Crossfit in DOP

[NikkyNikky]

Hello everybody!

First of all I apologize for my english (I'm italian).

I'm 39, I'm new in this forum. I read many threads before starting a new one and I found a lots of good advice form you, so I just thank you!
I have been doing Crossfit intensively for 2 years (4-5 times a week).
I started TTC in march 2019 and I got pregnant at the first try but it was a chemical pregnancy. I have PCOS with irregular cycles (33-41) but I'm in shape and my hormonal analysis are good.
For a couple of months I have reduced training sessions (3 times a week) and I've added Pilates only one day a week. So now I do Crossfit 2-3 times a week and Pilates once.
Do you think is better to do no physical activity in the DPO? Is possible that high-intensive activities are able to compromise the conception?

Thank you!

I don't do crossfit but do about 5 weight sessions a week plus pole fitness and some calisthenics so very active. I read quite a lot of mixed things, but did see a few articles about how too much intense exercise can impact it. I therefore decided to drop the weight and did gentler workouts during my TWW. I am not sure if it helped, but I'm 9+4 weeks pregnant so was worth it if it did.
I had also reduced cardio over the last year as despite being a healthy weight and a bmi of 22, my body fat was very low so knew that can have an impact on TTC. Again, not the most comfortable feeling actively trying to gain fat, but worth it.

Good luck by the way x

I've done a bit of research into this: the research seems to suggest that light to moderate exercise does not negatively impact fertility (using up to 65% of your maximum effort).

In contrast intensive exercise can reduce your chances of getting pregnant because it cause a
spike in cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

I'm no Doctor but this is what I have gathered from reading various studies and why I have temporarily stopped running and weight lifting and replaced with yoga and walking. I can always go back to my intense sessions after pregnancy!

All the best!

Im not a crossfitter, but im a competitive weightlifter. I trained 5 or so times per week, managed my bodyweight to fit into competitions etc. When I was TTC I used to drop the intensity of my sessions down for about a week after ovulation.

Interestingly what worked was when I was on holiday, when I was doing NO exercise. Unsure if this is a coincidence or not.

Good luck!

Thank you for your responses...

@Lf89 Congrats!!! I'm very happy for you!!!
@Zukiiii I think you're right about cortisol and pregnancy...

I'll follow your advice girls, you confirmed my concerns about strong workout. I love Crossfit and it will hard stop it, but is for a bigger purpose. Thank you again...

When I had IVF I was advised to take it super easy for 10 days post transfer, not sure if this is the same things but something worked for me and this is one (of many many) things I did x

Thank you @Monsterjam! I'm now at 3 DPO and I really don't know if something happened, it's too early to say, but I'll try to stay in relax until I can do the pregnancy test (even if I trained 3 times this week 😞)

I don't do CrossFit but am an avid runner and had been wondering the same thing. I normally run 20-30 miles a week but at moderate intensity. From what I can gather from the research I think low - moderate intensity exercise is fine (as someone else said) so I haven't changed things yet. I'm keen to keep running if possible if I get pregnant, so plan to do a bit more reading if that time comes!

Best of luck 😊

@MGee123 actually also a friend of mine, she did Kickboxing, continued her activity until positive test... But she was younger than me and haven't had a biochemical before... Unfortunately is impossible for me to do CrossFit moderately because I feel the competition too much and I'm not able to moderate the intensity.
Thank you!!!

Sounds sensible to take a break from it then. It does sound rather intense! 😊

OP I get the frustration. I was knocking on national qualification before falling pregnant, so ALL my training was so important. However, what ive done is A LOT of accessory work. My squat technique has improved, which will set me up for afterwards. Its not the same, but its something to consider.

Hi ladies,

I also find this super difficult. I do weights 4 times a week and cardio 1 or 2 times, and I love it. But I'n 36 and have had 2 miscarriages, and I hope it's not the above that lead to it (I did take it easy after I fell pregnant though and just did light weights 2 days a week and brisk walking on treadmill 3 days).

Now I'm in 2ww and I've cut down to 2 light weight sessions per week and 2 cardio sessions (cross trainer for 45 min, easy). Do you think this is too much?

I have an office job and am sitting down for 8 hours a day, and my job is really high pressured. I love going to the gym in the morning to clear my head and to feel that I've moved my ass (literally!) before sitting for 8 hours. It de-stresses me.

@SunStruck from what I've read (and I've read a fair bit!) there is nothing to suggest light to moderate exercise impacts on fertility or pregnancy, in fact it is more likely it's the opposite. I think your light weight sessions and 2 cardio sessions sound fine, just keep your heart rate in a moderate training zone. (If you don't wear a HR monitor it might be a good idea to start).

I fully intend to keep running for as long as I can (if I ever get pregnant!!)

I got pregnant last when doing crossfit 5 - 6 times a week and training to a competitive standard. I think you’ll be fine. I carried on training (modified) up until two days before my baby was born.

Thanks ladies for the reassurance 😄 I am wearing a heart rate monitor! I'm trying to stay at 150 beats per min max. This is an easy, "can hold a conversation" rhythm for me!

@needallthesleep - How did you modify your training? Just lighter and things that don't involve belly or lying on your back?

@SunStruck yes pretty much exactly that. I kept wods to a conversational pace, did nothing involving ab muscles, and didn’t do things on my back like bench pressing.

I'm sorry to go off topic here. This is coming from somebody who does very little exercise outside of an active job, mainly due to having four dcs, how on earth do you plan to fit a baby into your training schedule?!

@Needallthesleep so there's an hope for me 🙂😀.. I've cut down down workout session to max 3 a week, now I want to focus on lower intensity. If in 10 days my test will be positive I'll ask to my doctor according with my health status.

@WeShouldBeFriends when I was on mat leave my box (crossfit gym) would let me bring my DD along, and some crossfit gyms run mum and baby classes. After mat leave I do morning sessions (my husband does childcare drop off), and two sessions in the evenings during the week.

@WeShouldBeFriends crossfit gyms let you bring babies (mostly). You
can also buy some stuff for home.

I feel like your comment is a little patronising.

I am hoping I will be able to keep running with baby and 2 dogs in tow 🙈😂 maybe I'm being completely naive! Exercise is a big part of my life and it does worry me a bit as to how I will fit it in/have the energy to do it. I'm hoping when the time comes my partner and I can work things out so we can both keep up our current routines (he cycles/runs a lot too!) 🤞