Can I do my leg pilates video 25w pregnant?

[sweetangel7]

I bought a Denise Austin dvd for pregnant aerobics but I just don't feel like I am getting enough out of it, my legs seem like they are getting really out of shape/untoned...I was doing pilates pre-pregnancy but gave it all up during my first trimester because of all the ab/core moves.  I do have a video that is just legs/hips/buns...It does involve some laying on the floor on your back...What do you ladies think?  My doctor told me I could exercise.

Thanks!

[Whitneylauren]

Mumita-
Oh my goodness I cannot say enough good things about Bikram. It changed my life- and made my post pregnancy body look amazing :) Try it for a great post partum workout.... it is hard in at first, but totally worth it. After I had my first I started and went from a 6 to a 2 within a month!

[Mumita]

That is hillarious, it must be a really ugly color to have you crying uncontrollably. I'd probably cry too if my MIL painted my walls I know I wouldn't like it.  Hormones are a very powerful drug, I cry at commercials and I am not a sensitive person.

Anyway Whitneylauren- I was going to start on Bikram Yoga right before I found out I was pregnant and then well, I coudln't because just a hot shower would make me dizzy so I haven't been doing much in the first trimester.  I will definitely start doing something because I really don't want to loose my figure too much.

[Whitneylauren]

Before I got pregnant I had been doing Bikram Yoga daily- I so am normally used to an intense daily workout (I have been going for 5 years). Because of the high heat (110 degrees for 90 minutes) I stopped when we found out. Then I started jogging on the treadmill for an hour a day, but once I hit my third trimester I started getting really strong contractions while I was jogging. So, after speaking to a nurse friend of ours, I discovered that once you start your third trimester you should not be running- it is too much for your body, bladder, kidneys etc. Instead, put the treadmill and the steepest incline and a speed of 3.5 mph for 30 minutes. That will get your heart rate up to a safe number (no more than 140 after 3rd trimester) and still give you a workout. I still do that and a Leisa Hart pregnancy workout video now. Congrats to you for trying to stay fit during your pregnancy!  Just remember not to push it if you don't feel like it.....

[sweetangel7]

Rowing should be fine...I think, as long as you are in good posture etc.  

I'm glad to hear that other people are trying to stay fit...I feel guilty for wanting to be fit during pregnancy...I've felt guilty about a lot lately actually...it must be hormones!  I cried last night uncontrollably (which is soo uncharacteristic of me) because I didn't like the color that we chose for the living room and wanted the living room repainted but I can't do it myself (my mother in law painted it for me and did an AWESOME job) and I feel like I can't do much for myself any more and I felt so guilty that everyone is doing things for me...I'm just not used to it!  DH thought I'd lost it lol  He was like there is nothing to be upset about and everyone loves you and the baby and they want to help...Anyways...sorry for the vent!

[Mumita]

I have a rowing machine at home...that should be ok right? at least it will help tighten my growing boobs!  
I haven't worked out in more than 3 months...its going to be painful at first...One more week of lazyness!!!! :)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

My doc told me once that you could do what your body was already used to.  BUT, make sure not to do anything having to do with your tummy unless it is on a pregnancy video.  You have to be very careful with that.  Just don't over exert yourself.  If you feel tired or dizzy or anything, stop and take a break.  I think the important thing, is to listen to your body.

With my last pregnancy, once I got to the 2nd trimester, I would walk on my treadmill for 20 to 30 minutes about 4 to 5 days a week.  I was too sick my first trimester.  I thought it would help me not gain as much weight and/or help me to lose my baby weight quicker after my baby was born.  For me, it didn't work that time :(  But it was also my 5th baby and I'm sure that had something to do with it.  I plan on doing it this time too.  I mean it can't hurt anything right??

[Mumita]

That's exactly my plan...I have one more week left of this lazyness....I'm thinking maybe going back to yoga or just starting out by walking on the treadmill.  I do feel like I'm getting my energy back and so far I've had no complications.
do you have exercise videos that you like?  But I haven't thought much about what exercises to do...Do you think spin class is ok?

[sweetangel7]

I have an eliptical but my batteries are dead right now and I have not gotten new ones yet...it takes like those massive ones...I'm not even sure how to get the batteries out....I'll have ask DH to get on that!  

I definitely feel like my legs are getting chunkier...and I don't care for it lol  I actually did the third trimester strength training video after my aerobics this a.m. because I am having a snow day (no work...I'm a teacher) so I had some time to experiment...there were actually a lot more squats and leg raises than had been in the 1st and 2nd trimester strength training video.  

I think maybe I'll just try to commit to doing the aerobics and the strength video both and that might help me feel more 'in shape'.   I think I can even do the aerobics in the a.m. and do the strength in the p.m. every other night and do a little on the elipitcal on the other nights.  

I didn't exercise for my first trimester because I just wanted to take it easy and make sure everything was okay.  Then I started around week 12 but at week 18 I was told to stop until week 23 when they did a follow up ultrasound that showed my placenta was not low anymore.  I'm 25 w now and for the last 2 w I've just been kind of lazy...but I know exercise is good for me and the baby so I want to get back into a routine!

[Mumita]

I think as long as you don't pull a muscle you're fine.  I need to start exercising too :(
Do you have access to an eliptical machine or a treadmill?  I think that once I'm past my 12 weeks I will start going to the gym again.  Also maybe step workout? Or strength training on your legs, so you don't do much cardio just leg presses and squats with weights, etc. My legs have become two big blobs too and I've always been pretty skinny, Its kinda embarrasing.