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I TOTALLY get it! I am also having a hard time with the body changes/things (like boobs) getting bigger), especially when it was such a priority to me before to stay thin and fit. I too always hoped I would be one of those "basketball tummy" pregnant women, who look the same everywhere else, but we don't really have that much control over that. I used to work out 3-4 days a week, but I've gotten much lazier and now try to do 2x a week. We live in NYC and walk a TON so I at least comfort myself with the fact that I probably walk at least a few miles even on days when I don't go to the gym. But I think I need some maternity workout clothes--my regular ones just make me look fat

I'm not preggo, but this is my #1 worse fear (#2 is tearing). I'm afraid of letting myself go after working so hard to be content with my body! I understand it's necessary to bake a healthy baby, but man! Plus, it'll affect the amount of weight I'll need to lose post-baby. I can commiserate with you, but as my hubby constantly reminds me, you were healthy and active prior so shedding and getting that sexy pre-baby body back won't be an issue. *hugs*

yeah totally been there. My body is still holding onto 20 lbs after delivery and it's been hard. I'm at the gym a lot and working out now and not a lb has budged. I did get a bit of encouragement when my sister asked if I lost weight, when I said no she said I definitely look more toned. So that's encouragement!

I was the same as you though, I couldn't work out my first tri because I was sooo sick. So I didn't get back into working out because I was in so much pain from my sciatica. Ironically I found that prenatal yoga helped the condition a lot, so that's all I was able to do.

Even if you don't see results from working out while pregnant - which you can't necessarily expect, your body is going to do whatever it can to hold onto excess fat stores to protect your baby- just think of all the benefits baby gets with you working out! Babies whose mothers worked out during gestation are like 4-5 times more likely to be honor students/excel academically, less likely to be overweight or have diabetes and also at a lower risk for ADD/ADHD. You are helping your little bean more than you know! Try to keep a positive attitude. I'm SURE your husband understands.

We are our worst critic. I cry because I don't feel beautiful anymore and DH assures me it's all in my head and that I'm so beautiful to him.

@mrs. wagon: LOL at sneaking in some butter and cheese.

J, I can TOTALLY see you doing that to K hahaha.

I completely understand but I didn't let it affect my pregnancy at all. I actually didn't work out at all during pregnancy mainly because we're pretty sure this is our last kid so I tried not to care for 9 months. Of course, now I'm 3 weeks PP and hating my body but I think that would have happened working out or not.

This is not really an answer but I am WAY impressed by all of you who work out like four times a week!! I think that's pretty great!

Also, during my first pregnancy people constantly told me I looked great and I always chalked it up to them being nice because I gained a ton of weight and felt like a beached whale. I didn't want to take a bunch of bump or maternity pics for this reason. But you know what? Now that I look back at the photos I did allow, I can see that I DID look pretty good. So I am trying to hold on to that belief for this pregnancy too.

So keep in mind our perceptions of ourselves often don't match what others see!

Luckily my dh gained weight with me so I didn't have to worry as much:) I couldn't really work out at all. Exercise gives me migraines, and migraines mean taking meds, so I wanted to do everything I could not to do that. All I did was water zumba.

Try not to let it get you down though. You're body is going through so much right now. Growing a baby is hard!

@jholler25: lol! I know what you mean... Wagon Sr. is not exactly the most fit guy, and he loves food, but if he works out just a little bit his body looks good. He knows, though, that if I'm not feeling good about my body he's not really "allowed" to get fit at that time. Haha. We're the same height and usually right around the same weight so I have huge issues with looking like his "big" wife, so he's sensitive to it. We'll both work on looking good after this baby is outta me!!

@hilsy85: whaaaat? Someone said that to you at work?! NOT OK. What is wrong with people?? And wow on the boob growth! My husband would love that - i've only gone up about a size and a half in bra's and he's hoping they get bigger - ha!

@jholler25: I'm sure you look amazing. It's definitely tough to hear about the weight gain - but, it's temporary. It's healthy for our growing babes, and you're lucky to have a fit-focused husband that can help you get back on track after baby. I'm sure he understands and doesn't expect you to be a perfect preggo -- no one is, it's totally different for all. you know all this... Oh - and my thighs are totally getting wider. Ugh -- i'm just wearing flowy skirts and maxi's all summer and ignoring them....

In terms of working out - you are a rockstar - i've been a super slacker... My gym membership expired & I decided not to renew -- so I'm walking more on my commute, so I think I walk about 2 miles a day... I've been having some painful ligament stretching pain, so if I walk to fast I have to slow down and wait for it to go away, then can move again...

I feel like this is a time on our lives when we have to let our fears of gaining weight be put the back burner and concentrate on the health of that little person (or people) inside of us. Yes, no one wants to get fat/expand but in reality pregnant women retain water, we put on weight in areas that we might not in normal day life. I say we embrace it and deal with it after giving birth!

I'm also having a hard time. Last dr appt, I had gained 5 lbs between week 12 and 16. I know it's normal and all, but I looked down and my THIGHS were also HUGE! I'm getting the rub when I wear skirts and it brings back flashbacks from when I was overweight.

