Early Morning Workouts with New Options 

As I mentioned in my post yesterday about my 24 week OB checkup Dr. G was very happy to hear about the exercising I was doing and mentioned that I was doing more than most of his pregnant patients. This made my happy as staying fit is one of my top priorities with this pregnancy. The last time I took on a major program to get into shape was for my wedding, now 14 months ago. As I did then, I now go to the gym at our apartment complex when it is very quiet.

Our gym opens at exactly 5:00 a.m. I had tried twice to get in a bit early, but my key card will not work till then. Early in the morning I am often the first to arrive (as I am at work) and it’s great working out first thing in the morning.

I always begin with a 30 minute treadmill warmup. This is the view I see from the machine every day.

Then it’s onto the main part of my workout, 20 minutes on The StairMaster. As always, this heart pumping exercise makes me tomato red in the face.

Though I was at first using The StairMaster every other day (the other days sticking to only the treadmill), now I’m using it in my fitness routine daily and ending with a final 10 minutes cool down on the treadmill.

Though I inputed my information into the machine’s data daily it became stuck, showing my results, put in as MOM, for only one day.

One thing I make sure to do is to monitor my heart rate. When on The StairMaster it is often over 140, with the highest so far at 145, within the safe training range as defined below.

I was so excited that Dr. G cleared me to use other machines as part of my workout including a stationary bike, and more importantly as it’s a favorite of mine, the rowing machine.

When I was looking for options in my pre-wedding workout, the rowing machine was one I used a lot. It was definitely part of how I got some definition in my arms which as I wore a strapless dress was important to me.

On Saturday I used the rowing machine after my treadmill and StairMaster session. I wasn’t sure if I could get to my goal, yet I was able to hit 10 minutes.

Today I decided to use the rowing machine first, and though I was not trying to hit a particular rowing length goal, I was able to do more meters than I had yesterday. Perhaps this was due to the rock music I set up my phone to play for me, or the fact that I did it first thing in the workout or perhaps both.

I’m glad I am able to keep up with this routine in month 6. While I’m not sure how I will have to modify things as I get further along, I am hoping to exercise throughout this pregnancy to keep my myself and my baby healthy and to help have an easier birth experience.

~Danielle