Here’s a post specifically for our amazing CrossFit Zone ladies. Sorry guys!
Being a woman isn’t always a walk in the park, let’s be honest. Mother Nature gave us special abilities that only we possess. One of those abilities includes having children. Why am I writing a CrossFit post about pregnancy, you ask? Hang in there, and I’ll explain.
Any of you gals out there thinking about getting pregnant? This is a perfect time to start an exercise program to get your body in shape. Exercise will tone and strengthen your muscles as well as condition your body. By preparing now, you will be in better shape for the challenging tasks of carrying and delivering your baby-to-be.
Women who are overweight experience higher risks for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and complicated deliveries. You may also be less comfortable during pregnancy, and your labor may be longer. The more fit you are, the easier your pregnancy and delivery may be. But if you exercise too much, it can make getting pregnant harder. And overdoing it once you’re pregnant can be dangerous. (It is important to consult your doctor!)
In addition to all of that, research is now showing that simply being overweight can affect your child’s weight even before he is born. According to a recent study published in Pediatrics, a child is more likely to be overweight at a young age if his mother was overweight before she became pregnant. Uh oh! Ohio State University researchers studied data from more than 3,000 children and their mothers. They examined factors such as race, ethnicity, the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight, whether or not the mother smoked during pregnancy, and whether or not she breastfed her baby. In addition to this, children’s weights were recorded regularly between ages 3 and 7. Of all these factors, a mother’s pre-pregnancy weight had the greatest impact on her child’s weight. The children of women who were overweight before pregnancy were three times more likely to be overweight by age seven compared to women whose weights were healthy before conception. The more overweight a woman was, the greater her child’s risk of obesity became.
But of course exercise and getting healthy shouldn’t just be about your child’s future weight. Getting in shape at least three months before you conceive (ideally 3 to 12 months) makes it easier to maintain an active lifestyle during pregnancy, and helps during labour. Aerobic exercise can improve your mood and energy level and helps you achieve a healthy pre-pregnancy weight. And as a special bonus, you’ll also be less vulnerable to the hormonal swings! (Note: Start slowly and don’t overwork your body. You should consult your doctor before starting a new, more rigorous exercise program. I repeat, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.).
All these factors are why it is so strongly recommended that you take time before conception to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet. This will help you achieve a healthy weight before conception. Continuing these practices during pregnancy and beyond will not only control your weight gain over time, but allow you to emulate and teach healthy habits to your children as well. Plus, the bonus of your muscle memory and being able to bounce back to your pre-pregnancy weight more easily doesn’t hurt, either!
So Ladies, try to take some time to care for your body, before it’s time to care for your baby’s too!
Today’s Workout:
Buy In –
Elite: 3 rounds for Time:
- 20 (UNBROKEN) double unders
- 15 pullups (UNBROKEN)
- 10 kettlebell swings (1.5/2pd)
- 5 ground to overhead (85/135)
Cash Out – 4 x 10 reps for speed of GHD with tires, TTB, KTE or Double Crunch
Running WOD
Rest or very easy recovery run (5K to 8K)
Please post in the comments when and where you are doing your run if you would like people to join you!
