I grew up doing gymnastics for over 10 years and even almost made it to the elite level–but fell a bit short.
I’ve always thought that gymnastics has a big impact on the way my body works now. Gymnastics is a high-intensity short duration sport. You sprint towards the vault, hurdle, and the skill is over in less then 30 seconds.
A bar routine takes power and grace and is over in a minute or so. Floor is the longest exercise and it’s still a few minutes at best.
I work best in short bursts. I live giving it everything I have and working at a high intensity. That’s probably a big reason why my body (and my mind) hated my short attempt at distance running.
I’ve gone through a lot of phases with fitness over the past four years. I’ve done the running thing (hated it and honestly wasn’t good), the weight room thing where I spend my time doing boring bicep curls and routines filled with isolated movements, and I’ve spent my time doing the treadmill and elliptical bit.
Crossfit feels like it fits. Movements come natural to me. Movements like kipping pull ups, ring dips, handstand walks, handstand push-ups all make me feel like I’m home. It’s a beautiful thing when the body is able to work as one functional unit—just as it’s meant to.
Even more than that, I love the people at my Crossfit box. I went to Breckenridge for a week last week and actually missed them. It’s like a big fun family.
You can see why it’s important to me to continue doing Crossfit into my pregnancy.
There are many many awe-inspiring pregnant women out there who have rocked Crossfit when pregnant.
I’ve turned to the trainers at Crossfit Native to guide me along the process. I’ve also turned to Crossfit Mom, an amazing website, that sets up WOD’s for pregnant women. It gives tips, guidelines, exercises substitutions, etc.
I’m still currently in the first trimester. The first trimester doesn’t mean many changes to your exercise routine. It’s generally noted that if you did it before you were pregnant that you can continue to do it during your pregnancy. Of course, slight modifications must be made.
Crossfit Mom recommends dropping weights on things like Olympic Lifts and kettle bell swings to 65%-75% of your normal weight.
In addition, I’ve been focusing on just generally taking it easier and keeping my heart rate down. I’ve been taking many more breaks in my WOD’s. In fact, my trainer and high school friend Kevin is somewhat of a Nazi when it comes to me taking breaks. He is always reminding me to stop and helping me pace myself which I really appreciate.
I make sure that I am always able to easily talk during the WOD and work to not become overly heated or overly exhaust myself.
There’s a lot of breaks and water sipping during my workout.
All that being said, I am currently still doing all movements with no substitutions and am enjoying these last few weeks of being able to do so.
Workout are much harder now. I seem to tucker out easier and quicker. My breathing and heart rate intensifies very quickly. It’s been a little hard mentally to take it easy because one of the best parts about Crossfit is giving it everything you have every single time.
I try to make it to the box 2-3 times a week, although, it’s usually more on the twice a week side. On other days, I just take walks outside with Eddie.
I always remind myself that pregnancy is not the time to raise my intensity or become quicker, faster, or stronger…but simply a time to maintain my fitness level for the health of myself and the baby.
I wanted to write this post just as a precursor into Crossfit during pregnancy because it it something you will see in my blog as the time goes on.
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