I ask for two reasons:
1) I am overweight. Not obese (yet) but clearly overweight. At 14 weeks, I am not looking to 'slim down' or lose pounds, but I would like to stave off as much unhealthy gain as I can (healthy eating included). It would not hurt me or baby to only gain 15 to 20 lbs this pregnancy.
2) I had an emergency appendectomy and the post surgery antibiotics rendered my BC null and void, thus this pregnancy. With only a month to have my stomach muscles heal before starting to stretch out again (my stomach muscles are already severly spit from my other 3 pregnancies) I would like to strengthen those muscles the best I can without traditional floor work.
In your (please be nice!) opinion, is Zumba a good way to go about keeping off unhealthy weight gain (remember, I don't want to lose) and help strengthen my stomach muscles as much as possible before baby comes? When might it come to the point of doing more harm than good? Of course, I will discuss with my OB my next appt, but I was hoping for some shared stories, especially if it worked for you.
I kickboxed until I was 8 months pregnant with my son, BUT I have always been a workout person, so it was safe for me.. If your body isn't used to doing that kind of a workout, you might have to be careful with your heart rate getting too high...I am no doctor, but that workout might be to high intense for being pregnant and new to working out :0) Good luck and congrats!
with my first son I went out and salsa danced 4 days a week. That's salsa, cumbia, raggaeton, bachata....tons of hip movement. I was so damn healthy!! Didn't gain any weight that whole pregnancy and was able to vaginally birth him. I too am overweight and never really thought about the dancing as a weight loss thing...I just love to dance! So, since Zumba is basically a bunch of Latin dancing and I basically did that my whole pregnancy, I say you will be FINE! ZUMBA!
L.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maY5sNdxig4
This is a video of a woman 38 weeks pregnant doing Zumba. I was allowed to do whatever workouts I wanted as long as I listened to my body and stopped when it hurt.
I say go for it and listen to your body. If you're tired or hurt, then stop.
*hugs*
My dr said whatever I was doing prior to pregnancy I could continue, but not to add something strenuous that I wasn't already doing. I think ZUmba in itself would be fine if you maybe go to a seniors class or a family class. If you try to go to one of the legit classes full of Zumba devotees, that will be a problem. They go full speed for a whole hour without really stopping or slowing down. You leave completely soaking wet with sweat. THe other thing is, Zumba primarily works your legs. The leg muscles are the biggest and working them burns the most calories, so they concentrate on the legs. Your stomach doesn't even get engaged unless you are mindfull to keep those muscles tight the whole time.
My doctor told me your best bet is to be as fit as possible before your pregnant. Wouldnt that be lovely? If you are used to hardcore cardio before you are pregnant, then it shouldnt be a problem. If your just now starting this, I dont think it would be a good idea.
I work out, but go through periods when I majorly slack off. When I go back to working out, I have to build myself up again to be able to not feel like Im going to pass out. Its hard on your body.
If your body is already used to it, like I said, it wouldnt be so hard on you.
If you are not used to Zumba, its hardcore, and I say no. I would do something moderate like Yoga or the tremill. Fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats.
Your weight is 90% based on what you eat, not working out. I have lost 40 lbs before just eating right and probably worked out very little in the 4 months it took me to lose it.
If you want to hardcore work out after the baby, more power to you.
Talk to your doctor too. :)
Oh how I wished to have been in to Zumba during my pregnancies...it is such an awesome workout. But I did run throughout my pregnancies and worked out. I
I see 2 pregnant women Zumba at the classes I go and a couple of gray haired cute ladies. The ladies that are prego just take it a little slower and don't do the high energy jumps or other movements. THey keep it lower impact. I am not sure if they asked their doctors...but one is a nurse and very careful to follow "the rules".
I am not sure what a doctor will say to an overweight woman wanting just now to start a new routine...and that you have had ab surgery. If I were in your boat I would wait til the appt. and get an opinion. In the meantime go for a long brisk walk a few times each week to get your body movin and groovin...and then you might get the green flag to go shake your booty and you will have had some good exercise already.
I absolutely love Zumba!! I love the energy in the room with the other ladies and the total body workout. I find myself shaking my hips throughout the day when I vacuum or do some other boring activity. If your doctor tells you "No" then find something else in the meantime until post pregnancy. Then take it up...I am serious about how fun it is..and it trims you down all over...especially the core. You need to find something fun to work on your weight...excercise should not be a chore.
Good luck and best wishes..and congratulations on the pregnancy!!
