How much walking?

[ejclementine]

30 weeks and feeling very unfit. I work in an office and I'm not active at night. Not sure how I'll get through labour if I don't build up some strength - just wondering how much walking you're all doing, just to motivate me into going for a walk each night. Swimming is out as I can only do breast stroke which isn't good for the back. Any other suggestions very welcome. Thanks!

have you tried antenatal classes in the pool? Also, you could swimming holding a float out in front of you and kicking your legs as though in front crawl.

Walking is good all round exercise. Is there any way you can get out of the office at lunchtime and walk around during the day? Much nicer than going out in the dark and it perks you up for the afternoon?

I'm 30 weeks too and walking is about all I'm doing but I'm doing quite a lot! 2 miles to work and 2 miles back every day, plus three flights of stairs. The stairs are getting a bit much for me this week though...

I'm assuming you drive to work, but maybe you could park a bit further away and have a little walk to and from the car? It might help give you more energy in the mornings as well - I find that my walk to work perks me up a bit.

I'm doing as much as I can fit in, probably an hour a day on average?
Also, is there a reason you think breaststroke isn't recommended? I've never heard the "bad for the back" thing before. It's also the only stroke I can really do!
I'd really recommend trying to keep as fit as you can - if you have a long labour it'll be a tough workout!

Running it depends on how you are doing the stroke.

If you do the stroke properly then your back should be alright, but many people keep their head above the water when doing breaststroke and this puts strain on your back as you arch to keep your head up.

Even doing the stroke properly is difficult for some people with hip mobility issues as you are kicking out to the side. I always found that it aggravated my sciatica and I stick to front crawl/freestyle when I swim.

Thank you all - feeling more motivated now and I'll be having at least a 2 mile walk a day from tomorrow onwards. I drive to work but I like the idea of parking a little further away and walking. I'm not very good at the breaststroke so it does give me back ache unfortunately but using a float would be good - thank you. x

How deep is the pool? You can walk up and down a pool (no swimming) or you can put a noodle so you're sat on it (between the legs up chest and back) then you can basically walk your legs and swim with your arms. ... it's a bit weird looking but very nice to be weightless.

I was walking until the day before I gave birth. I don't drive so it was either walk or catch the bus. Most places I just walked to. I remember walking to asda with my mum to look for something for the baby. It took me over an hour. There isn't another one nearby and the bus service had been cancelled a few months beforehand. I was knackered by the time I'd walked there and back!

On the day I went into labour I did a three or four-mile hilly walk. Was just on my way home with DH when I said my back hurt and could that be the start of something.....it was!

I also do 4 miles per day as part of my commute. The homeward, uphill leg is tough!