Toning WHILE pregant?

[Anonymous]

For my first preg I was very toned and fit before getting pregnant. Now the second time around, though I am not at all overweight, I'm not nearly as strong and fit as I once was. Is it possible to tone while pregnant? I'm obviously aware that you gain weight during pregnancy so one won't be very defined and svelt, but can I increase my strenght while pregnant? I have hand weights and such at home and will continue to walk about an hour a day as I have been. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! I really want to keep from getting siatic back pain and the like due to weak muscles.

[Anonymous]

Not being a doctor, but only a pregnant mom ... I say absolutely, as long as you don't overdo it. It's just toning, after all. And strengthening your muscles is particularly important in staving off back pain and facilitating your delivery. I found that 5 lb. weights were too much in certain positions, so I dropped to 3 lbs. for those positions - just listen to your body to avoid straining in any weird ways. I still lift 8-10 lb. weights overhead, but I don't push it beyond that as I normally would for the same reason.

Also there are a bunch of good toning exercises you can do without any weights, such as arm circles, leg exercises when on all-fours, etc. (Remember Jane Fonda's old toning moves in the 80's?) Good luck.

[Anonymous]

It also depends where you are in your pregnancy.

I believe after 2nd trimester they do not want you to do any lifting over 15 lbs (I laughed and asked them what I was suppose to do with my toddler?)

[Anonymous]

I believe that Comcast On Demand has several pregnancy work outs.

[Anonymous]

i'm in my 9th month of pregnancy and i still lift weights every other day, though i use the machines at the gym, not free weights. (and i definitely lift over 15 lbs.) i haven't actually had to decrease the amount of weight i lift for most exercises. i have cut back the time and intensity of my cardio workouts, but still get in 30-45 minutes of walking, arc trainer or occasionally running every day, and i still do yoga, albeit a less intense class than i took before month 8.

caveats:
* i was in REALLY good shape before i got pregnant, so i'm not doing anything i wasn't before. i'm not sure i'd start an exercise program while pregnant if i wasn't exercising before.
* i'm really good at listening to my body and pulling back or stopping if something doesn't feel right.
* i don't have any complications with my pregnancy and my doctors have said my routine is ok.

in other words, my routine wouldn't work for everyone. but it's working for me.

that said, all this exercise hasn't stopped me from gaining 40 lbs already.

[Anonymous]

Its frustrating because I was toned pre pregnancy, I still work out and lift weights but with the weight gain it feels like my arms have lost thier tone! Hopefully once I have this baby maybe I will be able to see my old arms again.

I usually lift 15-20 lbs but recently I tipped over and lowered my weights a bit and use a bar once and a while.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my 2nd pregnancy (16wks ) and have kept up my normal gym routine, including weight lifting and cardio. I stop if I feel any odd pulls or feel more exertion than I normally would. I have also been doing some pilates at home and love it. I did it with my first pregnancy and had a very easy delivery, not that I can say it's the pilates, but I really think it helped. Yoga too. Just get your doctor's approval first.

[Anonymous]

Water aerobics has been great for me. We use these styrofoam barbells in the water and lift them underwater for resistance. It is not the same cardiovascular workout as jogging, but I do feel that it is great for toning. For what its worth, my MD said water aerobics was one of the best exercises for pregnant women.

[Anonymous]

A girl friend of mine had her water break at 34 weeks. She was one of those people who was working out with weights through her pregnancy.

I was pregnant at the same time she was and was a bit freaked out by her pre-mature delivery. I did a bunch of research and asked my dr and I found out that one of the items that can contribute to your water breaking that early is weight lifting.

Note: I interpret this different from toning arms. But just be careful and listen to your body.