[Effervescence]

I think it's interesting that Arya posted her question about exercise, because I was coming here to post a very similar question.


I have a black belt in shotokan karate. I am probably "no longer" a black belt (I mean you never lose your belt, but I am probably not the proper skill level anymore) because I haven't trained in over three years. This actually makes me very sad, like it's part of me that got lost somewhere along the way.

I've been looking for a dojo (place of training) in our new area, but I'm nervous to sign up. Karate is do-able when pregnant, with restrictions. Obviously I wouldn't be fighting LOL but also kicking is a NO. punching is up there too, because you actually use your stomache more than your arms to punch. So if I were to get pregnant, I would probably want to stop, or take a gentler training approach.

But here's my problem. Most dojos have a contract for a year, some for two years. It's kind of like a gym membership. There are a lot of reasons for this contract, loyalty to the sensei is one of them. On one hand, I don't want to be locked in for several months, if I do get pregnant. On the other hand, if I don't do it and I don't get pregnant for several months, then I'm missing out on something that could be making me a better, healthier, well rounded person.

There's a curves center in the same plaza as the dojo I'm thinking of joining, and they have month by month membership. I think I will do that instead. But I am sad because DH and I want a BIG family. We're like the Duggers- all children are welcome in our lives, we will never prevent pregnancy, and if that means we have one or two or eighteen kids then so be it- we are blessed but if I decide that I shouldn't do karate when I could get pregnant soon, then I probably won't do it again until I'm an old dried up lady! Part of me says do it; it's who I am, and we will work around a pregnancy. The other part of me says it will be a waste of money if I do get pregnant because I won't be able to keep up with it as I would if I weren't pregnant.

(sigh) anyone else do hobbies or exercise that they might have to stop if they're pregnant?

[krissy1989]

I've actually been wondering about similar things, so I'm glad you posted this. I've been wanting to get a gym membership again. Ever since I thought I was pregnant that one time last year, I was too afraid to go, thinking that I would cause a miscarriage. Eventually I just stopped going. Now, I want to join again, because I want to be in better shape before having a baby, but at the same time I have fears that abruptly changing my activity-level before TTC will make it harder to become pregnant and maintain it---possibly by throwing off my cycles, which exericise can do if it's a new routine.

I guess that I would suggest to you what I'm suggesting to myself, because I absolutely LOVE exercising! If I don't get out and have a good, rigorous hike at least a few times a month (though I would do it every day if I had the time), then I just get that similar feeling of "losing a part of myself." I've been an outdoors freak as long as I can remember. Sooooooo, what I'm thinking is, I'll take it easy with exericising and such while TTC and when pregnant, and then when I have my baby, I can go back into the full swing of things. I picture myself jogging along a safe route with my baby stroller, and then, when my child is a little older, I think of myself making exercise something fun which we can do together, and camping trips, and hiking trips, and bikeriding, etc. Children don't have to be seen as and end to hobbies that you like. Perhaps you could, like you said, take it easy, and then enjoy incorporating karate into your own children's lives. Teach them the things that you know, and have fun doing karate together.

[FusionGirl]

Don't most of those contracts have an "out" for medical reasons? You might be able to get out or suspend your contract if you have a Dr.'s note.

[Arya]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I wonder if they would be able to just let you come back after the birth and finish up whatever you've missed while pregnant? That would be nice.

[Effervescence]

Well, with my first pregnancy, I was already a pretty involved member at my dojo. I taught classes, coached the kids at ringside etc, as well as my own training. So when I went to my sensei and told him about being pregnant, he gladly put my payments on hold until I could figure out what to do. I even worked something out with him that I would pay 1/3 every month to come in and do some light exercise and stretching with the other adults. But, this would be a brand new dojo, new community etc. I don't know that I'd have the right to join and then all of the sudden say "oh, nevermind."

Krissy, I don't think it's a problem to exercise through pregnancy, even a moderate exercise if everything is healthy and normal. I exercised right up to my third trimester with Jonah, then it was my laziness that stopped me from there LOL. I would have no problem getting a gym membership while TTC, because there are several options at the facilities that are perfectly safe during pregnancy. Kicking, punching, falling, and getting hit are not okay when pregnant so my concern would be that I would sign up this month, and next month get pregnant and be locked into paying a lot of money every month. I'm actually not at all worried about training while I'm TTC. Jonah is my only child, and since he just learned how to pull up on furniture I doubt he's ready to learn roundhouse kicks yet but if I had kids old enough, I'd definitely see if they had an interest in it.

I'm thinking I'll do the Curves Center instead. That way I can still be physically active, but have it be month to month, so if I do get pregnant I am not committed.

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Honestly, I think if you are in good physical shape there is no reason you can't do this. Running and other more physical forms of exercise are okay in pregnancy as long as your body is used to it.

I probably wouldn't do anything more than walking if I were pregnant but I have several reasons for it. I have a history of miscarriage and preterm labor. I usually end up on some type of restrictions when I am pregnant because of my history so I just feel safer with walking. However, if I was in really good shape I would probably do more. I just am too pathetic to get in shape.