Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Weight control: exercise
Weight-gain has been my whole life struggle. Just as I finally got a groove of weight control and I felt the best about myself physically, this pregnancy came. Now with this pregnancy, I feel that my nightmare about gaining unreasonable weight is replaying all over again.
Of course you'd say this is something I can't control. However that's exactly the feeling I hate - not being able to control, especially after the last doctor's visit with a solid 7-lbs gain, I was freaking out. As I am 17 weeks into the pregnancy, I am very not looking forward to the next weigh-in.
Every one's body is different so there is really no exact number of how much weight to put on with pregnancy. The general guideline says 25-35lbs is a normal weight gain, and 300 more calories a day is what's sufficient for a pregnancy diet. Knowing myself, I know that won't be how my body reacts to pregnancy - I might eat more and gain more. Therefore, an extreme measure needs to be taken.
I am carrying on with my regular workout regimen with a lot more cardiovascular emphasis. With weight training, I cut down the weight that I would normally do. The only thing I quit doing is to push my limit. Instead, I listen more to my body and when it calls it stop, I stop. Unfortunately the result of it is that sometimes I don't have a very satisfying workout, you know, I kindda crave for the high intensity and maximum heart rate type of feeling.
My kid likes it when I work out. How do I know? I don't. But when I want him to like it, he has to like it.
Some people are into yoga but I really suck at yoga. I read so much about the benefits yoga can bring to the pregnancy and delivery and wanted to get into it. But I just can't. I am more of a kickboxing type of person than yoga. Yoga does not relax me - I can't close my eyes as the instructor asks. I always have to open one eye to peek what the next move is.
Working out in the gym is awesome especially if you go to a club like mine, and especially when it's hot like this in the summer. And because of the weather, I cut down so much running (outside). Or I'd only run early in the morning before the heat comes. But running has been hard with the extra weight on me. I don't feel light and I don't feel fast. My heart rate rises fast and stays high and sometimes I even feel the feeling of having a stroke that my brain is about to explode.
Sounds bad. And I always wonder how some women run marathons when pregnant? Total respect!
I believe the body can be trained. I just have to keep up even with a belly getting bigger and bigger each day. As long as I carry on with a routine, it will only get easier. Right?
I am adding swimming to the routine and when the weather gets cooler, we are going to play tennis. I am hoping by keeping up with the exercise, I won't be sitting on my fat ass feeling miserable about weight gain.
Do you work out/exercise regularly when pregnant? What do you do? Share please! I always like learning new tricks.
#pregnancyworkout
DearJulie
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Workout of the day: light
Cycling 30 minutes
Tons of stretch
Passive workout: massage 20 minutes
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Julie, I continued to run and lift weights during the first trimester, and finished a half-marathon. (It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes, but at least I didn't throw up!) Starting the second trimester, I swam 1000 yards every other day and, on the nights not going to shows or parties, I worked out on a stairmaster.
ReplyDeleteI gained 8 pounds during the first trimester, and by the time of the delivery (37 and 1/2 weeks), I put on 30 pounds altogether. When I left the hospital, 15 pounds were gone, and 6 more pounds were shed within a week. You can control the weight gain/loss by eating healthy and exercise adequately.
Dear ding ding, sounds awesome. I am aiming at 30lbs total gain too. Maybe I should sign up for a race. hm....Thanks for the inspiration!! I will have another blog post about my diet and then you can share with me what you think!!
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