the class.

4. After the 20 week mark do not lay flat on your back. It could cause an increase in blood pressure that would be unhealthy for you and the baby. Not to mention many women get dizzy when laying on their back after the 20 week mark.

5. Be careful with Ab exercises. There are many that you can do but many you can't. regular sit-ups are a big no no but i did light upper ab crunches until a few weeks ago and i have been fine. Also, standing ab work can be good without putting a lot of pressure on the baby.

6. Avoid things like jumping rope, jumping jacks, etc. anything that is going to have you pounding....

7. Use light weights. I don't use above 8 lb free weights or a 12 lb body bar. You may want to ask your doc what he/she recommends you limit yourself to.

8. If you feel like you are working out to the point where you couldnt hold a conversation at the same time, stop and take a break. You don't want to over do it. Just listen to your body though and you should be fine!

Good luck and have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Message edited 12/14/2007 4:24:58 PM.

Re: Working out

You can use heavy weights if you are already used to using them. The term 'light weights' is relative to your strength level.

For example, I use 25 lbs per arm for shoulders, and so far I have had no problems because I used to use 30 lbs. and I use 15-20 lb dumbells for curls because I used them from before being pregnant.

Use what you are comfortable with, and don't use heavuer weight than what you normally used before being pregnant.

Re: Working out

i do yoga

Re: Working out

my workout have dramatically changed also. Before getting pregnant I ran 3-5 miles 3x a week, did walking, hiking, mountain biking.
During the first trimester I had ZERO energey after working f/t and going for my maters p/t. Towards the end of the 1st trimester I started walking (slow) on the treadmill about 30 minutes and doing a 1 hour yoga class once a week. I just bought a yoga dvd so I can do it more often at home. I love the yoga! I feel soooo great afterwards!

Re: Working out

I walk on my treadmill when I have the strength and nothing hurts - which is rare since my sciatic nerve, my hip and my belly pains are all causing me grief. I try to do some "safe" stretching too. My workouts are nothing like they used to be. I can't even keep up with my 75 y.o. client without feeling like I'm going to pass out or getting winded. Today I walked up a slight hill in the snow and I thought I needed an ER, I'm having horrible shortness of breath lately