Exercise in Pregnancy

[Amby99]

When I first found out at 4 weeks I was pregnant my GP adviced that I could pretty much continue with any exercise that I was already doing (ie if I was a runner before) I could continue to do so.

but frankly, I’m 9 +2 now and I’ve felt so sluggish, tired, nauseas the last 5 weeks that exercising has been the last thing on my mind.

now I’m preparing for this hopeful burst of energy in the 2nd trimester, what exercises are best to just feel less sluggish and bloated? I’m 5ft 1 and 53 kg as per my weight at my antenatal appointment a few days ago and I was super surprised because I feel like I’ve gained 10kg already.

I know exercise isn’t the time for dieting or losing weight) but my thighs are just starting to feel so out of shape because I haven’t been able to exercise.

I love swimming - I’m worried about the chlorine affecting the baby (so irrational) and I know it’s meant to be the best exercise even when you’re not pregnant!

Swimming is great! Don't worry about the chlorine - your baby is well protected in their amniotic sac.

I really enjoyed going to a pregnancy yoga class when I was pregnant.

Honestly I'd start the running back up, and continue so long as you're feeling comfortable.
Sometimes other exercises just don't feel the same as a run mentally when you've been used to running.
A belly band is helpful particularly in the later stages.
Swimming is great and so long as your not sniffing a whole block of chlorine straight up, won't affect baby. (People take week olds to swim time, and they don't even have the filter of a placenta and us to go through)
Literally what you did before would be fine to do now unless problems arise in your pregnancy, just modify and go slower as and when you need to (and to avoid coning in the abs)
Hope you feel better in your 2nd tri! Good luck!

I couldn't run despite having been marathon treating up to conception. I was just so out of breath. I swam a lot and did pregnancy reformer pilates which definitely made labour easier.

Unfortunately I don't think there's a lot you can do about the weight. I put on 10kg in the first 2 months without much changing diet. It's slowly shifting now the baby is here, but storing fat just seems to be my body's response to pregnancy

I continued my running throughout pregnancy until the day I went into labour for both my last 2 pregnancies. I was able to comfortably get back to running 2 weeks later both times too. I did have completely straightforward (non-intervention) births in the 39th week for both - so this contributes towards being able to get back to it quickly. I’d say listen yo your body and carry on doing what feels right. I never felt like I was hurting or uncomfortable as my body seemed to naturally become accustomed to my bump as it grew. I felt so strong and ready to take on the birth which was really empowering.

ETA: I gained about two stone both times and 20lbs of that also dropped off quickly (within 2 weeks) after birth. Feels like my body is boring/predictable 😂