You Raise Me Up
Behold,
the sweet Ace bandage of belly-lifting justice.
Sexy, no?
I was seriously stoked when the belly support wrap I ordered via Amazon arrived on Monday. Of course, I couldn’t wait to take it out for a spin and see how it felt. The instructions were pretty intense, considering it’s a belly wrap, but I managed to figure it out.
I may or may not have been singing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” while attaching the many Velcro straps.
On Saturday, while I was teaching Zumba, I could feel my belly moving around while I was shaking, and it didn’t feel right. I will probably have to just start assisting fairly soon here –I’m going to see how this feels first- but wanted some more support for the classes I teach and assist in the meantime.
I gave it a few practice shakes to see what I thought…
and went with the Pilot and Bella on a long walk to test it out.
The verdict? It felt really, really good.
Not too snug, and it kept everything in place while we were walking around. I also wore it to assist Zumba today –when we assist, we do the class in the front with the instructor and demonstrate low-impact modifications- and it made a huge difference. I could shake without feeling like things were shifting around too much, but the only bummer is that it’s HOT.
The fabric is very thick, almost exactly like an Ace bandage, and it’s a hefty amount of fabric.
I layered it over a Power Y tank so that the scratchy fabric wouldn’t chafe, and it was fine. I’m interested to see how it works when I actually teach on Saturday.
What’s your most important fitness tool? All you *really* need are some sneakers and motivation, but having extra tools can be helpful sometimes, too.
If you’ve experienced a bun in the oven, what helped you maintain your fitness? For me, walking has been a huge factor and I’m also glad I ordered a new heart rate monitor shortly after I found out I was pregnant. It’s been extremely helpful in gauging how hard I’m working and also make sure I get enough fuel on the days I’m more active at work.
Now if only I could find something to help with the mind-blowing fatigue…
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The picture of you dancing is hilarious! 🙂
I’m thinking about getting a heart rate monitor to wear during hot yoga…
🙂 Love those shorts, remember when and wear you got them?
they still have them at lululemon- the knock out shorts. i have 4 pairs now, haha- my faves
awesome thank you!!! love your blog.
It never occurred to me that the pregnancy belly strap would exist! File that under “Simple Things I wish I would have invented”.
Rock that sexy look!
Definitely my Garmin and my new compression socks!
ha you look so adorable. lulu as maternity is totally the way i’m gonna roll too. i just…can’t be fussed.
I did yoga throughout my pregnancy and also walked … a lot. The elliptical was also nice!
I totally regret not getting a belly support band … next pregnancy for sure 🙂
Thanks so much for reviewing this item. I am 23 weeks pregnant and also teach Zumba. Even though I have felt pretty good up until this point I often think about how taxing it is to ma pa le with the bigger belly, I am fearful for my back! This might be worth looking into as I am hoping to teach 10 more weeks!
That’s funny you mentioned Josh Groban because I immediately thought of that song when I saw the title of this post. 🙂 I think you pull the belly support wrap off with a major sexy look girl! You seriously are such a cute little preggo lady.
I bet you felt so snug and secure. Kind of like when you put on a new sports bra and you just KNOW it’s going to be comfy and supportive and you get that ahhhhh, this is what I needed, feeling 🙂
Haha, that first picture is priceless.
LOL love your expression.
I miss you honey. And you are looking radiant, with or without the Ace 😀
Ha! Super sexy mama! I love that strap, especially the action shot. Too bad it doesn’t come in other colors… though I suppose you could bedazzle it if you really wanted to!
my Garmin is a great tool! I love doing my runs outdoors, so it’s a great way to keep track of my distance and pace!
Love the dancing pic!! hahah hilarious. Glad it helps 🙂
Since I mostly run, a good bra and socks are vital!*
So glad you’re comfy, little momma. 🙂
I ran, lifted weights, elliptical and spin class while I was preggo. I actually ran 6 miles 2 days before giving birth. My baby girl is 9 weeks old and I am already running 40+ miles a week and lost all my baby weight. Staying active and eating healthy during pregnancy definitely makes it much easier to get back in shape after!
P.s. You look so cute!
For running, I love my garmin. For all other exercises? Spreadsheets. I like having a schedule of what to do each day-it’s the only way I’ll ever stay consistent.
Is this something to consider wearing everyday and not just when you are working out for added support and possibly to help with the strain on your body??
I think I’ll probably wear it all day at work since I’m on my feet the entire time- it helps so much
I am in love with my garmin FR60. Still working on calibrating the foot pod and what heart rates I should train at etc. but I am super happy with my new toy!
I had to get a belly support band a few weeks ago at 19 weeks because my back hurt sooo bad from carrying extra weight up front. Mine is much smaller and I wore it for a few weeks until the back pain was better. I still wear it intermittently when I need to. I found that I just can’t walk too fast or it causes belly or back pain. I think it’s so awesome that you’re still teaching Zumba!
