Anyone else keeping up exercise?

[Shanoa]

Hi ladies,

I was reasonably fit before pregnancy. I wouldn't say I was mega fit; I still have plenty of wobbles. But I would get to the gym 3 times a week.

I've been trying to keep up the 3 days at the gym but I've dropped the intensity right down so I can easily carry on a conversation during low impact cardio. I also swim. I've read that exercise can help with a shorter labour. Sounds great for me and the baby.

My midwife has also said light exercise is fine and swimming is great. But the reaction I get from some other people is quite the opposite. Like I am being irresponsible. Does anyone else experience this?

 

[J22]

Hi Shanoa,

Don't worry about what others say - there's a serious misconception with regards to exercising during pregnancy. I've done lots of reading up and spoken to my MW about it and it's very much recommended to help in lots of aspects both during pg and labour.
I've always exercised basically just to try to keep myself more or less fit. Before pg I'd run (up to 8kms) and do cardio at the gym and light weights. I'm still exercising 4-5 times a week - I generally do 2 days at the gym (30 min cardio; I've taken the intensity down a lot) and light weights. I do 2 days "wogging" (light jogging and some walking inbetween....maybe about 4 or 5km) and my OH takes me on a longer power walk at the weekend on quieter tracks (maybe 6 - 8km, taking it slow on the hills!).

I'm English but we live in a small rural village in Spain and I've been stopped numerous times when I'm jogging and asked if I'm sure I should be doing that, that it's surely not good for me blah, blah, blah! I certainly wouldn't do anything I didn't think was good for me or baby and I've taken the intensity down loads, making sure I can maintain a conversation, keeping my heartbeat down etc. If there's a day when I'm having any discomfort or pressure in my stomache/uterus then I'll take it easy and not go out jogging....just listen to your own body. I'm 38 like you (39 next month) and at the moment feel great, my tests have all been good so far so I'm hoping being able to continue the exercise will help later on too.


Sorry for the long essay....I just feel really passionate about it and with all the information out there nowadays I don't understand why people still question us (I think it's really people who've never exercised before though who do that). Good luck with your work out and H&H pregancy to you!

 

[Glitterdiva]

I stopped for a wk but ive stopped listening to neuroticism now and I'm exercising again. Walking 4 times a week and yoga ballet or pilates daily to the same intensity as previous

 

[beachgal]

I'm still working out and also believe that it's important to keep up with . I do light cardio and weights, yoga, and water exercises. I like feeling strong and agree with the other ladies to listen to your body

 

[melbell]

I'm still working out in my 35 week and I feel great! Walking, elliptical, bike, stairmaster, weights and poly metrics, all at reduced levels of intensity. It hasn't been easy, nausea kept me in bed until ten weeks, at thirteen weeks I had a bleeding scare and was on rest for a week, at eighteen twenty two weeks I was hospitalized for fainting and abdominal pain, but slowly resumed as I recovered. Then I suffered severe hip and leg pains and bra ton hicks that really slowed me down, but as soon as I hit thirty weeks everything has been great and I'm so glad I never gave up. I feel fit and strong! Keep exercising!

 

[Eve2012]

I walked a lot before pregnancy and am walking lots now that I'm pregnant. I've put on 7lbs thus far. I am just over 14 weeks along now.

We don't own a vehicle so we walk everywhere in all kinds of weather or take the bus and walk to and from the bus stop. I also did a lot of snow shovelling this past Winter too.

Soon, I'll be putting in the backyard vegetable garden too.

 

[Macmad]

I'm still exercising at 28 weeks. I do Pilates and the gym twice a week. I've stopped running and just do a fast walk on an incline, cross trainer and light weights. Have to admit its kept the weight gain to a minimum this pregnancy. Last time I didn't and gained over 20kg. Hoping it all goes towards a great delivery and quick recovery.

 

[Shanoa]

Thanks ladies, it's so good to hear there are more people out there thinking along the same lines as me. I was starting to feel massively outnumbered. I feel really strong and want to keep up the exercise to continue to feel that way.

As you say, Macmad, it's also a great way to keep the weight under control.

I'm sticking to my guns too and I'm going to carry on doing what I am doing. I'll listen to my body and if it says stop, I'll stop. Just like I would pre-pregnancy. Easy

 

[Anthrogirl]

Don't listen to the naysayers! We have come a long way since pregnant women were expected to hide their pregnancies and birth was confinement! Exercise is soooo good for the ills of preg and birth from helping combat insomnia, to gas, to body aches! A fit pregnancy will ease your labor and delivery and recovery time immensely! I don't go to a gym (we live way out in the sticks) but my day to day farm work keeps me active. When I'm not doing that, I swim. It's wonderful to feel weightless for 45 mins!

 

[Shanoa]

So true, Anthrogirl. We have come a heck of a long way, thankfully.

I'm 23 weeks now and I'm carrying on with the exercise. I don't think I'd be feeling as good as I do without it.

I think I will start swimming again soon. I want that weightless feeling too. I'm starting to feel ridiculously heavy and can almost feel a waddle coming on. Uh oh!