How much exercise is ok while pregnant? I'm 7 weeks, first OB appt in a week, and am really confused about exercise. I was doing hard workouts 3-4 days a week pre-pregnancy. I was starting to get into running and was finally starting to lose weight again. I've had a cold foe the last week so haven't worked out anyway. I'm ready to move! I want to run again but people tell me to take it easy and a lot of articles say to keep you heart rate under 120 or 130. That doesn't even feel like a workout to me! If I'm gonna exercise, I want to sweat! What workouts do you do during your pregnancy? I've already gained 7 lbs between the holiday season and being pregnant. I feel like a house already and have read that I shouldn't gain more than 15 the entire pregnancy. I feel like I need to workout!

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/exercise-during-pregnancy-myth-vs-fact

Here is an informative article on the subject.

My sister swam everyday. While you might be able to do really intense cardio now I don't see how you could run from the 6 month on.

I am 6 months now, but the first trimester I was just so tired I could barley get on with the day. Well now I am back, I can not run like I used to but I do do hard walks, or climbs as I call it 3 times a week. Then the other days I do normal 40 to 60 mins walks at lunch. I found that if I over do it I get pains, but my sister was a working out machine while pregnant she would come from the gym completley sweaty. You should check with your doctor but as long as you are not too tired or dehydrated you should be able to do what you did before...

I'm almost 15 weeks right now, and my doctor told me it's ok to continue my workouts (45 minutes, 4 or 5 times per week), but told me to keep my heart rate around 140 or less. I agree that sometimes i used to work out harder, but I still feel good about exercising at this rate. I usually do the elliptical, or walk and jog a bit on the treadmill. I do some weights, but the doc told me to go easy a bit with any of those that may pull or stress my tummy area.

I'll be 2 years banded next month. I'm worried about gaining too much, so I'm trying hard to keep up the exercise. With my son, I gained a lot of weight (several years pre-band of course!). So, i'm hoping that w/the band and exercise, I can keep my weight gain at a reasonable, managable amount. . .

I am 13 weeks. In December I started going to Zumba 4-6 days a week. I had an apt with my obgyn and she told me as long as I am doing the activity beforehand I can conitnue whatever that activity. So immediatly after the appt I joined the gym and a few weeks later a dance studio that offers 3-4 Zumba classes a day. I love it and my obgyn and midwives have encouraged me to continue just to bring down the intensity. The past few weeks i have been so tired but kept up with it regardless of yawning during the middle of songs. Last week I finally started to feel my energy coming back and I can't wait till tomorrow. I owe it to Zumba and of course my band that I haven't gain a pound. Also one of the instructors where I go recently had a baby and she continued to teach into her 6th-7th month. She even came to a class the night before her due date. It helps that I have someone I can go to and since I told the owner/main insturctor she keeps a little extra eye on me especially during Zumba Toning classes. I teach swimming lessons during the summer and can't wait to get into the pool...i'm really working hard to wait to gain my 10-15 pounds (as discussed with my obgyn, midwives and band doc) until my 3rd trimester and to keep it closer to 10.

I"m now 20 weeks, and still working out. I noticed I have a little less endurance in me- but i'm still determined to work out and keep my weight in check. I've gained around 10 lbs, and I'm holding steady for now. . .

I am a lot more tired, but I'm pushing myself to work out after work around 3-4 times per week. 30 minute workouts or so. My Dr said that during the 3rd trimester, i'll have to watch my heart rate more (and work out at a lower intensity)

I was always told to keep my heart rate under 140 and these days, I could do that easily whilst running, therefore, running, as long as its comfortable, should be OK. Its important not to get too hot, so dress in layers, and dont go out in the hot sun, stay well hydrated.

I think its important to listen to your body, that's the main thing. If it doesnt feel good, dont push yourself to do it and dont forget that over time, it will take a less intense session to bring you to the same heart rate - its pretty hard for your body to pump blood and oxygen efficiently during exercise with a huge obstacle in its abdomen! Walking might be enough in the latter stages, even for a fit person. There's absolutely no reason too why you cnat continue with strength training and that is unlikely to overheat you or push your heart rate too high.

Personally, I have found it easier to run and exercise vigorously right through radiation, chemotherapy and major abdominal surgery than I ever did whilst pregnant. I wasnt huge, didnt gain excessive weight but it just felt bad bad bad to do anything vigorous and I would suffer from severe dizzy spells, strong braxton hicks contractions, major sciatic pain and a very annoying urge to pee 75 million times in half an hour, lol. I did pretty much jack sh&t and I paid for it, whith gradual declining fitness and increasing weight over my years of childbearing. Maybe the vanilla slices and custard tarts had a bit more to do with it, but not getting any exercise didnt help.