Gym Bunnies: What are your plans once you have your BFP?

[teeniedeenie34]

Hello ladies

Am ttc baby#1 and have been eating well, taking the prenatal vitamins and also remaining active.

I attend three Les Mills exercise classes a week at my local gym - Body Pump, Body Attack and Body Combat - as well as running quite a few miles on the treadmill before or after each class. These classes are quite intense and I'm not sure they would be a good idea, especially in early pregnancy.

I would however like to remain active once I get my BFP so am thinking a personal trainer may be the best idea as they can guide me through exercises that are safe.

I just wanted to check what other gym goers were planning to do once they have their BFP?

Thanks

I already have children so a bit ahead.

Before I used to go to the gym but before trying to get pregnant decided it wasn't for me as wanted to continue with children, and it would be unrealistic time wise.

So:

• I took to jogging outside. Meant I could carry on at slow pace when pregnant, and after baby took to walking fast with baby, then once baby 6months started jogging with baby in pram. Eventually got a twin jogger once baby 2 was born year later. Now they are 3 and 4 I jog with them usually on scooter or cycling beside me.

• I took up swimming. Pool nearby so convenient. Carried on swimming through pregnancy, and one baby born took to swimming in eve with dh. One of us swims, one plays with baby in other end pool. Then swap. We still do 4 years on and x2 children later. Kids can swim now alone so can join us also as well as play.

I currently jog x2 mornings When children still asleep ( dh does x2 mornings also), x2 jogs in day with children, swim x4 evenings. Also cycle with children a lot more and sold car.

Hi teenie
I don't do combat or attack, but did pump until the end of my 7th month last time and balance until end of 8th. They can be adapted really easily for pregnancy, when your bump gets too big clean and press has to be with dumbbells for example. I plan to do the same this time all being well.
I've had to cut my running down a lot though, for me it just hasn't felt comfortable enough. But each pregnancy is different, so you may well be fine to carry on. You know your body, listen to it. They say generally you are fine to continue with what you did previously. I'm just more cautious, and don't take a class if I am under the weather.
I have found completely conflicting advice from the instructors about abs work though which is annoying, so a specially ante natal trained pt might be good for things like that.
Good luck!

Thanks for the replies

Artandco I've heard swimming is ideal as you get a bit bigger, I'm just not the biggest fan of it. Maybe I'll feel differently if/when it happens. I've ran for about ten years and completed several marathons so my body is used to running. I just don't know if it's a good idea, as it's my first I already feel very wary. I run outside over spring/summer but am now back in the gym as the winter months/dark nights draw closer.

Hi fourmonthsago
I have noticed there are options in the all the classes to do lower intensity workouts so this might be an idea. And as you say you can adapt the way you 'lift' to suit your growing figure.

Totally agree with just being comfortable and listening to your body so very much plan to so that. I guess I won't know until it happens but just wanted to see what others have done/have planned.

Interesting thread- I got a BFP THIS MORNING!!! Can't believe that. But really want to keep going to the gym. I take a regular yoga class, is that safe when pregnant? I have no idea how it will be possible to exercise once baby is here! I guess walking like you say in OP.

I'll be watching this thread, as I also got my BFP last week and have a meeting booked in on Sunday with a member of the gym team to see what I can and cannot do!

I was told Kettlercise is out (which I was doing 3X per week) as the pregnanct relaxin hormone can make the muscles over flex and are dangerous. I'm gutted about this, but want to see what else I can do!

Have read various views on Spin, which I was also doing 2 X per week!

I'll update next week when I've spoken to the gym, but the general consensus seems to be don't start anything new, but if you are currently fit then it should be okay?

I also think ab work is out, as can lead to muscle seperation?

Congrat BREE!

Massive congratulations BreeVDKamp!!!! Fantastic news, what a way to start the week

I think yoga is supposed to be fine but I would let your instructor know asap so they can give you options and alert you to anything you should not be doing.

Yes, once baby is here there is more scope for getting outside during the day walking, jogging with pram etc.

Great idea KatoPotato and congrats to you also! Let us know how you get on and what the gym advise.

I think the rule of thumb is don't do more than your bodies used to. So if you never run don't take up running when pregnant, but if your already used to running it's fine but just slow down pace and distance as needed. Same with any excercise, so body pump shouldn't be started but fine to continue if used to it, just at a reduced rate if needed.

As your body is used to marathons, it will be perfectly fine to stick to say 5km-10km a day to keep up general fitness. Prob 10km and slower at first if you usually run lots, then down to 5km as you go on. I think I ran 5km most days until 32 weeks, then walked 5km until right before birth

One thing was both births were relatively easy. The midwife did say fitter mothers generally find it easier as their body is used to stress on it. Also most people have better lung capacity and breathing methods that they have used over regular excercise

Thanks Artandco That's really helpful and interesting! It's so good to know that others have continued to stay fit and active throughout their pregnancy with no problems, it has actually been of benefit!

I did Body Attack until 37 weeks! Just modified accordingly. It was fine.

Ah thanks :) and congratulations To Kato too!

I did some reading around and apart from the relaxin hormone, the main issue is about not raising your heart rate too high, or your core temperature. This is mainly in the first to second trimesters.

Definitely good to keep fit though, helps you have an easier birth and recovery after. I've always done pilates but added a pregnancy-specific pilates class each week in the second and third trimester which was brilliant. It's kept away the awful spd I had in my last pregnancy anyway.

I'm glad to hear There are mums who carry on with body pump and balance I do kettlesize as well so that's a bummer that I can't carry on with that when I get bfp, although quite frankly body pump kills me now never mind when I'm pregnant! I'll defo carry on with yoga tho and thought I would swap the heavy stuff maybe for aquafit, there's no aqua natel here at the moment. I'm definitely keeping up with fitness I was a right lazy mare with other pregnancys!

Interesting thread. I'm also a Les Mills fan and do combat, pump and spin every week as well as yoga- and am also hoping for that BFP!

I have friends who've continued to do adapted spin and pump at lower intensities up to later on in pregnancy and that's ideally what I'd like to do depending on general well being. I much prefer a sweaty cardio class to a swim, for example. A PT is a good idea though, especially to get a properly balanced and targeted programme.

What do people think about keeping up your regular exercise programme while TTC? Anyone downshifting slightly? I've read differing opinions but have come to the conclusion that I feel better for exercise and sod it, a stronger body is healthier and so on...

Hi folks! We're just starting TTC and I've been wondering about this too. I tend to rub over the summer months and do Jillian Michaels DVDs over the winter months. I've got my first half marathon race next weekend! I hate running outside in the winter because the cold air hurts, but not all of the moves in JM will be suitable in pregnancy. I do love swimming, but don't enjoy the faff of getting changed and the initial getting into the cold water (do you see a theme developing?!) plus the extra cost puts me off. So no good answers, but I sympathise with the dilemma. I think that listening to your body will be important - stop or slow down if needs be.

RUN not RUB!!

Hi guys! Just back from my meeting at the gym.

As thought, Kettlercise is out, due to something called blood shunting, which can over stimulate growth hormones!

Spin is - quote - dodgy, because while I could regulate my heart rate, the little bean can't! I'm lucky I'm allowed to continue going as my fitness has been high enough!

I've been given a new programme that avoids ab work, lunging or squats. So some cardio and weighs really!