Pregnancy Workout 2nd Trimester

OUTFIT DETAILS

TOP: Fiber Activewear (Similar below) | CAPRIS: Onsie Hot Yoga Sun Ray (Similar below) | SHOES: Asics Gel Blur-33 (Similar below)

 

From the beginning it has been made clear to me that staying active while pregnant is very important. I am not going to lie, I was a little bummed to hear this. I wanted to take full advantage of being pregnant by laying low and  frankly by being lazy! The truth is that it is not healthy for myself or for the baby to just completely throw all exercise out the window, and the more I learned about that the easier it was for me to get my butt up and get in a pregnancy workout each day.

The first trimester was a rough one for me, and not everyone is the same during pregnancy. I suffered extreme fatigue and bad morning sickness (more like all day sickness, and all night!), so aside from some simple chores around the house or brief walks to the mailbox, I did not exercise much in the first trimester. I slept most of the time. By the time my 2nd trimester started however, my energy had returned and I wasn’t feeling sick all the time so I was able to start a simple workout routine everyday.

This is what I try to do every single day. I do not always get in a pregnancy workout but I strive to do something each day if I can. Some days I am just plain too tired, and on those days I listen to my body and I rest. It is very important to stay active during pregnancy to keep your muscles strong, to prepare your body for labor and delivery, and for the health of your baby. You never want to over exert yourself and it is super important that you discuss any activity with your doctor first before doing anything. I asked my doctor what he recommended for me before I started doing any routine at all.

ELLIPTICAL

In manual mode, level 7 or 8: 30-40 minutes

Walking is HUGE with pregnancy and you will see it and hear it everywhere, that walking is your  best friend. I live in Las Vegas and being in the desert it gets very hot, as I am sure you all know. I happen to have an elliptical at home so I use that instead of walking outside. You can use an elliptical at a gym if you do not have one yourself. Personally if the weather was cooler where I lived I would walk outside instead and I plan too once the weather cools off this fall/winter some more! This past week or so the temp has dropped a bit, and I may even try a walk later today…

WEIGHTS

3 or 5 pound weights: 20 reps for each move, 3 sets each

In my pregnancy workout routine I start with bicep curls, then go to shoulder press, and finish with tricep lift. I like lifting weights to keep my arms in shape because that is an area where fat likes to build on my body quickly. I will do these either standing on one foot and alternating feet to help tone my core, on my knees with my back slightly tilted to tone my thighs, or in a squat.

STRETCHING

I finish with stretching while standing on a mini trampoline.

I stand on the trampoline to help my body practice balance, and to help strengthen my core. This is very important to me because I want to have strength during labor and delivery. Stretching is also vital to my being able to sleep at night. The further along in my pregnancy the more strained my back and legs get. I need to stretch them out everyday in order to get relief.

EXERCISE BALL

As needed.

I use an exercise ball to simply sit on and for hip circles to the right and left when I need lower back relief. I have read that an exercise ball can also be used during labor to help move the process along and to provide relief. Seriously…if you are pregnant and you have constant lower back pain, go out and buy an exercise ball right now! The moment I sit on it I get relief, it is a miracle! You can find them pretty much anywhere and they are quite affordable.

Love you guys! XOXO

P.S. I promise to post an updated workout routine after this baby is born!