Fitness/strength disappeared?!

[Pitstop1986]

I'm 14+3 and have tried to keep active throughout pregnancy, however exhaustion in the first trimester meant that I had to massively scale things down.

I'm now experiencing a new lease of life in the second trimester and have much more energy, however, I've tried to go for a jog and barely made it to the one mile mark before I had to stop. I've tried doing resistance training with some dumbbells/body weight exercises and it feels like all my strength has gone. I'm really struggling!

I was so fit and active before pregnancy (ex military and kept the fitness up when I left) and I want to maintain it for a healthy pregnancy and easier birth.

Will it improve, or am I doomed to do easy exercises and walking for the rest of my pregnancy?!

You are not doomed to be on easy stuff throughout. It's normal to be a bit behind when you've reduced it of taken time off so just build it back up again.

I've been able to keep up my powerlifting throughout despite spd, was pretty rubbish through the nausea and fatigue early on. Cut back to 80% and slowly decreased it as my body gave me signs of it being a bit too much. I was unwell for a month recently, run down then a UTI but was back in the gym last week and was still comfortable deadlifting 64% and mil pressing over 75% of what I was pre-pregnancy at 34wk. I will build my deadlift back up if I can but will probably only have 3 or 4 more weeks training then stop in prep for baby coming anyway. Squats took a hit too due to the hips and were at 50% before I had a chunk of time off, back in for those and bench tomorrow. Like you I don't want to lose all I've worked so hard for and trying to maintain as much as possible.

I’ve had to give up cycling, devastating. I carried on yoga for as long as I could - I now only do yoga every now and again I’m 35 weeks. I can not wait to get my body moving again.

Make sure you're not low on iron as well, plus eating nutrient dense food. Avoid sugar due to the slump. If you presevere even with easier exercise you'll probably find exercise gives you energy... rather than waiting for the energy to exercise. But your body is doing a lot, don't be too tough on it. You're still only out of the exhausting 1st tri.

The cardiovascular demand on your body when pregnant is much higher so you will tire more quickly with aerobic exercise. Add in having deconditioned a bit from doing less during your first trimester it's totally understandable you're finding it harder than before!

Take it steady and listen to your body. Don't push yourself too hard but no reason not to try and slowly grade the amount you're doing back up a bit. I am a runner and became much slower far earlier than I expected. Even at 10-12 weeks I was running about 45-60 seconds slower per mile and by 16 weeks was walking up hills. That said, I'm now nearly 36 weeks and still running 3 times a week, about 9-10 miles as week in total and managing 10 ish minute miles still. You can totally continue if you're body feels okay, just listen to what it's telling you as everyone is different 👍😀

I feel like pregnancy has a massive impact on your running before you even look pregnant!
I find I’m so breathless in early pregnancy… almost immediately after falling pregnant, I was 30 seconds a mile slower at least. But then I also was more conscious of not pushing myself too hard.
I would say don’t be afraid to walk when you need to and then run again. All time on feet is good for your mental and physical health.
I’m 32 weeks now and Jeff (run/walk now). I’m 2 mins/mile slower than pre pregnancy and only manage about 12 miles a week (in 3-4.5 mile runs), but it’s so good to get out still 😊

Well for me, I'm pregnant with number two and I am 20 weeks
I am so slow walking now and out of breath very quickly. It's horrible and o don't remember this with DS! Or not as early anyway!

I guess no one can say...it will depend on how your body adapts.
Remember our lungs get squished etc

I’m almost 17wks, I’ve found my stamina is not what it was, i run a lot so I’ve had to stop more and run at a slower speed. I suffer a little with SPD/PGP so that’s made me slow down. In terms of weights etc, I still do the same lunges, kettlebells etc.

It does take time to build it up after the 1st trimester drop but I think as long as you pace your self, you can get somewhere you are happy with. But it’s hard, to not be able to do what you once did so easily!