Hey mama-to-be!
I am 31, 9w 4d and also a first time mum in North London. Before pregnancy, I was also at the gym several times a week, running occasionally (used to be regularly) and getting my steps in.
Since 6 weeks I have been to the gym maximum once a week in a good week and find it hard to even go for daily walks due to fatigue. I need constant naps and after a walk I am exhausted! Some days I am exhausted after hanging the washing!
Maybe it’s okay for us to listen to our bodies for a bit and listen to the constant demand for rest ? Apparently it gets better in the second trimester and you’re almost there!
I’d say, when you get burst of energy and feel you can work out, go for it! If cramps stop you, rest or do light exercise instead. Not pushing through the cramps is a good idea. If you need the exercise for your mental health, see if there is something you can do that is less intense for now. I’ve been focusing on pelvic floor and hip exercises. Meditation is also helping me manage the lack of movement. When your body says, “okay we have a good strong baby growing now, and we don’t need focus on making arms and legs everyday now, let’s get back to exercise” then go for it.
I tell myself that if the baby is going from having no facial features or nubs for arms one week, to having arms, legs, hands, joints and feet a few weeks later, then it makes sense it’ll take all the energy we have! It’s a different type of HIT workout!!
Soon we can get back to it! Allow yourself to just rest until then if you can!
I also find going to bed two hours earlier, electrolytes in water and finding the sweet spot hours in my day helps. Although each day is really hard and a lot of positive self talk is needed to make sure I am kind to myself about resting! 😅
We’ve got this 💪🏽🔥