Exercise at Every Size

Today I’m sharing a little pregnancy fitness advice. I get that I am not the epidomy of #goalz or “in shape” at the moment. Nor is everyone who reads this post going to be pregnant.  But I do think this post can give everyone a little motivation at whatever stage of life you are currently in, or for nothing else a good belly laugh 🙂

In the above pictures I have just hit 6 months on the dot! And couldn’t be prouder to showoff my baby bump. I have been waiting for the day for it to start rounding out looking like I’m pregnant vs. I just had a big lunch.

Below I have shared posts from both this pregnancy and previous pregnancies. I still can’t believe this is my 4th baby /5th pregnancy!

Above I am 14 weeks pregnant. And in this post (see post here) I am sharing what I did for exercise when I was in my first trimester.

zumba (wear wrist weights that have finger holes preferably)

turbo jam (wear wrist weights)

Bob Harper (I do 20 mins beginner with 3 lb. weights, and I feel it every morning)

Tae Bo (wrist and ankle weights) *only wear ankle weights when doing stationary movements, never go running in them it will cause you shinsplints

Youtube (the 8 min abs, buns, arm, legs, and stretch, all while wearing wrist and ankle weights)

I am all about switching it up, working different muscles, and using light weights for sculpting. I do it after my kids fall asleep. I can no longer wake up before them and workout in the morning. I am personally more of a night owl so a night routine works best for me.

– See more at: http://birdalamode.com/category/exercise/#sthash.EPgBVHYs.dpuf

This is when I was 16 weeks pregnant with Briton (see post here)

When I am pregnant I am not trying to lose weight or hurt my baby, I am just trying to tone and feel good about myself as I face the ever increasing scale for the next 24 weeks. It’s all about raising those endorphins. I am just now starting to workout as I am starting to feel better, less vomiting is a plus, oh how I love the second trimester! For those of you who want some tight tummies for the summer and who are not pregnant enjoy and you have to tryout the abs as well. After I am done being pregnant, never do sit ups pregnant, you will RUIN your stomach, and your abs will split! I will be doing 8 min. Abs whenever I have a spare 8 mins. I swear by these workouts, and a lot of cardio and running to take off post pregnancy weight.

– See more at: http://birdalamode.com/category/exercise/page/8/#sthash.HB8oTRLu.dpuf

32 weeks pregnant with Briton (see post here)

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, split 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.

– See more at: http://birdalamode.com/destinationmaternityworkoutclothes/#sthash.oyvD4gqv.dpuf

28 weeks pregnant with Briton (see post here)

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 to focus on 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 🙂

– See more at: http://birdalamode.com/category/exercise/page/7/#sthash.4M4Ph1uQ.dpuf