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I’m an avid runner. And I do mean avid. Before I had the Baby it wasn’t uncommon for me to go for 10k runs up to five days a week. It’s just something I liked to do. And when I got pregnant I pretty much continued doing that. I listened to my body and the days that I felt too tired or not up to it, I cut runs short or skipped them altogether. And I also did P90X during my pregnancy – everything except the twists, which all the experts agree is not good for you. And the abs – ’cause once I have a big belly that just wasn’t going to happen! But I continued this exercise regime pretty much right up until I gave birth. And then at six weeks post-partum, when I got the medical ‘all-clear,’ I resumed my running regimen gradually starting from 20 minutes and working my way back up.
What frustrated me were the looks of disapproval I got from some people. The looks that said, “You’re endangering your baby by over exercising.” I got those looks from a wide-spectrum of people, and I always dismissed them. I told myself that my doctor and midwife didn’t have a problem with it, and my body seemed to want to continue it so why shouldn’t I? I’m pregnant, not sick.
Today I read this article about a woman who ran/walked a marathon and gave birth shortly after. She has become infamous, drawing critics from far and wide. We all have different bodies and different capabilities, and where one woman can run a marathon pregnant, another can’t, but as long as both women are healthy, what’s the big whoop? If you’re healthy and capable and smart, why shouldn’t you do it? I think what’s more dangerous is the pregnant woman who lays in bed for nine months and takes pregnancy as an excuse to not move and to eat everything in sight regardless of nutrition. But that’s just me.
These days I still run on the treadmill, but I pretty much run all day everyday….after Baby and Drake the Dog. What did you do during pregnancy? How did your body feel? What would you change if you were to do it again?
Liz @ The Blue Eyed Owl
November 30, 2011Running is my 2012 goal. I have always had a love/hate relationship with it. Hate doing it, love the results. We'll see how it goes.
I did tons a prenatal yoga and power walks when I was pregnant. I was actually in pretty good shape until the baby weight caught up with me in the last month. I lost my weight quickly though with walking and breastfeeding. I think women who don't work out during pregnancy endanger their baby more than women who do.
P.S. My husband is in the middle of P90X right now and I just told him you did it while preggo. It was highly motivating for him…lol.
Joanna
November 30, 2011That's awesome Liz. So many of my friends say that Yoga was the best thing ever while pregnant.
And awesome about you husband! Go P90X! I loved the plyometrics one. Haven't done it in a while, and it's making me want to start the workout regimen again…plus running. I'm addicted to that 😉
Not Hip Enough To Blog
December 1, 2011I totally agree. I plan on working out before, during and after pregnancy. Who gives a whoop is right! (I forgot about that expression and it's awesome.)
mama marchand
December 1, 2011I did nothing during my pregnancy and I was so sore by my third trimester. I'm hoping to lose A LOT of weight by the time we start trying for baby #2 and get fit so it doesn't happen again. I'd change everything – the (lack of) exercise, the food I ate, all of it.
Joanna
December 1, 2011Thanks so much for sharing. It's hard to say the things we would like to change, so i very much appreciate it!
Alicia Blogs
December 2, 2011I'm not running while pregnant (because I didn't really run pre-pregnancy and I hate it haha) but I do crossfit. I just scale it down so I'm able to do it. Even though I've been totally slacking, not because I'm scared to work out while I'm pregnant but because I'm a lazy bum ha ha.
Carolynn Markey
July 9, 2013Oh, this is so interesting! I really want to exercise more (I'm not pregnant) and I have friends who did and friends who didn't (those who didn't, really never exercised in the first place). Your amazing! I never knew you were this fitness minded!
The only thing that really peeves me is seeing an obviously pregnant women smoking. I won't say anything to the lady–because, I don't think it would help, obviously she knows what shes doing–but I will say a prayer for the baby and high tail it outta there so I don't have to watch. A lady at my work smoked all through her pregnancy! I know its her choice, but it still annoys me 😛
My friend JUST had a baby and one time we were getting coffee and my (still preggers) friend was told by a COMPLETE STRANGER to not get coffee because she was pregnant. Uh? Hah.
Joanna Haughton
July 10, 2013Thanks. Yup, I'm an avid fitness lover. My family shakes their head at me because I'm pretty much insane. I'll do 10k runs and then bike around the city for 2 hours and do martial arts class.
When I was teaching it was common for me to run 10k then teach/train for another 5 hours. So yeah, I love it.
I would totally say something to someone smoking during pregnancy. It's a PROVEN poison for your child, so yeah I would politely say something.
And it's been also proven that you can have 8 oz of coffee per day while pregnant and still not harm your child, so that complete stranger should totally butt out.
Anyway, thanks for commenting!