Pre Pregnancy I worked out a lot, was training for a half marathon and 2 personal training sessions per week. Now I'm doing weights and running/walking at home. Much less than before but I'm okay with that. Add in the nonstop appetite and I'm just hoping to not get HUGE!

I had such a great workout routine for the past 2 1/2 years. I am far from having a great body, but I was in great shape for me and I loved it. I loved my classes and my gym friends and exercise had definitely become part of my life. My first two trimesters I was gaining weight, but it was all belly and I wasn't getting it in my bum, thighs, arms or face. I was psyched. And then I hit the third trimester and that all changed. I feel ENORMOUS. The gym has become too much for me. I can make it maybe once or twice a week but it's all I can do to make it through work (granted I walk a bit with work to/from where I park) and regular household duties. I feel gross, puffy and huge - and HATE it. I also hate not being able to do the things I want to do, or the things I am used to doing. It's so tough for a type-A person! It's challenging, but I'm really trying to cut myself some slack and I have little mental pep talks with myself all the time. I know I am filled with fluid because I can feel it, literally, in my hands. I know there is only so much control we have over our bodies when we're pregnant and at the end of the day, I can only focus on what I can control. I am eating fairly well and doing my best to be active but honestly, I am at 34 weeks and it's become really challenging for me. My eye is now on the prize. I know that the challenges I have felt these past 8+ months are only a part of the sacrafices I will have to make for my LO and that is how I am (somewhat) rationalizing things to myself. I have such a desire to get back to exercising that I know I will do it and it will be good for me and the baby. Being a "hot" pregnant woman is different than being a "hot" mamma and without doubt you will be one hot mamma. I think it's hard to control if you'll be a "hot" pregnant woman or not. Do the best you can to feel as good as you can about yourself, but know that whatever happens you are beautiful and will remain a beautiful and stunning pregnant woman. I know your hubby would agree.

um, is it sad that I had to look up from my big bowl of Alfredo to answer this question? First of all: I don't do anything right now. I feel so bad about it because I used to be all into fitness (I'm a coach for God's sake!). Anyways---ever since getting pregnant i've had one reason after another to not work out and now i'm just too out of shape to get back into it. Recently i've been walking....and then i'll get up to a slow jog in a few weeks, that's about it.
However, far as weight gain: I've been doing really well! I am all belly and gained 9-10lbs at 22w3d. I think its from watching my portions. I don't eat the healthiest of foods sometimes (hence the alfredo) but I do watch my portions and try to make good choices when offered to me. I'll NEVER be that preggo lady that eats an entire pizza on her own If we go out for steak...I won't get the fully loaded mashed potato. I'll JUST get the steak and a side salad if it comes with (no ranch!).
I know everything says not to "diet" while pregnant but its not a diet. I just have oatmeal in the mornings instead of a poptart! And if I do want the poptart: I'll have 1 not both pieces that come in the wrapper.

All that being said: I've seen some women blow up during pregnancy and loose it ALL and then some through walking with stroller, breastfeeding and general genetics.

I'm having a lot of trouble with this too. I've already gained 4 pounds at 8 1/2 weeks (maybe because there were 4 - now 3 babies?). Before IVF I played soccer twice a week and would run or do yoga. But I really haven't felt able to do much besides walk.

My stomach muscles are really sore all the time (without doing anything).

I feel totally disgusting right now. I think it's worse because there is no real bump there - just weight. I hope everything will redistribute as I progress. I have also been basically the same weight for basically forever. I fluctuate within 3 pounds up or down at most and when I am at the high range of that, I totally know it. It's really hard to let it go.

I didnt work out at all whilst pregnant, I tried to use our exercise bike at home and my thighs were sore for days so I stopped. The only real exercise I got was plenty of walking.

@MsLipGloss: wow! boy do we ever have some similarities. yeah it's so hard. I think most of us, or i know i did, we think that we will embrace it all because we are pregnant or we expect to be "Barbie Pregnant". I never knew before when i would talk about how huge a pregnant person i knew and love was that i might hurt them. I thought being huge was great because it meant being pregnant. I think what has helped me is to focus on being healthy and on how temporary it is.

Props to those of you doing several hardcore workouts a week! I don't event do that when I'm not pregnant, I get bored at the gym I live in a very compact city and don't own a car so I walk a lot, that is probably my main form of exercise. Recently, since my feet have been swelling, I've starting swimming laps once or twice a week as well. I am 32 wks and have gained about 25lbs at this point. It's a little more than I would have wanted, but I feel like I haven't developed any excessive eating habits, I am healthy and active, so I try not to worry about it. I agree with JessieJo17's advice of "try to embrace it". As hard as it may be, I think accepting it and not fighting it is the way to go. Let's face it, your body is going to continue to change until the baby is born. So I think it's better to try and enjoy it without putting pressure on yourself to be perfect, you'll only be disappointed when you gain more weight every week...Once the baby arrives then you can get serious about getting your shape back