Hello FitnessRx For Women readers!
Well, another week has passed, and things are moving along smoothly for the most part.
I’ve never really been one to get sick, I think between taking good care of myself and being lucky in the immune system department. The last time I called into work for being sick was probably six or seven years ago…till now. They say being pregnant can lower your immune system— and I believe it!
Recently I was struck with the flu or flu-like symptoms, and took 1.5 days off work to stay home and recover. I didn’t want to stay home because I’m trying to save all my PTO for when the baby is here in order to extend my maternity leave, but sometimes you really just need to listen to your body. I knew that I needed to recover, not just for myself, but for baby, too.
When you are pregnant, there are very few things you can take. I opted for Emergen-C, which is a fizzy powder you put in your water. I drank it for two days and was almost back to 100 percent.
Still Training
Lately, I’ve been opting for a bit more sleep rather than early mornings in the gym. After working out five to six days a week for a few years, (with breaks here and there), it feels good to be going to the gym three times a week. As baby and I grow, and he is taking up more and more of my energy, the sleep is just as necessary as staying active.
The past couple weeks I’ve switched up things in the gym, too. I’m doing circuits now, since I play my workouts by ear when my alarm clock goes off at 5:30 am … :) So circuits seem to make sense because I don’t feel like I’m missing a body part. I’m training with higher reps and lower weight, and then I finish with a good 20 or so minute incline walk on the treadmill. I try to keep it at about four MPH most the time, and get a nice burn in my glutes as I go. Catching the morning news or listening to my books on tape while I do this is a great way to start the day!
Baby Looks Good!
I had a doctor’s appointment today. I did not gain any weight in the last two weeks, and according to my chart I am up 22 pounds since my first visit. Even though the baby is supposed to be gaining half a pound a week (on average, you will find EVERYTHING is “on average” when you are pregnant), my midwife was not concerned one bit. The baby’s heartbeat is strong, his cord looks good, heart and brain look good, and at the last ultrasound we could see him doing his practice breathing. He is measuring within the normal range for his due date.
Aches and Pains
I’m still eating healthy with a few treats strewn into my week, and feeling good. I had a baby shower this weekend put on by my mom, aunt, cousin and best friend. We had lots of goodies, there, but also some healthy options! At seven weeks to go (tomorrow I am beginning week 34) the bigger belly is finally starting to get to me, though! I have a short torso, and because of this, my ribs are starting to protrude because my uterus is up under them with nowhere to grow. Getting a little rib pain, but nothing that is not bearable. Unlike some women in their third trimester, I am still able to sleep without too much discomfort. That could all change, though!
Last week my hips and low back started hurting, so I have finally taken to putting a pillow between my knees, and it’s helped. Now when I say hurting, it’s nothing extreme. (Similar to the general aches and pains you get after playing sports or skiing or doing an activity for the first time in a while.)
This link from the National Sleep Foundation explains sleep in the 3rd trimester, and provides some helpful tips for you if you’re finding you are having difficulty: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/hot-topics/sleeping-the-trimesters-3rd-trimester
Until next time!
