So I'm now at 36 weeks and I feel as though not only did I hit the wall, it actually stuck its foot out to trip me then gave a few good kicks while I was down. Funny how the one thing your pregnant friends leave out in the joys of pregnancy is that as baby drops, you feel as though you are being kicked repeatedly in the groin. Experts call it "groin discomfort"--I beg to differ. "Discomfort" is wearing a pair of jeans that are slightly too tight but make your ass look great. This is flat out killer.
I also made a big decision: that I was done teaching BODYPUMP :( I was hoping to last the last 2 weeks of this session but Monday morning I found that bending over to pick up the bar more challenging that actually doing the tracks. I think my members were also getting a little nervous that my water would break and I would go into labour mid-class. I was somewhat nervous of that too.
Well, I now have two options: (1) lay around for the next 4 weeks because doing anything is painful or (2) finding something I can still do that's not painful. Although option 1 is looking pretty good (along with those popsicles in the freezer), I am way to ADHD for that and the dog will have none of that either. Plus I still have to go to my day job. To help with option 2, I did discover an amazing secret solution: prenatal massage! A few friends recommended this to me and it is soooooooo worth it! My SI joint and pelvis have been super tight, I actually limped into the room. After 1 hour, I came out skipping! I also hadn't realised how tight my back, shoulders and my hamstrings were. Good way to remind you to stretch. So now I'm limping from "groin discomfort" and not from my hips! I also got to lay on my belly (on a specially designed pillow) for an entire hour! As a stomach sleeper, that was probably what made me happiest. Check around your area for RMTs who specialise in prenatal massage, as a bonus, if you have benefits from work, you may have part of it covered!
What can you still do? Take an inventory of your body.
Walking long periods is painful right now but walking in chunks and taking rests is still doable. I can also walk slowly for longer periods. While my overly excited dog isn't a big fan of those kinds of walks, I can still get to the off-leash zone and get her running. This will get me out of the house, moving, and away from all the temptations that have suddenly become way yummier than before while still ensuring she's getting her exercise.
Regular yoga at the gym is now out, I find even with modifications, it's beyond my reach. A friend did loan me a prenatal yoga DVD which means I can still do stretches at home at my own pace and there's a great relaxation component at the end to unwind after a long day in the classroom. Local libraries, you tube, and even iTunes have videos available.
I can still lift weights. I find standing uncomfortable (which makes being a teacher that much more fabulous, especially in June) but I will happily sit on an exercise ball and keep doing light weights. The ball actually feels great because there's no added pressure to the pelvis.
I can swim. I haven't been in a pool in years and I don't exactly have a bathing suit I'd be willing to put on at the moment but I could be swimming. Many pregnant women I know find this form of exercise perfect in the last few weeks- the sense of weightlessness takes all the pain away from your joints. Water workouts are great for muscle strengthening by adding gentle resistance. I think my goal this week will be to find a swim suit that has some actual support and hop in the water.
So before you decide to simply give up and lounge away your last few weeks, really take a moment to self-evaluate and decide if that's how you want to get to the end. Think instead of what you can do and work at your level. I am far from being where I was 9 months ago (or even last week) but there is a 6 lb (although I would swear she's at least 15) human being hanging off the front of me so it's to be expected that I can't possibly go to the same extent as before, and that's OK! Remember that the last month is about winding down-think of it as a cool down after a killer long workout.
See you at the gym!
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