Good morning! How are you guys doing today? I just arrived home after teaching my 6 a.m. spinning class and things are going well over here so far.
Now that my belly is getting bigger and bigger every day, Iām having more and more people at my gym ask me how long I am planning to continue teaching. I just tell them Iām hoping to keep up with everything as long as I feel good. My doctors said that as long as my workouts feel okay and I have the energy, I can keep teaching, so I told my boss to keep me on the group exercise schedule until she hears otherwise from me.
Right now everything feels great, so weāll keep on trucking!
Last week I was chatting on the phone with my dad who happens to be a big-time fan of spinning. I told him how grateful I am for spinning right now because itās such a fantastic cardio workout that allows me to work up a sweat and get those amazing endorphins flowing without causing any discomfort to my body.
Since Iāve had to give up running and plyometric exercises right now, I feel all the more grateful for workouts that still feel comfortable and allow me to exercise in a way I feel is safe and good for both me and my baby. Thatās not to say I donāt miss my pre-pregnancy workouts because Iād be lying if I said I didnāt, but I am trying my best to focus on what I can do and what feels good right now and spinning definitely fits the bill.
Breakfast
After teaching my morning class, I drove back to our house to make myself breakfast and type up this blog post before I have to return to the gym. My morning meal today was a little more lunch-like than usual, but it hit the spot.
I threw together a hot ham and cheese sandwich on a toasted English muffin with mustard, lettuce and tomato.
Once I made my way into my home office to blog, I dug into a cup of Greek yogurt topped with cacao nibs since I was still a little hungry.
And now itās time for me to grab a quick shower, take Sadie for a short walk and head back to work. I hope you guys have a lovely Tuesday!
Questions of the Morning
- Have you ever had to give up a favorite workout for one reason or another?
- Have you ever fallen in love with a different workout because you were unable to do one of your favorite workouts for a while?
Back in college, I had hip bursitis and it was absolutely miserable. I couldnāt walk without pain (let alone run/jump/play) for a long time and after meeting with an amazing sports medicine doctor, learning lots of wonderful hip stretches and resting for a while, I finally started to feel better.
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My most recent surgery kept me from doing barre/any weight work, so running was really my only option. I’m kinda thankful for it now, because I had taken such a long hiatus from *loving* running due to my love affair with spin and barre. š You’ll get back on that horse in no time post-babe!
Definitely! I had a streak with spinning where I went to classes all the time because I was having trouble doing other workouts. It is so important to look on the positive side at what you can do. You really do sometimes discover new passions in fitness.
I agree, look to the positive. Sadly, I’ve had to give up working out due to fertility issues (I know, I love your blog, but the baby posts make me tear up!!!) Happy for all pregnant woman, just wish I was one of them =) I can’t exercise because of the treatments I’m going through, there’s a chance it could mess up the IUI. And I have to take the path of least regret. Looking forward to excising one day again though!
I recently had bursitis for the first time in my life (in my shoulder/neck) and it was horrible. Though I’m lucky to be mostly pain-free a month later, I literally could not do anything (workout, drive, sleep, sit up straight) for a few weeks. Injuries are tough. So are any changes to our “normal.” I’m back at the gym and did some light weights last night, but there are still a few exercises I can’t do without pain. I’m trying to give it time!
I used the stationary bike a few times since it hurt to move around on the treadmill/elliptical, and I actually really don’t mind it! Maybe I should try a spin class again (it’s been a while).
I had a foot injury in high school and took up Spinning during my recovery time! It stuck as one of my favorite forms of cross training and now I teach it at my college gym.
It seems like a lot of people discover spinning while recovering from an injury of some sort! I have two regulars in my class right now who started coming to spinning after knee pain prevented them from running anymore and they’re both big fans now!
I’ve always been intimidated by spin, but now you’ve got me intrigued.
I recently had to give up all high intensity exercise due to pelvic instability and dysfunction and it was a TOUGH transition! I was really down for a while, but once I started focusing on what I could do, instead of what I could not do, things got better.
Good for you for keeping up with Spinning!
I had to rely on spinning this winter because I couldn’t run due to a [luckily minor] foot injury. I’m totally hooked now, and now find that I look forward to spinning class so much more than I look forward to going out for a run.
After a stress fracture side lined me with running or any weight bearing cardio I got into spinning as well as cross fit. While I only stuck with cross fit for three months, I still love to spin and incorporate it into my regular cross training schedule.
I’m 20 weeks pregnant and find that spinning does not sit well with where the baby is sitting! I had to completely give up working out in the first trimester because I was so nauseous but find that I can finally settle with the elliptical. My body is jonesing for a nice sweaty run!
