How often do you exercise??

[Anonymous]

I was an avid exerciser (ran half marathons, was considering training for a triathlon) before I got pregnant. For the first few weeks of pregnancy I kept up my exercise routine, but now I'm 3 months and I've slipped. I just don't have the endurance I used to have, and running is so hard now (I feel out of breath even when I'm running WAY slower than I ran pre-pregnancy). I'm trying to keep it up, but sometimes I don't feel like going because I feel foolish running at a snail's pace. I've only been working out 30-45 min. (of what feels like strenuous cardio) 2-3 times a week. To other athletic women, have you been able to keep up your routine? I know I should start swimming again (I did it a LOT pre-pregnancy). I'm also concerned because I have already gained 6 lbs and I'm only 12 weeks!! I started out skinny (5'3", 106lbs) so maybe that's why? I never worried about my weight pre-pregnancy. I've just read that most women do not gain weight during the first trimester, and I don't want to get in trouble for gaining too much. (Sidenote: I have not slowed down on exercise b/c I have been sick. I have not had morning sickness. I just feel unmotivated to work out and my body feels tired!)

[Anonymous]

I could have written your post - same stats in terms of height and weight, (I was 108 pounds) same weight gain first trimester, also was an avid exerciser/runner.

I was three months pregnant during the winter so was even more tired and less motivated to get up in the cold, dark morning. I really just decided to give up running. Instead, I still tried to make it to the gym 2x a week to lift - and just did a lighter routine. I also tried to walk either in the evenings, mornings, or during lunch at work.

What I really missed was yoga/pilates. I was doing that 3x a week but because it would work my core so much I was scared to continue (didn't want soreness from exercise to get confused with other soreness in that area).

I gave myself a break when I needed a break - sometimes I felt it was more important to sleep than work out. My weight gain was rapid at first, then really slowed down. I gained 26 pounds overall. I was really worried because I didn't gain a pound from about week 28 to week 36, and they were saying I was carrying small and were monitoring the baby's growth. But then I gained a few more pounds near the end and gave birth to a 7 pound 1 ounce girl 2 days before my due date.

I really felt great throughout my pregnancy and was able to walk, lift light weights, and do prenatal yoga pretty much the whole time. Also, you will probably lose weight quickly, especially if you breast feed. I lost 12 pounds during the two days I was in the hospital, then lost about a pound every other day until 2 weeks postpartum. At that point I had 9 pounds left to lose. I stalled until 6 weeks PP and once I got the go ahead to exercise I started walking every day and doing light strength training again. I lost all the weight by 3 months pp and by 5 months I was actually trying to GAIN weight because even though I was eating like crazy (though pretty healthy), with BFing I just couldn't keep the weight on.

Now I have a toddler and I don't have as much time to work out, but I still walk and lift. Hopefully I will do yoga again at some point but with working, it's hard to get to my morning classes because it cuts into time with my toddler. I just focus on being active and healthy rather than crazy fit like I once was, but the weight has definitely stayed off.

Sorry I rambled - my advice to you would be don't worry about the weight gain, it will slow down, and don't be a slave to your exercise routine - listen to your body and remember sleep and rest are important too!

[Anonymous]

I've always been very athletic -- competitive swimmer through college and lots of running and strength training since then. I've had a similar pregnancy experience. I'm now 33 weeks, and I slowed down very early in the first trimester. Running and other hard cardio felt too strenuous, and I decided to listen to my body and take it easy. Through most of the pregnancy I've swam 2-3 times per week for about 20 minutes, just easy freestyle laps, done a prenatal yoga DVD 2-3 times per week, and walked as much as possible every day except on the very hot days in August. My weight gain has been high throughout. I started out at 138 lb. (5'9") and have gained 30 lbs. at 33 weeks. I think everyone is individual, and the weight gain guidelines are misleading. I feel very healthy, and I don't think I look enormous. My pregnancy has been fairly problem free. I just think some women need to gain more than others for various reasons, and if you're eating well and getting some exercise regularly I think your body does what it needs to do for your growing baby. Anyhow, good luck and relax and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Starting from around 6 weeks, I went from a regular (6 days a week) exerciser to about 3x/week of cardio with 30 to 40 minutes a session, and weight light weights, but definitely a lower intensity than before. Some days i was too tired other days, it didn't feel good to do too much (getting dizzy on a treadmill is not a good idea), and now that I'm bigger, weight lifting is restricted to what is safe and feels okay. For me, 1st tri was definitely harder in terms of cardio than second, when I got my wind back, but now that I'm heading into third, it's getting a little harder again, but it still feels good to do it. On days I don't go to the gym I try to walk or do something physical, even if low key, but some days either I can't or don't feel like it. Keeping moving as much as possible, while not straining or overdoing it or packing too much into my schedule, has been right for me--so listen to your body.

As for weight gain, I wouldn't worry too much at this point. You've started out the pregnancy underweight, so its likely your body needed some extra weight to maintain a healthy pregnancy--plus those hormones really kick in early on. While I gained only 2 lbs my first tri (starting out at 116, 5'3"), I put on 10 lbs between weeks 12 and 18, and since then it's slowed to about 1/2 or 3/4 lb/week, so weight gai does fluctuate. I also try not to compare to my friends, including one who put on only 21 lbs total and had a 7 lb baby, and another who had put on only 5 lbs by this point. Everyone's experience and needs are different. I figure if I'm eating healthily (yes, with some treats, but not too much), getting some exercise and feeling good, it's the right thing. Don't stress too much over the scale at this point.

[Anonymous]

45min three times a week sounds good to me.

This is my second pregnancy. Last time at 4-5mo I think, when the belly came I stopped running (too much bouncing), and used the elliptical instead. I would exercise three times a week (cardio, weights and yoga), at a slower pace when needed.

This time -- more busy with toddler -- I exercise twice a week for an hour : cardio on the elliptical and a weight class.

For the weight don't worry. Avoid junk food but otherwise don't even monitor the quantities. My experience is that if you eat healthy and keep on exercising you'll loose it all very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Don't be afraid to go for a good brisk walk either. I'm 12 wks, too, and on a steady walk, especially any kind of incline, I can tell my heartrate is about what it used to be when I jogged. I'd keep a moderate heartrate as a good goal and not worry about how much you have to slow down in order to keep it at a reasonable rate. When I was really fatigued early on (6-9 wks), even a slow walk around the block was enough to finish me off for the day. As I get closer to my 2nd trimester, I can tell more of my energy is returning--it feels good to move again!

[Anonymous]

I'm at 38 weeks and have just slowed down my regular routine, which previously was about 3 days/wk of weights, 2-3 of cardio, and 1 of prenatal yoga. (I even walked a good 7 miles to work one day in month 5, but the weather was fabulous, and I was feeling great right then.) I think this is the week that spinning is officially over for me -- it's just too much pressure on a narrow little triangle of my body that already feels generally achy. I never had trouble in the 1st tri getting through my workout, but I'd do it super-early in the am...if I'd waited until afternoon, when I felt heinous, I'm sure I would have blown it off. Maybe figuring out when your body's energy peaks would help you maximize your time, OP?

Unlike most of you, I'd never describe myself as athletic or especially thin and have gained a good 30 lbs to date, but what bums me out more is the loss of energy I feel from dialing back the cardio. That said, one nice thing about showing up at the gym is to see how freaked out other people get by having you there (this look of "she's going to give birth, right here on the bike!") or the people who say that seeing you motivates them to work harder.