Why I Went on a Fitmoon 6.5 Months Pregnant

Throughout my pregnancy, I tried my best to prioritize movement, knowing how beneficial it was for me and the baby. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't let my anxiety take over in the third trimester, allowing my doubts to creep in about what my body was capable of despite my doctor clearing me to exercise.

I know that for first-time moms, and honestly, all moms, this anxiety is normal. I don't blame myself for the sedentary days when I have to walk from the office to the kitchen for the longest time. But I also know how good movement makes me feel. Saturdays when I force myself to go to prenatal yoga, mornings when I do a lap around the block, and evenings when I do mobility work after logging off are the days when I feel the most energized. Additionally, I want to set an early and long-term example for my daughter that it is not selfish to take time for your body, but to take care of yourself.

Reminding myself of this, I began to think about what I wanted from my what will a babymoon look like?. I knew I wanted to be somewhere warm, near the water, and with plenty of opportunities to relax (after all, I'm almost seven months pregnant and I deserve it). But I also wanted to plan a trip that included movement and exercise. So when Hydrow, luxury rowing machine company (think: Peloton, but strictly for rowers), invited me on a fitness center press trip to Ambergris Caye private resort in Turks and Caicosit felt like kismet.

Proposed agenda: tennis and pickleballe-bikes and guided nature trails, private charters with conch and lobster diving, sunrise yoga and Hydrow training with professional paddler Mac Evans. Going into the trip, I knew I couldn't do everything, at least not without modifications. But I was also looking forward to treating myself to a little adventure.

My Fitmoon experience

After a short 90-minute flight from Miami to Providenciales, I boarded a private charter plane to Ambergris Caye where I was greeted with a cold herbal towel and clear turquoise water. The staff quickly made our bags disappear, exchanging them for refreshing fruit juice and glasses of champagne. We then set out to explore our villa in our private golf carts over the next three days.

The villa itself was stunning, with three spacious bedrooms (baby and I were lucky to have a host!) and direct views of the ocean. This place was equipped with everything necessary for a fitness moon: Hydrow Arc Rowing Machine ($2,295), resistance bands, yoga mats and blocks, hydration packs, insulated water bottle and sweat towel. And for recovery: a private pool, outdoor shower and a king-size bed where you can easily recline and soak in the water.

Once we got settled, the first thing on the agenda was lunch (a black snapper burger for me) followed by a Hydrow workout led by a Hydrow athlete. Mac Evansrowed D1 at Rutgers University. We started with a quick yoga session and stretching to get rid of the airplane stiffness. We then moved on to the rower one by one as Mac adjusted our form, applied expert techniques and helped us maximize the benefits of the Hydrow full body machine. I was quickly overwhelmed by her instructions as she guided my arms into the correct position and demonstrated the 3-2-1 method designed to help master the stroke and optimize power output.

After a 30-minute group workout, we came to a consensus: rowing is much more difficult than we thought, but the effect is immediate: muscle pain begins within minutes of removing the leg straps.

After training, we went to dinner at the resort's oceanfront restaurant and returned to our villa to relax before tomorrow morning's start. The next morning I tried out the Hydrow again, hoping to implement my new technique. This time, my body naturally fell into a rhythm, and since my form was much better, I felt more comfortable studying the machine's artificial intelligence metrics, which can track accuracy, power, and endurance with each stroke. Advice for pregnant women wanting to take up rowing: Lean back less in the final position and maintain a tall posture to reduce stress on your lower back (an early mistake of mine!). Stop if you feel discomfort. And, of course, consult your doctor before starting anything new. I still have a long way to go before I get to a personal best, and I won't be rowing hard in the third trimester, but I like the idea of ​​implementing this low-impact workout when I get back into action after giving birth.

After our morning Hydrow session, we had breakfast and headed to the dock for a three-hour private charter with conch and lobster diving. I can't swim, so I can't dive. But I donned a life jacket and happily waded through the clear blue water with the rest of the editors, feeling more weightless than I had felt in months. I let the ocean lift my legs and helped lift me aboard the shells as the divers rose from the ocean floor.

After the charter tour we had lunch at the clubhouse and had the opportunity to take a sailing lesson. But by then I wanted to take a nap. I skipped the swim and instead showered outdoors, put on pajamas and an eye mask, and took a nap until dinner, where we actually ate the conch we caught (both in fried and fried form!).

When I woke up the next morning, I put on the appropriate yoga kit and headed to the golf cart for sunrise rooftop yoga. The instructor walked us through an hour of different flows and breathing techniques, and I chose a few modifications. We finished with a soothing sound bath (my favorite healing practice) and I drifted off to sleep as the morning breeze touched my face. We then went for a final breakfast and returned to the villa to pack our things and say goodbye to our holiday.

Final thoughts on my Fitmoon

I don't regret my fitluna. Although it wasn't the most intense weekend, I enjoyed all the forms of movement that were woven into my stay. Instead of worrying about what my body was previously capable of, I began to simply do what I enjoy – from rowing classes on Hydro, to sunrise yoga, boating and sailing on beautiful turquoise waters. My body supported me in everything I wanted to do, with a few changes. And in the end, I was grateful for a new kind of strength, realizing that my body was not only capable of creating, but also stretching, moving, rowing, climbing and swimming (with a life jacket!) – in addition to resting. After three days in Turks and Caicos, I had a clear conclusion: trust your body at every stage of life.

Alexis Jones (she/her) is the head of health and fitness at Popsugar, overseeing coverage on the website, social media and newsletters. With more than seven years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed a passion and knowledge in the areas of mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic health disparities, and chronic disease. Before joining PS, she was a senior editor at Health magazine. Her other original articles can be found in the magazines Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire and others.