Struggling...

[mazz9305]

I basically found out I was pregnant about 3 weeks ago, but my periods are really irregular so I think I am somewhere between 7 - 8 weeks at the moment.
I'm overweight (Size 16) but I do go to the gym regularly (2-3 Body attack classes a week - basically 45 mins of high intensity cardio/abs and 2-3 spin classes a week) However for the past few weeks have been finding it really hard to muster up the energy to go. I haven't actually been sick too much so far, but I feel nauseous constantly.
I don't really know why i'm posting this, but I just feel super down/useless that I am unable to keep up with the gym and don't want to fall into being really lazy!
To make it worse the instructor who takes most of my classes is about 7 months pregnant herself and seems to cope absolutely no bother.

Be kind to yourself

Your body is going through a lot of changes at the moment and a lot of women feel the same as you at this stage. I'm now 25 weeks and still have zero energy. Walking the dog is enough of a challenge for me let alone doing high intensity/cardio workouts! Don't compare yourself to anyone else... the instructor does this for a living and will be extremely fit, her body can cope with it a lot better than most other people.

If you do want to continue to exercise could you maybe take up something a bit lighter? Yoga or swimming maybe? Or possibly search for some local pregnancy classes in your area.

I am absolutely knackered. I'm 6+4 and honestly, DH is lucky I still manage to make make our tea on a night.

Although I'm not falling asleep and napping as much, I feel absolutely drained and just have a general "can't be arsed attitude".

And so what!

You're growing a little human inside you, so you deserve to relax a little. Give yourself this first trimester (I've heard the tiredness eases for some in the second) to go with the flow. If you feel more energetic one day, then great - go to your classes. But if not? Great - you can have a nap instead!

The tiredness in the early weeks of pregnancy is the worst but often women do find it gets better as the pregnancy progresses. Don't get me wrong it's still tiring but not necessarily the severe exhaustion you get in those early weeks. Don't be too hard on yourself though we all experience varying symptoms to varying degrees and try not to compare yourself to others. As for the instructor she probably has to do it as it's her job and she needs to earn money, doesn't mean she always wants to be there!
I changed to swimming in pregnancy, I found it easier to manage and still felt good that I was doing something but I was about 15 weeks before I managed to do anything at all.

I was exercising a lot before I got pregnant, I'm now 7 weeks and have hardly done anything for the last 3 weeks. I'm managing a weekly game of netball but anything that requires me to be self motivated is a non-starter, and to be honest feel pretty grotty after playing netball so not sure it's worth it. Sit down, feet up, and let this grotty stage pass.

Thanks for the support! I've been beating myself up about it so it's nice to know that other people feel exactly the same.

Think I'll stop giving myself a hard time and just lie on the sofa if that's all i feel like doing! haha.

There is no tiredness like the tiredness you feel in the first few months. Be kind to yourself, your body is working exceptionally hard so you are not being lazy. I found that my energy levels picked up in the second trimester. You do need to put your feet up when you can. With my first I used to have little naps after work. I would find a more gentle exercise for now then look again for later in the pregnancy.