I can’t believe there is less than one month until Baby H. will be here! Time seems to be flying and the weirdest part is that you have no ideas when to plan for the big arrival. So I keep things in my life as normal as possible. I think this will be the key to getting back into shape after the baby is born. We will see if this holds any truth. 🙂
Some people have been asking about what I do to workout still and how it is going. Here are a few of the things that have been working for me. If you are pregnant or going to get pregnant in the near future, please talk to your doctor about your fitness routine.
1. Working out 5-6 days a week. Even though I am close to being ready to pop, I still make time to get myself moving most everyday. The reason I can do this is because I did it before the baby was born and I never stopped. My advice would be to keep doing what you were doing before and so you don’t lose all of your endurance or strength that you have worked so hard on.
2. Choose activities I like and make me feel good. I ran for a while into my pregnancy, completing a half marathon at 4months, but then running stopped feeling good when it got really cold and my bladder would be pressed on by the baby. At one point in November and December I would run 5-5.5 miles and make three bathroom stops. I had my running routes planned out around different restrooms. While this worked for a little while, it quickly got old and uncomfortable. At this point I switched to doing spinning 2-3 times a week and some other cardio (step mill, elliptical or hill walking on the treadmill) 3-4 times a week with weights about 2-3 days a week. I kept my workouts under an hour because I would usually be tired/bored by then. As far as weights go, I would do some free weights for my arms and walking lunges and squats for my legs. I never followed a weight program – I just did it to keep myself from turning into mush. A lot of people really like swimming when they are pregnant, but I never got into it- I might in the next few weeks.
3. Embrace days off to recover On the days I didn’t workout, I would usually stretch or do a 15-20 min relaxing prenatal yoga from yogadownload.com to stretch out. Throughout the 9 months your body changes so much that sometimes it get more sore doing one thing then a month later it isn’t sore at all from doing the same thing. It is important to listen to your body and just do what feels good at the time. These recovery days were good for my muscles but also recharged me for the next day’s workout.
4. Drink, drink, drink I usually try to drink at least 3-4 liters of water a day. I have a little schedule of how much I should drink and when in my mind. If I workout in the morning (most everyday because and I am tired and hungry after school and tutoring) then I drink 1 liter while working out and driving home. Then I try to drink another liter before lunch, which usually happens because I am still thirsty from my workout. I try and drink a third liter in the afternoon before I go home from school. This is hard because it is not easy to use the restroom when you are a teacher (and at this point, I have to go alllllllll the time!). The finally in the evening I try to drink the 4th liter. My body is used this this water so I get really thirsty when I don’t drink enough. Staying hydrated is so important, especially when working out and later in pregnancy, because otherwise you will wake up in the night with cramps or charley horses in your legs. This has only happened to me a few times, but it hurts!
5. Remind myself how good I feel after. On days when I don’t really feel like going, I just tell myself to think about how much better I will feel when I am done. This always works because I do feel that much better when I am done. For someone who loves being active it is hard to feel yourself expanding everyday. 🙂 When I workout I feel like my belly is growing (just like I want!!) but the rest of me feels more normal. If I don’t go, my body gets all antsy like it just needs to move! I am not sure if this will work for everyone, but there is no doubt that exercise makes you feel better overall and have more energy!
*Nursery update coming soon!
Those are great tips! I am only 11 weeks, but definitely feel the effects of being pregnant on my workouts. My doctor gave me an enthusiastic approval to continue running and working out. Some days are great, and others I drag because I am tired. It is great to see an example of someone who is pregnant, active, and healthy! Thanks 🙂