Exercising whilst in the thick of nausea/sickness.

[LynAsh]

Anyone just pulling their butt to the gym despite feeling horrendous?
I need some tips… Regular gym goer (was!) 4/5 times a week but really struggling to get myself together - Gaining the weight what seems quite quickly because I am eating to keep the nausea at its lowest and though it’s not actually the weight gain that’s bothering me but just having the physicality of the gym and to keep my mind at ease.

Any tips or just relatable responses that don’t make me feel so Idle.

I had to stop exercising almost completely due to exhaustion from about week 7-14, only really managed to walk the dog. Now I'm getting my energy back I'm back swimming (instead of usual running) and in the gym and it feels great. Sometimes it's ok not to go to the gym for a while, your body is working pretty hard on other things right now!

I also cut my activity levels right down in the first trimester. I was SO tired it felt like it wasn’t doing my body any good. I needed to sleep and eat carbs.

My nausea lifted in the second trimester, and I got my energy back, so I was more active again, managed a few swims etc. Even in month seven I went to the gym for cardio.

My overall weight gain (besides the massive bump!) is minimal too. Cutting yourself some slack for a couple of months is fine.

I would say, particularly if you’re used to being active, to remember regular stretches. The calf muscle cramps in the night are a killer!

No. I did regular long dog walks, and some stretches and yoga on YouTube. I gained more last pregnancy than recommended but was back in my pre pregnancy clothes within about a month after giving birth. This pregnancy I've gained more than the recommended in the first trimester again, but it's balancing out as I feel better and am doing more (and is mostly bump also). And I eat better second trimester onwards when I don't feel so rough!

Don't feel bad about taking some time off

I had some weight gain in the first trimester - like you eating to help the nausea and not feeling up to exercising.

Happy to report that the second trimester is much better - back to regular exercising, appetite back to normal and weight has levelled off.

You can only do what your body will allow you to.

Thanks all! Really appreciate your replies..

@Lola871 I think I may be following that, as it just feels impossible some days fighting the nausea, that it’s almost counterproductive whilst I’m there… As I just get tired and frustrated. This is my 2nd and it just seems to have hit me much more than I remember with my Lil’ boy.
Could be because I’m in my 30’s this time around.

@ES1986 the leg cramps, I didn’t suffer so bad last time but do you reckon the more exercise you do, the more prone you are?
it’s so refreshing to see most cut their routines right down… I’m hoping the weight levels out but I wonder if i’ll just be ravenously hungry after all this eating that I continue >< it’s not important, so long as I can get back to some activity, that really is the want, for my sanity more than anything :)

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 Is that a conscious effort that you made to eat better or that you naturally felt that you were able to eat smaller and healthier after 1st Trimester?

As I say, I’ve been through this before but it’s amazing what you forget :) and what you want reassurance on and I read endless posts of some having sickness / nausea all the way through and given it seems more intense this time, aside from just wanting as healthier pregnancy as I can, I do hope I’m not one of those sufferers!

@DuploTrain So happy that it’s all levelling out for you, feels like a lifetime when in the thick of it but all of your responses are giving me some confirm :)

Really do need to start listening to my body but can guarantee that body will be ordering me pizza most nights, soooo… will pick and choose xD

With the leg cramps, I notice mine are worse on my less active days, but stretching helps. If I’m sat down all day with minimal activity and I don’t stretch my calves before bed I always get cramp in the night, and it aches for a good day or so afterwards. So I reckon there’s a connection.

@LynAsh I had bad food aversions in first 14 weeks both times. So ate what I fancied. Now I eat more (always hungry) and big portions but back to normal so heaps of wholegrains and veg, nuts, pulses etc. I think it does normalise/stabilise if you're lucky enough for the nausea and food aversions to go after the first trimester!