She sits on the couch, the worn out material covered by her expanding backside, her belly extends in front of her onto her thighs as she sits with her legs on the coffee table, a pillow under them for comfort. There’s a tub of icecream in her lap and she eats scoops with a tablespoon, licking her lips after each mouthful. The latest episode of Modern Family is running on the television. She’s well into her third trimester and a walk in the park is far from her mind.
Normal. She deserves to rest. That’s what pregnancy is all about. Eat for two.
8 months pregnant and squatting 150kg. Finishing a triathlon in your second trimester. Running four times a week during your entire pregnancy. Working out till your due date. Choosing vegan to feed your growing baby.
Crazy. Irresponsible. Careless. Stupid. Abuse.
I’m sorry but who are you to judge?
It seems by reading The Courier Mail recently there’s no lacking in judgmental individuals who feel it’s ok to post nasty comments because they disagree with the amount of training done or the type of eating regime pregnant women follow. I have to wonder how many of them have been or are pregnant, and if any eat healthy and follow a regular exercise program.
Listen to your body is my motto.
No pregnancy is the same. Each woman experiences the symptoms, the highs and the lows differently to their friend, neighbour, or girl on the other side of the planet. While one mum to be might be capable of running a marathon in her ninth month of pregnancy, another will need bed rest at six months.
It’s not our place to judge.
Our bodies are our own and what we do or don’t do during our pregnancy should purely be dependent on how comfortable we feel. Whether it’s continuing our triathlon training or going to bootcamp, having to spend half the day resting with our feet up, maintaining a vegan diet or enjoying a juicy steak three times a week.
I’ve noticed that it’s mostly the ignorant that judge. I’ve read nasty comments to articles describing the chosen fit lifestyles of woman who are pregnant and continue training throughout. I’ve read people hurl abuse at what they do not understand or have never experienced. It’s distasteful and downright nasty.
Pregnancy is an individual and private experience. No one has the right to tell you what you are doing is right or wrong, you’re the only one who can know this by listening to your body. It’s smarter than your family and friends, the doctors and the critics, it’s smarter than you too.
Pregnancy is not an illness. Some of the symptoms may feel as so some of the time, all of the time, from time to time. In the end if your body is fit and healthy, maintaining a regular exercise regime and your normal eating habits, resting when you need it, and ensuring you’re taking the best care possible of both you and your baby
I’m at around 16 weeks at the moment and there are many changes that I am noticing. Some good, some not so good, some that are driving me insane. Being a fit and active person prior to becoming pregnant means not doing any exercise is like torture. I’ve had three easy months of very irregular physical activity and I can see that it’s having a detrimental affect on my health, my body, and my mental state.
Sitting around and being lazy is not for me. Neither is training for a marathon while my baby develops. I am however aiming for a happy medium that’s right for me and the little one inside.
