My fit pregnancy evolution

I’m 32 weeks and I just thought I’d share my experience so far. A tiny background on me, I’m 37, work full time, and have 2 sons, 16 and 6. Shooting for a VABC.

Luckily, I had a really good foundation coming into this pregnancy. Before pregnancy, I spent a few years focused on Pilates and Barre and then switched over to a program that is strength training focused. I have a dog that needs to be walked like 3 miles per day, so lots of “supplemental” walking and hiking between my gym regime.

Unsurprisingly (not my first rodeo), the first trimester had me absolutely destroyed. I was lucky enough to keep up my regular routine until around 6 weeks, then I was down for the count completely until 10 weeks. Weeks 10-14 I was able to get back into the gym 1 day per week and 2ish mile dog walks a few times per week.

Second trimester was better. I still struggled with nausea until 20 weeks or so but it was subdued enough where I could push through. Weeks 15-25, I was back in the gym about 2 days per week and my performance was up to par with my pre-pregnancy level. I was surprised at how easily I bounced back. Towards the end of the second trimester, I started shopping around for a prenatal Pilates, labor prep focused routine that I could add to my strength training routine.

At 27 weeks, the third trimester came in like a wrecking ball. All of a sudden, I was feeling absolutely terrible, notably after eating, but pretty consistently throughout the day. My SI joint pain reared its head, rendering me unable to walk even half a mile. Surprise, I also got diagnosed with gestational diabetes!

I really thought I was going to be able to keep up my new fitness regime, but I was not up for it. My body was telling me to slow down, which was very frustrating for a million reasons, but especially because I had to figure out how to control my GMD. When I first got diagnosed, it was puzzling because there weren’t a ton of “lifestyle” changes I could make to diet control my numbers. I was already eating well and exercising regularly. The only change I could make is to become more consistent and accurate with my macro counting, mainly to ensure I was getting enough carbs. Believe it or not 45g of healthy carbs per meal can be kind of annoying to incorporate. I also had to give up sweets, even the occasional l, which SUCKS.

Again, I had to think of a way to modify to stay active in the ways my body and baby could handle. I saw a DO that practices Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine for my SI joint and O.M.G. For about 5 days, it felt worse but after that, my SI joint pain has completely resolved. I certainly think her adjustments turned things around but I also think my years of barre and Pilates assisted with strengthening the muscles that support those pelvic joints.

For the rest of this pregnancy, I’m focused on managing my GMD, which includes insulin, strengthening my pelvic floor, working the tiny muscle groups responsible for supporting my joints and improving posture, and practicing stretches that make room for my baby to hopefully aid in optimal birth positioning. I do not sweat much. My heart rate does not get above 120. I am working out in a very specific, focused, intentional, quiet way. It’s a big shift from the high intensity work outs I prefer.

Don’t be afraid to evolve in pregnancy! You can learn new stuff and support your body effectively. It’s okay to say, I can’t do that anymore. It’s okay that things don’t go as planned.