Hi everyone,

I recently did a segment w/Fox 9 News and Northstar Home Fitness and you can view it by visiting my website and clicking on the link on the home page.  My website is www.abettermefitness.com (just in case you did not access this blog via my website). 

I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to help with that segment and truly enjoy training pre and post-natal clients.  It is so rewarding and I have had many come back post baby and tell me how much working with me helped them w/labor and recovery afterward.  I now am hoping my skills will work for me. 

So, today I thought I would relay a little about my own experience and how exercise has helped me.  First of all, the first trimester can be very difficult.  Many have had worse then me, however, the word tired is an understatement during this time frame.  EXHAUSTED is a much better description of how you feel.   I was able to exercise during this period and it often helped to re-energize me.  More then that it helped me emotionally because being that tired is depressing.  You feel terrible that you cannot manage to keep up with daily activities and lack the energy to complete mundane tasks.  Somehow..you find a way.  God Bless working women and those who already have children.  I don't know how they do it...you find a way I guess. 

I also had non-stop heartburn for about three weeks from week 7-10 (and this was also my most tired).  Sleeping was difficult and exercise was uncomfortable at times.   I slowed my intensity and even took almost a complete week off during this week.  Walking and very light strength training was all I could muster and usually I felt energized for a period afterward and it was a great time to experience and truly notice how my body was feeling.  I could not believe how soon you can begin to feel some pulling in the abdominal area.  

Just as I was beginning to feel less tired around week 14 (second trimester)the headaches kicked in.  I normally do not get many headaches but this had become a daily occurrence and although, they were not migraines (thank god)..they tired me out.  I tried to jog here and there but when the headaches came I had to walk or they were worse.  I avoided the heat as that also made them worse.  I began acupuncture and increased my protein intake and luckily now at week 17 they are gone and I feel like myself again.  

So, I am hoping for at least a few good months.  As far as exercise goes now I have all of the energy I need to complete great workouts.  However, there a few things that are different.  One, I cannot work at my pre-pregnancy intensity.  I have cut that way back and am doing longer more moderate workouts now.  I no longer lye on my back to perform any exercises or stretches and am going to try my first pre-natal yoga class tomorrow.  I also do not perform any crunch type exercises and instead use planks, push-ups and standing ab work, pelvic tilts and of course kegals for my ab work.  I can definitely feel pulling in my core muscles during push-ups and planks and have modified the intensity of both of these exercises.  Lastly, I would love to jog again as I am feeling great but, I have one little problem and that is I feel as if I am going to pee my pants every time I try running.  This scares me a little and reminds to kegal, kegal, kegal!!! 

Well, I hope that this helpful to all whom are pregnant, hope to become pregnant, and entertaining to the rest of you.  I know every women's experience is a little bit different and want everyone to remember, pregnant or not, to always listen to your body and do what feels right that day.  Now, I must go and use the restroom as this is a very frequent stop for me these days...I guess I will keep on kegalling!!