Exercise?

[TheNewMrs]

What exercise are you all doing?

I'm 14 weeks pregnant and slowly starting to get over the crippling tiredness have done nothing since getting my BFP but starting to think that now could be a good time to slowly reintroduce some exercise.

What would you recommend?

I kept running (albeit slowly) to about 18 weeks, then switched to swimming which I'm still doing (20-60 lengths twice a week ish) at 38+5, did Body Pump to about 28 weeks and preggoyoga on a dvd. All depends what you did before pregnancy really.

Swimming! I wasn't into swimming at all beforehand but it feels divine

What did you do before? I would do some version of the same though you may need to go a bit slower or not as long. If you weren't very active right before, then you can't go wrong with walking and swimming.

I was still doing some spinning (indoor cycling) in early pregnancy. Probably up until 14 weeks or so, but then I just didn't have the time so figured it was the right time to stop. Now I try to take a brisk walk a few times a week and I've started to go swimming one morning a week. I also take a yoga class. Basically, you just want something that will keep you moving so that you keep the mobility in your back and pelvis, which will help hold off any discomfort and keep you in relatively decent physical shape until baby comes.

I’m 21 weeks and still running (but slower and shorter distances), spin class (but with less resistance, so much easier than pre-preg) and weights (lighter weights and more reps). And on days when I can’t be bothered going to the gym or running I try to do some walking. Midwife and consultant were very happy for me to continue with the above, as I’d been very fit and active pre pregnancy. The advice they gave to me was to listen to your body - everyone is different so the advice other people give about their exercise routines may not be right for you. Oh, and not to work the ab muscles (core yes, abs no). So speak to your midwife and check with them that what you want to do is okay for you and then listen to your body.

I did a 10-mile hike with over 1000 feet of vertical ascent up the North Downs Way just over a week ago, before finding out I'm pregnant. Not sure I would have done the hike if I'd known! But it's an activity I do a lot, so I'll likely keep it up until I find myself unable to keep up with friends. Think I'll give up the mountaineering plans and rock climbing though.

I'm not entirely sure how active I was before pregnancy in all honesty!

Was fairly active at the beginning of the year before a holiday (running a couple of times a week, the occasional fitness blender video or some strength workouts). Then that tailed off, then had a mad panic of a few weeks of exercise before my last minute wedding mostly consisting of exercise videos on YouTube. Found out I was pregnant shortly after and then the exhaustion hit!

I'm 24+3, still running regularly (distances are a bit shorter now though!) and pretty comfortable with it after a rough first trimester where I was managing my Saturday morning parkrun and that was about it. I swam a lot when I was pregnant with my son but don't have enough time really for it this time. I also did prenatal yoga classes then and the odd YouTube routine now.

I did pregnancy yoga which I loved. Before pregnancy I was a regular gym goer although didn’t go much in first 12 weeks as was exhausted. I spoke to the gym and one of the people there who was trained in pregnancy exercise put a programme together for me of cardio (but not allowing myself to get so out of breath I couldn’t speak) and exercises using my own body weight including stuff to help with pelvic floor

I kept running until 26 weeks (albeit at a slower pace), and after that I switched to very brisk walking a few mornings a week. I would say I'm doing about 2-3 miles each time. I also swim once a week and do a pregnancy yoga DVD when I feel like fitting it in. I am 38 weeks now and I'm convinced that keeping up some kind of exercise routine has kept me sane and has helped me to avoid annoying things like swollen ankles.

Ok so a brisk walk 2 x a week at least! I will start doing that, the fresh air certainly won't do me any harm
I will invest in a maternity swimming costume and make myself go swimming too, may try and get DH and DSD involved in this.
Will have a look on YouTube for pregnancy workouts too - does anyone have any recommendations for those?

I don't have any recommendations for YouTube workouts but I can recommend the Tara Lee pregnancy yoga DVD. There's lots of different sections that you can mix and match so I don't get bored. Some parts are more strenuous, and some parts are just great for relaxation. I had done very little yoga prior to using it and found it all manageable.

My other recommendation would be a maternity swim suit from JoJo. I bought one of the tankinis at 20 weeks when my normal swimming costume was too tight. It is still fitting me now and going strong at 38 weeks. It's probably the best piece of maternity clothing I've bought. It looked nice with a small bump as you can fold the over bump bit on the bottoms down and now it gives a lovely supportive covering to the bump.

Some great suggestions there @PinkHippo1 thank you

pinkhippo did you not find the bra cup padding infuriating? Mine got all screwed up and tangled every time I wore it until I just pulled it all out. I swim about twice a week and now (38 1/2 weeks) it's starting to go a little bit see through round the bum. It'll do for another couple of weeks though. Definitely best I found though - most maternity swimwear seems to be designed for sitting on a beach not actually supporting boobs for swimming.

Yes, now you mention it the bra padding is quite annoying. I've left mine in but you could easily just remove it. I should have also caveated that I'm still small on top (have only gone to a C cup from an A during pregnancy) so don't need a lot of boob support. I don't know how ladies with bigger boobs would get on with it. I haven't found mine has gone see through and I've worn and washed it weekly, but I do wash it separately on a short hand wash cycle. Definitely agree that a lot of the other swim suit options are designed for sunbathing not actual swimming.

I’m going to water aerobics next week and I’ll be 34 weeks by then. But late to start but better late than never 😀

knottybeams I found ever-increasing sizes in basic Speedo swimsuits were fine until very late on when I was pregnant with my son. I swam with my tri club until 26 weeks so not just floating around! I went from a 34 to a 40 by the end. Most maternity swimsuits seem to have a U back which is really uncomfortable if you have big boobs and want to do any proper swimming at all.

I have a maternity bikini from seraphine and can really recommend it. It's well designed to grow with the growing boobs and bump, and seems great quality to me.

Trijo I completely agree with the sizing, but I was starting from a 36 this time I think. The jjmb one is OK. I had a mothercare one where the straps were a bit too far apart so a huge pita, but they were multiway ones so I crossed them over which helped a bit. Looking forward to some proper swimwear soon though. Aiming for a first tri in the spring, if the saddle region is up for the cycling after this baby comes! Where would you recommend for a first trisuit? 1km this afternoon in the pool was lush in a quiet pool to just be able to move!

Try Wiggle and Start Fitness - usually a few deals at this time of year as the season is just over. I have a 2XU tri-top and shorts rather than a one piece because I'm generally one size bigger on top compared to bottoms.

I used to go to aqua- ntenatal class! It is worth asking your midwife as it's usually run by one.

I'm definitely tempted by aqua natal, just nervous to go on my own (stupid I know).
Usually have a friend to exercise with!

I did pregnancy yoga and aqua natal throughout from about 14 weeks and credit it to having no split tummy muscles!

OkyDoke now that sounds pretty good! I did wonder what sort of exercise I should be doing for damage limitation re tummy muscles. Did you go to a yoga class? Or a DVD at home?

I went to classes for both switched to water at about 34 weeks as I got bigger!

I think the general advice is to keep doing what you're doing and listen to your body. I'm also 14 weeks and have kept up metafit, kettlebells and running. If you didn't do much exercise before then swimming, walking and yoga are fine to start in pregnancy.