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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

exercise tips during pregnancy, pls

29 replies

painfullyhonest · 25/01/2011 22:09

I was shredding away happily and about to start level 2 when I got my BFP! Lovely news but am a bit depressed that I'm 10lb heavier than when I started my last pg.

any suggestions for daily exercise to keep me vaguely toned?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

greedychops · 25/01/2011 22:11

I know it might not be the most exciting suggestion, but I think that walking is probably the best and cheapest way to keep fit.

Could also do some repetitive stair climbing to keep the bum toned.

Rupsje · 25/01/2011 22:18

Congratulations on your BFP!

My GP said it was really good to keep exercising so I am still running, although it is more of a gentle jog actually. GP said if that feels too tiring, cycling or using a cross-trainer in the gym would work.

I quite fancy doing some pregnancy yoga too... That is supposed to be good for toning.

muslimah28 · 25/01/2011 22:22

try prenatal fitness fix dvd. its really good and not by a celeb so not in your face, i found it really helped.

PipPipPip · 25/01/2011 22:23

I attend a pregnancy yoga once a week and I absolutely LOVE it.

The emphasis is on relaxation, breathing and stretching so it won't make a difference to weight loss BUT it makes me feel more flexible and confident in my body. This then makes me more inclined to do other active things.

It has also been a great way to meet other pregnant women - a few of us have started walking to class together and/or on the weekends.

The other fun thing is aqua aerobics. It doesn't necessarily need to be an 'aquanatal class' - the normal classes are generally full of old ladies, so it is pretty gentle and you can work as hard/slack as you want to.

Can't recommend them highly enough!!

NameChangingForThisJustInCase · 25/01/2011 22:24

Don't swim using a breast troke kick! - I now can't walk...

Up till then I was walking uphill, in the gym, cycling etc...

sleepwhenidie · 25/01/2011 22:30

You should try to keep up with what your body is used to, don't start new things, other than sensible stuff like pg yoga! Walking, jogging if you are used to it and swimming (be v careful with breaststroke legs as mentioned above) all good. Listen to your body, don't over exert yourself or do anything that feels uncomfortable and stay well hydrated.

bessie26 · 26/01/2011 07:34

I've just started doing an aqua-natal class & absolutely love it!

Last pg I carried on with the gym (toning stuff down where appropriate) and did lots of walking (1hr twice a week), swimming (think breast stroke is fine as long as your hips are ok), normal yoga & pg yoga.

johsibo · 26/01/2011 07:56

walk at least 30 minutes daily and remember to eat healthy! (eating healhty play a huge role) Congratulations and good luck! :)
I have a treadmill at home and use it every evening after my boys have gone to sleep (5yo&3yo) can´t start going out after their bedtime so that´s a real good help for me.

Original poster

painfullyhonest · 26/01/2011 08:12

tks for posts. Am trying to work out various options - joining adult only gym with gorgeous pool - find yoga class during day - find aqua natal class - pregnancy pilates - order pg exercise dvd....

Sigh, I wish it was the first time round, so much nicer when you only have yourself to worry about!

OP posts:

megonthemoon · 26/01/2011 08:21

I was like you - about a stone over my original pre-pregnancy weight when I got my BFP for DC2. I'm not a slim chicken at all, but managed to avoid putting on quite so much this time (just watched the cakes/choc rather than actively controlling my weight gain in anyway) and it has all come off (and more) within 4 months. I'm about half a stone from my pre-DC weight now.

I did some swimming, a bit of my Davina pregnancy/postnatal DVD which is great and mainly lots of walking - pushing the buggy if your DC1 is still in one is great as it gives you an extra workout. You have to remember to keep your back straight though when going uphill so your legs are doing the work rather than use your back to get you up! I did a lot more hill walking this pregnancy which was fab (apart from needing help to get over stiles when I was 41 weeks pregnant :o)

I felt so much better at the end of my pregnancy than I did with DC1 where I overindulged and sat on teh sofa. Had no bp problems at the end and a much easier birth.

I did also leave plenty of time for sitting on the sofa too though

Original poster

painfullyhonest · 26/01/2011 08:34

meg thanks for yr lovely post. REally encouraging. I am very lazy naturally so I will probably get the dvd (no excuses if I don't have to leave the house to exercise!) and try to find some nice classes.

I have barely begun this pg but feel like such a fraud skipping the shred! just can't be assed with modifying exercises etc. better to just follow someone and do the right thing. I am terrified of getting separated tummy muscles!

