First time pregnancy: fitness help!

[ells20]

Hi All,

So this is my first message and my first pregnancy due end of Feb 2019! :)

We are super excited and can't wait but one thing I am really finding hard is my lack of exercise - I know that probably sounds really silly but before falling pregnancy I was a gym lover and loved working out/eating well to help with anxiety/overthinking and stress!

Now, due to MS and being EXHAUSTED, I have zero energy and the last thing I want to eat is a salad but I can feel my fitness and tone has just dropped and its getting me down mentally - because what is a more anxious time than being pregnant!!

Is anyone else feeling this way or have some ideas of some light things to do that may help?

Thanks so much!!

Hi lovely don’t panic I am exactly the same! I am a runner and have found I am really struggling to even run a mile. I am doing as much yoga as I can and running when I can but trying not to stress too much about it! X

@goatlady5812 yoga is such a good idea, I will definitely be looking at that - have you just been sticking to prenatal yoga?
Thanks so much, just trying to not stress too much but finding it harder than I thought I would!
x

It’s just normal yoga as I did it a bit before but def easier than running! I struggle to even breathe and run at the moment!!!! X

I felt brutal on my first pregnancy until about 14 weeks. Then i was grand and went back to crossfit until 7 months. THen did pregnancy pilates.

I really struggled to exercise and eat healthily in the first trimester as I was so sick and exhausted and went off most foods. Since 12 weeks I’ve been much better though - currently 22 weeks and cycling 8 miles a day to work and back as well as doing a very active job with no problems!

I would say don’t worry too much at the moment, the first trimester is hard but for most people things get much better in the second. You will probably find you have much more energy for the gym etc. then and can get back into a regular exercise regime.

First trimester was awful so don't worry. I'm now 31 weeks and doing badminton and swimming and aerobics and gym... but I did literally nothing for the first 13 weeks! Just listen to your body - if you're exhausted, rest! Sometimes getting through the day is hard enough! You'll probably get your energy back soon. For me it was around the 16 week mark. Hoping it lasts!

Thank you so much guys! It's good to hear that most people were feeling as drained as I do!!! I was just panicking about whether or not I should be pushing myself to do something but I will take your advice and listen to my body

I'm feeling absolutely awful at the moment (due 1st week in March) and am struggling to do much if anything at all. Used to hit the gym 3 or 4 days a week.

Currently only managing Pilates once or twice a week. And even that's a struggle.

Really hoping it will get easier.

@TheWanderlust I am the exact same!! Feeling so terrible and just so drained, it's a struggle to get up and do anything.

So pleased you are still managing Pilates!! I am managing a couple of long walks a week but that is literally it!

Hoping I will start getting some energy back as I near the end of the first trimester

I've even been failing at long walks. An hour out with the dogs and I'm completely shattered again 😴

Really shouldn't complain but I'm so used to being active. Struggling to get out of bed in the mornings too! Tactically changed my working hours to a 9.30 start instead of 8 each day because I just couldn't manage to leave the house by 7.15.

Could you do a bit at home? There are loads of prenatal exercise videos on Youtube, or on DVD. That way you can do as much/little as you feel able, and pause or stop whenever you feel like it.

I had hyperemesis, at 5 weeks pregnant I was still running and climbing, but at 5 1/2 weeks the nausea kicked in and never went away completely until DD was born. I had to completely change my thought patterns, and see that just walking my dog (who was still only a 6 month old pup when I found out I was pregnant) every day was a real achievement and congratulate myself on this.

Women who keep running/ climbing/ going to the gym etc throughout pregnancy are just lucky, they aren't special or better for it.

I hope your nausea/vomiting and fatigue improves soon, take each day as it comes, and don't be afraid to seek help for your nausea and vomiting, we live in the 21st century...you shouldn't have to suffer.

@TheWanderlust honestly I am the same - obviously we are super excited but it is getting me down as working out has always been one of my fav things!!

Just hoping to feel better in a few weeks - fingers crossed and I hope you do too!

@LeeMiller that's a great idea! I did find one that I really liked in the early stages and then the last few weeks the tiredness has hit me like a train! But will deffo pick this up once I have enough energy. Thank you

@Cyw2018 thank you so much for your message, that has really helped me and I will speak to someone. I am really hoping this stage will pass in a few weeks but if not I will mention if too my midwife!! Just want to enjoy this special time as much as possible rather than worrying.