Exercise
When I found out I was pregnant, I was in the middle of training for a 10-mile race. From what I read, if you’re a runner before getting pregnant, you should be able to continue running after you get pregnant (assuming it’s a healthy pregnancy). When I talked about it with my doctor, he didn’t tell me to stop running, but he wasn’t fully supportive of it either. His words were something along the lines of, Why run when you can walk? But, he left the decision up to me.
It didn’t take much thinking to decide that I wanted to stop training (thus all my flighty comments about not running due to allergies and just not feeling it – ahem!). I mean, the decision was partly made for me – morning sickness and a lack of food/energy would not allow for me to run. Period. But really, my decision was more than that.
I’m 36 years old. And sure, I got pregnant pretty easily, but I also wanted to continue to do the right things for my body to make sure the pregnancy went and continues to go smoothly. And let’s face it, training for a 10-mile race can be taxing on the body. I’m not that self-centered that I had to finish that race (there were races before and there will be races after). Quitting running for exercise felt like the right decision to make.
And so, I’ve made a change in my workouts. Walking for miles at a time with the dog have replaced running. Sweets and I have gotten our bikes out a few times when the weather permits. Now that I’m beginning to feel better more regularly, I’d like to get back to the gym for light weights. And eventually, I will add in some water workouts (which, from what I hear, are good for reducing swelling, particularly during that third trimester).
And you know what? I really don’t regret this decision one bit. Becoming a parent sometimes is about sacrifices and other times is about compromises. Changing up my workout routine is a compromise I’m willing to live with.
By now, Sweets, SoMi and I are on our way to a long weekend of camping. We’ll be back sometime next week with photos and updates and all kinds of non-pregnancy speak. =) Have a great weekend; see y’all on the flip side!
June 18th, 2010 at 6:41 am
My sister is a midwife and she advocates that same school of thought ‘if you did it before you were pregnant you can continue’ though she also points out that any exercise vigorous enough to make YOU gasp for air is clearly not going to make the baby all that happy! So if you can run and breathe nicely then I think it’d be fine.
This is one lucky baby, being born into a family who socialises and packs life with holidays and rural living and camping and has a dog!
June 18th, 2010 at 7:09 am
It sounds like this is a choice that you’re very happy with- I think in your position I would be doing the same thing :)
June 18th, 2010 at 7:40 am
When I was pregnant I did the same thing. My doctor said exactly the same thing. I had trouble with preterm labor with the first two pregnancies so my decision not to run was a good one. I ended up not being able to do anything at all, but did walk a bit at the beginning. I’m sure it would have been fine if I did run, but I wasn’t willing to chance it.
Have a great weekend!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Have a great time camping!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Yeah, I can imagine I would make the same decision. No matter how fit I am, my heart beat is really fast when I am running. I know that is not a good thing when pregnant. Soooo I can imagine that I would do a lot of walking too.
Have fun camping!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:44 am
i think there are a gazillion benefits to walking too. and more than running?, you can actually enjoy the scenery and get into the nature of the experience. whereas with running, it’s more of a sport and not always for pleasure. i mean, sometimes it is, but you know… walking can be really great for other reasons than just fitness too!
im glad you came to a decision that works for you.
have fun this weekend!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:46 am
You’re going to be such an awesome mom! I know a lot of my friends think motherhood starts once the baby arrives but it’s evident that it starts the moment you are pregnant and by making important choices like the ones you made. We ran in spirit the day of the 10 miler, I know we did :)
Enjoy the camping trip!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:51 am
My doctor always tells people they can run until they don’t feel like it anymore, knowing that the “not feeling like it” part comes along pretty early!
June 18th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I’ve heard it from both sides -- many moms quit running and many that continue. I think it is a personal decision depending on your comfort level, like you said. For you, it didn’t make sense, since you were not feeling well. However, I don’t think the people who do continue to run are self-centered. They are just lucky that they can continue.
Have a good camping trip!
June 18th, 2010 at 9:02 am
I think every mom has to listen to her body and do what’s right for her.
That said, I find it sad to hear that doctors aren’t more encouraging about running during pregnancy. There is study after study saying that both mom and baby are so much better off if mom continues her exercise routine. Of course standard caveats apply: don’t start a new exercise routine, and change your routine as needed as the mom progresses in pregnancy.
June 18th, 2010 at 9:21 am
A lot of doctors are overly cautious when it comes to exercise it seems, but can also be dangerous for your baby’s heart rate to become to elevated. It can be really tricky to know what’s safe and what’s not so safe. Still, as moms, we have to do what’s best for ourselves and our babies.
I’ve been able to do next to nothing during my pregnancy due to some severe back pain.
June 18th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I was reading about that on http://www.runningskirts.com. They of course, think running all the way up to having the baby is a good idea, but you’ve already made up your mind. So have at it. Running with a stroller will come after the baby.
June 18th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I believe you’ve made a good decision. I agree it is better to keep exercising to some degree, unless there is concern for the baby’s health, than to stop altogether. Walking is awesome and for me was more comfortable than just being still. I would warn that at some point your center of gravity will shift and it will be difficult and possibly a little dangerous to ride a bike. And as for swelling, I will leave you with one tip. Drink lots of water. It worked for me.
June 18th, 2010 at 10:43 am
It sounds like you definitely made the right decision for you. And it seems to have worked out for you. Considering how bad your morning sickness sounds, I’m impressed you were even able to get out for these long walks.
June 18th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Be careful on your bike young lady!! You make me nervous. :)
My girlfriend got pregnant at 38 and she continued to run 5 miles a day (slowing her pace significantly) until like her 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. I thought she was nuts.
I think it’s really smart you’re continuing to make exercise a priority, though. I hear it’s supposed to help make labor easier!
June 18th, 2010 at 11:49 am
It sounds like you made the right decision :) Have a great weekend!
June 18th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
sounds like a good decision! i think you’re the type of person who takes your doctor’s advice into consideration, then takes your own body’s abilities into account, and comes to your own decision… so i have no doubt this was the right decision for YOU :-)
June 18th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Oh yes, having a child around is all about sacrifices and compromise. It’s life changing.
June 18th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
It sounds like a good decision to me. You’re still staying active and getting the exercise in, but without overly exerting yourself and pushing yourself, or little grasshopper, too far. And the general consensus seems to be that walking is one of the best exercises to do while pregnant.
A friend of mine found out she was pregnant last year the day AFTER she ran a full marathon…crazy!
Hope you have a great camping trip and I’m glad you’re starting to feel much better :-)
June 18th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
If you are feeling good about it, then it was the right decision… you don’t want to “risk” anything, if you can just simply change up your workout routine.
Have a great weekend!
June 18th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Glad you’re happy about making the workout decision, it’s always good to mix it up. And it’s the perfect season for walks! Have fun this weekend!
June 18th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
You probably made the right call. I’ve also heard it’s bad to do any core training, but good to stay in overall shape (which I’m not worried at all you will do).
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend lovely!
June 20th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I’m just so stinkin’ excited for you! Completely agree that walking will be the best thing for you and the little grasshopper! I found just listening to my body and slowing down when I felt I should was the key. Hope y’all enjoyed your camping trip!
June 20th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Sounds like you made the right call -- especially since you have been feeling so crappy! I am not sure what I will do when/if I have a baby, but I thikn I would probaby switch to walking as well. Or i would probably cap my runs at 3-4 miles. Last year, the woman who won the 1/2 marathon near my hometown was pregnant… which just seemed a little odd/unsafe because it really taxes your body. It’s so easy to get dehydrated when racing if you aren’t careful and that just seems so unhealthy when you are pregnant. To each her own, but I will probably err on the side of caution!