Hi Everyone!
I apologize for the delay with my article, but as you can imagine life is pretty hectic right now. I am now 33.5 weeks preggo, and the past couple of weeks for me have consisted of doctor appointments, crazy growth spurts, packing in preparation to move this month, working, training, the Olympia and yes, a babymoon! Who ever said that pregnancy has to slow you down?!.. LOL. Since my pregnancy journey has started, I have received a lot of e-mails from other pregnant women, and from women who are planning to start a family. Therefore, I thought it would be a great idea to do a Q&A this week to address some of the great questions that I have received.
Q: What type of training and cardio are you doing?
A: First, I must encourage and remind all expectant mothers to consult with their physician. Every woman and every pregnancy is different. Get educated and be informed on any and all precautions, contraindications, weight limitations, safe heart rate ranges, etc… It is better to be more cautious and to be on the safer side for both you and your bundle of joy.
Currently, I am still weight training about 4-5 days a week and doing cardio about 5-6 days a week. With my weight training, I have definitely scaled back on the intensity and on the weight that I am lifting. I am also incorporating longer rest periods between sets. I am also monitoring my heart rate to keep it under 140 beats per minute, as per my physician, and I am avoiding any exercises in the supine position (lying flat on your back). With my weight training, for me it is about effectively targeting in on the working muscle(s) and performing slower, more controlled movements. Quality of motion and proper breathing are key.
In regards to my cardio, I am mainly walking on an incline on the treadmill with some interval training. I am also taking my two fur babies on longer, more frequent walks. In my second trimester, I was also doing some elliptical work and my interval cardio training was a lot more intense and at quicker speeds than it is now. However, now that I am in my final trimester and the baby bump has grown tremendously in the past four weeks, my intensity and the speed of my interval training has decreased quite a bit. I have stated it before and I am going to state it again, “LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!”
Q: What types of supplements are you taking now that you are pregnant?
A: Just like with exercise, I encourage all expectant mothers to consult with their physician with regards to supplementation prior to taking them. My physician has cleared all of the supplements that I am currently taking:
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Vitamin
Garden of Life Raw Digestive Enzymes for Women (plus probiotics)
Minami Nutrition Omega 3, 6, 9 (with 465 mg DHA)
NOW Vitamin C-500 Complex
New Chapter Organics Probiotic Immunity
Gaspari Nutrition Aminolast (BCAAs, electrolytes)
Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion Probiotic Protein
Q: Have you changed your skin care products during your pregnancy?
A: Yes, my skin care products and my facials have changed with my pregnancy. As with everything else we covered so far, if you are not sure about any particular product(s), consult with your physician. It is important to note that our skin is our largest organ and what we apply on our skin or come in contact with is absorbed into our body, which can affect our developing baby. I primarily use all certified organic skin care products and sunscreens and when I go for facials, and my aesthetician also uses all certified organic products. There are also ingredients that you should try to avoid if you are pregnant or nursing because they can be potentially harmful to your baby. Some of these ingredients are:
Retinoids
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Parabens
Phthalates
Hydrocortisone
Benzoyl Peroxide
Thank you all so much for all your great questions and thank you for stopping by. I hope that you find this information useful. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions! Until next week, please take care and make the most of every day!
With Love,
Krissy xo