28 Weeks Strong

Well, here I am at 28 weeks. Officially into the third and final phase of pregnancy. I'm so excited to meet this little guy in 12 weeks!! However, the difficulties and discomfort of the third trimester hit me like a Mack truck from day one. I look back now at my goal of being able to run into the third trimester and have to just laugh. I'm strong and maybe more in shape than the average girl, but I'm certainly not superwoman. Yesterday was definitely a "blah" day, where I felt huge and sitting on the couch was the only enticing activity.

What I find hilarious, however, is the activities that cause discomfort and those that don't. I'm still strength training as strong as ever (40# single leg dead lifts, tall body saws on the TRX, suspended lunges, push-ups, etc.), but walking hurts. It seems so backwards. Walking should be the easiest thing, but walking at a decent pace that gets my heart rate going even a little immediately induces cramping/Braxton Hicks contractions. However, the dogs must be walked and sauntering is way too boring! (Admittedly, the dogs are looking a little chubbier these days...sorry guys.) I do find that if I contract my abdominals while walking it does provide some relief. It acts like a built-in girder, I guess.

Other difficult discoveries:

• putting on socks
• wiping the far side of the kitchen counter
• escaping the many crumbs and spills that would normally just fall straight to the ground
• carrying the laundry basket
• stretching my hamstrings out while lying on my back (my favorite way)
• sleeping comfortably
• walking through tight spaces (I used to naturally turn sideways, but going straight through is now narrower!)
• jumping in general, yet I still do it here and there
• crossing my legs
• biking (my legs hit my stomach, kind of funny actually)

And here are some funny general pregnancy observations:

• in a plank position with abs contracted, my belly comes into a point in the middle
• my belly is the first thing that hits when doing push-ups
• push-ups are definitely harder because I'm 15 pounds heavier
• baby feels sound asleep while working out...I'm rocking him to sleep
• some people think my baby is getting seasick while working out. I respond with "probably".
• when I'm not working out, baby wakes up and gets in his own workout (or dance party)
• none of my workout shirts fit at all. I've resigned myself to working out in a sports bra and shorts (at home of course)

My workout plan for this week is to strength train 3 times with 2 or 3 20-minute yoga sessions. A doable goal, I believe. I kicked my own butt to a certain degree this morning and I feel much better than yesterday. The magical effect of a workout.