34 weeks pregnant and still swimming!

swimming pregnant

Like an island rising out of the sea, I tell ya.

 

DadHTP and I hit the pool for a workout.  So glad to finally have a swim buddy – besides the one in my belly, of course.

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It is amusing to swim with Dad because he doesn’t count laps.  Amusing because I am counting obsessed.  After all, there’s little to do in the pool besides think and count.  Dad lets me count and then subtracts a lap or two since he’s a newer swimmer and a bit slower. It… would… drive… me… crazy not to know ‘my’ distance.  I don’t think I’ve ever swam and not counted laps; just like I’m pretty sure I’ve never ran and had no clue what distance I was running – I at least know a ballpark figure.

 

One thing that really gets my swimsuit in a wad is when I miscount or start doubting my count. As like, “I think this is lap 13 but it could be lap 12…”  I then feel compelled to assume it’s the lower number because I don’t want to shortchange myself.

 

Anyway – I’m 100% sure that I swam 0.5 a mile today. Smile It was a good swim, too.  I felt fast and strong.  My recommitment to the pool is definitely paying off!

 

This snack was a failure – I took one sip and realized that the almond milk was off (can almond milk even go off?).  Ate a banana instead.

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And lunch was, quite possibly, the best meal ever.

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A ton of watermelon and a bunch of gluten-free mac and cheese (with spinach mixed in).

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My question to you is…

 

Are you a fan of counting during workouts?  Laps, sit-ups, miles, time?  What do you use to keep track? Do you count anything unusual?  I used to count street lights in the final mile of my long runs when I lived in Orlando – the home stretch had five lights!

{ 80 comments }

 

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb May 1, 2012, 2:23 pm

    i’ve taken a sip of a smoothie and realized the almond milk was off as well. bummer! congrats on getting in a good swim 🙂

  • Becca May 1, 2012, 2:23 pm

    When I run I am obsessed with checking my Garmin for distance. However, when I swim I always start off counting my laps but give up after about 5.

  • Anne @ strawberryjampackedlife May 1, 2012, 2:24 pm

    I like to count my steps (not with a pedometer). Also I obsessively count when I do timed workouts, like tabata. I try to improve my count or at the very least keep it the same on subsequent rounds.

  • Mandi May 1, 2012, 2:27 pm

    I HAVE to count… it would drive me NUTS not to know also!!

  • Lindsey May 1, 2012, 2:28 pm

    Oh I have to keep count all the time, laps, distance ran, reps, sets! Numbers obsessed here.

  • Allison May 1, 2012, 2:29 pm

    I count EVERYTHING. I have OCD, so I don’t only count things during my workouts, but during my everyday life as well! It’s nice to know exactly what I did during my workouts, and I think it helps me to control what I eat as well. Sometimes it’s an annoying habit, but overall it’s probably been beneficial to me 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats May 1, 2012, 2:30 pm

    I am a total counter! I love numbers and have to know how much I’ve done!!!

  • Socal Rachel May 1, 2012, 2:31 pm

    Great job on the swim. I have to count and know my running or biking distance. Last time I rode with my brother he was getting impatient as I waited for the Garmin to pick up signal.

    • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed May 1, 2012, 3:40 pm

      I turn my Garmin’s training mode on 10 minutes or so before I’m going to start because one time my Garmin wouldn’t find a signal before my running group started going. I was annoyed lol.

      I’m big on tracking my runs but when I lift I don’t really care, I usually just go until it burns.

  • Alexis May 1, 2012, 2:33 pm

    When I count laps I use nouns in alphabetical order. So lap one I think of A nouns, lap two is B etc. You can also use names to help keep count as well.

  • julia May 1, 2012, 2:33 pm

    If you’re only off by one number, like 12 or 13, as you mentioned, you should be able to figure it out, because going away from your starting point is the odd number, coming back is even. Did I explain that well?

    I would rather zone out, get into the groove and have something else count for me… but I definitely like knowing what I’ve accomplished.

