Any tips for dealing with fatigue and improving fitness?

[Merryclaire]

I’m currently 21 weeks and absolutely exhausted, not helped by the fact I’ve started waking up really early most mornings.
I just took a half-hour walk at lunchtime and it wiped me out, which I know is dreadful.
Prior to pregnancy I ran twice a week and walked a lot, but after a heavy bleed during a run at 11 weeks, I had to give up the running and have generally been quite inactive ever since. I’m overeating a bit too, which has probably added a few additional pounds to the baby weight.
I’m worried about how I will cope as the weeks progress, and if I’ll be strong enough for the birth.
Any advice on improving energy levels and very safe exercises I could do that won’t risk another bleed? I like swimming but live rurally not close to facilities, so only could be an occasional option.
Thanks in advance.

Hi @Merryclaire why not do some strength and flexibility workouts in your living room? I'm 26 weeks, I try to walk every day for 90 mins or so, and several times a week do a shorter online workout.

I use the Les Mills streaming workouts for some core training (no more sit-ups tho!!), their Bodybalance (yoga fusion) and occasionally their Barre. I also like short kettlebell workouts off YouTube (Fitness by Amy has a lot of prenatal workouts).

Basically no impact stuff. I usually feel more refreshed afterwards!

Hi @Merryclaire I'm in a similar situation. I struggled in first trimester and then just as I got into second I had an accident which needed several weeks bedrest. Nearly twenty three weeks and feel like I've lost who I am, although this baby is loved and wanted.

Do you know what caused the bleed? My placenta is low so I am wary of doing anything to exacerbate that.

@Merryclaire I was complaining to someone about this yesterday! I am 22 weeks today, 2nd pregnancy, and exhausted. I kept working out hard until 32 weeks the last time, but now some days I have to class cleaning the house as a workout as it completely wipes me. I am eating substantially better this pregnancy (last time I couldn't look at a vegetable), so I am finding the outcome so much harder to get my head around. Frustrating to say the least! Like the other poster, I use the les mills online app. I like that the body combat classes can be tailored to length (they have so many options) so the shorter ones help me feel like I have done something while not just knocking me out for a whole day. Body balance was also a nice easier workout when I tried it years ago with les mills. I also have a Peloton app subscription, and that is nice, in that they have specific prenatal yoga classes, again of all lengths which help after another workout to stretch out and stop sciatica issues. Ultimately I just need enough energy at the end of the day to handle my toddler! If you come up with any magical solutions please let me know!

I feel exactly the same! 21 weeks and tired and really having to push myself to go walking and generally make an effort to keep fit. Prior to pregnancy I was active and strong. I did a lot of walking and weight/resistance work. I've never been overweight in my life so this new found "heaviness" is really difficult. I've bought myself some new trainers to help me feel more comfortable while out walking and might do some gentle jogging. Like you OP I'm also worried about a the next few weeks and being strong enough to give birth.
There are a lot of YouTube videos/workouts that can be done at home and are designed for pregnancy. Any low impact resistance work would be great and lots of walking for cardio.

Part of me can't wait to be post partum so I can start my journey back to feeling fit and mobile again

Thanks for the suggestions - I will have a look at the workouts to see how gentle they seem. After the bleed I’m scared to do anything that would cause any stress or pressure, as the run that caused it wasn’t overly strenuous as I was trying to be careful. But then I can’t continue to do nothing as I know that is having a negative effect too.

We must feel quite similar then - after the bleed I had to rest for a little while and then afterwards felt terrified at doing anything vaguely strenuous. I just feel really crap a lot of the time but don’t want to take any risks.
They were not sure what caused my bleed - definitely the run caused it but couldn’t tell why. A suggested possibility was a burst polyp.
Hope you are doing well in your pregnancy now.

It must be a lot harder dealing with pregnancy when you have a toddler. This is my first but then I am 40 this year, so my age may be contributing.
I think I will have a look at some online classes - maybe something low impact like pregnancy yoga. And I will try to force myself to go for more walks.
At the moment I just feel so weak and drained. Been feeling dizzy today too.
Hope you manage to feel more energetic.

Sorry you aren’t feeling like yourself. I was overweight anyway but had lost 20lbs in the year before conceiving, and was a regular runner. I just feel all that is lost now. I hope when LO is here I am able to get fitter again as so tired of feeling like this!
I must stop feeling sorry for myself and at least push myself to do a daily walk.
Hope you get your energy back.

Thank you @Merryclaire . I'm a bit scared of doing anything strenuous too. Thinking of doing couchtofivek which I always thought was too easy, but now might be gentle enough to not be dangerous but even scared to do that repeating weeks. I might just try a brisk walk. I used to walk everywhere. To work and back, but it's really gone.

To be honest, I think even if you just try to walk every day or most days, that would help! Pop a good pair of trainers on and get outside. As much as I would love to enjoy beautiful countryside walks each day, I live in a big city so just do random routes. With or without podcasts.

Walking obviously gets the heart rate up a bit, blood flow is increased all over, you're keeping your pelvis, hips etc stay flexible, and there's also activation of core and back muscles.

Sorry if you've said and I haven't read properly, but if you're not working or.in the position to take time in the mornings, I find it much better to walk earlier on. Afternoons are more difficult!!

I've found Yoga with Adriene really helpful. She released a 30 days of yoga series in January and I've done it 3 times through since then. It's really helped with back pain and general aches etc. I'm nearly 33 weeks now and still doing yoga every day, just with some small modifications.

I was doing some strength workouts up to about 5 months, but not hugely consistently. I've found the daily yoga coupled with some walking to be really helpful and easy to make time for. Hopefully consistency will make up for lack of intensity, although I've definitely lost a lot of cardio fitness during pregnancy.

I've found eating lots of fruit and veg to be helpful too. I think having lots of vitamins and minerals helps with tiredness as the baby will take what they need but you want to have something left over for you!

Love pregnancy yoga, it's great for keeping loose and keeping on top of stiffness and aches and pains especially as you get further along.

Also might be worth checking your iron/B12/Vit D levels