While training for races, I have aggravated muscles that required me to take a break from high impact cardio. That is when I discovered Pure Barre! I loved that I was still able to get in a good workout while strengthening my ankles and knees which were weak. I love you office decor. We seem to have very similar tastes!
I danced almost my whole life and through college. Once I graduated, though, I couldn’t afford the often very expensive ballet classes, so I pretty much had to give it up. I fell in love with running and now I’m really into hot yoga. I’d love to take more barre classes, but schedule-wise it doesn’t usually work out at my studio.
Spinning is my fave! I’ve had to give up all running and all types of sports that I used to play due to a bad knee (3 past knee surgeries and one upcoming & I’m only 25 ugh) but now I live on the spin bike! I also try to make the best of what I can do instead of what I can’t do anymore. I absolutely loooove your circuit workouts and that’s usually what I stick to!
After fracturing my pelvis, I’m no longer able to run or spin. I was devastated for a long time but now I strength train more and I love it! I’m glad you are still comfortable spinning, hopefully no one is making you feel guilty about it.
I had to stop running when I sprained my ankle and it was torturous! I hate every moment not being able to run. I did a lot of pilates, which I still really enjoy and still incorporate into my weekly workouts!
I’m 35 weeks and still biking to work! I’m as surprised as anyone…I thought I’d have to give up cycling by the second trimester, but it still feels fine, for which I’m really grateful. It’s been hard to lose all of my favorite forms of exercise…soccer, then running, then Bikram yoga, then Crossfit. My bike commute and prenatal yoga are all I have left!
Glad you are still teaching. It gets pretty tiresome to always be questioned about how you exercise while pregnant…I try not to get defensive because I think most people are just surprised, rather than openly judgmental. I assure them I spend PLENTY of time on the couch, too.
I did spin 2-3 days a week (mixed in with hiking/walking/elliptical) right up until the day before I had my daughter. Spin was my lifesaver. That and pilates…..totally saved me during my pregnancy! Keep it up; it totally pays off in the end!
I was a ballet major in college, and my freshman year I broke my foot and my sophmore year I sprained the ligaments in my knee, so I was sidelined almost as often as I was dancing. Spinning wasn’t really a thing back then (yes, I’m old) but I took up the elliptical and loved it! I also moved from running to the elliptical when I was in paramedic school because it was the only cardio I could do and study at the same time — the treadmill and stair mill made my textbook shake too much.
I’ve injured myself through running a couple times and then had to switch to more strength training which is also fine by me since I love it!
I started getting into Barre3 more while recovering from a knee injury since it’s so low impact but still a great workout. Also I love your home office! I am currently working on mine and might do a gallery wall like you did š
Awesome!! The gallery wall really is such a fun way to display a bunch of memories in one space.
I messed up my knee which really made me unable to run. While healing I forced myself to start more of my dreaded strength training and now I love weights so much!
So glad to hear spinning is working so well for you in your later stages of pregnancy! And mmm breakfast sandwiches!
Spinning is the best! Good to hear that it’s still comfortable for you. if I’m ever pregnant that’ll be good to keep in mind! I’ve never had to take time off from exercise luckily, but I did add in yoga last summer to help cross train. I fell in love with and I’m so glad I started! It’s so fun and feels great.
I discovered spinning while I was recovering from an injury, too! I had two stress fractures in my pelvis, so after some time off, and elliptisizing until my brain melted, I tried spinning. Surprisingly, it didn’t aggravate my injury, and I went 3-4 times/week (no running during this time). After I was healed, I kept doing it weekly until this past winter, when my favorite spin instructor left š I just haven’t been able to find someone comparable, but I keep looking!
I’m glad you found something that can help you stay in shape and feel great throughout your pregnancy!
I had two stress fracture in my foot & ankle last year and thankfully I was able to spin and swim (haha that rhymines) to keep up my fitness. I had to give up running and walking. Even know in still not back to where I was. Unfortunately my gym cancelled several of their good spin classes which bums me out. Now I do my own ride with a circuit in between.
I really enjoy running but when I got pregnant I spotted after a couple runs, so I gave it up for the duration. I have really been itching to run!! Walking is fine, but it’s hard to be out for a significant amount of time when I always need to pee š I also love strength training! I meet with a trainer once a week and we’ve been gradually modifying the exercises to make sure I’m still comfortable. Last week we stopped doing any exercises where I had to be on my back, because laying down/getting up from the bench were getting pretty difficult! I’m hoping to keep up the sessions for as long as I can though! I’m 18w tomorrow, so it’s really nice following along with your posts and seeing how much you’re still able to do š
I was a major distance runner until I tore my second ACL in the same knee. It was a year before I could go back to running, and a second ACL is a much longer rehab period than the first. That’s how I met spinning!