  • Laura May 1, 2012, 2:33 pm

    I do the same thing when I lose count while swimming laps! I get so annoyed and make myself go with the lower number. Wish I had a counter of some sort to slap so I know the correct number!

  • Molly P @Molly on the Run May 1, 2012, 2:34 pm

    I have to count! I am like you, I must know the exact amount. Plus, I record and add up all my mileage whether it be swimming, running, or walking!

  • Kelley May 1, 2012, 2:34 pm

    I love your little island!!!! HAHA That is so cute! I’m 34 weeks as well and I would LOVE to get into the pool at least once. I wonder if any of my bathing suits would even fit!

    And the watermelon mac & cheese combo looks heavenly.

  • Jen May 1, 2012, 2:35 pm

    I used to count when I swam but it drove me crazy. I always lost count. I started using a piece of string with beads on it to help me. That was kinda fun because it was like a reward moving the bead over to the other side. Then, that drove me crazy so now I just use time. I started doing that when I was training for the Ironman. I knew I had to swim for over an hour so that’s what I did!

    • Lisa Marie May 1, 2012, 2:58 pm

      smart idea…did you make your own little string with beads?

  • Ali May 1, 2012, 2:35 pm

    I’m distance/mileage OBSESSED! I am wearing a pedometer for a 10,000 step challenge at work and I’m step obsessed too. It drives me absolutely crazy if I am doing laps and I forget how many I’ve done. I go for the lower number too. It’s best when I do a route with a predetermined distance so I don’t have to think about it! 🙂

  • Lindsay @ Running the Windy City May 1, 2012, 2:36 pm

    I always count miles, laps, etc. It makes me feel more accomplished!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) May 1, 2012, 2:37 pm

    I am a counter with everything. I’m pretty sure that’s my obsessive compulsive thing…or at least one of them. I even count the strokes of deodorant I put on…I know, crazy.

  • Erin May 1, 2012, 2:40 pm

    Ah, the island pic is so cute!
    I can never go for a run and not know how far. It would drive me nuts!

  • Kristy @ KristyRuns May 1, 2012, 2:41 pm

    I ran today without a watch or gps. I thought I was going to do 10, but ended up going 14 miles when I mapped my run out when I got home. No wonder it felt like the longest run ever. 🙂

  • Whitney May 1, 2012, 2:44 pm

    Yep I like to count too. Miles ran, situps, weight reps, etc. I compare it to making a to do list and checking items off when done! love it 🙂

  • Gina May 1, 2012, 2:49 pm

    YES, Almond Milk can be off! I left mine in the fridge untouched for a little over a week and then I went to use it …chunks…yellow liquid…nasty!

  • Elyse May 1, 2012, 2:55 pm

    Almond milk can definitely go bad! I got food poisening from it when I used it in oatmeal one time. I had never been so sick in my life!

  • Whit May 1, 2012, 2:58 pm

    I am OBSESSED with counting. I used to count my STEPS when I was running, but I have since calmed down a little bit and I only track miles (and sometimes half or quarter miles – I have a problem, what can I say!)

  • Abby May 1, 2012, 3:00 pm

    I am counting obsessed, but I have weird number rules. Like, when lifting weights I can only stop on increments of 5, except for 12 and 18. But 22 or 28 is not acceptable, it must be 20, 25, or 30. When running I have to finish with quarter mile increments (so I either run 2.25 miles or 2.5- not 2.35).

    • Brita May 1, 2012, 3:23 pm

      Me too! I have to do 12 or 15 reps, and three sets of each exercise, or I go nuts. As for running, it’s the exact same. I’m always confused by people that say they just ran for 20 minutes on the treadmill “or so.” There is no “or so”! There’s a specific number! 🙂 Glad to know I’m not the only one out there like this.

  • Charity May 1, 2012, 3:00 pm

    OMG I LOVE the baby bump sticking out of the water!!

    • Charity May 1, 2012, 3:32 pm

      P.S. This should win a cutest baby bump award!!

