My pregnancy workout routine and how I stay motivated

Ironically I’m writing this while lounging on the couch in my PJs, eating a second bowl of gluten free cornflakes and thinking about how tired I am from today’s walk.

Regardless of the irony, today I want to share with you my pregnancy workout routine.

Because this pregnancy has been SUPER different from my last.

And I am ACTUALLY working out this time.

Not that I didn’t first time around (you can see what I did HERE), but there were things I wish I did first time around when I had to squeeze my way into THIS wedding dress post-baby (p.s. planning a wedding for 10 months after baby is not the brightest of ideas…noting that a custom made dress needs measurements MONTHS before your wedding).

I thought maybe I would be a ‘lucky one’ and ‘magically’ lose baby weight and regain tone after having baby.

Boy was I wrong.  This time (second pregnancy) I am blessed (or cursed) with the knowledge of just how hard I worked to feel comfortable and myself after birth.

That’s the knowledge that drives me to squat EVERY DAY.

This time I am making a conscious effort to workout DURING pregnancy.

FYI

At the time this post goes live I will be 32 weeks pregnant and well and truly into my third trimester.  So far this pregnancy (and despite feeling like I have a huge belly) I have gained a total of 8 kilograms – meaning I am well within the recommended healthy weight gain for my starting weight and height.

(If you want to know a little more about my pregnancy, read THIS post or check out my latest YouTube video).

Let me start by sharing my pregnancy workout routine first time around:

Quit the gym (previously going 4-5 times per week including weight training).

Buy a treadmill.

Quit pilates (previously going once per week).

Use said treadmill for walking, occasionally, kind of.

Continue to walk outside 1-2 times per week.  Or waddle.  Whatever.

Give birth.

Realise I have NO TONE or muscle definition at all.

Start squatting.

Re-join a gym.

Go to said gym about 4 times.  Get bored and realise I have no time and it’s not practical.

Quit gym.

Discover home workouts and fall in love with them.  Work butt off (literally) for months.

Fit into said wedding dress.

My pregnancy workout routine (second time around):

Day before finding out pregnant – massive weights session with husband in our new home gym.

Slight freak out.

Research and consult with doctor.

Realise it’s okay, and actually encouraged, for women experiencing normal pregnancies to work out.

First trimester

Continue weighted home gym sessions but lower impact.

Continue walking (treadmill and outdoors) 2-3 times per week.

Second trimester

Drop the weights.  Continue with HIIT workouts (low intensity versions) 2-3 times per week.  I follow:

• Lucy on Youtube – her workouts are awesome, short and practical (even with a toddler);
• Booya online fitness studio – pregnancy workouts as well as adapted versions of barre, yoga and pilates.  Awesome!

Start squatting when brushing teeth (seriously, best use of time EVER).

Continue walking (treadmill and outdoors) 2-3 times per week.

Third trimester

Continue low impact HIIT workouts 1-2 times per week.

Continue squatting when brushing teeth.

Continue walking (waddling…whatever) 1-2 times per week.

The struggle is real though.

I’m not going to lie.

Some days I can’t be bothered.

How I stay motivated to workout during pregnancy

Some days I just want to sit on the couch all day (toddler, wouldn’t happen even if I tried) and watch KUWTK on repeat.  But every day I feel like that I remind myself of how hard I had to work after my first pregnancy.

And at that thought I at least throw in some squats for good measure.

My goal this pregnancy is to remain healthy.  And if that has the added trade-off of less time spent working out after birth then WINNING.

While the thought of having to work my butt off (literally) after giving birth motivates me to workout, it’s not what keeps me motivated on a day by day basis.  Instead, I use these tricks to stay motivated:

1. Schedule and routine.  It might seem boring and impractical but actually it’s the most practical tip ever.  Scheduling workouts makes them become a part of my day.  I noticed I always work out at the same time each day – either first thing in the morning or while my son’s dinner is cooking.
2. Working out at home.  I don’t have a gym membership anymore and honestly don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.  Plus, I have a toddler and a FIFO husband who primarily works away, so  leaving the house to workout becomes more challenging. There are so many simple and effective workouts I can do from home with some awesome online programs to follow.  My two favourites are the ones I mentioned above.  I tend to alternate depending on my mood.
3. Committing to 5 minutes.  5 minutes is like an ad break.  It’s nothing!  And once I’m going I usually continue to workout for longer.  And if I don’t, at least I’ve done 5 minutes of exercise.
4. Buying new shoes.  Aren’t shoes the best motivation EVER!  So this one isn’t a daily motivational habit or anything but I find that whenever I am lacking serious motivation some new shoes or active wear gets me pumped to workout again.
5. Just putting on active wear.  If I have my activewear on then chances are pretty high that I am going to feel motivated to actually work out.  Plus, when your pregnant activewear is SUPER COMFORTABLE.

Now let me remind you that while I am certified in the area of physical activity for health, I am not a physical activity expert, a pregnancy expert, nor do I know anything about you and your situation.  I am simply sharing my own journey and what I have found to work for me.  Basically – chat to your medical professional before changing up your routine while pregnant (or any time for that matter).

Did you/do you stay active during pregnancy?  What’s your favourite activity?