If you don't know by now that I'm pregnant, let me say WELCOME because you must be new here. I am now just a four weeks away from my due date and it's all becoming SUPER real.
So, if you are new here, you also probably don't know that I love working out... like a lot. For the last several years I have worked out 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hours a day. Fitting in my workout for the day is a priority of mine that I have constantly stuck to, even when I was working two jobs and spent about three hours of my day commuting to those jobs. So yeah, I love it. It's my stress relief and my happy place. It is what helps keep me balanced and grounded. It was what brings me peace and clarity. And I also believe it is what has helped shape my character over the years.
But like I said earlier, I'm pregnant... and if you subscribe to what society believes, pregnant women are made of glass and should rest constantly... and CERTAINLY not workout... right???
WRONG.
Throughout my pregnancy I have stuck to working out 5-6 days a week (except for about a month in my first trimester where I felt like absolute garbage and just wanted to sleep all the time!). Now, that was with my doctor's approval so if you are pregnant and reading this don't just start working out like crazy because I did it... you need to talk to your healthcare provider first (there are certainly situations where you should NOT be working out and that rest is best).
Now my workouts have not looked the exact same as they always have. Weight, intensity and certain movements were all modified throughout to be safe and to be fitting, but it doesn't mean that I still couldn't push myself in some ways.
I find that often when we are working with a limitation we view it as a road block or a reason to NOT workout, where really, it's the perfect opportunity to build in other areas. A broken bone, a disease diagnosis, a change in schedule... all could be reasons to flat out quit... or maybe it's the perfect time to dig deep and to work on something that you pushed aside previously.
During the last 8 months a focus of mine has been has been grip strength and while it's been hard, it's also been awesome. On days where my abdomen felt really tight and awkward to move, I could always still work on grip strength. My go to moves have been farmer carries, plate carries, plate flips, and "hanging" from a bar (I can't actually hang without coning (pregnant term and something you want to avoid) so it's a modified hang). My other favorite thing to do lately are isometric holds. Wall sits, overhead carries, modified planks, and banded concentric holds are currently part of my arsenal.
The key component when working with a limitation is to always listen to your body. Note that I didn't say your mind. Your mind will tell you it's uncomfortable. Your mind will tell you it doesn't want to do it. Your mind will tell you it's too hard. No, don't settle for that. Listen to what your body says. If the movement feels appropriate for where your body is at, then there is no reason to stop.
I have a friend who broke their ankle and instead of quitting the gym they used the opportunity to work on things they previously wouldn't focus on like muscle ups and handstand walking. A broken ankle is a pretty serious ailment, and I don't think most people would have faulted them for calling it, but they didn't and they are BETTER because of it today.
Limitations can be discouraging and frustrating- especially when you have a specific goal in mind that you are working towards. But it doesn't need to be the stop of progress. Take the opportunity to reassess and figure out something else that you can work towards that makes you happy and excited.
Need help navigating the limitation waters? Reach out to me! I would love to help! Until next week you guys- love yourself and love each other <3
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