  • AmandaonMaui May 1, 2012, 3:01 pm

    I got to try the TJ’s gluten free mac and cheese while in Washington last year. I hadn’t had anything like the blue box mac and cheese in quite a while. TJ’s gf m&c was even better than the old blue box. I ate the whole thing myself! LOL My bf understood. He had soup.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) May 1, 2012, 3:05 pm

    “As like, “I think this is lap 13 but it could be lap 12…” I then feel compelled to assume it’s the lower number because I don’t want to shortchange myself. ” >>>> i used to do the exact same thing!

  • Angie May 1, 2012, 3:08 pm

    I did masters swimming until about 34 weeks. My coach told me she loved watching me do backstroke and seeing my baby bump move from side to side as I swam. I always count swimming by yardage – i.e. 25, 50,1000 yards. And I use my garmin for everything else!

  • Katherine May 1, 2012, 3:09 pm

    I do exactly the same with undercounting laps when I’m unsure what number I’m on! I figure: I’d rather do one more than planned than one less and think I did more! I actually just got home from a lap swim, too. Today I was right on with my counting 🙂

  • Michelle May 1, 2012, 3:10 pm

    First – your “island” is hilariously adorable!

    Second – (just occurred to me that this is ironic that I numbered these considering what I am about to type). I am so NOT a counter! (see? irony.) When I’m running, I want an app to pay attention to my run and tell me when I’ve hit my goal (or halfway etc). Because I do want to know, but if am paying attention to it, I will NEVER make it! Same thing with swimming. I regularly swim a mile plus in a workout, but I only know that because my swimming buddy pays attention and adds it up. When we break it down into “200 breast stroke” or “400 pulls” etc, I HATE just counting up to the 4 or 8 laps. Drives me BONKERS!!! It just feel soooooo depressing. I’d rather zone out to music (hooray swimp3!) or focus on technique, or play out a scene in my head as though I were on the cast of Friends, (just me?) etc and at the end be told what I did, or when I reach my goal. Best of both worlds! 🙂

    SQUIRREL!!! [Thats the real reason I don’t count – I just cannot pay attention that long before…. SHINY!… ooo, apples! SQUIRREL! etc]

  • Emily May 1, 2012, 3:15 pm

    That is the best baby bump photo I have ever seen!

  • Nicole May 1, 2012, 3:18 pm

    I can get a little obsessive with the counting–especially while swimming since I don’t have anything else to occupy my mind. When I used to swim regularly, I counted laps, lengths, strokes, breaths, did equations in my mind….it was a little OCD. I also used to count the seconds while drinking with a straw–but that is probably TMI!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It May 1, 2012, 3:23 pm

    I’m trying to decide when I’ll be ready for my first half marathon, so counting miles and pace are really important to me right now! I’ll take that anyday over counting calories burned during the workouts of my college years. Half the fun of being an athlete is getting to be performace stats-obsessed!

  • Mikella May 1, 2012, 3:33 pm

    A tip for pool lap counting— get a small dry erase board and keep it on the edge of the pool. Stop every ten laps and write it down. 🙂

    And where do you get gluten free mac n cheese?

  • Kristen May 1, 2012, 3:36 pm

    I usually count distance, but I only start counting push-ups, crunches, etc. when they start getting difficult. I’ve been told those are the ones that count the most… but I’m probably just being lazy…

  • Caitlin @ This Bride's Joyride May 1, 2012, 3:40 pm

    I have to count laps and mileage! For some reason I always have the hardest time keeping track while swimming. I swear I have been tempted to put a pile of rocks at one end of the pool and move one over after each lap for tracking because I *always* lose count in my head and it makes me nutty!

  • Lyn @ Life Lyn Style May 1, 2012, 3:45 pm

    I love to know how far I’ve swam, but it’s so hard to keep track. I talked to a friend who came up with a drill workout. It’s great because you never do more than 100 yards of something and that makes it easy to see where you are. I love it.

  • Kattrina May 1, 2012, 3:47 pm

    When I run I always know the distance but I never time myself. I used to be obsessed with how fast I was running and it started to make the runs less fun. So, one day I stopped and I haven’t ever gone back! I find it so much more relaxing not knowing how fast/slow I’m going and I totally trust my body to work as hard as it can on that particular day. It has actually been great to get away from “numbers” like calories, weight, time, etc. I still like to know my distance though – but it would be hard to train for a race without making sure I hit the right distances in training!

