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Friday, May 31, 2013

How working out has changed during pregnancy

Before I got pregnant, I worked out pretty hard and even taught Zumba for a couple of months. I am pretty sure I was in the best shape I'd ever been in pre-pregnancy and assumed I'd be able to keep up with workouts, modifying only slightly for pregnancy. And boy was I wrong! For previous posts about my workout regime/routines, see here

The first few weeks after finding out I was pregnant, I worked out normally, just removing abs from my regime. And then I got sick. Really sick. And tired. Once I started treating my chronic sickness with Zofran, I was able to jump back into a regular (ish) routine. 4 workouts a week- cardio, back/triceps, shoulders/biceps, and legs. I started embracing taking days off and letting my body rest when it told me to. I continued to take cardio kickboxing classes until about week 20 where jumping around started to become uncomfortable. Baby has been head down pretty much the whole pregnancy and his head pushes on my bladder making it feel like I need to pee 24/7!

The hardest part of going to the gym is putting on my shoes and socks haha! 29 weeks & 5 days pregnant

According to Baby Center, here are some great benefits to working out during pregnancy...

1. Boost energy- totally true! It gives me the energy motivation I need to get through the rest of my work day
2. Sleep better
3. Reduce pregnancy discomfort- some workout moves seem to increase my discomfort but for the most part stretching and walking really loosen me up
4. Prepare for childbirth- I hear it makes it a little bit easier... we'll see!
5. Reduce stress and lift your spirits- I am a firm believer in exercise releasing endorphins and there are very few times I feel bad after a workout. I always listen to music or a radio show during my workouts so I am entertained. 
6. Improve your self image- as I continue to gain weight, I know that working out will help keep my arms and legs toned
7. Get your body back faster after childbirth- working out won't be a top priority for me when baby comes but I do plan on getting back in shape once my body has healed. I hope this one is true!

I am finishing up my 31st week of pregnancy and continue to exercise and hope to until the baby is born. I may go to the gym 4 times one week and 1 time the next week and that is perfectly fine with me. Jon is very encouraging and constantly tells me how great I look which is exactly what pregnant women need to hear! We are committed to living a healthy lifestyle and plan on raising our son the same, so there is no better time to start then now. It's weird to think back and know how quick and agile my body was, I never thought I could be slowed down but pregnancy is worth it 100%!

18 comments:

Carolyn said...

I think you look amazing! :) And I completely agree... taking days off is needed in pregnancy!

Candice Williams said...

Totally agree with your tips. As far as getting your body back after pregnancy.. This is honestly the drill- the first six weeks you will probably do nothing but sleep and hold your baby. The sleeping part will be your favorite thing ever when you get the chance. Until you get the dr clearance you can't even lift anything heavy... I didn't get clearance until 12 weeks.. Yipes!

I really remember feeling fat tired and stressed. Your milk comes in SOOOO fiercely, you hurt, you don't sleep.. But here is this tiny PERFECT miracle. Remember that when you feel tired or you hurt or you're stressed. Those newborn weeks go by literally in the blink of an eye and you won't get them back. I wish I had soaked it up more!

After you're cleared to work out and once you've been breast feeding for a few months (I think I read you were going to) the weight will literally pour off you. I'm not kidding. You could probably NOT ever work out and you would lose all the weight from breast feeding alone. Those little chunky babies suck all the fat right out of you. I would go on daily walks with my son in the baby carrier or the stroller to take our dog out and in the beginning I just worked out when I could.

Your body takes at least 9 months to fully recover from birth.. You honestly look fabulous and you will have no problem losing any weight at all!! Enjoy that baby!!!

Erika said...

You look great, and what a great attitude! I need to get onto an exercise routine. For the last month at least I've been planning on going to a pre-natal yoga class... but then Mondays roll around and there always is something 'better' to do. I need to make exercise a priority - no matter how tired I am. Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

You look great! I had the exact same thought about exercise before I got pregnant and even when I found out I was pregnant, I mean after all I am a marathoner. I thought that would make me able to push through anything! Was I wrong! I still worked out 5 times a week and even the day Grace was born, but mainly just walking and at the time that seemed like a VERY difficult workout!
Katie
godslittlegrace.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Love this post Ruthie. My Dr. told me that the majority of his patients are overweight or put on excessive weight in pregnancy. it is great that you are posting about this to encourage other women to stay active during pregnancy. Ladies often attribute staying fit during pregnancy to your body type: aka, "oh you were tiny before pregnant" "I could never look like that".. truth is.. we can all look great and healthy during pregnancy! I have definitely slowed down my workouts from what i was doing pre-pregnancy, but I walk 2-3 miles every night with the dog and husband, so when people ask how i have maintain a somewhat OK figure during pregnancy, i attribute it to my nightly walks! :).

You look fab lady! Cant wait to meet that baby boy of yours!

Sarah said...

I love this post! I've been walking like a maniac but need to get back to do more toning. I had a little scare in my early pregnancy that made me nervous about working out but it makes me feel so much better! You look great!

Lindsay @ Pursuit of Pink said...

I agree! Pregnant women definitely need to hear how great they look. Good job for John telling you that! And you do look amazing lady!!! so proud of you. I can't really do much working out, we take a lot of walks and I hope to be able to life some weights (I keep telling myself I will do that, but haven't done it yet!)

Erin said...

I so enjoy your opinions and perspective on pregnancy! I'm going to reference you blog a lot when my time comes I think :) I want to really get myself into good shape before we think about kids- for many of the reasons you listed!

Anonymous said...

I admire any woman that works out while pregnant. With Ethan, I just had zero interest. With Gabe, the minute I found out I was pregnant, I was all, EAT RIGHT, EXERCISE! ...and then, I didn't exercise. Womp, womp. Granted, I didn't gain much at all, but for the OTHER reasons to exercise, I wanted to, and just couldn't find it in me. And bless your heart, you were even on Zofran forever, so, I can't even use 18 weeks of nausea as an excuse. You rock!

Anonymous said...

And THIS is probably why you are "all belly". I wish I could have worked out more (I had/have bad spotting issues), but I definitely try to eat as healthy as possible and at least go walking!!! (:

Sarah @ The Not Quite Military Wife said...

You're very inspiring to be working out and pregnant! I couldn't make myself workout at all when I was pregnant, I just felt awful!

C Mae said...

I'm going to be the weirdo and ask, do ppl stare at you at the gym more? Do you ever say anything to them if they do? hehe :) I hate when people stare at the gym You had some awesome comments above!

Kelly said...

You go girl!

xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Kathrin@shopschoolsleep said...

that is awesome!! good for you for pushing thru and working out!! you look amazing!!

Lisamarie said...

What time of the day do you work out and are you working at this time?

KingHawk said...

Also, you should encourage him to execute at your new Aspen funny event. Seriously.
Tubal Ligation Reversal

Pandorah's Box said...

You are a trooper and are amazing. And your husband is right...you look awesome!

Anonymous said...

The happiest moment of life is to become a mother of a baby we can not describe the feeling of moment when women become a mother in her life, but this happiest feeling the woman also has the drawback of their pregnancy in the shape of their body which is looking good after pregnancy. Hypno woman

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