I know you are probably thinking, why is that challenging if you are feeling great?? Well, when it comes to exercise during pregnancy it’s not really okay to push your body to exhaustion with workouts or even daily activities. I have to remind myself some days that I’m pregnant and to SLOW down. Other days I really feel pregnant and don’t need the reminder but I have to constantly keep that thought in the back of my head. I’m sure in a couple of weeks I won’t have to EVER remind myself, but for right now I’ll enjoy feeling normal!

With that being said, this past Saturday I chose to do a workout at the gym that can really be done by anyone (not just pregnant ladies).

This workout incorporated both upper & lower body and I found my heart rate to be in a good range the whole time. During pregnancy it’s important to listen to your body so I rested when I needed to and drank water throughout this 30 minute workout. I also took a bathroom break. Yes, I have a weaker bladder these days.

Anyways, here’s the workout:

Warm Up

10 minutes of light cardio (I chose the elliptical) walking, biking or jogging is great too!

Krazy Kettlebell Circuit

Kettlebell Swings

Kettlebell Squat to Upright Row

Kettlebell Lunge to Row

Complete each exercise for 30 seconds, repeat circuit 5-7x (rest 30-60 seconds in between each round)

Cool down 

Perform some light stretching or walking for 5-10 minutes

(20 weeks Pregnant)

I completed 5 rounds of the above circuit and my rest times got longer as each round passed. I used both a 20 & 25lb kettlebell for this circuit and while I felt I could do more weight I didn’t push it!

For Demonstrations of some of these exercises check out the links below.

Kettlebell Swing

Kettlebell Squat to Upright Row

**Please check with your Doctor or Physician before beginning a new workout program**

A lot of my clients and members at the gym keep asking me how I am feeling and how long I plan on working.. my answer is I feel great, and I am planning to work up until my due date! (pending no issues!) Staying active has kept me energized and I love the endorphins after my workouts. I haven’t really had cravings or mood swings and I owe it to exercise & healthy eating!

Here’s what’s been going on…

6 MONTHS or 27 Weeks

THE BABY IS the size of a head of CAULIFLOWER 14 1/2 inches long,  Weighing around 2 1/4lbs

WEIGHT GAINED:  up 16lbs

GENDER: It’s a girl!!!

3 months left!

WORKOUTS: 

TUESDAY OFF/REST Day. home with migraine (taught 1 hour boot camp class)

WEDNESDAY 1/2 hour walk plus 1 hour boot camp class.. participated in 1/2 the class

THURSDAY Strength day, 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

FRIDAY 30-minute walk with cooper (OFF DAY)

SATURDAY Strength day, filmed GROUP POWER !!! 1 hour of power

SUNDAY 5k walk in Fairfield

MONDAY 30 cardio (elliptical & bike), 1 hr senior fitness class (so fun!) and of course daily walks with Cooper

FOOD AVERSIONS: Still mexican, I don’t even like salsa!

FOOD CRAVINGS: Nothing that has literally drove me to the store, but I like pumpkin still (pumpkin bran muffins, pumpkin coffee) I also still LOVE breakfast, my staple is a veggie scramble with some whole grain toast. I can’t live without fruit either.

SLEEP: I have been sleeping great. I think my workouts helped tire me out. I wake up a little earlier but I can’t complain!

MATERNITY CLOTHES: Still wearing the stuff I recently bought, my maternity t-shirts are definitely more snug and shaping my belly nicely.

STRETCH MARKS: None and I’m hoping that doesn’t change.

DO I MISS ANYTHING: I miss laying on my belly, I can do it for a short period of time but it is definitely not comfortable anymore! I also miss having a variety in my wardrobe.  My clothing items are limited!

MOVEMENT: Baby G is active as usual. Generally at night when I finally sit down and relax, but she surprises me during the beginning of my workouts and training clients now too with a little flip here and there.

BABY ITEMS PURCHASED: None.. but Marc put together our dresser so the baby’s room is really coming together!

WEDDING RINGS ON or OFF: ON

BELLY BUTTON IN or OUT:  still in… but looks like its changing a bit on me.

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO: my rhode island baby shower with marc’s family on the first weekend in October. I am also looking forward to the fall weather. We got a taste of it this weekend and I loved being active outside!

On another note.. I am 26 weeks pregnant. Time is flying and for the most part I am feeling great. My energy has been good and lets keep our fingers crossed it stays that way for a lot longer. My workouts have been pretty solid, and although I miss my intense boot camp circuits I am doing what my body can handle.

Below is my 26 week update… please excuse the pictures. It isn’t easy to take self pregnancy portraits and give you a good angle of my belly. I swear these pictures are making my belly look a lot smaller!

26 Weeks

THE BABY IS the size of a head of lettuce, Weighing about 2 lbs

WEIGHT GAINED:  my weight has been fluctuating but for the most part overall it stayed the same the last 4 weeks, up 15.5 lbs

GENDER: It’s a girl!!!

26 weeks!

WORKOUTS: 

I took a few days off this week since we traveled to Rhode Island, and I also had some Round Ligament pain so I wanted to avoid lifting this past weekend.

THURSDAY 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

FRIDAY 30-minute walk with cooper (OFF DAY)

SATURDAY OFF DAY

SUNDAY 30-minute walk 

MONDAY 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

TUESDAY 30 minutes cardio

WEDNESDAY 20 minutes light cardio, 1/2 hr practice session for Group Power

belly shot..

