How Long Did You Work Out While Pregnant?

I did a body pump class (light weights, high reps usually with a bar or body weight) until the instructor told me I was freaking her out! Ha! That was about 2-3 weeks before I gave birth. I agreed but was so glad that I kept working out that long. It kept my weight gain down and made me feel great!

I swam until just a few weeks before my 1st was born. The water was so good for my back because my belly floated a bit. It was great.

I think that at this time of year, being outdoors is your friend. The treadmill and elliptical are boring, I agree 100%. Why not take your workout outdoors instead? I brisk walk or even light jog if you're up for it is so much more interesting outdoors! Vary your route, work in some hills or stairs (I live near a high school football stadium and a public track which both have walkable bleachers) and you can still get a challenging workout in even if you're walking.

I'm a runner but I had to stop doing that very early in my pregnancies (around 11 or 12 weeks) because I had the urge to pee so badly!!! I did the elliptical - and listened to music or watched the tv's at the YMCA to keep it from being too boring. I also swam - a lot! I swam about 3000 yards the day before my last kid was born. Nothing felt as good as swimming!

I worked out pretty long, probably longer with my first than my second though. I did yoga throughout my entire first pregnancy and even at 9 months was inverted on the wall (also approved by my doc). I think it really helped my recovery too. But I hear you about just feeling big and not wanting to feel so bouncy!

I think if you do the treadmill or elliptical just bring a book or watch TV. I love to use my Kindle on the treadmill b/c I can make the text big and watch while I'm bouncing up and down.

I went for a 40 minute walk the day I went into labor with both of my kids. I stopped the "high impact" stuff about halfway through and replaced it with longer walks and light weights.

I couldn't be completely inactive while pregnant, but did tone it down towards the half-way mark. It was uncomfortable for me to jump and/or squat with the belly and the boobs!

Until the night before my water broke at 40w6d. =)

I think you're wise to scale back on all the jumping around, though. I wasn't doing that. The walking is great for you, but I think you can still mix it up.

I did yoga / prenatal pilates all the way through and it was totally worth it. Low impact, but very effective in helping me stay strong and energized. My labor was great!

Congrats and good luck to you!

Never did a regular workout with Babies #1 and #2. I'm pregnant with my third, also (24 weeks on Friday) and I do the elliptical for 1/2 hour 2-4x a week. I do not think I'd be comfortable (because of my belly) doing the classes you are discussing. I'd say to stick with some thing more low impact like elliptical. Get a book, book on CD, watch TV, listen to music, etc. If you don't feel like you 'want' to work out for 1 hour each day, try to do 1/2 hour most days instead! I do not mind the elliptical but I also have it in our living room and watch TV while I do it!

I did the elliptical until the day my water broke. For me the key is to read while doing it so I don't get bored. The key is to hold the book in your hand so it moves with you.

Up until I enede up on bed rest/modified at home rest with both of them. I did a lot of swimming. Best exercise for late pregnancy. I read or watch TV when I do an ellipitical. Can you do that? When I was on bedrest I did bicep and tricep exercises with light weights to keep from losing all muscle tone. What about light weight lifting? Someone mentioned Body Pump, which I do regularly. We've had pregnant women in that class (light weights or body bar, some modifications) until close to delivery. The instructors can give you tips on how to modify the moves.

i got sick for the 1st 7 months and swam and walked every day after that including the day i had her.

Before getting pregnant I rarely exercised. I started water aerobics and maternity yoga at 20 weeks. I had to do something to keep my core muscles strong (have a bad back). Did both of these until 40 weeks.

right up to delivery.
obviously one modifies it.
if you get bored with walking or jogging, do yoga or low level zumba or light weight-lifting or swimming.
khairete
S.

Jealous, early spotting, and then a heavy dose of back pain left me struggling to walk, serious exercise was out of the question, and I missed it.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

I rode my bike one day when I was 5 or 6 months.. and I started having contractions.. I knew it was time to stop. you can walk, swim.. but I would not be doing kicking jumping things..

I am in the military. I worked out right up until I delivered with both of my boys. Of course you have to modify, and eventually running just doesn't happen anymore. But you don't have to give it up...and you shouldn't.

Up until delivery.

Well, I was so sick I could barely breath. So...I didn't work out a day of my pregnancy.

However, I was told swimming is a fun, low impact pregnancy exercise. Do they have water aerobics classes?

I stopped at 17 weeks with my last baby. I do kick boxing, and I was just wasn't able to do it.

I then stopped doing all exercise. Easiest labor out of three.

Up until about 2 or 3 weeks before my due date.
Have you tried yoga or swimming? I'm not a good swimmer but I know that's a great workout while pregnant.
I mostly walked and did pregnancy workout videos at home.
Work out or go walking with a friend, it's more fun!

Ask your doc.

Both my SIL and a close friend had complications during delivery from doing rigorous exercise while pregnant so I did nothing more than walk when I was pregnant. My niece had the cord wrapped around her neck and the doc said it was likely due to my SIL bouncing her around inside.

I can't imagine that exercise would hurt the baby but I do think that too much would not be good.