i can envision what the ideal pregnancy workout schedule would look like.
– 3-4 cardio workouts – runs, perhaps? some amazing women are even able to go nearly as fast [or as far] as before pregnancy.
– 1-2 yoga sessions. deep, stretchy prenatal sessions or modified regular ones, to open up hips and prepare the ‘core’ [or what remains of the core . . .] for delivery
– strength training, to maintain muscle mass throughout 40 weeks of packin’ on the pounds. all in preparation for lifting the 7 lb baby, of course!
here’s what i’ve actually been doing.
– 3-4 run/walk combos. on weekday treadmill workouts, i do 4 minutes of ‘running’ [5.0 mph] alternating with 2 minutes walking [3.5 mph] for 40 minutes total. on weekend runs outside i am oddly faster, covering 3-3.5 miles at approximately 11:00/mi pace. and i refuse to push the Bob while running these days.
[this is where my paces are now, at 30 weeks. i was faster before and expect to get slower before the 40 weeks are up].
– averaging out to perhaps 0.33 yoga sessions/week
– strength training consisting of picking up this muffin when necessary:
– that’s it.
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i may be my own harshest critic, but i give myself a B this time around for pregnancy fitness. with annabel — well, there was no annabel, so i had all the time in the mornings to squeeze in other workouts. i did pregnancy fitness dvds, prenatal yoga, AND running/elliptical, for 5-6 workouts each week. and i think i was a bit faster — which doesn’t make much sense, because i was ‘fitter’ going into this pregnancy.
ahh well. i’m actually very at peace with all of this, and even my own lukewarm letter grade. i still squeeze in runs because i honestly enjoy them [and looooove how i feel afterwards], so it’s worth it to me. there will be plenty of time for a more balanced and comprehensive approach to fitness at some point*, but for now i honestly am okay with whatever happens from weeks 30-40.
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fantasy list of things i’d like to try postpartum:
* you know, when a. and babyboy are in college.
30 weeks! 10 . . . or 9 . . . or 8 . . . or 11 more!
11 Comments
I think you’re doing great and you look SOOOOO good, Sarah! One day we will run [again] together…perhaps a marathon 🙂
You look so good! I cannot believe all you are accomplishing pregnant. Seriously, I gained 75 pounds per pregnancy. Not good! I wish I had done what you are doing. Great job!
Jenni
You really do look great. From one very short mom to another…you carry that baby well!:)
Seriously, you’re probably exercising more than the average person and that’s while pregnant with having a toddler at home and working full-time. Give yourself some credit! 🙂
Your looking awesome by the way!
That’s an awesome routine! You look like you are glowing, by the way!
I see the kids table in the background, do you like that one? We are getting one for g for Christmas and I was looking at that one on Amazon last night.
Your hair looks great like that! The toddler as strength training is definitely not to be discounted like you said!
I have fantasies of properly training for a marathon again. What kills me is that I did it once, with a 2-year-old and infant. Yet now it seems like it would be harder.
I had such good intentions of keeping up with some kind of fitness routine during this pregnancy…at least a few days/week when one or both older kids were in school. Twins took away all motivation and most ability. Yoga would be good, but I’ve never been a big fan. Right now (29.5 weeks) bending over is a workout! I do intend to start swimming a bit when we get home after holiday travel. Nothing feels better than floating on my belly 🙂 And it is supposed to help give babies the opportunity to get head down, something neither is interested in doing right now. I have my eyes on the Portland, OR half marathon in October 2014… that should give me some time to train.
I’ve been really pleased with my "pregnancy fitness" thus far, but I also realize that it’ll be a whole new story when I have kid #2…it’s easy to find time right now! Also, totally know what you mean about the awesome feeling after a run!!
Stretch, push-ups and cardio exercises are best that i heard most of time and they work well. 10-15 mins for each exercise can give you Great Results.
Pregnant ladies always need some type of great exercises so they can stay safe and active in their life. The way you explained it in your article is really helpful for them and the doctors should work hard to give them great tips in these situations.