Exercisng and pregnancy

I am not TTC yet, but it is in the future.

I exercise alot, about 5 days a week I am either running 3 to 5 miles or doing a spin class.

Did your Doctor say you would have to cut down?

What changed in your routine?

Was it difficult to deal with?

Did you find another type of exercise or cardio to do instead?

I really like to do cardio and I am concerned that I am not going to be able to continue running and do my spin classes.

Re: Exercisng and pregnancy

I have always worked out as well. I've worked out throughout my entire pregnancy. I bought a Polar heart monitor when I knew we were going to TTC so I could get accustomed to it and my workouts. I did my usual 5 day a week routine up until around 7 months. As long as I stayed within my heartrate I was fine. Everyone progresses diffently through their pregnancy though. I didn't have any dizziness or balance problems when I worked out but I will tell you, I stopped high impact activites at 7 months because of the chance of increased injury and bruising. I would talk to a trainer at your gym as far as different exercises as you get further along. You don't want to put extra strain on your growing belly.

At 38 weeks I go the gym about twice a week. As far as cardio, I still take kickboxing (obviously without the added jumping), and step classes (without the step) and incorporate interval training with weights as well. At first it felt like I wasn't doing much, but I continue to build endurance and burn calories too.

People ask me why bother with the gym now you're gonna gain weight anyway? It's more of a lifestyle for me and a tremendous mental release.

Good Luck

Re: Exercisng and pregnancy

Until I hurt my arm (New Years - I was 6 months pregnant then) - I worked out 3-4 days a week throughout my pregnancy. The only thing the doctor told me not to do was run, which I had just started to do before I got pregnant. So now I either walk briskly and an increased angle, do the eliptical machine or ride the bicycle at the gym.

But everything else has been the same. I just tell the class instructors I'm pregnant. I still did total body conditioning and even started takign a body wedge class- it just has to be modified. During their ab workouts I work on my thighs or butt.

I even took semi-private tower reformer pilates classes and out of 4 people in the class- 2 of us were pregnant.