Seeing Ryan go through ACL surgery has given me so much respect for people who have been through it before — let alone two times. But I am so glad you discovered spinning and (hopefully!) enjoy it!
I’ve been hesitant to get back on the bike because I worry that my belly would be in the way. It’s already uncomfortable to bend over! Do you feel like it’s still comfortable on the bike, does it bother you at all?
Definitely raise your handle bars!! It makes a big difference and makes spinning with a belly 10,000 times more comfortable since you don’t have to hunch over/forward as much.
I was definitely able to continue spinning throughout most of my last pregnancy, whereas running was pretty uncomfortable after 20 weeks or so. I will say that at around 35 wks, my “lady parts” would feel a lot of uncomfortable pressure when I was on the bike, so I threw in the towel and stuck to walking til the end. I’ve heard this gets worse with consecutive pregnancies and I was on my third. I didn’t spin with my first 2, so I have no comparison!
I wish I had done the same as you and found something a bit more strenuous to do over pregnancy but due to a previous miscarriage I just felt uneasy doing anything new! I have really done TONNES of walking though and it feels nice to stay a little active. I cover 30-40 miles a week.
When I was in my early 20s I suffered real issues with sciatica and I got in to yoga in a big way which kept me sane.
Once I was healed though I just craved something more strenuous. I have to say when I have had baby I’m looking forward to getting back in to Jump rope again.
I continued to attend spin classes throughout my first pregnancy – I think my last class was 4 days before I went in to labor. The only thing I noticed was as I got bigger I didn’t feel comfortable doing as many lifts because I felt I may fall off the bike! Other then that, and occasionally needing to sit a sprint or two out, I loved that I could still feel like I was getting a good workout even towards the end of my pregnancy. Maintaining a consistent workout schedule after baby…. that is another story! <3
I’m injured right now and unable to run, but I can spin, so I completely know how you feel! I love spinning and cycling, and have found a completely new joy for it since it’s much kinder on my body than high-impact activities.
Also, slightly unrelated note- I finally decided to get my CPT through NASM and used your referral through your blog- thanks so much!
I’m proud of you for keeping up with teaching! If you feel great, why not? You are lucky that you do feel so great during your pregnancy!
I have been out of commission since last December because of PTTD, and I had to give up my beloved running and barre classes! I actually went through a period of mourning (almost depression). I have yet to find anything that even close to replaces them, but I am trying to stay positive!
My favorite workouts have been spinning classes and body pump; I gave those up since I cancelled my gym membership, haha! I do miss them, though š
In my case (also 31 weeks pregnant), I’ve rediscovered swimming! I was a swimmer up through high school, and getting back in the pool always feels kind of like going home. And it’s amazing how NORMAL I feel swimming! I can do a regular workout (without flip turns) and feel more or less like my normal self, which is absolutely amazing right now, given that walking feels like much more of a struggle with some pelvic joint discomfort.
I’ve been doing spinning throughout the pregnancy, but I have to admit without the right teacher I find it incredibly boring. I’ve also been doing a lot of pilates (prenatal now), some yoga, some hilly walking, and Tracy Anderson’s pregnancy DVD set that a coworker loaned me.
Working out honestly is so important to my sanity. Just having that hour to myself every day is incredible, and I’m nervous how it will change after the little one arrives (and once I’m cleared to start up again).
Julie, I’d be curious if you have thoughts on how you’ll workout with a little one? Almost no gyms in San Francisco have childcare, so it’s going to be tricky!
Spinning was what kept my best friend active during her pregnancy, right the way up until the final week!
On the bright side, it’s nice that you still have spinning to enjoy – and I’ll bet when your body feels ready to hit the gym again after baby Fagan joins us you will be that much more motivated to go and enjoy the workouts you have had to postpone during pregnancy!
I trained for my first bodybuilding competition from October through May and had very specific workouts. I love mixing things up so I typically do a variety of Orangetheory, Crossfit, regular gym workouts, and hot yoga. Not while prepping for my show! I missed the freedom to choose what felt right to my body each day, and now that I am back to training how I like to I’m a much happier camper š and I can speak to feeling that extra buzz of excitement going to the gym these days thanks to months of built up anticipation!
On the bright side, itās nice that you still have spinning to enjoy ā and Iāll bet when your body feels ready to hit the gym again after baby Fagan joins us you will be that much more motivated to go and enjoy the workouts you have had to postpone during pregnancy!
