Did anyone resume exercise in second trimester, after having first trimester off?

[BunnyFluffy]

Currently 13 weeks pregnant with first child.
Before getting pregnant, I was pretty fit. Cycling is my main sport and up until the end of September, I was cycling several times per week.

However due to horrible pregnancy related sickness I have not been able to do any exercise at all during October and November. Literally nothing. I walked for an hour at the weekend and literally felt like I had run a marathon and my legs hurt for a couple of days afterwards.

It's getting me down. I've put on 5kg which I think is just due to eating crap and doing no exercise and I am really keen to resume exercise. I am starting to feel slightly less sick and am really hoping that I can resume exercise soon.

Has anyone else done this? Is it sensible to resume exercise after having the first trimester off? How much should I push myself? How do I know when enough is enough?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Would be particularly keen to hear from any cyclists!

I did. I also felt awful during the first trimester, so aside from walking I was completely inactive after previously having a regular exercise/gym routine. Before becoming pregnant I was also fairly active – doing yoga, Pilates, spin and some weight routines every week.

When I got back to it in the second trimester, I started out slowly. I took antenatal yoga classes, then added antenatal Pilates and am currently looking for one more low impact exercise to add to my weekly routine.

Definitely take your time getting back into it and listen to your body. I haven't started spin again. I am hesitant because just walking at a brisk pace will leave me out of breath, so I can't imagine how well I would handle spin But maybe since you cycled so much previously you would be fine?

Getting back into some classes – even though they are gentle – has been really beneficial for how I feel both mentally and physically

Before I agree that getting back to some classes will be amazing for mental as well as physical health.

I was hoping to exercise throughout both pregnancies but, like you, morning sickness put a stop to that in the first trimester. By the time I started feeling better I started getting pain in my sacro-iliac joint so wasn't comfortable with the idea of starting running again. Instead I started swimming, which I really enjoyed. It was especially lovely right at the end of pregnancy when being in the water was the only place I felt comfortable!

Clicked on this thinking "oh yes me too" then realised it was you Bunny

Im 14 wks and put on about 6kg I'm just staring to feel better and have given myself a goal of building up to 10,000+ daily steps again and also doing some aqua aerobics. I was running regularly before pg but no way I could do that now.

I cycled a lot prior to my first pg some years ago, then took most of 1st trimester off. Went back to it in second trimester, just my usual 30min commute at the time. I found I couldn't wear a helmet properly as the strap tight under my chin made me want to gag, so I altered my route to a safer, but longer one. I had to stop in third trimester as I found it diffficult to balance with a huge belly.

I think it's absolutely fine to increase exercise but you've just got to listen to your body. Easier said than done I know!

Should add that I'm trying not to worry about the weight/dire fitness as I did manage to shift it and get back to my fitness goals after first pg. breastfeeding and walking a lot really helped personally, then signed up for some antenatal fitness classes and gradually built back up over time.

Super I never normally swim, but maybe I’ll have to learn to love it!

Hi Batman I’m 13+1 and have gained 5kg. I was 60kg at the start. I’m 5 foot 7.

I think it’s because of doing literally no exercise and eating what I can keep down - ie crap.

Just been trying on clothes to see what fits / what I need to buy and it was a very depressing experience!

Might try a very short bike ride this weekend

If it makes you feel better I'm also 5'7" but was 70kg prior to pregnancy! 😭 So you still weigh less than non pg me

I recommend eBay for some pregnancy bits. I've got some really good work dresses for about a fiver each. Jojo Maman Bebe, Isabella Oliver, Seraphine, Mamas and Papas and Topshop all wear really well so they don't look worn in second hand.

I've had to move to pregnancy jeans recently but most of my usual tops are still ok thankfully. It's workwear that has been the issue or would have been had I actually made it to work recently

Ah yes Batman I’ve been raiding eBay and have picked up some good bargains already.

I am the same. I am hoping to go back to swimming. It's so hard with the sickness. I am 9 weeks today, so I am hoping by the second trimester I might be well enough and not feeling sick so that I can get back into a routine of doing light weights at the gym, a little cycling and swimming. I feel I need to do this for the birth itself as being unfit will not help me with that.

bunny I’m also 5’7 and was 60kg and active pre-pregnancy, put on 8kg in the first trimester! (Was also on steroids which make you gain weight). I tapered off the steroids at 12 weeks and started exercising again (light gym sessions 2 x a week, swimming 1x a week). I’m almost 20 weeks now and have only put on another 0.5kg, and feel a lot better in myself. My bump is still small (not really noticeable) and I can still run, though am going at a gentler pace and for shorter periods.

I completely relate to this! I was so active pre pregnancy but since getting pregnant I have been pretty much bed bound with sickness and other symptoms.
Good news is I'm 18 weeks today and I finally got back on the treadmill and managed a slow ten minute jog and a twenty minute uphill walk.
I actually felt like a new person after. Hang in there and have faith in your body