shoes (on sale!) / pants (a pea in the pod-beyond the bump) non maternity style (here) / two-tone tank top (a pea in the pod-vimmia) non maternity style (here) / zip up (a pea in the pod maternity-vimmia) non maternity style (here) / lips (nars velvet matte lipstick) / sunglasses (prada)

First off I want to say that it is extremely important to take care of yourself while working out when you are pregnant, when you’re not pregnant too, but so-o important when you are.

The most important thing is to listen to your body.

If you feel too hot, dizzy take a break and hydrate.

Always tell your instructor/trainer that you are pregnant and ask for modified versions of the workout.

Don’t EVER do crunches while pregnant. I can’t see it being good for baby, and also what it will do to your already stretched out stomach muscles is not good. Girls you can tear and unproperly train your stomachs muscles when you do crunches while pregnant. You will ruin your previous abs. The result if you do will be protruding abs.

Always stretch. The last thing you would want is to pull something leading to expensive massages and/or bed rest.

Hydrate and eat to make up for your workout.

Wear ultra supportive workout shoes when working out. I am a huge fan of light workout shoes, but not when I am pregnant, I need all the support I can get. {especially with this pregnancy I have experienced some sciatica}

I hope I haven’t scared you from working out, I just want to let you know of some things to be cautious of. And to weigh the pros and cons of certain exercises.

For example I usually run on the treadmill when I am not pregnant. When I am pregnant I take classes or use the treadmill at an incline while walking.

Non-pregnant readers I haven’t forgotten about you. Here is a non maternity workout outfit version of the one I am wearing.

turquoise tank (prism sport) / capris (prism sport) / athletic sandal (yosi samra) / sunglasses (prada) / tie around shirt (emoi-emoi)

Today I want to talk about working out. If you look at my third trimester body, obviously I am not the epitome of a super thin, toned workout guru. I want to first say that I struggle so hard to get motivated to workout when I know that I am not trying to lose weight and that when and if I workout I knowingly will probably eat more calories than I burned during my workout.

I also love playing with my kids. And sometimes use the excuse well we played basketball or tennis or something.

But there is something to be said about setting some personal time for yourself, and just focusing on your own personal workout.

What motivates me when I workout when pregnant is I tell myself it will help me lose weight faster after I have my baby, but most importantly it helps me with my mood.

I don’t know about all you other pregnant ladies out there, but it’s really hard for me to gain weight. Not in a I can’t sorta way, but in a I don’t want to show up to my Dr’s appointment because I dread the scale sorta way. It’s lame I know. For me this is the hardest part about being pregnant. Losing control over my body. As soon as I am pregnant I change my closet out fast. I am instantly in maternity pants and dresses and I hide all my “skinny” clothes. Trying to squeeze in them or being reminded of them is not good for my mood. I even take the batteries out of my scale. It is no longer a time for me it’s all about the baby.

So when I workout I feel like I am at least trying to maintain some sanity and I feel for the brief hour that I am normal Shannon. -minus the waddle 🙂