I didn't gain much during pg and it all FELL OFF me just after the birth - it was the rabid hunger during bfing that helped all the pounds pile on! I think I'll have to do weightwatchers or something come the time.

OP posts:

muslimah28 · 26/01/2011 10:57

just to give you more encouragement- im now doing the bfing version of weightwatchers and its working really well for me. you get more points to account for bfing and i'm still losing steadily

cara2244 · 26/01/2011 21:32

Oooh what's the worry about breast stroke? I like swimming and was hoping to carry it on throughout, but that's the only stroke I can do!

LabMonkey · 26/01/2011 21:49

I'm now 26 weeks and I ran until nearly 20 weeks. Now I'm using this dvd www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Pregnancy-Fitness-DVD/dp/B001CC7DN2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1296078378&sr=8-5 and I've started swimming. I'm also walking to work (about 30 min) now since I stopped cycling because of the ice and now I don't feel safe on my bike (although have driven when it's really wet).

Some days I'm too knackered but most of the time I feel better after a bit of exercise. I think it's all in my head as it feels like I'm balancing out how hungry I am all the time :)

BritinUSA · 27/01/2011 01:34

Painfullyhonest - there is a really good book available on Amazon - 'Expecting Fitness' by Brigitte Gallo. There are some great exercises and tips about what to do / not to do and the reasons why. I've found it really helpful and motivating!

theasaswimming · 31/01/2011 16:59

Feel free to have a look at our advice (The ASA, national governing body for swimming) on how mums-to-be can be safe in the water.

Look at this page

babynelly2010 · 31/01/2011 17:05

I would say walking is the best. The further you can walk the better. It is a great way to get unnecessary weight off.
At around 28 weeks I started antenatal yoga once a week. It really helped me not only learn how to breath but also gain confidence in me and release fear of child birth. I went from I don't know how I supposed to do it to let me do it now.
Congrats and good luck!

babynelly2010 · 31/01/2011 17:06

I mean to keep unnecessary weight off. :)

lilly13 · 31/01/2011 17:18

i think it really depends on your initial level of fitness and preferences. pregnancy is not the time to try a new form of excercise. whatever you do, you must listen to your body. i have been doing mostly viniyasa yoga (with some modifications) 5-6 times + prego yoga once a week until 20 weeks. after that time, i started swimming 3 times per week and doing yoga viniyasa/hatha yoga 3 times per week and pregnancy yoga once a week. i am 26 weeks now. i think so far this routine has really helped me a lot to stay in a good shape both physically and emotionally, eat healthy and feel energized. yoga definitely tones you, but you have to do the right kind of yoga (ie, no prenatal stuff as it is the way it is taught in UK, unlike US, is highly ineffective to make a difference). having said this, if you have not done it before, don't start in pregnancy as you have to be very much in tune with your body... then how about pilates (if you've done beofre) and swimmming?

jules1308 · 31/01/2011 18:42

I was exactly the same as the OP - got to level 2 of the shred dvd and found out I was pregnant. I'm 18 weeks now and have been doing the DVD that LabMonkey recommended and think it's great. Much more strenuous than I expected a pregnancy exercise programme to be and a lovely stretch and relaxation bit at the end.

Original poster

painfullyhonest · 31/01/2011 20:06

jules thanks, have been crap but will order dvds now and let you know what I think of them.

Great to hear how focussed you all are getting out and getting on with exercise! I'm struggling to leave the house due to the cold - I hate being cold, have poor circulation etc. - so DVD is good for me.

OP posts:

OompaLumpa · 02/02/2011 10:19

My friend who is a physio swears by a dvd for pilates for pg women which was put together by the APPI which i think is Australian Physiotherapists group.

www.amazon.co.uk/APPI-Pregnancy-Pilates/dp/B000VRYQD4 this is the dvd but i ordered it directly from APPI - just googled it. Haven't actually watched it yet as have been really sick but hoping to start soon. i think you get a band with it.

HTH xxx

OompaLumpa · 02/02/2011 10:20

whoops sorry link didn't work www.amazon.co.uk/APPI-Pregnancy-Pilates/dp/B000VRYQD4

humph123 · 02/02/2011 13:25

i need to ask now, why shouldn't you do breast-stroke?

RugbyWidow7 · 02/02/2011 19:10

humph I was just about to ask exactly the same thing. theasaswimming's link says breast stroke is fine and is actually very good as it helps strengthen the muscles in your back.

Intrigued to know what others experiences / thoughts are on this though, as it's my only exercise at the moment...

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