SYMPTOMS: I have been feeling great up until this past Sunday, I had round ligament pain in my lower abdomen. This made me lay on the couch for a while sunday morning but after it went away I felt much better until I was hit with a massive 2 day migraine. It was not fun! I tried everything to cure it! Drinking lots of water, salt, tylenol and rest. To wake up with a migraine in the morning it the worst not to mention I have never had one before. Luckily I have a doctor appointment today to figure out if there’s anything else I should do!  I found that a little neck and head massage REALLY helped. Make note of that.. it definitely relieves tension and took a lot of pressure off my throbbing head.

FOOD AVERSIONS: None this past week!

FOOD CRAVINGS: Besides really enjoying some flavors like pumpkin, I haven’t had any specific cravings. I love fruit because it’s hydrating and sweet and I am really liking tasty sandwiches at lunch time.

SLEEP: Sleep has been okay, I am definitely not waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, but I do wake up tired.

MATERNITY CLOTHES: BUMMER no new clothes this week. With my baby shower in a few weeks I am going to start to look for a cute dress to wear!

STRETCH MARKS: None!

DO I MISS ANYTHING: Over the past week I have noticed my ab work is getting much more difficult so I can imagine next month it will feel ever harder. I know how important it is to keep your abs strong during pregnancy so it’s definitely motivating me to keep up with my planks/pushups.

MOVEMENT:  my little kickboxer has a couple new moves up her sleeve. She seems to be pedaling on my stomach once a day. It doesn’t last long but it is definitely startling and feels weird! I did feel like there was a foot or arm n my rib cage the other day too.

BABY ITEMS PURCHASED: We received some bath toys and a bath tub for the baby this week. It got me so excited!

WEDDING RINGS ON or OFF: ON

BELLY BUTTON IN or OUT: my belly button is still IN but it definitely looks different.. when will it pop? or will it stay in there?

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO: My doctor appointment today! I can’t wait to hear the heartbeat. This weekend I am recording my Group Power video so I will be prepping all week for that. My goal is to put together the baby dresser with Marc too. Although he will probably end up doing most of the work!

THE BABY IS the size of an ACORN SQUASH, Weighing 1.7-2 LB

WEIGHT GAINED:  gained 0.4lb this week, up about 14 1/2 lbs

GENDER: It’s a girl!!!

25 weeks

WORKOUTS: 

My workouts have been awesome! This past week was all about the strength training sessions. Walking was my only form of cardio this past week, which actually felt kinda nice for a change! I am hoping this next week to do more cardio and less strength training.

THURSDAY 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

FRIDAY 30-minute walk with cooper (OFF DAY)

SATURDAY 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

SUNDAY 30-minute walk with cooper (OFF DAY)

MONDAY 1-hour Group Power strength training practice workout

TUESDAY Taught 1 hour boot camp class

WEDNESDAY 20 minutes light cardio, 1/2 practice session for Group Power

SYMPTOMS: I was a little more tired this past weekend, but I think that was from my workouts and also from being so productive around the house. HEARTBURN, only once and it is from my attempt to eat mexican flavored chicken tacos. I immediately stopped once I had pain in my chest.

25 weeks and 2 days, belly is growing!

25 weeks + 2 da

FOOD AVERSIONS: Mexican food/flavors. I cooked up some ground chicken tacos… Couldn’t eat them! I attempted to eat 1/2 taco and it just made me feel sick. I stuck with some rice and cheese instead!

FOOD CRAVINGS: I had an awesome craving this weekend… PUMPKIN! It didn’t really matter what form of pumpkin it was but I wanted it. Pumpkin coffee, homemade healthy pumpkin cookies, Kashi Pumpkin spice granola bars! I can’t get enough. Think I am ready for fall??

SLEEP: Sleep has been great. I sleep a solid 7 hours + each night.

MATERNITY CLOTHES: I bought another maternity dress, it is dark red and I can’t wait to wear it.

STRETCH MARKS: None!

DO I MISS ANYTHING: not really, maybe box jumps? JK

MOVEMENT:  This girl is a mover, but I like it. Except when I want to go to sleep.

BABY ITEMS PURCHASED: We purchased a dresser this past weekend. The baby’s room is starting to come together!

WEDDING RINGS ON or OFF: ON

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO: Filming my group power workout! I am also looking forward to the fall, not just because of the pumpkin recipes but also for the slightly breezier weather!

Every fitness level is different, especially during pregnancy. I am fortunate enough to keep up with most of the workouts I was doing before becoming pregnant.  This is one of the workouts that has been a go to whenever I have 20 minutes. I have used it in both the 1st and 2nd trimesters. I listen to my body and take rest as needed and make sure not to push myself to complete exhaustion.

This workout can be challenging for anyone! To progress it, turn the squats into squat jumps… choose heavier weights on the dead-lifts, or add 10 minutes on to the allotted time. To make it easier don’t perform a deep squat, take your pushups down to your knees, choose lighter weights for the dead-lifts, and on the burpees step back with one foot at a time instead of two!!

20 minute Full Body Prenatal Workout

Put a timer on for 20 minutes, and complete as many rounds as possible of the circuit below

30 squats

20 pushups (can be modified to the knees)

15 dead-lifts 20lbs

10 burpees

1 minute rest and repeat

If you want more of a cardio challenge, see how many rounds you can complete before stopping for water and rest.