Exercise while Pregnant...

Just replied to another thread in this section, and I REALLY need to start doing some sort of exercise (walking would be a good start), sooner rather than later.

While pg with Steph, I walked a fair bit, but now I don't even do that. I bought a pg yoga book while pg with Steph too, and never used it once.

How do you motivate yourself to do some regular exercise? I am a SAHM, who to be brutally honest, can't be bothered to do any exercise. Any one else in the same boat? I know I need to get off my butt (before it turns very large :redface:) and get into some sort of shape with some stamina before the birth, but it doesn't progress beyond there. HELP!

I know swimming is very good too, but I can't swim very well, and it would be a bit hard to try and paddle around while trying to hold on to Steph at the same time. I used to be quite fit, riding my push bike, and doing martial arts, but now.... zip.

Hiya,

As far as motivation goes you have to work out what motivates you and go from there. What do you enjoy? What would you look forward to? Do you like being outside - start walking in the park or on the beach. Do you like meeting other Mums - join a pram push or join a family friendly gym. Most people that go to my gym in the morning are Mums. We do classes together, have a great time and go for coffee afterwards - it can be very social. Are you motivated by results - get a personal trainer. If you want to improve your flexibility - go to preggie yoga. ALso work out what time of the day is best for you and your family. If you are up early then exercise then, if you are an evening person then lots of gyms have evening creches - my kids love going to the cc at the gym.

There is so much you can od when pregnant. But just make sure what you want to do is sustainable and practicle. Don't plan to do 5 sessions a week or you'll tire yourself out and lose your motivation.

I have a whole section in my training manual about motivation and exercise adherence but i've left it at college, will get it tomorrow and write whats in it.

HTH

PS - I find a gym buddy is a great motivator. Also you should schedule in times to exercise as you would a Drs app or anything else important. Don't give yourself the option of not going - just do it.

PPS - Well done for wanting to get fit for your pregnancy and beyond!!!

instead of just walking set yourself a goal. such as walking to go buy something for bub. iykwim. Make sure u take a break when needed, dont push yourself and try and go when its not too hot. Also lots and lots and lots of water.

swimming is great in pregnancy but the most i do is in the shower lol.. i just dont feel comfortable going swimming.

My midwife said even if ur able to work up a little sweat doing the housework it will all be helping u. just dont overheat urself and take lots of breaks.

some yoga type exercises are great too and you can do them at home. If u google yoga in pregnancy it should give u some exercises to do. HTH

Combat Queen, Nothing motivates me, zip for enjoyment, and don't have anything that I can think of that I look forward to. Like being outside, but HATE the wind with a passion. Get bored walking around here, there is only so far you can walk, and then you either end up in the middle of nowhere or with a REALLY steep hill.
Not going to the gym, because I can't afford it, and don't mix well with others. I am not shy, but I don't really like new groups of people. Definitely couldn't afford a personal trainer!
I would be interested in what's in your training manual though.
I know that I should just 'schedule' time for myself to do yoga at home, go for a walk or whatever, but it goes the same way as housework. Doesn't get from paper (or excel) to actually happening.
Thank you.

Hollye, as I said above, there is a enormous hill to walk down to the shops, and I'm afraid of slipping over (even when I wasn't pg) while walking down, so with a pram and being pg, its worse.
I push myself when I manage to pull my finger out and do housework, but don't manage to break a sweat really. Just get a really sore belly.

I know. I am just slack. If I really wanted to get fit, I would. And if I feel sick (which is quite often), that makes me not want to do anything even more. :( I even have one of those fit balls, but hardly have any wall space with which to use it (if I do those wall exercises...)

Hmmm ok. You really need to change your mindset or you're not going to get anywhere exercise wise. You need to take responsibility for getting active, it kind of sounds to me like you want someone to come along and give you some quick fix but there isn't one, or tell you that you don't need to be doing it - you do - everyone does. Talking about getting motivated to exercise is the first step but it's not going to get you any further. YOU have to do it YOU have to find some way of getting excited about it or you won't do it.

Starting an exercise routine and eating healthily are not about forcing yourself to do things you hate - you have to get your mindset away from that. It's about healthy, lifestyle changes that are realistic and sustainable. You want to be able to instill these lifestyle changes in yourself and your family forever.

