Allie is CrossFit 1080’s designated photographer, so she’s rarely in front of the camera. Isn’t she darling!?

Sweet Allie Lauritson reached out to me in June, eager and excited with her first pregnancy. She welcomed her handsome baby in January and is grateful to her CrossFit routine – her midwives reaffirmed that her mobility and strength helped her labor.

This St. Paul, Minn., native is another “recovering runner” and CrossFits with her husband at CrossFit 1080. Allie is exactly why I love doing these profiles. She’s excited to be a new mom and her enthusiasm to continue to keep herself strong and healthy is contagious – even in writing. Here’s her story:

What does your spouse/partner think of you CrossFitting during pregnancy? He loves that we’re able to continue working out together. However, we’re both doing a lot of research on safe ways to continue CrossFitting. He’s pretty protective of me and this little baby, but we both understand that strong women have the best chance at healthy pregnancies, births, and babies. Bring on that Metcon!

How did you find CrossFitandpregnant.com? My CrossFit coach and co-owner of our gym, Emily Hendricks, just delivered her first baby in May. She can’t stop talking about CrossFitandpregnant.com and what a great resource it is! She worked out with us (in moderation) until delivery.

Why I started CrossFit: I considered myself a seasoned runner but not “hard core” enough to join a CrossFit gym. After all, I was working out every day and in decent shape. What could I possibly gain from CrossFit? Now, after being a member at 1080 for almost a year, I could make a list of 100 things I am gaining.

I realized my fitness pre-CrossFit was very one dimensional with weaknesses I didn’t even know I had (apparently there is something called an upper body? Who knew?). There is so much more my body can do than hit the pavement, and 1080 ignited the passion once again for FUN workouts. Instead of running by myself with only my iTunes library to keep me trucking along, I now have supportive coaches and a team of athletes with similar goals that challenge and push me to be better. Every Day.

In all honesty, I felt very intimidated joining the Components Program (for beginners) at CrossFit 1080. I assumed every CrossFit athlete would be doing bicep curls…while doing squats…while doing cartwheels. I couldn’t have been more off base. There are athletes from all levels of fitness as well as age and even some with agility issues. CrossFit is for everyone that wants to be healthier. It’s as simple as that.

Other exercise practices: I continue to run on occasion, but since our gym incorporates running into its summer warm ups and Metcons, I usually kill two birds with one stone. BUT sometimes the weather is just too nice to skip out on a long run around the lakes of Minnesota.

My goal in CrossFitting while pregnant is: Show up. Show up. Show up. Even when I’m not feeling the best, being around likeminded athletes and working on mobility is better than staying home on the couch! Fortunately, I haven’t had much morning sickness, so I’ve been able to participate like usual. I’d also like to learn as much as possible to be a resource to other new moms interested in continuing exercise into their pregnancies.

What exercise advice did your doctor provide you? Did you follow it?: Not to lift over 20 pounds. What a joke.

CrossFit and pregnant, where do you find support? My gym (as well as probably any CF gym) is full of the most supportive friends. Early on in my pregnancy they were all too observant! Ha! They kept pushing me to lift more and go harder without knowing I was trying to take it a bit easier. I love that about them! Now that they know they’re just there for encouragement in any way they can be. It’s like a little family.

CrossFit and pregnant, where do you find inspiration? I love watching pregnant women in testimonial videos on YouTube. Those get me all riled up! And obviously the athlete profiles on CrossFitandpgregnant.com are beyond inspirational.

Since doing CrossFit while pregnant, I’ve learned: To listen to my body!! When I got that piece of advice from my coach, everything else fell into place. Feeling great? Lift! Something doesn’t feel right? Modify or rest. No one can communicate that with you except yourself.

Biggest CrossFit and pregnant challenge I’ve faced: To find the fine line of working but not too hard. To feel awesome and confident modifying movements and not feeling like I’m half-a**ing the workouts. I’m super competitive and not pushing my body has been the most challenging thing so far.

Do you follow a particular eating lifestyle? I identify the most with Paleo, but many of my meals are

Whole30 approved. Things have changed a bit with my first trimester (I HATE sweet potatoes, chicken, peppers, and hot veggies now for some reason) which has been a bit frustrating for my nutrition goals. For now, I’m okay eating a frozen pizza if that’s the only thing I can stand to swallow. However, I still try to stay as gluten and dairy free as possible.

Best CrossFit and pregnant tip or secret you’ve discovered: This is a time to maintain my fitness, not excel. I won’t be going for any new PRs, and I’ll be maxing at about 80%, but that’s OK! The goal is to keep moving and stay healthy. My competitive nature surfaces only during board games now.

What have you found most valuable about CrossFit while pregnant?: I don’t have to change my interests or identity when becoming pregnant. Life doesn’t need to come to a halt! I can continue doing what I love and what feels great without putting everything on hold simply because I’m carrying a child. People need to lighten up a bit!

Modifications you’d like to share with others: Besides turning down my intensity and lifting 20% less, I haven’t had to modify yet.

Lessons learned: Trust your coaches. The cost of a box is so much more than a gym membership. You are actually paying to be a part of a team with a real coach and real athletes that all genuinely CARE about this stuff. The coaches modify the workout for those who can’t do the intense version (that’s me now!), without making us feel like we’re doing a “lesser” workout.

Favorite quote: Be stronger than your excuses – CrossFit 1080 motto

Favorite hero/girl WOD: I really liked Murph. If not Murph then Kelly!

Three words that describe me: Quirky, Stubborn, and Always ready to celebrate

When I’m not in the box, you can find me: Playing board games, snacking at any local Farmers Market, swimming, and crushing piñatas. (I’m half Mexican and my family destroys at LOT of Piñatas.)

Allie’s handsome CrossFit babe!