My Pregnancy Wellness Routine + Baby Bump-Friendly Outfits for Active Moms from Title Nine
I’m so excited about today’s post because I’m sharing my pregnancy wellness routine and some habits that have made me feel like the best version of myself during a time where I otherwise…would not. (ha!)
I want to take a moment to thank Title Nine for sponsoring today’s post! Title Nine makes activewear for women, by women, and thoughtfully designed for every stage of life and activity. I love that their designs and materials are meant to weather the elements and every type of movement.
Whether I’m lifting, walking, lounging, or chasing energy in my second trimester, these pieces have carried me so far (I’m 26 weeks on Saturday!) . I’ll be sharing some of my go-to active maternity-friendly looks throughout this post, but for a full breakdown, check out my Title Nine review here.
**And if you’re shopping Title Nine this summer, make sure to use my code RUTH for a discount at checkout!
My Pregnancy Wellness Routine + Baby Bump-Friendly Outfits for Active Moms from Title Nine
I made the decision very early on in my pregnancy that I was going to prioritize my health and wellness and really make an effort to stay as active as possible throughout all of the body changes. I have struggled with hormonal changes a lot this past year, so when I got pregnant, I knew I would need to take the situation by the reins and make sure I was making good choices for myself.
The first trimester was really tough on me mentally. I felt SO sick and stressed and sad, but I did notice a marginal improvement on the days I got outside for a walk in the mornings. Once that fog lifted in the second trimester, I had a lot more energy to prioritize these habits. This has been huge for my morale and wellbeing.
Also, a major factor in my daily morale is how well I’ve slept the night before. If I sleep well, I wake up in good spirits. If I don’t, I wake up in low spirits. And I’ve noticed that I sleep 100x better on days I’m active and checking all of these boxes.
I’m going to share some habits that I’ve made a point to stick to this pregnancy–and a few outfits that have worked with my growing belly while doing so!
Strength Training + Walking
Prior to this pregnancy, I would alternate cardio and strength days, focusing on running a few days a week and then longer strength workouts on the other days.
Very early in the pregnancy, I got over running and switched to walking. So instead of alternating between cardio and strength days, now I make it a goal each day to do a shorter strength workout and then go on a long walk around the neighborhood. I do keep the goal of 10k steps in mind, but it doesn’t always happen.
And while I’m very excited to start running again once I heal from delivery, I am LOVING the change to walking right now. It feels really good to set out on an hour-long walk. I’ll call friends, listen to a podcast, zone out to music. I call it my office hours, lol. Fortunately, my neighborhood has a bunch of hills, so it’s still a great cardio workout.
In terms of weight training, I’ve been sticking to Peloton’s strength workouts. I love that there are so many options when it comes to focus areas and workout lengths so I can tailor it to how I’m feeling that day.
I can’t control a lot of what’s happening to my body, but my goal with these workouts is to maintain my strength and as much muscle as I can. My hope is that all of this work will make my recovery easier after giving birth and that it won’t feel like I’m starting from square one with my fitness journey.
Getting outside
This goes hand-in-hand with the above, but I force myself to get outside as often as possible. The neighborhood walk is the bare minimum, but I try to get over to the beach or walk on a trail at least once or twice a week too. Being out in nature helps center me, and I like to think it’s good for the baby too. Isn’t there some science or voo-doo about ions and minerals about being barefoot at the beach?
Sauna
Okay, this one might be a little controversial. My OB cleared me for sauna use after the first trimester, and I do it around 3 times a week. Keep in mind that I have been using the sauna regularly for almost four years, so I am very used to it and have a really solid understanding of my body’s reaction to it. I did plenty of research and feel totally fine about it (Did you know sauna use is widely accepted for pregnant women in Scandinavia?). I always take it easy, bring water in with me, and typically cap it at 15 minutes to ensure I don’t get dehydrated.
I like to “habit stack” my sauna time and read while I’m in there. I also spend the first few minutes dry brushing which is great for lymphatic drainage and helps me break a sweat faster too.
Red Light Therapy
I suppose this is more beauty-focused, but I have been using my red light therapy mask and neck corrector 3-4 times a week. Sometimes I will do it while I’m folding laundry, but I also like to do it while elevating my legs–another habit stack and good for circulation. This little post-shower ritual is a really nice “forced rest” for someone who hates sitting still.
Having a trip planned
LOL. We have had this year’s Europe trip booked since September, and when we found out we were pregnant we did briefly talk about canceling it. My mom pointed out that I would want something to look forward to, and she was right. Not everyone is like this, I know, but I get such a kick out of planning a trip. It’s been so good for me to have something big to plan, rather than sitting around stressing about the pregnancy. I am so excited to explore and use that part of my brain.
Thank you for reading and for being here! And thank you, again, to Title Nine for sponsoring this post. It means so much to me to work with brands that prioritize supporting women in every stage of life, and it’s been a joy to partner with their team this year.
**If you’re shopping Title Nine this summer, make sure to use my code RUTH for a discount at checkout!
On that note…
My Clare V. Grande Fanny Review
For more reviews and packing lists, click here.
