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Many women are choosing egg freezing as a way to preserve their fertility options for the future. It's a big decision that, naturally, comes with a lot of questions about how it will impact your daily life, especially if you prioritize fitness.
The good news is that you don't have to abandon your exercise routine completely, but you do need to make some adjustments — we've got the scoop on making it work.
Egg freezing recap
Before we get into the exercise specifics, let's break down the egg freezing process. Typically, it takes about two weeks and includes doing hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries so they can produce multiple eggs. During this time, your ovaries will enlarge, and you'll eventually undergo a minor surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs.
Since your ovaries are bigger than usual during this time, you'll want to be mindful of your workouts. There's a slight chance of something called ovarian torsion (which is basically when your ovary gets twisted), so doctors recommend modifying your exercise routine and easing up on the intensity for a bit.
Staying active during egg freezing
Alright, so what kind of workouts can you actually do? You want to keep things chill and low-impact — think any gentle movement that keeps your body happy and stress-free.
Walking is your new BFF! It's super easy on the body — you can do it pretty much anywhere, and it's still a great way to get your heart pumping. A brisk 30-minute walk each day can help you feel energized and even ease some of the not-so-fun side effects from those hormone injections.
Yoga is also a good option, but you should make a few tweaks. Choose more relaxing styles like restorative or prenatal yoga, and steer clear of any poses that put pressure on your belly or require you to be upside down. Give your yoga teacher a heads-up about what you’ve been up to so they can help you modify poses as needed.
Swimming is another awesome, low-impact activity. The water supports your body and gives you a good workout without stressing your joints or, you know, those super duper important ovaries. Just skip the fancy flip turns if you're swimming laps — those twisting motions are a no-no.
What exercises to avoid
Just as important as knowing what you can do is knowing what you should probably skip for a bit. Take a break from high-impact stuff like running, jumping rope, or those super intense aerobics classes. Basically, you want to avoid anything that involves a lot of jumping or twisting.
Weightlifting is a bit tricky too, especially exercises that work your core. Straining those abs could potentially mess with your ovaries. But this doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to strength training altogether! Just stick with lighter weights and exercises that don't involve your midsection.
And even though spinning or cycling classes are super popular, they're generally not recommended during this time. All that repetitive motion and bouncing can put extra pressure on your ovaries, which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid.
Listening to your body
Everyone's different, and what feels good for one person might not feel good for you. If something is uncomfortable or just feels off, stop and consider chatting with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
Also, it's totally normal to feel more tired or bloated while you're taking hormonal medication. So, if you're just not feeling up to your usual workouts, it's perfectly okay to take it easy. Don't push yourself! This whole egg freezing thing is temporary, and you'll be back to your regular fitness routine before you know it.
It’s not just about your ovaries
Getting in some regular, gentle exercise can help you chill out, sleep better, and just feel happier overall — and who doesn’t love good vibes? Plus, moving your body can even help with some of those pesky side effects, like bloating or temporary weight gain. Just remember to keep things low-impact and listen to what your body's telling you.
Have questions? Just ask!
Your clinical care team should be your expert go-to for any personalized advice. Whether you're wondering about safe exercises, how to manage side effects, or anything else related to egg freezing, no question is too big or too small. They've probably heard it all anyway.
Keep in mind that different clinics might have slightly different guidelines, so it's important to follow the advice of your specific provider. They might suggest tweaking your workouts at different points, so just stay in touch throughout the process.
And remember, these workout modifications are just temporary! As your body heals, you can slowly get back to your usual fitness routine, and eventually, your provider will give you the green light when it's safe to crush those workouts again. In the meantime, treat yourself to some extra rest and relaxation — your future self will thank you!
Blair Sharp is a freelance writer who lives in Minnesota with her husband and son. Her words have been published in various publications, including Parents, SheKnows, The Bump, and Insider. You can find her watching reality TV and sharing too many reels with her friends when she's not writing. To connect with Blair, find her on LinkedIn and Instagram, or head to her website www.blairsharp.com
