I made sure it was quick and simple because I was so busy CLEANING house all day. (Yeah, that is a major workout for a pregnant person! Ha ha!)
Here's what I did:
* Modified Push Ups- 2 sets of 10
* Plies- 3 sets of 15
* Squats- 2 sets of 20
* Standing Leg Extension- 2 sets of 15 on ea. leg
* ABC's w/ toes- 1x ea leg
* Leg Adbuctors- 2 sets of 25 on ea. leg
I'm going to go and take a nice relaxing shower and then stretch for about ten minutes before climbing between my nice, clean bedsheets. Ohhh... nice.
PS- I've got a doctor appointment in the morning! I'll have to see if I gained the right amount of weight over the last 2 weeks.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Fun & Relaxing Day
So, as I've gotten bigger with this pregnancy, exercise has gotten harder. I lose my breath or get tired legs for a few seconds after climbing a flight of stairs longer than the ones in my house. It is awkward to bend down and I avoid doing so as much as I can (which doesn't make for a clean house sometimes... ha ha). I am achy or sore without even 'working out'.
Tonight I was able to get in some dancing- cha-cha-style- via a belated Valentine's party. My husband got all into it and was so cute to watch. He can make everyone laugh and I ADORE that about him. It wasn't too much of a work-out, especially when I think of what I'm capable of doing 'un-pregnant'.
My husband and I also went and walked around the mall and people-watched today (our main intent to go to the mall was for a free pretzel offer). That was fun, but oh-boy, my feet hurt after we left.
So, what am I supposed to do with a body that isn't what it used to be? I am going to pause and come up with a few answers for myself.
Tonight I was able to get in some dancing- cha-cha-style- via a belated Valentine's party. My husband got all into it and was so cute to watch. He can make everyone laugh and I ADORE that about him. It wasn't too much of a work-out, especially when I think of what I'm capable of doing 'un-pregnant'.
My husband and I also went and walked around the mall and people-watched today (our main intent to go to the mall was for a free pretzel offer). That was fun, but oh-boy, my feet hurt after we left.
So, what am I supposed to do with a body that isn't what it used to be? I am going to pause and come up with a few answers for myself.
1. Regular Walks
(Not in heels, a dress, and with a purse obviously.)
My midwife advised against me running/jogging anymore in my pregnancy at about the beginning of month 7. (My last walk/jog was at about 6.5 months along for the record.) I get too sore afterwards where I pulled my muscle at month three. I'll have to stick with walking. NOW... here's the thing with walking. I am not a walker. It takes so long and I get jealous when I see people running around me. I don't get my adrenaline rush. I DO get Braxton Hicks Contractions (BHC's) though. That just means I have to slow it down even more or stop. Boo! I try to carry my weights (1# wrist bands or 3 or 5 pounds dumbbells) when I remember to increase my heart rate. Those tend to bring on the BHC's even quicker. Boo again! But, I have no other choice, so I will continue with my walks. I do about 2 miles 2-4x a week. (I'm hoping to increase it now that I'm COMPLETELY done with school.)
2. Strength Training
I have a few exercises that I do regularly. This pelvis/wall-squat like thing (I can explain it in further detail if anyone wants) that my midwife taught me. It helps to strengthen the back and core muscles to help with labor and help prevent so much back pain. It actually feels amazing and relaxing to do.
I also try and work out my arms regularly, but we only have 3 & 5 pound weights. (I also incorporate arm exercises w/ weights into my walks when I remember.) I figure this will all help me as I'm picking up and carrying around a little baby in a few short months... woah...
I also love glute, leg, and lower body exercises in general. I have been told that I'm getting 'curvy' and 'filling out' all over (meaning my butt since my arms are the same size)... Thanks Mom. So, I try and do squats or wall squats, lying leg ad/ab-ductors, calf raises, and hamstring exercises. (Again, if anyone wants further descriptions on what any of these are, lemme' know.) I'm trying to keep the dimples off my lower cheeks... not that I have any on my face to start with though.
