Work it Out, Mama: Pregnancy Fitness + My Prenatal Workout Routine

Pregnancy… and, fitness. Now that was a new concept for me this second pregnancy. I started the year off with much intention when it came to my fitness goals. I was in my opinion, underweight and 2018 was the year I was going to do something about it. I was at my thinnest, weighing in at 114 lbs. Not only was the number on the scale telling me that I had to change something around, but my clothes were not fitting right! I mean, the little butt I had, was not poking, but by belly was. So, I started off by doing some research on youtube, and that led to information overload. But what I gathered was that I needed to eat more, and I needed to lift weights, got it. So, the journey began!

Start, and don’t stop! 

My journey started January 14. I literally woke up and said ” Im starting today” and I did not look back. I started out with at-home workouts which with consistency worked great! I started to see results and was like, okay I think its time for a gym membership! So, I went ahead and got a gym membership at LA fitness to add more weights to my regimen and target different muscle groups.

Things were going great, then, in May I found out I was pregnant. Pregnancy does not stop you from working out, but tell that to a Nigerian mom who believes no major activity should be done the first trimester– or any for that matter! haha. Despite my mom’s recommendations, I continued working out with my trainer. There was no stopping me, especially since I had a trip planned to Tulum, Mexico for early June!

These days: slowing down 

Overall, my intensity to my workouts have slowed down. I work-out at-home, 2 days a week, and I average about 7,000 steps (3.5 miles) per day, while working in the hospital 3 days out the week.

WORK OUT PLAN:

2 x a week 

Items needed: resistance bands, dumbells, ankle weights

Start out with 10 minutes of cardio, I love doing the stair master

lower body

Squats with dumbbells 3 sets x of 15 reps

Side kicks with ankle weight and resistance bands 3 x 20 (each leg)

One leg kick back on cable machine 3 x 12 (each leg), or donkey kicks 3 x 12

upper body 

Bicep curls with dumbbells  3 x 12 

Lateral arm raises 3 x 12 

Forward arm raises 3 x 12

Two arm tricep extension 3 x 12 

*Remember to always stretch, drink plenty of water, have an adequate amount of protein intake, and overall just keep it simple. The key is to just stay active and eat good nutrient rich foods.

What are your fitness goals this year? Let’s hold each other accountable!