As we move from spring into summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions. Just like the changing seasons, life and pregnancy are full of shifts we have to navigate, some expected, some surprising, and some that ask us to pause, take a deep breath, and adjust in real time. Being pregnant has reminded me that staying active isn’t about doing everything perfectly, but about balancing strength, mobility, and listening to my body.
Training through pregnancy has looked very different for me the second time around, even though I’m the same person with the same background in fitness, wellness, and physical therapy. In many ways, the changes in my mindset and routine between pregnancies have been just as significant as the changes in my body.
During my first pregnancy, I was positive and excited, but also anxious and unsure about what I should change as my belly grew. I wanted to do “the right thing,” but I didn’t yet have a clear framework for how to adapt as each trimester came with new sensations and limitations. My routine reflected that uncertainty: in the first trimester I mostly walked my dog twice a day, with occasional Pilates sprinkled in when I had the energy. By the second trimester, I found a bit more rhythm with strength training, some cardio, walking, and Pilates, but it still felt like I was reacting week to week rather than following a cohesive plan.
Things really shifted in the third trimester of my first pregnancy. We had recently moved, I was overwhelmed with work projects, and my workouts became infrequent almost overnight. In the latter half of that trimester, I did manage to fit in more prenatal stretches, Pilates, yoga, and walking, but it was more about coping than training. Looking back, my routine was frequently derailed by life transitions, work demands, and the simple reality that moving with a growing belly felt foreign and challenging.
Going into my second pregnancy, I knew I wanted a different experience. This time my mindset was more determined and much less anxious; I knew what to expect from the general arc of pregnancy, which freed up energy to focus on how I wanted to feel instead of what I was afraid of. I also reached out to a physical therapist friend who specializes in pregnancy and postpartum to help me build a realistic plan for the second and third trimesters. That conversation was a turning point because it reminded me that having a flexible, not restrictive, structure can still help me be successful.
What do I mean by flexible? On a smaller scale, this means accepting the fact that my workouts might get interrupted by my kid or dog, and being okay with that. On a larger scale, if I have to skip a workout because of meetings, events, or a sick kiddo, I don't beat myself up. I just push that workout to a rest day and move on with my week.
The three months leading up to my second pregnancy, I was taking barre classes four to five days a week. That consistency paid off once I became pregnant again. In the first trimester, I continued with barre two to four days per week, adjusting intensity as needed rather than abandoning movement altogether on the more fatigued/nausea-filled days. In the second trimester, I shifted the emphasis to strength over mobility, using controlled, functional movements that supported my growing body. As I entered the third trimester, that ratio flipped: mobility took priority over strength, and my workouts focused more on keeping my joints and muscles happy, and everyday movements comfortable.
The biggest difference the second time around has been that I am far less derailed. The reason was simple: I had a plan that was sustainable. My workout days were flexible, I could choose light or heavy weights depending on how I felt, and I actually scheduled movement into my calendar like any other appointment or meeting. Instead of viewing missed workouts as failures, I treated them as feedback, adjusting the plan rather than abandoning it.
The contrast between my experiences in my first and second pregnancies is noticeable in my daily life. In my second pregnancy, I feel lighter, find it easier to roll over in bed, can get up and down from the floor with far less difficulty, and am able to chase around a 20-month-old without feeling completely drained. Those small, everyday wins are powerful reminders that training through pregnancy is really about supporting functional movement, not chasing performance numbers.
The main lessons I took away from these two pregnancies are simple but profound. First, having a plan creates sustainable success; it gives you structure while still allowing room for real life. Second, the concept of “use it or lose it” has been very real for me during pregnancy. For example, trying to squat for the first time in a few months with a bigger belly made squats feel unnatural, uncoordinated, and just plain difficult. Keeping movements like squats, hip hinges, and lunges in your routine helps those patterns stay familiar as your body changes.
Training through pregnancy doesn’t have to look perfect to be effective. With a sustainable plan, realistic expectations, and a willingness to keep moving in whatever ways are available, it can become an empowering way to stay connected to your body through every trimester.
Disclaimer: The experiences and insights shared in this post are based on my personal journey through pregnancy and reflect what worked for me as an individual. Every pregnancy and body is unique, and what feels safe or effective for one person may not be appropriate for another. This post is not intended as medical or fitness advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified prenatal specialist before beginning or changing any exercise routine during pregnancy.
