Being Pregnant and Working Out

If you know the hubs and I, you know we basically live in the gym at night. We even met at the gym! During our first conversation I asked him, "So, are you training for something?" He replied, "No. It's just a lifestyle." The heavens opened up, the light shone down, and the angels started singing... Oh wait. But seriously - that worked out well perfectly for both us. Normally, we spend about 1-2 hours in the gym each night. We lift weights and do cardio 5-6 days out of the week. It's our thing. The gym to us is like our 2nd home. Literally. Health, nutrition, and fitness are a huge part of our lives. Hence the "Healthy Lifestyle" tab at the top.

Workin' on our fitness with the sweet headband Sister and Brother gave Brad. HA!

 Obviously, some of that changed (at least for me) when I got pregnant. Because of more than one reason, the Doc told me I shouldn't work out. I was allowed to walk...on the treadmill...at a "slower" speed and an incline. Bo-ring...at least for me! I'm used to more of a hard core/body building type of workout.

Anyways, so now I'm pregnant and couldn't work out for the entire 1st Trimester! Once I hit 12 weeks and we knew everything was safe, the Doc cleared me to start working out again. I had to ease myself back into it because it had been 3 months since I had lifted. At 16 weeks, the Doc told me I was "all clear" and could get back to my normal gym routines and lifestyle. Finally!!! The hubs even looked at the Doc and said, "You just made her day. Seriously, you have no idea." Ha, he knows me well! The huge grin on my face might have given it away.

So, now I'm back. Back in the gym. Back to lifting weights. Back to running (intervals). Back to feeling like ME! Back in my comfort zone. I love it. There is nothing like getting to the gym after a long day, sweating out stress, and getting that workout "high." Don't worry, I am modifying my workouts for pregnancy. There are some lifts I just can't and shouldn't do. I can't lift as much weight as I used to as well. I'm working out to stay healthy and fit and because I love it, but I'm doing it safely.

Why do I believe and love working out so much? Here are a few things I believe (and would never "push" on someone else or "judge" them for their different opinions. I believe these things. Not everyone does! and that's perfectly okay.)
I believe...

• ...that God gave me one body and I should be taking care of it to the best of my ability. This includes fitness and healthy eating.
• ...that my husband and I have a stronger relationship because we have something that we both love and believe in - health and fitness. We go to the gym and work out together, as a couple!
• ...that as a soon-to-be mother, I need to be providing my baby with healthy, non-processed foods now - while I'm pregnant. I'm supplying my baby with his/her nutrition right now as well as in the future.
• ...that it's my responsibility to pass on the love for a healthy lifestyle to our babies. I/We will be their model after all! 

So, here's to being pregnant and working out! and ignoring the funny looks at the gym. Yes, I'm 20 weeks pregnant and I'm still gettin' at it!

Top: the gym / before baby   Bottom: mud run / baby bump on the way to the gym!

 All that being said, even being pregnant will not be keeping me out of the gym. I am planning on writing my weekly workouts. They will change as I get farther into my pregnancy, but I'm sure other "gym" moms would appreciate knowing what has worked for me as well as get a few ideas!