I know a gym costs money but it is the easiest way to lose weight and get fit, plus there is a wealth of knowledge there that you can use. If you think about the money you will be saving in the long run on medications, Dr's, Tests etc that you may have to use if you are not fit and healthy then $60 a month is not a lot of money.

You need to be ready mentally before you can make a plan and stick to it because your post above hun, is just full of excuses after excuses (some new ones though - never heard anyone use "Wall space" as an excuse not to exercise!).

I hope i'm not coming accross as too harsh but you have posted asking for advice and then made excuses not to listen. Again, apologies if I sound harsh but c'mon hun you can do it :cheer:

Hi hun,

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have a very expensive gym membership that I havent used in 5 months. Dont join a gym if you arent int he midset because it will be a waste of money.

Do you like shopping?? You could walk around the shops for an hour or two at a good pace. Do all the levels in the shopping centre and park far away in the carpark.

I think for someone like you 'incidental exercise' would be best- kind of liek so you dont know you are actually doing it.

Clean the house, mopping works up a bit of a sweat and actually has a purpose (getting the floors clean), do some raking of leaves in the garden, or sweep the concrete outside, maybe put on some music and dance around the house with your little boy. I bet he will think you are hillarious and it will be good to spend quality time while exercising at the same time.

I'll try and think of some more ideas for you

:hug: :hug:

No, I'm not waiting for someone to give me a quick fix, wave a magic wand, or tell me that I don't have to do exercise. I don't 'hate' exercise. The exercise I am physically able to do now I don't overly enjoy. And what I do enjoy, I mostly can't do because I'm pg.

A gym costs money that I don't have. Not money I'd 'rather not' spend, but money I don't actually have to spend. $60 a month is a sh*t load of money I'm afraid. I don't even have credit on my mobile, and I spend probably under $30 a month on that.

Its not an excuse, not having wall space to use a damn exercise ball. Come to my house and have a look for yourself. I'm lucky to have one metre of wall that I could use a ball on. Think what you like.

You haven't come across too harsh, and I don't see the excuses I have made not to listen. I enjoy being out in the wind about as much as I enjoy getting needles, the last gym class I went to was a Mums'n'bubs, which I left in tears because I don't enjoy nor have the coordination for even simple aerobics and don't enjoy being falsely mollycoddled by the instructors or staff who were more interested in my hanging around and then getting a membership primarily based on the fact that their centre has child care and saying things (for me) will 'improve', and I don't think I need to risk my health or baby's health slipping over on gravel on a steep hill in order to try to improve my health. And by the 'middle of nowhere', I am talking country, 100k speed limit road. Yep, gonna walk there.

Ali. I hate shopping (although it is more being out with heaps of people I think), the two closest major shopping centres to me are both single storey, and I always end up parking a mile away because there is never anything close anyway. When I do the housework, I try to do it at a pace so that there is some exercise involved. By the way, little girl, not little boy. Thanks. I remembered last night that I still have the exercise sheets from when I was pg with Steph, and had a look for them last night, along with my yoga book. Had all intentions of doing some things this arvo while she was asleep so that I had some peace to stretch, but she is still awake, even though is in bed. Fabulous. I only have to take her in less than an hour to go and pick up the Boy from school and then listen to him go on about how he's not ready for scout camp which I will have to take him to and try not to get lost. Oh, and possibly stay there waiting half the evening with Steph doing sfa while the rest of his group arrive. Terrific. As you can probably tell, I'm in a bit of a mood (for various reasons).

Dear Netix,
I think CombatQueen has said it perfectly - if you want to get fit again, it is UP to you. She has given some fantastic advice. Schedual it in as you would an appointment, and you will soon find exercise becomes second nature AND enjoyable, because you will feel better physically, emotionally and mentally. You will gain more energy, sleep better and eat better - YES really!!

finding a friend to do it with is another great idea. If you find walks are boring, take in your ipod and listen to music along the way... incidental excercise may be good for limiting weight gain, but really, it won't do much for fitness. You need to feel a little puffed but not stuffed if that makes sense !!

You said you were fit in the past, so we have the confidence that you can do it again !!