Creator Check-In: Training Through Pregnancy
Hi FB Fam!
As we move from spring into summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions. Just like the changing seasons, life and pregnancy are full of shifts we have to navigate, some expected, some surprising, and some that ask us to pause, take a deep breath, and adjust in real time. Being pregnant has reminded me that staying active isn’t about doing everything perfectly, but about balancing strength, mobility, and listening to my body.
Training through pregnancy has looked very different for me the second time around, even though I’m the same person with the same background in fitness, wellness, and physical therapy. In many ways, the changes in my mindset and routine between pregnancies have been just as significant as the changes in my body.
During my first pregnancy, I was positive and excited, but also anxious and unsure about what I should change as my belly grew. I wanted to do “the right thing,” but I didn’t yet have a clear framework for how to adapt as each trimester came with new sensations and limitations. My routine reflected that uncertainty: in the first trimester I mostly walked my dog twice a day, with occasional Pilates sprinkled in when I had the energy. By the second trimester, I found a bit more rhythm with strength training, some cardio, walking, and Pilates, but it still felt like I was reacting week to week rather than following a cohesive plan.
Things really shifted in the third trimester of my first pregnancy. We had recently moved, I was overwhelmed with work projects, and my workouts became infrequent almost overnight. In the latter half of that trimester, I did manage to fit in more prenatal stretches, Pilates, yoga, and walking, but it was more about coping than training. Looking back, my routine was frequently derailed by life transitions, work demands, and the simple reality that moving with a growing belly felt foreign and challenging.
Going into my second pregnancy, I knew I wanted a different experience. This time my mindset was more determined and much less anxious; I knew what to expect from the general arc of pregnancy, which freed up energy to focus on how I wanted to feel instead of what I was afraid of. I also reached out to a physical therapist friend who specializes in pregnancy and postpartum to help me build a realistic plan for the second and third trimesters. That conversation was a turning point because it reminded me that having a flexible, not restrictive, structure can still help me be successful.
What do I mean by flexible? On a smaller scale, this means accepting the fact that my workouts might get interrupted by my kid or dog, and being okay with that. On a larger scale, if I have to skip a workout because of meetings, events, or a sick kiddo, I don't beat myself up. I just push that workout to a rest day and move on with my week.
The three months leading up to my second pregnancy, I was taking barre classes four to five days a week. That consistency paid off once I became pregnant again. In the first trimester, I continued with barre two to four days per week, adjusting intensity as needed rather than abandoning movement altogether on the more fatigued/nausea-filled days. In the second trimester, I shifted the emphasis to strength over mobility, using controlled, functional movements that supported my growing body. As I entered the third trimester, that ratio flipped: mobility took priority over strength, and my workouts focused more on keeping my joints and muscles happy, and everyday movements comfortable.
The biggest difference the second time around has been that I am far less derailed. The reason was simple: I had a plan that was sustainable. My workout days were flexible, I could choose light or heavy weights depending on how I felt, and I actually scheduled movement into my calendar like any other appointment or meeting. Instead of viewing missed workouts as failures, I treated them as feedback, adjusting the plan rather than abandoning it.
The contrast between my experiences in my first and second pregnancies is noticeable in my daily life. In my second pregnancy, I feel lighter, find it easier to roll over in bed, can get up and down from the floor with far less difficulty, and am able to chase around a 20-month-old without feeling completely drained. Those small, everyday wins are powerful reminders that training through pregnancy is really about supporting functional movement, not chasing performance numbers.
The main lessons I took away from these two pregnancies are simple but profound. First, having a plan creates sustainable success; it gives you structure while still allowing room for real life. Second, the concept of “use it or lose it” has been very real for me during pregnancy. For example, trying to squat for the first time in a few months with a bigger belly made squats feel unnatural, uncoordinated, and just plain difficult. Keeping movements like squats, hip hinges, and lunges in your routine helps those patterns stay familiar as your body changes.
Training through pregnancy doesn’t have to look perfect to be effective. With a sustainable plan, realistic expectations, and a willingness to keep moving in whatever ways are available, it can become an empowering way to stay connected to your body through every trimester.
Disclaimer: The experiences and insights shared in this post are based on my personal journey through pregnancy and reflect what worked for me as an individual. Every pregnancy and body is unique, and what feels safe or effective for one person may not be appropriate for another. This post is not intended as medical or fitness advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified prenatal specialist before beginning or changing any exercise routine during pregnancy.