18 weeks pregnant (1st time) and have always been an active/fit person workingout 5x/wk cardio/treadmill and some weight lifting. I've toned down my workout routine since I found out I'm preg as I got 2 v diff advice from the NP I first saw then the OB/GYN herself. NP warned of exercising as this should not be my priority now (which I agree) he warned from any running/or weight lift (were talking 40-70 lbs). Ob was so flexible about it and said I can maintain my routine as long as not exhausted.

So the heavy lifting (40-70 lbs) is off limits, and you’ll also want to be careful about certain ab exercises. But I did a lot of lighter weight lifting, preggo HIIT class, and cycling during pregnancy literally through 39 weeks with the blessing of my OB and PT. I also ran regularly until 32 weeks, when the pelvic pain started killing me. Recommend Fit Pregnancy Club’s online video archive. I stayed very fit while pregnant, didn’t gain that much weight, and bounced back to a semi-normal workout routine by 3M pp. Don’t let old fashioned medical advice that doesn’t have evidence behind it hold you back!

Definitely keep going! Avoid overheating, drink lots of water, and don’t overdo it. Listen to your body. I also recommend some sort of heart rate monitor to keep yourself in check. If it stresses you too much, take it easy. This isn’t the time to maintain physique - it’s about staying healthy for baby. Not medical advice but personal opinion that working out helps prepare for labor. There are lots of helpful resources on adjusting for pregnancy (no abs or deep twisting, kegels and pelvic stretching can help). Towards the end I think walking and light stretching is very helpful!

Emily Oster talks about this a bit in her pregnancy book, and that also pointed to the literature on this, which I read myself. I was satisfied that the issues with physical activity in pregnancy did not relate to me or what I was doing. As I recall, those were: women in occupations where they're on their feet all day, your body getting very hot/exerted early in pregnancy, and activities with risks of falling or hitting your belly. You can also cause diastasis recti, but that's an issue for you, not the baby, and that's something where you could make substitutes, not cut out an entire category of exercise. I lifted heavy as long as it was comfortable, which was well into my third trimester, and I had the easiest labor ever - and much easier then my second time, where I'd been much less active.

Check out “sarahfit” on Instagram. She has terrific pregnancy/post partum tips…Often targeted to diasis recti (sp? I didn’t have it :). ). She was fitness influencer pre kids and now this is a big part of her content.

One other thing to consider about heavy lifting is the relaxin, which loosens your joints and makes them at a higher risk of injury. But again I would think if you stay within your normal ability, don’t try to PR or anything, and pay attention to how stable your joints feel, it’s probably better to keep with your healthy routines!

Maintaining your routines should be fine. You don’t want to increase intensity , but the “rules” are usually so you don’t over exert yourself — continue to do what your body is for for and capable of doing. I’m pregnant with my second; both pregnancies I continued my routines , and added some stretching and body weight exercises specifically for labor prep. But with my first, I continued to do daily spin classes + yoga / light training until about 36 weeks. Slowed down quite a bit towards the end, but kept moving. I know this is a touchy subject with a lot of different advice (and a lot of predatory products on the market, IMO) but if you can find a trainer or someone who specializes in and is certified in prenatal exercise, they would be a great resource

My understanding is that as a general rule you can continue with your exercise routine but starting something new is not recommended. Before getting pregnant, I exercised 7 days a week - mostly weightlifting, HIIT and LISS. I’ve talked to multiple OBGYN’s about my exercise routine and none were concerned. The only advise I received was not overdoing it and to listen to my own body. Also, ab exercise is okay until the 3rd trimester. I worked out until the day I went into labor and my baby is as healthy as she can be. I had a c section and started light workout again by week 3. This is just my experience and I’m obviously no doctor. Just want to share that!

35 makes me laugh. I was 43 but doctor literally never mentioned it …in my hcol city that age isn’t unusual…understanding it’s over thr “35” I can understand need to manage/down heavy lifting and cardio. But still keeping up flexibility and strength is key to recovery and new momming. Regardless of how fast or slow you lose extra weight. It’s like two different things that might be related.

I maintained my workouts during both of my pregnancies…running, yoga, cycling 💪🏼

You can 1000% should keep up the cardio and lifting. The heart rate rule has been debunked Bc your heart rate is higher at baseline during pregnancy due to extra blood. There are so many examples of Olympic athletes competing in the Olympics while pregnant, not saying that youre comparable to that but it’s certainly realistic to continue to run or power walk well into your third trimester. I did Orange Theory and RAN at 8.0-8.5 mph the day before I went into labor. Gained 27 lbs during pregnancy and had a pretty easy recovery. Listen to your body but don’t think of pregnancy as a disability. You can still get a sweat on

Word limit here 😅 but I would love to hear further opinions or any experience/advice you've had when u were pregnant.

It's hard to say without your medical chart. I to was healthy and fit at 32, then noticed some bleeding at 9 weeks and turns out it was a hematoma (blood clot) that was like an inch or two, between placenta and uterine wall. Full bed rest for first trimester. I had a previous miscarriage in the past at 8 weeks, so whole family freaked out and made me rest. Brought me food, water, everything. Played cards, watched movies and whatever to entertain me. Luckily winter time so it wasn't impossible to stay home. Continued with just walking and some stretches for rest of pregnancy. Healthy chubby baby now. Its best to do light things, though some moms have an iron uterus, you'll just never know. Walk a lot (2-3 miles each time), twice a day if possible. Yoga, stretch, etc. I used to do some Orange Theory, Peloton or Bikram Yoga weekly before pregnancy.

My OB is also similar to what many have said here, do whatever you were doing pre-pregnancy (which includes Orange Theory and running), with moderation and common sense. The best concrete advice he gave was to keep my HR below 150, so that's a measurable number I watch while working out and feel comfortable knowing I stick to that