Pregnancy Workouts? - Arlington,TX

My understanding is that you should not do exceptional workouts while you are pregnant - IF you did not do them before you were pregnant.

Before I had my son, I did aerobics 4 days a week. I continued while I was pregnant with him (modifying as I went. I lowered my step and eventually used no step at all. And, I eventually cut back to 2 days a week).

After he was born, I didn't do aerobics anymore (I didn't want him in the daycare). And so, when I was pregnant with my duaghter, I did not start or do anything extra or significant. BUT, you can start walking.

Good luck!
L.

Hi Bethany,

I am a prenatal and postpartum fitness specialist. I run Stroller Strides in Arlington. It is a prenatal/postpartum fitness program for moms, which is completely safe for all trimesters, as long as your doctor has given you permission to exercise. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent miscarriage, and there is also nothing you can do that will induce one. I would love to talk with you more about things you can do to stay fit during pregnancy. I am also 6 weeks pregnant and still doing the same routine I did before I knew I was pregnant....Stroller Strides 5 mornings per week, circuit training 4 days, and running 2 days per week. Anything is possible :) Congratulations!

M. :)

www.strollerstrides.com

this really depends on how fit you were before you got pregnant, and how often you exercised. as mentioned above walking is great...but I use to get bored with that. You can ride a stationary bike but you have to keep your heartrate below 140. If you are really fit you can even jog intill the third trimester working out with small hand weights (2-5pds) are great for the arms, water workouts are also good. just avoid doing anything with sudden movements jumping or anything in the squated position. There are some really good exercise dvds out there that progress with you as you get farther along in your pregnancy

I wouldn't change up your routine very much. Exercise is safe, but you don't wnat to start doing something you previously weren't doing. Walking is a great one...on the sidewalk or treadmill! As far as sex, you're right it can't cause a miscarriage, but I do understand the hesitation, it's a mental thing! I'm sorry for your loss and just have sex when you're ready!

Walks......don't tire yourself out, don't jog or walk quickly, just a nice pleasant walk......start out with short distances and when things seem to be going ok, go a little farther.......take it easy..........for now....

Congrats and good luck.

I was a runner and a fitness freak before I became pregnant with my 2nd one, training for my half-marathon. So I still jog 3x a week, but at a pace that I am comfortable, on the treadmill. The other times I do the stationary bike and elliptical. I also do light weights, but no ab work. Avoid being on your back after the 2nd trimester.
The 'keeping your heartrate below 140" is outdated. The new recommendations, according to ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) recommends that you exercise to an intensity between 4-6 out of 10 being the hardest. Use the "talk test" where if you can still talk while exercising, you are not exercising too hard.
I am a member of babyfit, a free site for pregnant moms. Gives great advicea about fitness and nutrition. They have a great article on exercise:
http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=802

Good luck!

I did the PrenatalFitness Fix by Erin O'Brien . . . this is an awesome workout that kept my legs tone and the rest of my body appropriately conditioned throughout my pregnancy. I did it about three to four days a week throughout my pregnancy (and actually did it the last time just three hours before I went into labor). When not doing this video, I went to the gym and did the eliptical, swam, or just took a long walk outside. I also know (but did not do) that a lot of cities in the area offer prenatal yoga and other classes for mom's to be as part of their rec and leisure services. I credit my staying active throughout my pregnancy to minimizing aches and pains (and swelling), keeping my body strong (resistance training is still important) and ready for labor -- which was less than three hours long for a first time pregnancy, in part I believe because my body was in shape . . . I was also at a birthing center with very expereinced midwifes. The exercise also kept my weight gain within the normal limit and helped me bounce back quickly after I gave birth. I think you are doing the right thing by staying active!

I always did some sort of pilates and that always worked out for me.... when it started to get to the point where you feel uncomfortable on your belly just don't do those kinds of excercises. I also found some prenatal work outs to do. Leisa Hart's fit mama one is low impact and fairly easy, but if your looking for something a bit more challenging try Erin O'Brian's Prenatal work out.

I was doing low- and mid-impact Jazzercise when I got pregnant. However, I was SO exhausted the first few months that I just walked several times a week for as long as I was comfortable. I then went back to Jazzercise, but did only low-impact and further modified routines until I was 35.5 weeks a couple of times a week and continued to walk. I delivered at 37.5 weeks.

I used a midwife, but she was also very much a proponent of "do what is comfortable...just do something!" You shouldn't do anything that hurts or tires you to the point of exhaustion. Some exercise is helpful for a healthy pregnancy.

I've had several miscarriages and I know how hard it is to not obsess over little thing. You have to aceept what comes and be positive about this event in your life.

yoga is great keeps up muscle tone and stectching also lots of walking. Having my legs/hips fit helped so much in child birth the second time around as opposed to the first child.