    That’s great that you are keeping up with swimming. I gave up running when I got pregnant but have been a walking machine. The other week I walked 10 miles and it felt great! As I get bigger, I’m sure I’ll get more tired though.

  • Sally May 1, 2012, 3:48 pm

    I’m counting OBSESSED – but that’s because I swim with a Masters Club and our workouts are very planned.

    Usually it’s 3500 – 4500 M / 90 minute workout (2-4 times per week) which is exhausting but awesome. However, I’m 18 weeks pregnant now and it’s getting MUCH harder to keep up and put in the metres!

    You should think about joining a Masters club post-baby Bee. It’s a great way to meet people, improve your technique and your times, is an awesome motivator and is a great resource for triathletes like you. Here’s a list of NC clubs:
    http://www.ncmasters.org/teamlist.html

    Honestly, I cannot recommend Master Swimming highly enough! There’s usually a great variety in ability so don’t worry about “not being fast enought” – it’s all about getting in the pool and improving on your own swimming!

    Best of luck with your swimming and the remaining weeks of your pregnancy.

  • Amanda May 1, 2012, 3:58 pm

    OMG–spinach and mac & cheese is genius! I can’t wait to fix this.

    Congrats on your book release! You are so successful.

  • Emily May 1, 2012, 4:12 pm

    Of course I count my laps! But, I always lose track. So, I bought a waterproof counter that I wear on my finger. I think it’s a little pricey, but I bought it anyway and really like it. I can enjoy swimming instead of stressing about counts!

    http://www.amazon.com/SportCount-Inc-LapCounter/dp/B0016J9NE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335903058&sr=8-1

  • Jo May 1, 2012, 4:14 pm

    With running I HAVE to know at least how long I do it. I don’t have a running watch so I never know the exact distance, but I count in park/lake/pond laps. Tried to go on a completely “blind” run once and ended up stopping ridiculously soon because not knowing drove me crazy. But swimming is completely different. If I have the time, I only stop swimming when I start to get woozy with hunger.

    I do that confusion thing all the time, and like you, feel obligated to underestimate how much I’ve done. I hate it.

  • Jessi May 1, 2012, 4:18 pm

    I always count. I’m a numbers geek. I like to have the miles, calories, time, max and average heart rate, I use my Garmin and Polar watches, depending on the workout. Love the baby bump swimming =)

  • Annette@FitnessPerks May 1, 2012, 4:25 pm

    It totally depends on the type of workout – if I count or not. Sometimes with swimming I totally do 🙂

  • Nicole Marie May 1, 2012, 4:35 pm

    I always count! I cannot stop. I count laps, miles, minutes, reps, sets, pounds.. Whenever I’m in the homestretch of cardio at the gym I count down until the end. I don’t know, I kind of think it’s a problem. HAHA! I do the same thing though, if I doubt my counting I go from the lower number I think it might be.. Or I start over.

    Nicole Marie

  • Diana May 1, 2012, 4:37 pm

    Yes, I’m also counting obsessed! (I’m an accountant so that isn’t really surprising I guess) I don’t swim (yet) but I do it with running all the time. When I want to give myself a little break though I measure minutes instead of miles. So I’ll pick a given distance and run out half way and then back.

    I’ve been oddly inspired to start training for a triathlon lately (even though I don’t have a bike or swim- ahhh) so I may be counting laps soon!

  • Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not May 1, 2012, 4:57 pm

    I definitely count my workout! The only time I don’t is when I’m walking, and even then I can usually figure out the distance by the amount of time.

  • Mary May 1, 2012, 5:01 pm

    “One thing that really gets my swimsuit in a wad is when I miscount or start doubting my count. As like, “I think this is lap 13 but it could be lap 12…” I then feel compelled to assume it’s the lower number because I don’t want to shortchange myself.”