3. Stretching
Oh yoga, how I love thee... I haven't done yoga since about my 24th week though. I was doing it about once a week before then. I definitely need to start this again. I am sure that there are a few good websites for prenatal yoga and there are LOADS of DVD's at my local library I could check out too. I just need to do it. I know that this will help in relieving those aches and pains, tight ligaments and muscles, and everything. I always wanted to be one of those cute prego-yoga-moms... here's my chance and I'm letting it slip by! Now that I actually look pregnant I haven't been doing it. Time to change that.
SOOOO.....
In conclusion, I've decided that it's time to step it up a notch. I want to be in prime labor & delivery condition. It will only benefit my baby and me in the long run. I have nothing holding me back anymore. (I'm referring to no more school/homework/studying.) My husband and I have a desire to be fit and healthy examples together. He's doing so much better and I need to kick it up so as soon as I'm able, I can catch up with him. I don't have any specific numbers or goals other than to exercise daily. Even if it is just stretching and a few strength training exercises. No excuses!
Here goes to a healthy finish to this race I'm in... or whatever... ha ha!
PS- I weighed in this morning and although I'm not positive what it was... I'm thinking it was 154.8lbs. This means an even 20 lbs that I've gained. Yesterday was my week 33 mark... not to shabby. I'll be right on the money if I keep gaining as I should. My goal was between 25-35lbs, but keeping closer to about 28lbs if I am able. :)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Today's Exercise Notes
I was feeling just crappy all-around. So, I did something about it.
I went power walking (it kills me not to be able to run anymore) and carried 5 pound weights in each hand for the first 1.25 miles. Felt okay, but I'll feel it tomorrow I KNOW! I only did about 2 miles too. I tend to get tight/crampy abs when I do too much (my midwife said they're Braxton Hicks contractions) so, I have to be careful and take it easy.
I also did some strength training exercises last night and tonight. I'm gonna' tone up my arms, butt, and legs as much as I can. That way I'll just have my core muscles to re-shape once this little girl is here. That's my goal at least. We'll see what really happens.
I'd better go drink my protein shake... that's another thing I have to do since my hair started falling out due to lack of protein in my diet. Oh the joys/sacrifices. It's not too bad though... flabbiness, hair falling out for a few weeks, and heartburn are my only complaints. The flabbiness is my fault though, not this baby's. Same with the dang pulled muscle that haunts me still when I do too much. I'll have to make some changes I guess.
I went power walking (it kills me not to be able to run anymore) and carried 5 pound weights in each hand for the first 1.25 miles. Felt okay, but I'll feel it tomorrow I KNOW! I only did about 2 miles too. I tend to get tight/crampy abs when I do too much (my midwife said they're Braxton Hicks contractions) so, I have to be careful and take it easy.
I also did some strength training exercises last night and tonight. I'm gonna' tone up my arms, butt, and legs as much as I can. That way I'll just have my core muscles to re-shape once this little girl is here. That's my goal at least. We'll see what really happens.
I'd better go drink my protein shake... that's another thing I have to do since my hair started falling out due to lack of protein in my diet. Oh the joys/sacrifices. It's not too bad though... flabbiness, hair falling out for a few weeks, and heartburn are my only complaints. The flabbiness is my fault though, not this baby's. Same with the dang pulled muscle that haunts me still when I do too much. I'll have to make some changes I guess.
Today's Weigh-in
I'm 30 weeks and 3 days along today. Only 9.5 more weeks to go.
This morning's weigh-in: 151.6 lbs.
Starting weight: 134.8 lbs.
Total weight gain so far: 16.8 lbs.
