Would you like to hear about my fitness plan for this pregnancy?
Well, I don’t have one. Chasing after two crazy kids and half-heartedly vacuuming the floor once per week is the extent of my physical exertion these days and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
With my first pregnancy I walked frequently and signed up for an aqua-size course at my local pool (that was quite the sight to behold; I don’t suggest you picture an eight months pregnant version of me squeezing into a bathing suit and cannon-balling into the deep end) but still managed to gain a whopping 43 pounds. The second time around I didn’t lift a finger and ate whatever I wanted and still gained exactly 43 pounds. So, I can’t say I’m all that motivated to go for a jiggly jog when it feels like it is an exercise (ha!) in futility.
I know that exercise is good for one for more reasons than weight control: increased energy, improved mood, endorphin rush, blah,blah,blah, pass the Doritos.
Now that I am pregnant and not really able to start a vigorous fitness regime, I find myself daydreaming about all the hardcore exercise plans I will embark on when this baby is three days old: I’ll train for a triathlon, run a half-marathon, take up yoga, and only eat egg whites. Totally realistic, right?
There is solace in knowing this is the last time I will be pregnant and after that first sleepless year is over I do look forward to reclaiming this tired, used body and being proud to call it my own again. I know that’s easier said than done, but it will be worth it.
Did you stick to an exercise plan during your pregnancy? Or just become a professional couch potato?
Haha you crack me up. Seriously though, for now your body is occupied with growth and development-that of another human being! And after: you will be all yours. So bring on the marathon (in a year or three…) and until then enjoy this miracle:)
I played in a tennis tournament and played 12 matches over 3 days. I don’t recommend it. And I took prental yoga – which while I laughed through most of it – alot of it really helped me. Don’t hurt me – but I had a five hour labour – and I attribute most of that to things I learned in yoga and my doula.
Another sloth here. I have no desire or energy to exercise more than just parenting a 3 year old and working. My genes served me well after my first pregnancy and I am banking on that (here’s hoping it works!).
Your posts always make me laugh – thank you!
I exercised regularly until about six months along with pregnancy number 1, I was also able to walk and get out a bit because baby was born in June. I gained just over 40 pounds. I ran consistently until about half way through pregnancy number two and then stopped all activity completely (well aside from chasing my two year old!) and ate whatever the heck I wanted! I felt like a blob and had no energy but actually gained less weight the second time around. We’ll see how that pans out in the loosing part – baby was only born a week ago.
I exercised through my 3rd pregnancy by doing the “Curves” thing and gained only 24lbs but that being said I still had 18lbs to lose at 9mo post partum. At that point, knowing I would never be pregnant again I was very motivated to be fit and exercise regularily. I too struggled with my weight as a kid/teen and want my three girls to grow up in a health conscious family that views excercise as a way of life. I am learning that they really do learn by example and that in itself is motivation enough for me to be fit/healthy.
I feel like I should exercise but I haven’t and I’m a total couch potato. I keep saying to my husband that when the weather is nicer (I live in Northern Alberta) I will start going on walks and such but I’m thinking that will never happen or if it does it will be very short lived… So far I haven’t gained anything which is odd for the amount of food I eat every day but oh well I am not too concerned at this point as I’m only 15 weeks. I tried exercising and it felt good for the 30 minutes that I did it for… yes I did it for one day when my goal was to do it three times a week… alas I fail and hope for better days when my back and hips are no longer paining me.
The first time? Couch potato. The second time? I continued to exercise until the end. I gained the same amount of weight both times. I dunno…. Maybe our bodies are programmed to gain whatever we need to support a healthy pregnancy.