    ….this made me laugh. I’m the same person (but with laps on a track rather than in the pool)

  • Philippa May 1, 2012, 5:03 pm

    This post made me chuckle – I did a swim tonight and made it to 80 lengths (2000m). This is the longest I have swum in one go and I am feeling pretty chuffed with myself. I guess I’d be feeling even more chuffed if I was 34 weeks pregnant! Well done you, the little one will be all the better for it (and you of course!).

    Oh and I do exactly the same re counting. I’m pretty sure I do a couple more lengths than I have counted most swims 🙂
    I am requesting one of these for my birthday – http://store.speedo.co.uk/p/watches/aqualap-fingerwatch/807551

  • Ashley May 1, 2012, 5:05 pm

    Oh my gosh, Almond Milk can go wayyyyy off! Like chunky, nasty, moldy off. Be careful with it 🙂

  • LeeAnn May 1, 2012, 5:12 pm

    I totally count! And if I lose count, I totally go with the lower number too-I would rather have done a little more than not enough!!

  • Justine @ Life With Cheeseburgers May 1, 2012, 5:15 pm

    Since I lift weights, I always count my reps and sets of course. I also time myself between sets so I have the most effective workout possible.

    Your post makes me want mac and cheese, NOW!!! 😉

  • Carolyn L. May 1, 2012, 5:17 pm

    Aw, man! I do the exact same thing every time I swim. I even started counting in threes: 1-1,2,3; 2-1,2,3; 3-1,2,3. And I still manage to lose count! I’m sure I do almost a million more laps than I think because of the counting thing…

  • Jen May 1, 2012, 5:25 pm

    I don’t like counting during workouts. I usually run outside, so there’s not much to count haha.

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery May 1, 2012, 5:34 pm

    I used to but now I don’t. When I work out I try not to obsess because of my past health history. I just try to enjoy what I’m doing and listen to my body. Oh that mac ‘n cheese looks good plus watermelon. I could use a vegan version 🙂 of the mac ‘n cheese of course, not the watermelon 😉

  • Rebecca May 1, 2012, 5:35 pm

    In gym when we would run for five or 10 minutes we would have a partner count our laps, and I was always paranoid I was going to get my partner’s count wrong. When we had to count our own, I was always second-guessing myself.
    I was always the slowest swimmer by like half a lap (not competitive, just in class), which was annoying, but oh well. I lived.

  • Kim May 1, 2012, 5:51 pm

    I’m a big counter!! I count everything. Laps, miles, quarter miles, calories, songs, etc. Anything that will distract me!!

  • Corrie Anne May 1, 2012, 6:05 pm

    Oh yeah… I count everything too. How else can I compete with myself? Haha.

  • Dominique May 1, 2012, 6:24 pm

    It’s so nice to have a family member to work out with. My father is a soccer fanatic and has been playing since I before I was born (and I’m almost 30 now). He’s always wanted me to play but honestly, I’m too scared of getting kicked in the shins or hit by the ball since it’s happened in elementary school.

    I’m numbers obsessed as well. When I used to run on the treadmill at the gym, I’d have to run an equal distance whereas Sean would just stop at however many kilometers he had run. I couldn’t do that. If I was close to finishing off a km, I’d have to continue. Same with the bike.

    Since I’m alone for dinner tonight, I know exactly what I’m having for dinner thanks to you: gluten-free mac and cheese with roasted broccoli! Thanks for the idea.

  • Hillary May 1, 2012, 6:26 pm

    I HAVE to know how far I’ve run, at least a ballpark figure. I don’t know why (especially if I’m not training), but I do. One of the reasons my Garmin was a great purchase!

  • Army Amy* May 1, 2012, 6:30 pm

    I don’t count anything interesting while I run, but I do occasionally finger spell. If I see a funny street name or I’m thinking about a particular friend, I’ll sign language spell their name. Does that make me crazy?*

  • Jasmine May 1, 2012, 7:47 pm

    I think maybe that’s a generation mindset thing. Your dad exercises for the sake and fun of it. Our generation always wants to PROVE we did something good/awesome/that “counts.”

    I think his way is probably a healthier mindset, actually, but hard to do. I like that feeling of I did X today, too.

