Exercising while pregnant - first trimester

Does forcing yourself to workout (even walking) make you feel better? 

I'm almost 11 weeks and I'm too nauseous in the morning to work out, and tired and sick to my stomach in the evening, so I haven't been doing anything except the occasional walk (when I walk, it's brisk and I shoot for 35-45 minutes).  When I've tried to do other cardio (even an exercise TV workout), I start gagging, so I'm not burning much. 

I'm wondering if there's any benefit to just forcing the walks, even when I feel dead on my feet.  Has anyone done this?  Did you feel better afterward? 

I was super nauseous the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Exercising made it worse. I also got dizzy while working out so I called it quits and just tried to be as active as I could outside the gym. I did walk a lot. I was anemic which basically ruined my energy level so eventually, I wasn't doing much physical activity because all I could do was sleep.

I think walking definitely helped. You'll probably be able to resume your previous activity level once your body adjusts to the hormone levels (typically second trimester). The more active you can be during pregnancy, the more beneficial it will be during labor and recovery. A rule of thumb to follow is don't do more than you did before you were pregnant.

The gagging seems a little strange. Is it just because you get nauseous while working out? If not, I'd bring it up with your doctor.

Don't push yourself too hard when you're not feeling well. Take advantage of the days you feel really good. :)

Thanks!  I'm counting down to second trimester - I'd just like to feel slightly normal.

I did mention the gagging - it seemed to kick in once I got my heart rate up and I stopped and caught my breath and was okay, but once I started working out hard again, the gagging came back.  The Dr. wasn't concerned but told me to choose less intense forms of aerobics/exercise until I get past the first trimester nausea.