LOL at the action shot! You are so cute, Gina. I’m going to bookmark this post so I can refer to it when I’m too prego to run comfortably sans support. 🙂
cutest pregnant lady ever!!!
Pandora has been an awesome fitness tool for me lately to power through workouts. Sometimes I get so bored of the same songs on my iTunes, so Pandora keeps it fresh and new!
Make sure you get one of the wraps for post-pregnancy. I wish I had gotten one of those. I saw it just this morning on GMA. Here’s the link:
http://gma.yahoo.com/belly-wraps-become-product-moms-dreams-181355482.html
Oh, and sadly, there’s nothing to fix the mind-blowing fatigue of growing a WHOLE NEW PERSON! It’s totally worth it, tho!
i’m already on it! i plan on wearing a hip binder too
You are too funny! Glad the new contraption feels good!!! Glad to know about it now…wish I did last winter!! I was all about the elliptical and walking all the time. I did so much cardio when pregnant, low impact. Hated weights but like I said before did them a little bit….like 3 sets of lat pull downs superset with rows and 3 sets of hammer curls after 40 mins of cardio and call it a day. Hated weights and now I can’t get enough!
Mind blowing fatigue<—just go with it!!!!!!!! It's your body telling you to rest! Seriously, do a lot of that it's one of the most critical parts of this point in your pregnancy (since the 1st trimester) to rest rest rest!!! Put your feet up and seriously…suck up having the excuse, the sympathy, and so on. Because after baby is here, I don't have to tell you because I am sure you hear it. Now I am realizing all the rest and everything I benefited from being pregnant my first time will prob be SO different the next time with a toddler running around!!!
I’m 39 weeks and still running a few miles/day. I have the gabriela maternity support band and it’s very breathable. I think Gabriela offers various maternity support belts, but def have one that’s extra breathable. Just a thought if you find yours is too hot. I love mine!
good to know- i may have to reassess after teaching on sat
OMG you don’t even look pregnant from the back!!!
I love my compression socks and my Triggerpoint for those crampy calf days!
LOL, I love your expression in the first pic! Those instructions seem a little heavy … they know our pregnant brains don’t function “normally”, right? 🙂 I might get one myself, walking the pup is starting to take a toll on my belly/back as well …
You are SO adorable!!! So so cute. I wonder if some maca in your life would help you with the fatigue? <3
i don’t think i can take maca right now :/
that would do the trick, though!
As soon as I read the title this morning I’ve had that Josh Groban song in my head all day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Nice moves! 😉
My favourite fitness tool is my Garmin – it’s really helped motivate me to run faster and farther!
Do I count three Bella beds in the background (one filled with a mountain of toys?). Love it! My two big dogs somehow squeeze into their bed together and it’s hilarious.
haha yes! she has a bed upstairs in our room, too. goofer
All I did during my 2 pregnancies was walked; still gained 30-35 elbees with each kiddo. (No special accessories) You are too funny!!
Cool! My first thought was “I wonder if you can wear it upside down to push the baby DOWN?” Haha, I carried so high toward the end I’d just press the heel of my hand onto the top of my bump to try to get some pressure off my poor innards up there! I’m really short-waisted, though.
hahah! i have a short torso, too, so i’m anxious to see what happens as the belly gets bigger
Hahaha…I love that photo of you dancing. You can shake it with a bump, better than I can without! 😀 So glad that it worked for you! Yay!
Hmmm…my most important fitness tool? My free weights, my yoga mat, and my Yoga DVDs, without a doubt. These are the only tools I use, and I love them!
Happy Thursday! xyx
You look adorable in your glorified ace bandage. 🙂 I think it’s awesome that you’re still teaching zumba, but also honoring your body and how it feels.
One of my most important fitness tools would be my spin shoes. I held off on getting them for a while because they’re kinda pricey and not absolutely necessary, but I’m so happy I finally bought them. Now I can use a full range of motion when I’m on the bike, instead of only being able to push down on the pedals. It allows me to crank up the resistance a lot more!
I had something similar when I was pregnant, & it made a huge difference! Enabled me to do high-impact aerobics (Jazzercise, which is similar to Zumba) all the way thru my pregnancy – I took a class the night before I was induced! 🙂
Hi there,
I’m currently 6 months pregnant and also still teaching Zumba. You’re so inspiring! When did you start using this support band. I have one that I use occasionally but it is only on single band not a double like yours. I’m trying to figure out if I should upgrade.
i’m pretty sure i was 6 months when i started needing it. the double was awesome- gave me support for the rest of the pregnancy and all of my classes/workouts
Did you wear it all the time when you taught Zumba after 6 months?
yep!