When we formally announced my pregnancy with baby #2 I started to get questions if I was still going to do CrossFit while I was pregnant. A few people asked if it was safe to do, since CrossFit involves “such heavy lifting” and “intense workouts”, in their words. Just hearing these questions made me chuckle because I knew that these individuals were unfamiliar with CrossFit, and really didn’t follow any consistent exercise regimen themselves. But, on the flip side, the questions made me second-guess myself and what I was planning to do. Was it really safe? I have been doing CrossFit for almost two years, but should I continue it while I was pregnant?
Keenan took this picture of me on my iphone (pretty, right?) while doing a squat stretch prior to doing my WOD in our lovely (needs a lot of work) backyard this morning! He at least got part of me, ha!
After thinking about it some more and reflecting on my studies during my Personal Trainer and CrossFit Level One Certifications, I quickly snapped out of my doubting self and vowed to continue doing CrossFit throughout the entire 9 months, unless it is medically unsafe to continue. I worked out 4-5 days a week throughout my entire pregnancy with Keenan, even up to the day he was born. Those workouts included cardio, spin classes, strength training with free weights, and various group exercise classes. I always felt great and I only gained 27 pounds. My labor was much faster than I expected (a total of 6 hours from the time my water broke to when he was born) and my body felt strong and ready to handle the ultimate workout of my life–giving birth.
My old ways of working out were definitely different than CrossFit. I think the heaviest weight I squatted was 30 lbs and now I can squat 6 times that and I can clean my body weight (pre-pregnancy)! I’m certainly not going to rush out and try to reach my one rep max in these movements or push myself so hard during a workout that I feel like collapsing, as that would NOT be safe while pregnant. Right now, it is all about maintaining my fitness level and no longer focusing on intensity or time. I take breaks when I need to, watch my heart rate, make sure I get my breathing under control, and drink plenty of water before, during and after my workouts. I’m focusing on lifting 70% of my maximum weight, not shooting for any PR’s or one rep maximums until after the baby is born. My goal is to stay fit and healthy throughout these next several months and not worry about being the best or top athlete.
Fortunately there are lots of wonderful resources for doing CrossFit during pregnancy, and one that I especially love is CrossFit Mom. Andrea runs a wonderful site that features a WOD each day that has three levels of modifications: beginner, intermediate and advanced, as well as an outline of all the exercises that should be modified or avoided during the different trimesters. Once our garage gym is finished, I look forward to doing some of her WODs (since many involve more equipment than just my kettlebell, abmat and jump rope).
Since exercise is so much a part of my life as taking a shower or brushing my teeth, I could not NOT workout. It provides me with energy and makes me feel good about myself and with this pregnancy, I can use all the energy I can get! When I wasn’t working out during the move, I think I was actually more tired due to not being active, more than the move itself! Staying as fit as possible for the birth of baby #2 and doing everything I can to have a healthy baby, safe and speedy delivery is my number one goal throughout this pregnancy. After the birth, I hope all of the workouts during my pregnancy will help me get back into my pre-pregnancy shape much easier than if I didn’t do any activity. Staying active with Keenan certainly helped me to get back into shape after he was born, so I’m hoping it will be the same with this baby! We shall see!
Oh and before I forget, I was nominated by Circle of Moms for the Top 25 Norcal Mommy blogs! You can vote daily until August 13th by going here or clicking the badge below! Thanks so much!!
Questions:
If you have been pregnant, did you stay active throughout your pregnancy? If so, what type of activity did you do?
If you stayed active during your pregnancy, do you feel it helped you with your birth?
Have you ever worked out to exhaustion? If so, how do you push yourself past your comfort zone?
Good for you. Although I have yet to have a child I have always heard that it’s great to be in shape for an easier pregnancy and birth. I have also heard from multiple sources that it’s safe to keep exercising at the same intensity level as before you get pregnant. Unless of course you have something going on where a doctor tells you it’s unsafe.
I plan on keeping up my own exercise regime once we start our family as well. I am hoping that it will help with the pregnancy and birth. Plus I’m sure it makes it a lot easier to get back into shape after baby.
I have seen a pregnant (about 6-7 months along) woman in the Crossfit class before ours and she is a beast. She looks great and kills it harder than most of the class. My friend and I say she is our hero. It’s awesome.
Thanks, Tina! I believe staying as active as possible during pregnancy is the best thing a woman can do! It helps you and the baby, so why wouldn’t you not want to keep moving?
That is so awesome about the woman in your class! I love to hear stories of pregnant woman doing CrossFit!
Congrats on the nomination!
I just love your motivation and attitude toward this. Unfortunately, so many of the women I know who were pregnant used it as an excuse to lay low and even eat more. (Obviously everyone and every condition is different, but still, I’ve seen some pretty unhealthy habits.)
I, too, find that working out gives me more energy than when I’m unactive. I’d be the same way as you – I could not NOT exercise!
Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing how this goes! It sounds like you have a great mentality toward everything. 🙂
Thank you! There are lots of misconceptions out there on pregnancy and that expecting woman shouldn’t do much activity, especially lift anything or it will hurt the baby. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this! It is so frustrating and so untrue! Exercise only helps during pregnancy!
I’m definitely trying to stay as motivated as I can, despite feeling worn out on some days, but if I don’t stay active, I just don’t feel like myself! Thanks so much for your continued support! 🙂