Fitness – is this normal?

[Ebeneser]

I am in my 2nd trimester (22+2). I am usually quite fit and active. I still take the dog on 2 longish walks daily (I’ve dropped just over a mile off the weekday morning walk though as I am having difficulty getting up in the morning), but haven’t gone running for a while (I was thinking of doing to Couch to 5k backwards, but honestly don’t feel I actually could run 3 miles straight off at the moment).
I am finding myself “struggling” more and more lately. I’m breathless quite quickly just walking up hills and my legs feel heavy – a bit like the day after leg day at the gym. We went to the beach a few times at the weekend, and after only about a mile and a half I was feeling knackered – It’s just a flat bit of sand! I’m trying to not get too frustrated over this as I know it’s to be expected, but I thought it’d be more towards the third trimester?
I haven’t weighed myself for a few months, but I basically look my normal self with a fat belly. I’ve pretty much been eating the same as normal, but trying to avoid unhealthy treats in favour of stuff like fruit and nakd bars etc., although I have started drinking a lot of Coke/Pepsi when ordinarily I wouldn’t touch the stuff. I’m wondering if I actually need to eat more protein or something, or if this is to be expected and I have unreasonable expectations of what I should be capable of.

It's expected.

Your blood volume has increased so your haemoglobin level goes down. As your baby gets bigger they start squashing your lungs every now and again, which is fucking uncomfortable, plus you are also carrying more and more weight. Added to that you have hormones loosening your ligaments.

All these mean it is difficult to exercise as you feel breathless and get tired more easily.

If you aren't a regular runner don't take it up now. If you just walk then keep it up but don't push yourself too hard. You are in exercise maintenance mode.

As pp says you shouldn't expect to be doing anything too strenuous at this point. If your body is saying no, listen to it. You're making a baby and that is the most important thing going on right now.

Also not sure about drinking a lot of coke/pepsi - have you checked you aren't exceeding the daily caffeine guidelines (200mg)? And the sugar content is pretty horrendous too.

It’s normal. I’m usually really fit and have just started feeling like walking any distance is a real effort (26 weeks), despite having done a regular circuits class throughout and spinning. I tried to go back in the gym a couple weeks ago and seriously regretted it. I had muscle spasms for several days after and actually worried I’d brought on labour! Don’t start running now, you risk injury. Swimming is the best thing at this stage and keep walking all you can. You’re growing a human! Your fitness will return afterward quite quickly.

@TinyTerror1 Also not sure about drinking a lot of coke/pepsi - have you checked you aren't exceeding the daily caffeine guidelines (200mg)? And the sugar content is pretty horrendous too

It's the sugar that scares me the most, usually I can't drink much of the stuff as I don't like that icky film feeling over my teeth. I don't drink coffee and have switched to decaff tea, so I don't think I'm caning the caffeine elsewhere (I have also gone off eating chocolate.....). I will try and wean myself off it. My poison before this was wine & beer. I will try substituting with more squash, but the sugar content in some squashes is an eye opener in itself!

I was able to jog until 27 weeks but one day it just felt far too hard. Stitch under the bump and nausea so I've stopped. I started getting breathless around 24 weeks but it has got a bit better although I huff and puff doing simple things now. I think everyone is different. I was really hoping to stay running until the end but at 29 weeks now, I'm relegating myself to walking which is disappointing but there's not much I can do about it. If it hurts, it hurts and probably isn't worth doing.

Thanks for all the reassurances. I'm just used to being independent and active. I'm already fed up of my family telling me to stop doing various DIY projects. I've conceded to them on the lifting and carrying heavy objects, but I can't see why I can't even hold a paint brush!

@Ebeneser I know what you mean. One of the main reasons I've started drinking non-alcoholic beer is because it has less sugar in than most other options! I'm at risk of gestational diabetes because of my age though so I'm extra wary of sugar in my drinks. Especially as I'm not doing well at cutting it out elsewhere