  • Andrea May 1, 2012, 8:42 pm

    I do the exact.same.thing when swimming! I’ve even considered getting a paper to record the laps as I do them because I constantly second guess myself, and then always use the lower number so that I don’t “cheat!”

  • Kelly May 1, 2012, 8:48 pm

    I count in the pool and always lose count haha.

    Do you ever listen to music while you are swimming? I remember at one point you got a waterproof mp3, right? Was it one that you would recommend, I’m thinking about getting one 🙂

  • Nicole Dyan May 1, 2012, 9:56 pm

    I grew up a swimmer and go with my SO sometimes. I’m totally the counter. I count laps, strokes, breaths… I just count to pass the time. He just follows along after me. It’s funny how the same workout can be totally different to each person.

  • Chelsea May 1, 2012, 10:06 pm

    I’m number obsessive! It can be pretty bad. Like if I’m running on the treadmill and I accidently hit that darned stop button at like 2.34 miles, and know that my goal is to get to 5 miles. I get all kinds of off. Specially if I’m doing like an interval workout! Oh lordy. Sometimes I’ll just walk off and be like screw it because the numbers get to me so much. It’s bad. hahaha.

  • Lea May 2, 2012, 12:29 am

    I’m an obsessive counter. Personally I know that if I don’t set a specific number to hit I will totally wuss out on my workout and short change myself. So I count to push myself past my comfort zone.

  • Nicole May 2, 2012, 12:30 am

    Oh my goodness girl, your bump is so stinkin’ beautiful! Love how it pops out of the water like that!

    I haven’t gone for a swim since I was a kid, but with each run being a little less comfortable, you’re inspiring me to give the pool a try. We’ll see how it goes!

    Take care!

  • Megan May 2, 2012, 3:00 am

    Lol I’m sure some where in the 72 comments before me your question was answered but YES almond milk goes bad! Lol I buy almond breeze and it says to use 7 days after opening and I’ve tried it after 7 days – very noticeable difference, it definitely tastes ‘off’.

  • Quisha May 2, 2012, 9:21 am

    You’re going to have a “water baby” for sure! My sister was so into water, but my mom was always scared of it (don’t know how this happened). I have always read that swimming works all of these muscles that you never knew you had and that it’s an amazing workout..

  • Liza May 2, 2012, 9:42 am

    “Like an island rising out of the sea, I tell ya”…….. that made me CRACK UP. Love it!!

  • Jessica May 2, 2012, 10:34 am

    Glad I’m not the only one! I swam the whole pregnancy and also am counting obsessed. I use ridiculous memory devices (I can’t spell the word I wanted to use instead of “memory”). I count a lap once I finish it, not when I start, and the whole lap I think about something related to the number lap I’m on. Like lap 9, I think about “9 times” and I think about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. When I get into the 20s its tough. I have to do “age I moved to North Carolina” and whatnot.

  • Katy @ HaveYouHurd May 2, 2012, 11:01 am

    I am the same about counting!!! Unless it’s a vacation run (which is rare) then I’m counting! And I do the same thing as you, if I miss a lap or something I always assume I’m at the lower end and force myself to do more. What a weirdooooo

  • Cait @ Cait Strides May 2, 2012, 11:34 am

    When I was in college, I used to run on the indoor track at my gym. 10 laps = 1 mile. I used to do 5 miles, so according to the math, that’s 50 laps. I would often lose count and round down (just like you said, don’t want to shortchange your workout!).

  • Amber K May 2, 2012, 1:22 pm

    I try to lose myself in a workout, so I never keep track of most of what I’m doing. I like to know about how long I’ve been working out and how many calories I’ve burned (at least an estimate). But distance just isn’t something I track.

  • Linda @ Lemons May 12, 2012, 11:07 am

    I count everything, sometimes I don’t even realize I’ve been counting and all of a sudden I notice I’m up to 53. At the end of long runs I count my steps.

    In the pool I got a little lap counter that goes on my finger like a ring and at the end of each lap I push the button with my thumb. It’s a great thing, you should get one.

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