Pregnancy is a remarkable time in a woman’s life, and a mother’s physical and mental wellness ensures the healthiest possible start for the baby. For two new moms at Wayne Central School District, keeping a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle meant maintaining their exercise routines throughout their pregnancies and postpartum months.
“Fitness is very important to me,” says Stephanie Collins, a speech language pathologist at Wayne CSD and certified personal trainer. “I’ve always been into working out and staying fit.”
When Collins became pregnant in February 2016, she developed an overall exercise plan of weight training, cardiovascular exercise and yoga. However, the first thing she did was discuss her plan with her obstetrician.
Monica Bays, a music teacher in Wayne Central School District, swam competitively in high school and college, and trained five to six days each week. After graduating college in 2002, she switched to triathlons and competed in sprint Ironman competitions — sprint distances vary, but Ironman triathlons consist of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26-mile run.
Monica Bays completed circuit training through the end of her pregnancy. She’s pictured here pushing a sled at her health club.
Bays became pregnant in December 2015. She was 36 at the time, and it was her first pregnancy.
The two women did occasional activities together through the school district when both were pregnant, including the 2016 Chase Corporate Challenge. They also found inspiration in each other while at work, bouncing ideas and comparing how they felt during their pregnancies.
Collins found that during the first half of her pregnancy she was able to continue her regular fitness routine. There was one exception. “No more heated yoga!” she says.
Once Collin’s belly began to expand, she noticed other changes. Movement and balance became awkward, and her muscles began to relax. Collins adjusted her fitness routine accordingly. Her diminished lung capacity also affected her aerobic exercise.
“Everything was more challenging,” Collins says. “I understand why people give up exercising during pregnancy.”
Collins cut her weight-training loads in half. She also took advantage of the summer months by walking outside. When that became too difficult, she switched to the Stairmaster and Elliptical machines. She also integrated extra groin, inner thigh and core stretches, specific to pregnancy.
Unlike Collins, who was cleared to continue her active routine immediately after becoming pregnant, Bays faced a medical complication. There were signs of internal bleeding, which put her at high risk for the first part of her pregnancy. That meant no physical activity for four months. “Not doing anything is so hard when you’re accustomed to being active,” Bays says. “The baby was my inspiration. Four months is an insignificant part of my life in comparison.”
Monica Bays, a music teacher in Wayne Central School District, takes daughter, Sophia, for a walk in Highland Park.
As the risk diminished, Bays was cleared to slowly add activities back into her routine. She started with swimming, then added free weights, circuit training and cardio. She would wake up at 4:45 a.m. for a two-hour workout.
“I was so happy to be moving again,” Bays says.
Both Bays and Collins were careful with their diets. “It’s important to keep eating healthy, but you’re not eating for two,” Collins says. “Eat enough, but make healthy choices.”
In 2016, Annabella Collins was born on Oct. 22, and Sophia Bays was born on Aug. 14. The healthy eating and exercise habits of the new moms made it easy for them to return to their workout schedules. Both women agree that working out helps them be better mothers.
“As Sophia gets older, I hope she sees me as a healthy and active role model,” Bays says.
