*Disclaimer-before starting ANY workout or exercise program you should always check with your doctor first. I am not a doctor and I am not a fitness expert. This is only my journey on the way to a fit pregnancy and postpartum. I guarantee no results.
Let me start sort of at the beginning. In October of 2019, I made the decision that I would be doing my annual 15k race. So I searched and found a plan that I felt would work for me and get me on my way to a faster 15k time. I started following said plan. Things were going well. The hubby and I were trying for baby #4. We weren’t having any luck so in December we decided to start cleaning out our baby things. My training was going well and I had added in strength training to my workouts as well. I officially registered for the 15k in January. The next day I was standing in the kitchen finishing up my millionth glass of milk. I thought to myself, “I haven’t wanted or even touched this much milk since…I was pregnant with my daughter. Oh NO.” So I logged onto the Target app and ordered 3 pregnancy tests. Not just 1, but 3. When they were ready I picked them up, came home, took a deep breath and got down to business. Three positive pregnancy tests later I decided it was time to call my doctor. I told the hubby. We were both in disbelief. We had just gotten rid of a lot of our baby stuff and I had literally JUST spent money on a 15k.
I was set on continuing my training, staying fit, and completing my 15k. I purchased a heart rate monitor and step counter on Amazon. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy or expensive. I just needed something basic. The one I purchased has a step counter, heart rate monitor, and a walk, run, or bike setting as an activity. I went to my doctor’s appointment and she gave me approval to continue my running and strength training routine. She also told me she had no problem with me doing the 15k. So I continued to train. I backed off on the intensity of my workouts but still kept up with my training. I was doing good. But then the exhaustion and nausea set in. I was still determined but it was NOT easy. My eating habits suffered too. I ate WAY too much cheese and bread! That was about the only thing I could keep down. I pushed through my workouts and felt better after I completed a workout.
Race day came. Before I found out I was pregnant my goal was to better my time. Leading up to the race I started having a lot of knee pain. My goal changed from bettering my time to just finishing the dang race! I still wanted to beat my times from previous years, but I knew that was a long shot. The good news- I finished my race. I didn’t better my time but I wasn’t too far off from my time. My knees were KILLING me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it back to the car with 3 littles (my hubby was with with me, but all the littels wanted Mommy since I had been doing my race). I was glad I had a week off from work to recover. Little did I know that 1 week off to recover would turn into…I don’t even know what week we are on anymore-week 1000?!!? As we all know now, COVID came to pretty much every town, EVERYWHERE. It seems it is here to stay. After my race I had a follow up with my doctor. I had lost a little weight but not a ton. I ended up taking the next 4 weeks off from any training because of my knee pain. It’s best to rest and know your limits instead of continuing to push and injure yourself. The knee pain eased up and went away, I ate EVERYTHING in the house and then some. I blame COVID. I had all 3 littles at home with me, I was Mom, teacher, wife, and maid. Y’all I was NOT ready for that. I had my next appointment and got in trouble because I put on too much weight. No surprise there. I was stuffing my face like no other and I wasn’t exercising (except for hour long walks with the kids where we only managed to go ONE mile in said hour). I made a decision right then things had to change again. I was feeling the lack of exercise and lack of healthy eating. I went home from my appointment and ordered healthy food from a local grocery store that offers curbside pick up because- 3 littles. I don’t like taking them to the store when COVID isn’t hanging out much less when it is.
Salads, fruit, vegetables, no sweets. That was what I was living on. I’m not personally a huge fan of meet but I will sometimes eat ground turkey. That’s about it. I eased back into my running and some strength training. If you are looking for good exercises to perform while pregnant but don’t want to spend the money on pregnancy programs, I would suggest looking on Pinterest and/or YouTube. There are some that I thought were excellent on both sites. Do yourself a favor, Mama and keep up with those KEGEL exercises. They are SO important.
Fast forward to my third trimester. I still kept up my routine. Running is far less often. My “run” consists mostly of walking with just a few short spurts of jogging. I was hoping to pass my glucose tolerance test (GTT) that I have failed with ALL of my pregnancies, but I did not. So I got to do the lovely 3 hour GTT. I am currently waiting on those results. With my previous 3, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with 1 of them. This also played a BIG role in my reason to have a more fit pregnancy. Having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes even 1 time increases my chances for Type II diabetes later in life. I want to be and stay healthy for my kids. I want to teach them and show them how to live a healthier life. As I said, I have continued with my routine just with modifications. I was also diagnosed with anemia this pregnancy so that has added to some of my exhaustion. Each day is a struggle to get out and go, but for me, it is so important. I did 4 miles today and man do I feel so much better! I’m still waiting for my GTT results. At my appointment I got in trouble this time for not gaining enough weight thus far. So one appointment I gained too much weight and now I haven’t gained enough. I have not been starving myself or watching my weight. I have to add in 1 more snack per doctor’s orders. I feel so much better this pregnancy than I have with any of my previous 3 pregnancies. For me, staying fit and healthy is what I need to do. Running and strength training is what works for me. I know plenty of Moms though who incorporate more Yoga for a healthier pregnancy. Find what works for you and talk with your healthcare provider before starting any routine or adding any exercises/stretches so you can be sure you are being safe for you and your body. In the end, I think it will be worth it! I think you will find that even when you are exhausted, staying fit and healthy will help you feel so much better!
