My son is 10 months old and I can’t believe soon enough he will be one year old!  He is truly amazing and he has recently started sleeping through the night.  I am finally able to sleep more than a 3 hour stretch and I feel like a new woman! He also has started napping.  It took a while for us to get into the rhythm of napping, but it is finally happening.  Sometimes only for 20 minutes and sometimes (when I am truly lucky) it can be nearly 2 hours.

Because he was never much of a napper, I had to make very good use of my time.  When he would fall asleep, I would run around like a mad woman trying to determine what I could complete in the next 20 minutes.  By the time I started something he would be awake. Up until now my fitness routine was running with him in the jogging stroller, doing exercise drills at the park while he was in the jogging stroller, or working out in my fitness studio after I had clients (when I had a sitter).  This was great but there were some days that I was unable to take him out in the weather and that I had no sitter.  Now that he is napping I have the option of using a portion of his morning nap time to workout.  I figure 20-30 minute workout, then shower, then get done whatever I can before he wakes up (laundry, cooking, etc).  In order for this to work I will have to push aside some toys and workout in my living room…

Postpartum weight update: I am still a few pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight and my core is still not as tight/strong as it was (which is why I am still not in the pre-pregnancy pants size yet).  It ain’t easy….but we gotta keep focused.

As you see, my belly is rapidly growing!  Baby and I are doing well and feeling pretty good (with the exception of those normal pregnancy discomforts).  As my body continues to change, I also change my fitness routines and how I use the equipment.

Although I am still able to use the kettlebell for some of it’s intended exercises, lately I am using it more as a tool to do bodyweight and calisthenic kinds of exercises such as stepping over it or using it to hold as I do a plank.  I suggest you view a pre-pregnancy kettlebell video along with this pregnancy kettlebell video so you can compare and see the adjustments and accommodations that have been made to meet the needs of my changing body.

Being able to adjust your exercise routine according to your current physical state is critical in making exercise and fitness a lifelong committment.  Of course if a doctor tells you not to exercise, you follow those orders.  But if you have medical clearance to exercise, there is always SOMETHING you can do.  If you are unsure of your exercise options, a certified fitness professional can help guide you through safe and effective exercises that meet your needs.

Please note: The exercises seen here are specific to my fitness level, my doctor recommendations, and my pregnancy health.  It is not recommended to pursue a pregnancy fitness routine without approval from your physician.  

Bodyweight exercises and calisthenics alone can provide you with all that you need to have a challenging workout.  When I travel I bring resistance bands (which are very easily packed) and I bring myself! That’s all I need to keep my fitness routine going when away from home.  Then I have at least 3 choices: to run, to do resistance bands, or to do bodyweight exercises.  While in Canada visiting family, this is just what I did to keep my routine going.

Side note: After viewing this video I realize how serious I appear when working out… I need to lighten up a bit:)