I wish I could remember where I read this, but someone compared labor and delivery to an athletic event and the 9 months of pregnancy to the training period. Now if I was signed up to run a marathon in October 2013 instead of welcoming our first child, I would not expect to be successful if I didn't prepare and train my body for that type of endurance event. I would have a training regimen and would definitely have to follow it! So I'm choosing to train my body so that I can give us all a good run for our money on that special day in October when "we" become a "family of three." 

Why it's important to exercise while pregnant:*

*Excerpt from the Facts page of Crossfitmom.com

The plan:

3-4 times a week, I will do the beginner workout of the day (WOD) posted on the Crossfit Mom website. This website modifies the WOD that is posted on the main Crossfit website for pregnant women. It's an awesome resource. By doing these scaled Crossfit workouts, I know I will safely and quickly build up my strength.  Below was today's WOD. It seems simple, but I needed to take a little breather after round 2. Thrusters get your heart pumping!

In addition, 5-6 times a week, I will do a 30 minute prenatal yoga routine. I've been doing the following routine since the first trimester and I really love it. Not only is it free on YouTube, but I feel SO MUCH better after completing the session. You really don't realize how tight your muscles are until you fully stretch them out! Plus yoga is known to help with balance, circulation, and breathing techniques. All good stuff for the expectant mom!

I also plan to add in some walks at the nearby park's nature trail and some swimming now that it's getting warmer. I don't of course want to over do it, but I know I can definitely do more than what I'm doing now!

Today, I did successfully complete both the WOD and the yoga and I felt great. I had more focus during my working hours and just felt happy that I did something good for both me and baby. I do have to admit that my legs are already sore from all of the squats in the WOD and the yoga - but squats are such an important strength training exercise, so I'm going to keep doing them!

Any suggestions, comments, or thoughts from the experienced moms out there?

MY WORD, was this a tough workout. And I thought yesterday's was tough! It took me 11:09 (it takes Zuzana 9:55, so I wasn't THAT much slower!) but those 11 minutes were killer.

I almost quit after round one. 

I almost quit after round two. 

Once round three was over, I laid on the floor for 15 minutes, snapped the picture above and texted my husband to let him know that I might die. He told me that "wouldn't be a good thing" so I pulled through. 

Much to my surprise, the hardest parts of this workout were the hops and the broad jumps. Who knew that something so simple, could get your heart pounding?! For the thrusters, I used two 10 lb kettle bell plates (like these) and used one of the plates for the Russian twists. I've posted the video below if anyone else would like to try it. I did the warmup on my own, since she doesn't suggest one. I also couldn't gather enough energy to do the "surprise" exercise at the end. Maybe next time. 

 Note: If you can get past the "immovable enhancements" she really is an amazing athlete. I guess it makes the jumping easier :)

Did you give it a try? 

Post your time in a comment below!

I didn't get up early to workout as I had originally planned because it was thunderstorming and snuggling with Mark under the covers was so much more fun. But I knew I had to snap myself out of it.

I took this workout out of the Everyday Paleo book and performed it right around lunch time in the comfort of my at-home office. It only took me 14 minutes and 28 seconds, so I really can't give the excuse of not having enough time. I actually found myself to be much more productive at work after a boost of energy from the quick workout.

For the Knee to Elbows, I used the Iron Gym Pull-up Bar that hooks onto my door frame. I couldn't bring my knees all the way up, so it was more like Knee to Waist - better than nothing!

Earlier in the week, I raved about performing 4 REAL pushups. Well in just a few more days, I got better! For every round, I started out in standard pushup form and did as many as I could. I would then switch over to modified pushups to complete the full 10 for the round.

ROUND 1: 7 standard pushups, 3 modified

ROUND 2: 5 standard, 5 modified

ROUND 3: 5 standard, 5 modified

So technically, I did 17 real pushups this afternoon. WOOT! 

I then worked until about 5:45pm and headed to the gym for the 6:15pm spin class. It was heavy hill day, so my legs are still wobbly. I wore my heart rate monitor during the class so I was able to see that I burned 429 calories. Makes me feel accomplished! 

So after having a so-so fitness start to the week, I feel energized and ready to kick butt at the rest of my workouts this week! 

I don't just want to be thin, I want to be STRONG.

XOXO,

SMP

XOXO,

SMP