To buy: Comfy Clothes

One of the joys of pregnancy is shopping. Yes, it's really a time to save, but it's also a time for some new clothes. I've been stocking up on workout clothes recently - my new favorite? Ryka. I hadn't heard of this brand before but a friend turned me on in a yoga class. I'm digging the Dia Flow Tunic for yoga and post-run attire. The greatest thing? It's a bit long and flowy so it'll grow and cover "stuff" (aka, the twins - the ones in my belly, not the one's my co-worker is loving) as I grow.

To do: Abs

Abs are an often forgotton place in pregnant women. Yes, of course, they're aware of the bump growing in front (for the sake of full disclosure, being in my 1st tri I don't yet have the bump) but abs get forgotten in prenatal workouts. Abs and ab muscles are important, though, for the duration of pregnancy, labor, and getting one's body back.

Fit pregnancy chronicles a few great stretches for the middle (their direction is much better than mine, but here's the crux):

• Sit in a chair and do knee lifts to engage the abdomine


• Get on hands and knees table style and suck in


• Modified crunch on pillows or the floor

I also like using the weighted ball to do side twists as well as the bosu ball for modified crunches. Really, anything that isn't causing too much pulling or preasure on the middle part but is still giving a good stretch and focussing on the sides of the abs is good in my book.

Pregnant lady yoga

Today I decided to take hot vinaysina yoga at Crunch after work. Although I can run, I can barely touch my knees let alone toes. When I got to the class, because it was a hot one, I asked the instructor if it was OK for pregnant women to take it. “Yes, just as long as you feel ok.” Good.

Throughout the class was a little embarrassing, though. Being 1-month pregnant I feel like I’m not really allowed to say “I’m pregnant” – I don’t look any different. The teacher was awesome, though, for poses that made me twist in odd angles or put too much compression on my stomach, she showed me new poses.

• Instead of the twisted star, I did the regular star
• Instead of the boat pose, I did boat on my side
• Instead of holding crunch sit-ups with a block between my knees, I did cross legged bow

Loved it. Can’t wait until the next class.