After a very restful weekend, I was feeling motivated to get back at it this week. Well into my last trimester, I’ve gotten a few questions or comments about why I’m choosing to keep working out during pregnancy. And honestly, it’s not at all about trying to limit weight gain or look a certain way. I’ve blogged before my thoughts on Pregnancy Weight Gain, and while I don’t love every minute of watching my body change, I’m not upset about it. I knew from my last pregnancy that I am not a Belly Only Pregnancy type of person, and I’m good with that. But I do think it’s important to share all the other reasons why I keep working out during pregnancy.
The week started out with an evening walk on Sunday. My work week was pretty hectic, but I did get to see our baby Monday afternoon during my last trimester ultrasound. Baby B is growing appropriately, and we’ll have one more ultrasound to make sure he or she still has enough room in about a month. I still have a ways to go, but I’m really looking forward to not being pregnant in the near future. The rest of the week was quite as exciting as Monday’s appointment, but I did keep my commitment to easing back on the weekly mileage. Much to the relief of my husband.
Saturday started off with my long run (a whopping 8 miles). After some food and a nap, the boys and I managed to fit in some back to school shopping. I absolutely hate shopping, but this kid’s growth chart is no joke, and he was definitely in need of some new clothes. We ended the day at Top Golf with a couple of friends, which I enjoyed way more than shopping. We’ve only got a few more summer weekends, and we’re definitely trying to make the most out of them!
Why I Keep Working Out During Pregnancy
I’ve always been a fairly active person, and I know most people tend to think that women work out for mostly physique related reasons. And I have no clue, because I am only one woman. But I do know that there are a hell of a lot of benefits to staying active that have nothing to do with dress size or a number on a scale. And these are the reasons that that I keep working out during pregnancy. In case you’re needing a little motivation to stay moving throughout pregnancy, here’s a few reasons.
- Reduces Aches & Pain – Contrary to popular belief, working out does not always result in muscle soreness. Especially when you’re pregnant, and dialing things back a bit. But being sedentary, that can really a take a toll on how your body feels. Even on my rest days, I try to get outside for a walk, because sitting in an office chair all day does not do my back any favors. And lately, this back is in need of all the favors it can get.
- Decreases Risk of Gestational Diabetes – There are more than enough medical studies and journal articles that support the fact that regular exercise can help reduce the chance of gestational diabetes. That doesn’t mean that women who are active in pregnancy never develop complications, including GDM, but low impact exercise can go along way to decreasing the risk.
- Keeps Body Strong for Labor – Any woman who has gone through labor and delivery can tell you it is not for the weak. Labor can cause women to break their tailbones, afterall. And even if you’ve got a planned C-Section, invasive surgery is far from easy on the body. There’s also the whole postpartum recovery and healing thing that has to happen afterwards. Keeping your body strong won’t make bringing a baby earth side a breeze, but can certainly come in handy during times your going to need every ounce of strength available to you.
- Makes Me Feel Normal-Ish – As a person who works out regularly, I just don’t feel like myself when I have to take long breaks from running and CrossFit. I feel lethargic, my sleep sucks, and I just feel overall disconnected from my body. Which I hate. During the first trimester, I was reminded how strange I feel being in bed for prolonged periods of time. And honestly, being pregnant all by itself feels weird enough.
- Keeps Me Sane (or less insane) – Realistically, this is the number one reason I keep working out throughout pregnancy. I’m a fairly textbook type-A human, which means I like to control things and often struggle with anxiety. Running and weight lifting have been a life saving outlet for me, and help give me a place to get a lot of anxiousness out of my body. Unfortunately for those around me, one of the ways my anxiety manifests itself is through frustration, irritation, and anger. I’m short-fused when I don’t workout consistently. More short-fused anyways. And when you couple this with pregnancy hormones, well, it’s really for everyone’s safety that I stay active.
This Weeks Workouts
Total Miles: 28 Miles
Total Workouts: 4
How the Run Felt
I only had one indoor run this week, due to some rain storms. As much as I hate running in the Texas heat, I have to admit that this summer has been somewhat mild temperature wise. This week, however, was pretty damn hot and muggy. I think my body appreciated the overall mileage reduction, and I didn’t feel like I was struggling on any of my runs this.
I can see my pace slowing down even more lately, as I take more walk breaks during my outdoor runs. My pelvic floor just can’t handle running on any incline or decline, and living out near the near the hill country, there isn’t a whole lot of true flat out here. I’m thankful that my belly doesn’t feel overly heavy, and I’m not seeing any signs that running needs to end all together. I will say that I am definitely feeling heavier during my runs, and I felt a lot like a rhino during my Saturday run. I haven’t gained an unhealthy amount of weight by any means, but my legs are certainly letting me know they’re carrying more than they’re used to.
How the WODs Felt
I was really thankful to not see a single air squat programmed in this weeks workouts. I was a little over snatches by the end of Monday’s workout, but I was really happy that I was able to finish the workout under the 10 min time cap at the prescribed weight, even though I had to modify to start from the hang instead of the floor. Friday’s workout nearly killed me, though, with full sun and 90 something degrees by the time I worked out. I made sure to stay hydrated and kept the pace slow, but dear Lord I felt like the Sun was right on top of my head every time I went back out for another 400 meters.
What I’ve Been Listening
I finished up Bad Bad Thing, and as interesting as the podcast was, it was hard to hear how everything came to and end. You know in the beginning that it’s about a murder/homicide, but to hear the whole breaking down of a person to get to the point that they commit such a violent act is a little traumatic. After that, I really needed the palate cleanser of a new story, and I came across Transportista. It’s a podcast about a Mexican pilot who was arrested after working with the cartel. So far, it seems very interesting and like a good investigative piece.
What Went Well
Listening to my body and reducing my mileage.
What Went Shitty
My legs are absolutely feeling heavy AF, and I’ve found myself feeling a little nauseous at times again.
Plans to Improve Next Week
Depending on the heat index, next week may involve more treadmill runs.