As a woman who used to be perfectly content to run four days a week with no variation, I’m surprised at how boring my pregnancy workout routine feels.  The endless loop of walking, with the occasional swim or yoga class, has really gotten to me.  That’s why I was so excited to rejoin the spinning ranks this morning.  Something different – wheeee!

I used to be a frequent spinner, especially when I lived in Florida.  I used the workout to prep for triathlons but fell out of the habit when I quit the gym.  But now… I’m back.  And 7 months preggers.  So I wasn’t sure, exactly, how spin would go.

One of my favorite things about spin class is that there is zero pressure to preform.  No one ‘knows’ how hard you’re working because you adjust the resistance on your own bike.  You may look like you’re killing it, but the gear could be in an easy position.  Since the class was only 45 minutes (as opposed to the typical hour), I figured I could survive.  I simply kept the gear in an easy position most of the time, didn’t spin as fast as the others, and took breaks when needed. 

I did pay attention to my heart rate, which isn’t something that I’ve been doing throughout pregnancy, and I never got over 130 beats per minute.  The ‘old’ recommendation is that pregnant ladies not increase their heart rate past 140 bpm, as high heart rates stress the baby and deprive them of some oxygen.  Other sources say this 140 bpm limit is outdated – everyone has different resting heart rates and different efficiency levels, so 140 bpm for you may seem easier than for me.  I know, for example, that my resting heart rate is pretty high, and I can easily get into the 180 – 190 bpm range just by running.  The ‘new’ standard for pregnancy is to exercise according to a rate of perceived exertion(basically, how winded you feel).  I’ve read to keep it at a 6 – 7 on a scale of 1 – 10; a good clue you’re in this zone is that you should still be able to talk without panting.  And that’s pretty much how I’ve been guiding my workouts; I exercise to feel rejuvenated, not exhausted.  Although… my legs may be singing a different tune tomorrow!

Spin class – I will be back.  I’ll only got 9 weeks to go, so I’m not sure how often I’ll be back, but… I’ll be back!

Pre-spin breakfast:

Time to refuel and kick this day into high gear.

Thought of the Day:

“Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window- or break down a door.” – Brooke Shields