Exercise while pregnant?
- 02-17-2011, 01:56 PM #9Registered User
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- 02-17-2011, 02:46 PM #10Registered User
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I was really fit before I got pregnant. Was running about 30km per week and doing weights and abdominal exercises 3 or 4 times per week too.
When I got pregnant my doc also advised me to stop exercising. So, no exercise and massive appetite during the first trimester I put on about 5kg. I'm now 20 weeks and have put on about 7kg over all.
I have been trying to go swimming and have been to the gym a couple of times too. I also like to walk places but compared to what I was doing before I think the weight gain is inevitable.
Yoga and aquanatal don't burn many calories so they won't stop you putting on weight even though they are undoubtedly good for toning and preparation for labour.
Not overeating is probably the best way to avoid excess weight gain but from my own experience I know it's really tough if you have cravings. My appetite seems to be stabilising again now so I hope my weight gain might slow down a bit too.
Don't forget though that if you breastfeed this will help you burn more calories and lose any extra pounds. Also if you have a natural birth you can probably hit the gym again quite soon afterwards.
- 02-17-2011, 02:49 PM #11Registered User
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Thanks for the well wishes and for liking my posts.
Well, I never did get down to my pre-pregnancy weight after my son was born and before I got pregnant this time. Not even very close to my pre-pregnancy weight but thankfully, I carry weight well so I look deceptively thinner than I actually am.
But, I have to say, if anything, pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood has done two things (among others) for me:
1. Made me aware of my own mortality/falibility. Yes, things sag. Yes, things stretch (and can't go back to their original shape). Yes, things get wider. I guess we all know it but now I know this experientially. Nothing like life to teach you things.
2. Made me less vain (not that I was exceedingly caught up in appearance before): So what if I'm packing around a few extra pounds? Sure, I'd love to be 128 pounds and have the figure I had when I was a competitive swimmer.
But, time keeps marching on and the likelihood that I'm going back to those days is pretty slim (pun intended). Might as well learn to love the me that I am now. Of course, I can work toward being thinner and fitter but honestly, there are bigger fish to fry in my life now.
This is quite an interesting site revolving around these issues:
Shape of a Mother
- 02-17-2011, 02:52 PM #12Registered User
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I believe the issue is with heart rate. normally you want to reach a higher heart rate for cardio, but in this case you want to keep it (research this to confirm) i believe below 140. The idea is that above that rate you may not get enough blood to the placenta and therefore the baby. Keep it simple and go slowly and exercise is considered beneficial :) Also remember that if you are planning on breastfeeding dieting is not recommended, just eating healthy, well balanced meals. for some, breastfeeding melts the weight off but this is not the case for all, so don't expect magic.
- 02-17-2011, 02:59 PM #13Registered User
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Yoga and aquanatal don't burn many calories so they won't stop you putting on weight even though they are undoubtedly good for toning and preparation for labour.
Don't forget though that if you breastfeed this will help you burn more calories and lose any extra pounds. Also if you have a natural birth you can probably hit the gym again quite soon afterwards.
You have to remember also that a new baby puts a lot of strain on your body and emotions so if you have any tendency to overeat (or eat junk food) when you're tired (exhausted is more accurate because that's the level dealing with a newborn takes you to) or stressed then you're going to have to really guard against that. Also, if you're a comfort eater--maybe missing home and the absence of family after the baby is born not eating wisely can be an issue. And this doesn't even touch on if you deal with PPD (PND) or not--that's an entirely different thing which can also affect things.
I was so excited to hear that breastfeeding helps with calorie burn but I think you can't take too much solace in that as the truth is, for many women, post-pregnancy weight loss is work--and a lot of it--maybe even more difficult than it was pre-pregnancy (thanks hormones!) But, take it easy and look at it as a long-term process of health rather than a crazy "get thin quick" scheme that you may have been able to pull off previously but doesn't work so well under new circumstances.
- 02-17-2011, 03:01 PM #14Registered User
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- 02-17-2011, 04:27 PM #15Registered User
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The 140 heartrate recommendation has been out of date since 1994 when it was removed from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' recommendation. The issue is supposed to be the core temperature and whether you are still able to talk while exercising. Here are a few links that explain in more detail:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exe...gnancy/AN01560
http://www.examiner.com/pregnancy-he...heartrate-myth
- 02-17-2011, 04:42 PM #16Registered User
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I'm one of those breastfeeding mummy that doesnt shed weight but gain even more i think. And what make this even "better" is the fact that the majority OP believe or had seen mummies losing weight when breastfeed. When they look at me, they just couldnt believe their eyes. To be more exagerating, they popped their eyes out. Needless to say, they keep on reminding me the fact that "i'm the minority". Well... thanks but no thanks... :(
Anyway, i will keep on pumping breastmilk till my bub is 6 months. Less than 2 months to go.
I'll see how it goes.
@ Thanka
Lucky you that you carry weight well. Not for me. Haha.
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