Friday 7 June 2013

Exercising while pregnant...

So I've never been a saint when it comes to eating extremely well and being an athlete with fitness and exercise but I make a fair go at it!

Obviously now being pregnant I've had to cut back (or completely cut out!) a lot of things I love doing at the gym I.E. running, mountain climbers and going significantly harder than what I'm doing now!
But hey I'm still making it there at least 3 times a week :-)

My lovely trainers at the gym I go to, Configure Express, conjured up an amazing new routine for me which is specialised to help my posture and my upper and lower body sculpted.
It's low impact....well kinda.
My body was sore the next day after the first go at it so it's quite effective!

Here's the whole workout for those that are (or aren't) pregnant and are trying to find a great workout to go by:

Warm up

20mins on the treadmill with intervals every 3mins I.E. speed walking with adjusting speed and also lifting the treadmill so it's like I'm walking up a hill every 3 mins too.

Glutes/Thighs

Swiss Ball Wall Squats
3 sets, 15 reps, body weight used





Glutes/Hamstrings

Swiss Ball Hip Raises
3 sets, 15 reps, body weight




Biceps

Swiss Ball Bicep Curls
3 sets, 15 reps, 10kgs



For this, both arms are lifting at the same time

Chest

Swiss Ball Flys
3 sets, 15 reps, 3kgs each





Legs/Core

Swiss Ball Knee Tucks
3 sets, 15 reps, body weight



This one is done lying on my back, similar to the hip raises.

Total Body Workout

Exertrack Circuit
2 rounds, 15 reps
10 press ups after each upper body
10 side lunges after each lower body



My gyms circuit is a little more spread out than this and looks similar and definitely doesn't have this many people on it at once!

Cardio

Cross Trainer
10mins, level 5, lower body setting
Bicycle
10mins, cardio setting



Cross Trainer

Glutes/Hips

Side leg lifts
2 sets, 20 reps - 10 of which are pulsing lifts (6 pulses each lift)




Cool down

10 min stretches of any choice
I included a Bikram Yoga 'Tree Pose' - it's great for blood circulation in legs and prevents varicose veins!
2 sets, 20 second holds



Tree Pose - my all time fave yoga pose

1L Bottle of water and of course a sweat towel is essential!

So that's it!
It's easier than it looks, although, I'm adjusting to the hip raises etc as my body shakes quite a bit but that changes as I keep it up.
I'm already starting to notice more definition in my arms and legs which is great!

Just a heads up, this workout is really designed for better posture and back relief.
As I do carry most of my weight in my lower body, this routine really does me wonders especially before heading to work where I'm climbing up ladders, bending, crouching and lifting plus being on my feet 99.8% of the time.

I would love to keep this up throughout my pregnancy and may even take up yoga again, watch this space...

How far along? 2months 1week

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained 1kg
 
Maternity clothes? Still nothing, but I'm looking into some beautiful maternity clothes already.

Stretch marks? None. I've started using Bio Oil.
 
Symptoms: 
I'm not as tired as I was and I have no more morning sickness ,YAY! My energy is back too which I'm rapt about.

Sleep: Sleep is good. I wake up at random hours of the morning sometimes which I found out is normal, it's preparing me for the late nights ahead :-)

Best moment this week: Getting a week off workout to chill out :-)


Have you told family and friends: Absolutely!

Miss Anything? A pint of Cider....sigh

Movement: Still no movement. Bubs is starting to move around this time though but obviously I can't feel it yet.

Food cravings: Grilled cheese sandwiches on whole grain bread with salad, capsicum and zucchini! The prego cravings will start in my second trimester.

Have you started to show yet: I have a little pudge which sometimes expands. Found out it's just gas and water retention at the moment.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy happy and sometimes stroppy. Finding my patience for taking a lot of crap on is declining lol.

Exercising? Yes. As per this post :D

Baby is a: Still don't know and wont know till my 18week scan.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Looking forward to: Hearing from the midwife I emailed from this cool midwife website here. You get to see profiles of you're potential caregiver and qualifications they possess and what they specialise in. And seeing my mumma! She's got me some beautiful babies clothes already :-)


XOXOX