Pregnancy and Sickness

Yesterday marked the start of my 12^th week of pregnancy and finally the push toward the end of the first trimester. I know that this is really only just the beginning, but there is a certain amount of relief that comes with being beyond the “danger zone.” Unfortunately, along with this marker has come a sinus infection. I originally thought it was the onset of allergies, which I’ve never had before, but hey, your body changes during pregnancy. I knew last evening that it was more than allergies and that it was time to go to the Doctor. After consulting my OB this morning and visiting my PCP, I left with azythromycin “Z-pack” and a confident thumb up from both providers to begin the antibiotic regimen. After a confirmed sinus infection, they assured me that it was worse for my body (a diabetic body) to fight the infection, causing my blood sugars to wonk out rather than taking the antibiotics. I left feeling good about my decision to medicate, until I got home. It’s now 8 hours later and I have yet to take an antibiotic. I’m going to try a few other suggested remedies first (from my mommy friends) such as saline spray and resort to the antibiotics as a last resort. Thus far my blood sugars have remained steady and although feeling like crap, my focus has remained on the health of this bean cooking inside of me. Speaking of, now that the bean is the size of a plum, I may need to come up with a new, more appropriate name…. perhaps a bushel of beans?!

And I'm back....

Nearly two weeks ago my Doctor (finally) gave me the all clear to exercise again. For those of you that know me, you know that sitting on my rump for the past 3 months has been quite a challenge! So, upon gaining clearance I resumed my exercise routine with moderate-to-light activity of walking and spinning. Prior to getting pregnant I was in the process of getting my BodyPump certification and training for a 42-mile bike ride, so in total I was working out 6-8x per week. It’s quite a change to go from 100% to nothing and it’s been quite the change to go from nothing to something…. I honestly do not think that I was prepared for the reaction my body would have while exercising with the bean on board.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned:

-          My body now demands a lot more water while exercising!

-          I can no longer bank on my exercise HR as an indicator of my intensity and must convert to using the RPE (rate of perceived exertion index.)

-          I have a fear of BodyPump (I know it’s possible to complete) and I really see no need for intense weight lifting while pregnant. Additionally, I’ve been discouraged to lift any kind of weight that would recruit my abs… so then what’s the point. I never have and never will be a girl that trains with 2.5lb. Dumbbell = waste of time!

-          What used to be my warm up is now my workout. It’s amazing how fatigued I get, quickly!

-          I have a crazy amount of flexibility, which I knew would happen, but now I understand the need to be cautious while stretching. I cannot imagine how this will intensify as my pelvic floor limbers to prepare for birthing.

-          I have a new found appreciation for the women that do magnificent things while pregnant (i.e. run a marathon, etc.) You go girl! That’s not me.

Today, I presented two workshops at a regional fitness conference as a continuing education provider. This has been a goal of mine since I began (professionally) in the fitness industry, nearly 10 years ago. I was a bit nervous that this old girl couldn’t get her groove back, but I did and I’m so excited to be feeling a bit more like myself at week #11 and a bit less like an alien has taken over my body. Of course moving forward I will continue to follow my Doctor’s orders of moderate-to-low intensity activity and have no grand delusions of returning to my prior workout status, but it feels great to be doing something good (aside from sleeping all of the time and eating well) for me!