I trained for my first bodybuilding competition from October through May and had very specific workouts. I love mixing things up so I typically do a variety of Orangetheory, Crossfit, regular gym workouts, and hot yoga. Not while prepping for my show! I missed the freedom to choose what felt right to my body each day, and now that I am back to training how I like to Iām a much happier camper š and I can speak to feeling that extra buzz of excitement going to the gym these days thanks to months of built up anticipation!
i gave up my weekend pop physique class when i went back to freelance just to save some money. when i went to go back, i discovered my favorite instructor was no longer there, so i haven’t been back. i’ve picked up the self summer challenge recently and am enjoying that on my own.
Luckily, I’ve never had to give up a workout from injury. The only time I’ve had to cut back was pregnancy. The last month of my pregnancy, when even getting on the elliptical was too much, I got back in the pool. In the mornings, I would swim a few laps and then go to the shallow end and do some water aerobics. It felt good to have the water lift the weight from my belly and I knew that making sure to do some form of exercise will help later when having my baby.
I have a bad hip and knee so was forced to take time off running…unfortunately spinning aggravated it for me, which is a shame since NYC is the home of so many great spin gyms!
I actually broke my femur about a month ago and had to give up my daily runs, along with pretty much any other physical exercise. It’s been rough to say the least!
I’m so glad you have a workout you love while you’re unable to do others. It helps so much!
I had major knee surgery two years ago, and one of my tendons never fully grew back. It causes a lot of pain in my knee. So I’ve had to adjust to trying different workouts, and have found that doing sprint triathlon training is great! The swimming and biking helps to loosen up my knee, so the running isn’t difficult. It’s been a long road, but I raced in my first sprint triathlon a few weeks ago, and I came in first! It felt so great, and I finally feel strong again!
Ah, I TOTALLY can relate to your feelings here! While I loved RPM (or any indoor cycle class) before pregnancy, I’ve grown to appreciate and love it even more during this pregnancy. I really like that it’s low impact while giving me an awesome workout to help me and my baby feeling great. So glad you’re continuing to love it too!
Hi Julie! I really wish I loved cycling or spinning, because ALL of my current cardio is high impact, and I know that won’t be sustainable forever, certainly not if I get pregnant one day. However, for now, it’s teaching BODYATTACK and Orangetheory — running and jumping and plyometrics. Speaking of Orangetheory, you can ride the bike instead of do the treadmill at most studios if you have running issues. Another benefit and reason why you need to check it out! š
I just took up spinning and I LOVE it! I’m doing it at home using Peloton Cycles Ride on Demand classes–they are awesome for someone like me who can’t always make it to the gym (my husband bought a used spin cycle several years ago). I’m sure your classes are great! If you’re ever looking for inspiration, you should check out their ipad app. The classes are free for a little while (not sure how long–I’m waiting until they start charging me!)
Goodness, I cannot imagine being so active with a big belly! Keeping up with so much fitness is admirable, Julie. š
A few months back, I hurt my foot running and I still have not really gotten back into it. Because of that, I fell in love with just walking! It makes me stop and enjoy the scenery more often. Is it as effective? No- but I find that I look forward to getting out into the fresh air much more often.
I had a recurring fracture in my right foot (too many times!!!), and had to wear a cast on that leg. Stiff, and all the way up to the knee. This was disappointing, since I was (and am still) a huge fan of walking. I walked an hour a day (at a fast clip) besides other workouts . It was very relaxing to me. But after the repeat broken foot, I wasn’t given a lot of choices for cardio, and finally, on my own, I figured out I could still peddle a RECUMBENT stationary bike while wearing my cast. (Upright/regular bikes don’t work because of the angle of the cast and how you have to bend your knees to peddle). And now I’ve been doing that ever since! It’s now been about 6 years since I started the recumbent bike routine, so my workouts have changed drastically. The physical therapist told me, “walking 6 days a week is fantastic, but not for you in particular.” I bought my first recumbent bike from a neighbor (very fancy), and when it finally died about 2 years ago, I bought a second, even fancier one (because I knew I’d use it).
Glad you found something you love! Woo hoo for bikes!
I’ve had to give up running at a distance longer than a couple of miles for about a year now. I’ve been to multiple doctors and no one seems to know what’s causing the pain. It’s good to know that you went through something similar and came out on top!
That’s great that you can still keep up with spinning. I find it’s a hard and intense workout and definitely makes you sweat and feel the burn. It’s amazing that you can still do it. True inspiration to all women out there.