How much exercise?

Another one from me (still very new to this).

How much exercise is to much? I realise this is a q my dooctor will be able to answer but I'm not seeing her until Thursday.

Background: I would consider myself very active. I've competed (or should that be participated) in triathlon for the past seven years. My most recent event was the Ironman in Taupo in March (last day of the BCP!).



Since then (and after a little rest!) I've got back into swimming 2-3 times a week (up to 90 minutes a time), spin classes 2x a week (at own intensity) and running about 3x a week (have already entered a half marathon which will be when I'm 12 weeks).

This week I have been for a swim and tonight I have spin class.
Tomorrow I was planning on a 5km run and then swim and spin on Thursday.
Other than my half marathon (which I might not do) I'm not in training for anything (despite lots of people asking me) but I enjoy being active.

My training is also social as this is how I met my friends when I moved here.

I feel restless if I'm not doing anything but I equally don't want to wear myself out.

What does everyone else do?

You should be fine for a while doing what your doing. I did swimming right throughout (when I wasn't puking lol) and its great for pregnant women. I'd say running and spin bike will get uncomfy/painful in the 2nd semester.

I did weights and exercise while pregnant I just ran what I was doing past my MW and got her approval before I did it but that was more 2nd/3rd semester. I just carried on in the first but did no core work

the month before i got pregnant I ran a half marathon and did 1/2 of the cycle around lake Taupo (80km) also did pump once a week, spin twice a week and with all my trainning ran 3 times a week big distances and rode my bike for 1plus hours a few times a week and did one personal training session.

I dont know if it was because of my previous history with my last pregnancy but the obstetrician told me to keep my heart rate around 120 and only in the 130s for no more than 15min in a session and only let it spike to 140 not to keep it there and do not go over that, I brought a heart rate monitor and pretty much did nothing apart from personal training in the first trimester (I did break my ankle in the first trimester anyway) after that I went back to spin, pump, and personal training, I was very surprised how low the heart rate limit was and felt like a right nana at spin and would spike my heart rate very quickly, ive given up spin now as it get is getting too hard but my trainer has adapted pump for me and still do personal training and walk

I was doing spin classes last PG (and I so miss them). My doc said the main thing to watch was your body temperature and to be careful not to get too hot as this stresses the baby. I chucked then in mainly due to feeling sick and then not being bale to bend over. Ask them about it next week.

Otherwise if the body copes with this activity, keep it up.

Hi there,
I too am a keen triathlete (although more of a duathlete these days), and at 28 weeks still continue to do 3-4 6km runs a week (with a heart rate monitor) as well as a session or two on the wind trainer. I must say though, that my run is more of a waddle/shuffle and it now takes me 40 minutes to run 6km!! Still, I'm enjoying being active and have had few pregnancy complaints which I attribute to my running. Of late though I have noticed soreness in my hips late at night on a running day..... my MW has assured me it's fine and merely my body preparing for the birth.
All the best with your pregnancy, listen to your body and perhaps we will catch up at a tri sometime when we both have little ones.,

Hi there Katiepiepotato,
My cardiologist in Welly (I have a heart murmur) has given me an average HR of 160 (max 165) whilst I'm pregnant. This is based on my 6 weekly visits to him (and changes accordingly), as well as my pre preg data.
I was initially concerned about going above 140 as I can do that with a slow jog, however it apparently differs with every person due to fitness levels, cardiovascular health etc. As long as we listen to our bodies (and our LMC or cardiologist) things should be ok.

Spin last night was a fail! It was supposed to be high rpm but I struggled to get over 100rpm! When we were supposed to be between 105 and 110 I was at 95, when we were supposed to be at max effort I was at 105. I would usually hit 120 no problem!
My HR was only around 130bpm (wasn't wearing HRM so took my pulse and multiplied it) but I felt so tired. And I'd had a lazy day off work too (always have Thursdays off).

Katie - you could be an Ironman baby if you end up early March. I'm hoping to be able to go and watch as I have lots of friends racing next year.

Have fun in the forest, we're going to Auckland for Walking with Dinosaurs and then Tiritiri Matangi on Sunday. Will hopefully have a good walk (just hope I don't get seasick!).