Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve been sharing on social media how I’ve still been going to the gym simply as a method to keep myself accountable. I’ve been asked a few times to share more about my routine and how things changed throughout my pregnancy so I’m addressing those questions here today.
As I was very active before getting pregnant (I’d work out 5-6 days a week) and I had a completely normal healthy pregnancy, my doctor told me to just maintain my normal routines and listen to my body as my pregnancy progressed. She said all my normal activities were fine to continue as long as I was drinking enough water and taking breaks when I felt I needed them. Now isn’t the time to break personal records or achieve new goals, she warned me but otherwise I was cleared to continue as normal.
Read more about my previous fitness routines here.
First Trimester Workout Routine
At the beginning of my first trimester there wasn’t a huge change to my normal workout routine. I was training for and ran a half marathon then was recovering from that experience. As I progressed however, I struggled with exhaustion and tiredness. This caused me to minimize my cardio from four or five days a week down to only twice a week. Other than that I continued strength training three days a week (upper body, lower body, full body) and did my best to attend two cardio classes per week.
However the exhaustion was real. I’m not going to lie, it took a lot to drag myself to the gym with any regularity. Andrew had to be my accountability partner at this point really push me to keep at it even through the sleepiness but there were periods when a workout just wasn’t in the cards.
Read more about my First Trimester here.
Second Trimester Workout Routine
Once the second trimester started, things actually became easier. Not only did the extreme exhaustion lift but we were traveling a bunch so the mental pressure to get in a traditional workout was lessened. However I did still make a point to try and go workout four times a week. This broke down to look a little bit like this:
- Monday – rest
- Tuesday – cardio
- Wednesday – strength (upper body)
- Thursday – strength (lower body)
- Friday – rest
- Saturday – cardio
Towards the end of my second trimester I really minimized cardio once running became difficult both on my back (from the weight of my growing belly) and on my lungs (as they started losing space to operate). I also stated taking all the low impact options during my cardio workout classes once jumping was no longer comfortable.
Read more about my Second Trimester here
Third Trimester Workout Routine
In my third trimester, I’m still going to the gym but I’ve cut way back and only go two or three times a week; one day each for arms, legs, and cardio but all extremely low impact. At 37 weeks, I stopped doing cardio entirely and instead added in a full body strength day as just walking up a flight of stairs has the power to leave me winded. At this late point in my pregnancy, I’ve found that just gently moving my body and stretching regularly has been the best option. Anything too rigorous causes more aches and pains that it helps.
Frankly, I don’t know if I’m going to make it up until my due date continuing to work out. I’d like to say “yes I’ll power through” but I just don’t know anymore. With this kid growing by the day, everything makes me winded. Walking, climbing stairs, rolling over, getting in and out of cars, it’s all just hard right now.
I’ve also had to drastically shift my thinking when it comes to working out and physical activity during pregnancy. I’ve always been one to think if you’re not sweating hard at the end, why bother. It all stems from this idea that if I’m going to pay for a membership and drag myself there with any regularity, I might as well get my money and time’s worth out of it. That just can’t be the case when you’re pregnant. I’ve struggled with that fact some as my body physically can’t do what it could nine months ago.
Where to Find Pregnancy Friendly Workout Ideas
When I started researching pregnancy friendly workouts, I have to say the internet disappointed me quite a bit. However, where Google failed, Instagram provided! I found a handful of Instagram accounts that are run by physical therapists and personal trainers who were going through their own pregnancies and shared great tips and workout ideas/videos on their accounts.
Want to read more about my health and fitness journey? Check out these posts:
- Rock and Roll Marathon Recap
- My Healthy Little Secret
- 5 Ways to Stay Active in Winter
- Healthy Habits During the Holidays
- 5 Ways to Be Healthier Daily
What does your workout routine look like? Are you into fitness or would you rather take a walk and call it good? Let me know!
Until next time,
Ana Luiza
