Another Workout Wednesday is upon us and this one is taking an even more personal vibe than usual. Of course the questions I answer are always my opinion/my experiences but the last week I’ve gotten A LOT of questions about fitness in relation to fertility. Just to casually remind you {not that anyone actually thought this} that I am NOT a medical professional. My answers are going to be based on what I’ve a) been directly told BY doctors and b) research I’ve been directed to do, by professional, to further learn for myself.

If you’re interested in a tiny bit more backstory on my journey, I shared a bit in August of 2016 in THIS POST. *Side note: no genuine question or inquiry offends me, however I do very much appreciate when followers choose word things extra gently when it comes to this topic.

Did your workouts/fitness routine cause your infertility?

No. My official diagnosis is, and has always been, ‘unexplained infertility.’ Kyle has been checked and cleared multiple times. He’s all good. My various levels of everything from AMH to estrogen to B12 to white blood count have always fallen into the ‘normal’ range. LOL to whatever ‘normal’ means though. My Reproductive Endocrinologist reassured me (multiple times) that I didn’t do anything wrong. For reference, I have had normal periods/never missed and my cycle has been regular since college.

She said that weight lifting has never been proven to effect the likelihood of getting pregnant. She also said that when people say ‘running can make you not get pregnant,’ there is only really 1 study that kind of supports that excessive running COULD BE a factor in not getting pregnant. After dealing with fertility issues for YEARS and suffering a loss, exercise has become an outlet for my emotions. And it isn’t hurting me 🙂

Will you be changing or modifying your workouts during this IVF process?

Yes, I will. During my (10-12 days) of stim shots, I will be doing NO running. Easy walks, light biking, light lifting and very basic yoga postures is all I’m allowed. I will also be very cognizant of keeping my HR below 140 at all times. During my 3 weeks of birth control, it’s basically business-as-usual. I will be slightly cutting back my distances just to make the 10-12+ days of no running a bit easier on me mentally. The days between my egg retrieval & potential-transfer will be taken VERY slowly. My typical Workout Wednesday double days will be no more until we have a plan for next steps. I still plan to show what I’m doing, just know you’ll need to make it harder if you try any of my workouts during that time!

If you get pregnant, will you continue to workout like you do?

God-willing I get pregnant at some point, and have a healthy pregnancy, I will be working out throughout it. Working out is something I very much enjoy. Keeping my body moving and healthy will beneficial {so I’m told} as I’d like to have a natural, slightly-unconventional birth plan. I like to think you’ll see me running on a trail with a belly someday. Then I want to be the mom pushing this stroller down that trail later on. That’s really all the thought I’ve given though. If my body needs to not workout while carrying a baby, then your girl will NOT be working out. Goal #1 is getting pregnant. The second is a healthy pregnancy. Then of course goal #3 is a happy, healthy babe. Working out will fall quite far down my list of priorities, I realize that. I’m perfectly ok with it when that day comes, too!

Workout Wednesday Workout of the Week

CARDIO-FOCUSED

What you’ll *ideally* need – 1 medium weight dumbbell OR medicine ball, access to either a treadmill or the pavement. To make this harder? PUSH. YOUR. PACES. To make it easier? Cut the distances in 1/2 and power walk them. This is great for ALL fitness levels 🙂 **this could easily be done on a bike too–just double each distance if you choose to ride!