I've been consistent with weighing myself in the mornings wearing the same clothes. My weight increases each week, and it's hard, but I know that it's a good thing. I'm probably going to gain about a pound a week from here on out. Which will leave me around a total weight gain of 26-27 pounds. Chances are I'll gain a couple more at the end when my little girl really starts putting on the weight (plus I have a feeling I'm going to go past my due date) so I'm aiming for around 30 lbs. This is healthy and smack dab in the middle of my goal. (Which was to gain 25-35lbs throughout this pregnancy.)
I haven't been able to run, but I've been trying to walk 2-3 miles, several times a week. I've used some hand weights here and there when I walk to help get my heart rate up, but sometimes it's brought on Braxton Hicks contractions (at least my midwife told me that's what they were). So, I was told to try and take it easier to not induce those. I do some minor strength training at home 1-3x a week. (Modified push-ups, bicep curls, wall squats, cat-cow exercises for my pelvis, calf raises, etc.) It's hard not to be able to do what I used to, but I'm trying my best to maintain. My strength, endurance, and everything is so different than what it used to be. I bet it doesn't help that I've got a uterus growing up under my ribcage and taking my lung space up. Oh well. I do enjoy it, and it's only a short time I'll get to experience this.
I need to keep up though since this will help me so much when I deliver. My goal is to deliver naturally without any pain medications. I can do this!
Just for fun... here's a prego pic (that doesn't even make my belly look as big as some others did) from January 28th (a day short of 30 weeks) that my husband took of me.
This morning's weigh-in: 151.6 lbs.
Starting weight: 134.8 lbs.
Total weight gain so far: 16.8 lbs.
I've been consistent with weighing myself in the mornings wearing the same clothes. My weight increases each week, and it's hard, but I know that it's a good thing. I'm probably going to gain about a pound a week from here on out. Which will leave me around a total weight gain of 26-27 pounds. Chances are I'll gain a couple more at the end when my little girl really starts putting on the weight (plus I have a feeling I'm going to go past my due date) so I'm aiming for around 30 lbs. This is healthy and smack dab in the middle of my goal. (Which was to gain 25-35lbs throughout this pregnancy.)
I haven't been able to run, but I've been trying to walk 2-3 miles, several times a week. I've used some hand weights here and there when I walk to help get my heart rate up, but sometimes it's brought on Braxton Hicks contractions (at least my midwife told me that's what they were). So, I was told to try and take it easier to not induce those. I do some minor strength training at home 1-3x a week. (Modified push-ups, bicep curls, wall squats, cat-cow exercises for my pelvis, calf raises, etc.) It's hard not to be able to do what I used to, but I'm trying my best to maintain. My strength, endurance, and everything is so different than what it used to be. I bet it doesn't help that I've got a uterus growing up under my ribcage and taking my lung space up. Oh well. I do enjoy it, and it's only a short time I'll get to experience this.
I need to keep up though since this will help me so much when I deliver. My goal is to deliver naturally without any pain medications. I can do this!
Just for fun... here's a prego pic (that doesn't even make my belly look as big as some others did) from January 28th (a day short of 30 weeks) that my husband took of me.
Reminiscing...
So... in looking at pictures I have from before I was prego... I miss that body. Mind you I love why my body is changing right now, but I worry about after this pregnancy and how long it will take me to get back. I want to be able to feel sexy again. I don't think I've once felt "sexy" since being pregnant. Beautiful, yes... sexy, no. I look at this picture of my hubby and I on the beach in Maui and the tone in my legs and butt and skinny waistline... I'm jealous of my old self. Ha ha.
My body is going to be different after giving birth I know. I try to stay positive, but it gets hard with so many changes. I can't run anymore-as of about 2 weeks ago (due to too much strain on the muscle I pulled at 3 months along). It's hard. I sound selfish... I know.
This is difficult when I look at myself naked in the mirror or have people comment on how big I'm getting. It is a blessing to know that I am growing a little girl inside me though. One that I will devote my life to. She will change my life and probably my perspective on so many things. She will teach me. I know I'll be a different person spiritually and emotionally after she is finally here.
Until then, I'm just going to get bigger and bigger by the week.
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