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Nope, I’m not talking about my first three months doing Crossfit. I’m talking about doing Crossfit during the first three months of my pregnancy. Yup, I’m doing it, but I almost had to give it up. I said “almost” because after taking a break for a while, I just didn’t feel energized and I was beginning to get out of shape. I’d be danged if that would continue. I’d worked too hard, and I missed those extra endorphins that come out after a nice bout of exercise.

It was my doctor who almost convinced me to abandon those feel-good hormones. His first, and main objection was that when I worked out, my heart rate got above 120. He thought that was a no-no. He also strenuously objected to me doing anything strenuous. The first piece of advice – well, I wondered about that so I took my pulse while resting. It was 100. Those extra 20 points certainly couldn’t be dangerous. A bit of online research supported my belief, and now I simply keep it to somewhere between 140 and 160. Eventually, after speaking to more doctors and doing some research my doctor cleared me to continue doing Crossfit with NO heart rate restrictions, I just wasn’t suppose to push myself to hard during a workout.  This meant no “forging elite fitness,” at least I’m back to having a nice, toned silhouette (for the most part). I did have to get a Doctor’s note to proceed, but it was well worth the effort.

Truth be told, I had a bit of trepidation myself there for a while. Maybe this is oversharing, but I think other moms-to-be will want to know. Here we go:  do you know what happens when a pregnant woman (or any woman who has given birth) jumps rope? Ever heard of Depends? You can make the connection. So, I don’t jump rope any more. I get my cardio by bike riding or rowing. I can even listen to music at the same time, and baby likes that.

With the heart rate fiasco behind me, I just wanted to be sure that all lights were green. After extensive research online and picking the brains of trainers who have worked with pregnant women – and of course taking into consideration what my doctor had told me, I have found the following little rules for pregnant moms:

• Do not work out during the heat of the day (no afternoon WODs)
  Do not do any exercises while lying on your back (ooops I did some Turkish get-ups yesterday)
  No lunges
  No more Jump Box – switch over to Step Ups
  Lower the weight you lift by 60-75%
  Stay hydrated! (I’ve been drinking lots of water, both “plain” and coconut.)

Now, this list will grow as we move past the first trimester – so I will keep you in the loop. I’m lucky. The Crossfit box I attend writes their own workouts. I only need to modify it slightly so I’m still part of the class. I also hit up the Crossfit Mom website (a great resource) and sometimes I substitute one of those.

Getting doctor approved to continue Crossfit (which was important to my gym that I get a doctor note) and handling restrictions while working out, certainly wasn’t my only first trimester woes. I just moved into my second trimester and things are going more smoothly but I will be writing about other first trimester problems I had, including working out and eating paleo while feeling deathly ill (tips and tricks to get you through).

LASTLY, tomorrow stay tuned! I will be posting up a blog entry giving away a pair (two tickets to one person) of spectator passes to the 2012 Crossfit Games ($105 value)!