Exercising for two

I’ve always been an active person.I was on the swim team in high school, and I played water polo in college. Since then, I’ve enjoyed doing a few triathlons each year.Exercise has always been one of the ways I cope with stress, enjoy the outdoors, and generally keep myself feeling good.

During my first pregnancy, I was able to stay fairly active—going for short jogs and long hikes, and swimming a few times a week.Not this time.

The morning all-day sickness and fatigue of these first 16 weeks have made it pretty hard to get any exercise in.At first, I thought I could will my way through some workouts.I would show up at the pool, swim four laps, and have to get out immediately or lose my cookies in the pool.Even walks to the end of our block left me feeling queasy.

So I gave up for a while. But now that I’m feeling a little better—is it the Zofran or the time passing? I’m afraid to find out—I’m giving it another try. Only in a much more gentle way that I ever imagined.

This week, I went to a water aerobics class at our local YMCA.Being in the water felt nice, and staying upright helped me make it through the workout. I actually got a half-hour of aerobic activity in—never mind that I was the youngest person in the class by at least 25 years.

I’ve also been going on some walks with our local moms group. We take our toddlers in strollers on a mile-and-a-half jaunt to the playground, let them run around, and then walk back to the parking lot. Last week, I wasn’t sure I would make it back, and my legs were sore for the next day. I’m not sure if I was happy or sad about that: happy that I actually got a good workout in, or sad that a walk could make me feel so sore and tired.

In the end, I know it’s good for me and the baby to keep active. It will help me to keep my weight gain in check, reduce my discomfort and help me to feel strong and more confident during labor.With that in mind, I’ll do whatever I can to keep moving.