I am 30 weeks pregnant as I type this, and to be honest, it’s a bit tough. (Literally, just the typing part.) My arms are stretched out in front of me, which is making my back hurt, and well, pregnancy is just plain physically awkward for any woman who plans to get anything done.
So I was all smiles when I saw Blake Milchuck’s recent viral video, featuring the dad-to-be attempting to do a CrossFit workout with a 14-pound medicine ball taped to his belly — all in the support of his pregnant wife.
The video was posted on Instagram by CrossFit Krypton in Chesapeake, Virginia last week, where it has since gone viral with over 18.2K views. When explaining where the idea came from, Milchuk told ForTheWin on USA Today, “It was just something that we had been talking about at the gym and [thought] it would be funny to do.”
In the video, he can be seen straining to get through a CrossFit routine, which would be a considerable feat on an ordinary day. But to add a 14-pound weight into the mix to make his wife happy? Well, that’s not just sweet; it’s physical magic.
For those who don’t know, CrossFit is a high-intensity workout program that borrows techniques from several different sports to produce an exercise routine that is pretty much Greco-Roman warriors.
All those jokes about flipping tires and throwing ropes? That’s CrossFit. Which makes this story about Milchuk and his wife that much more impressive.
According to Men’s Health, the typical CrossFit workout, which is known for their timed 20-minute routines, blasts through 261 calories. For Milchuck, though, this workout was about more than losing calories.
Milchuck wanted to show his love and support for his pregnant wife, who at the time the video was recorded, was 37 weeks pregnant and — amazingly — keeping up with her CrossFit training.
“Obviously I understand taping a 14-pound med ball is not in comparison to what she’s done in carrying the baby for the past 37 weeks,” Milchuck told ForTheWin, duly clarifying that his stunt was all in good fun.
It is no secret that women are experts at balancing the demands of life with the physical demands of pregnancy; we do it every day. It is truly wonderful, though, when husbands and fathers, family and friends, and sometimes even total strangers take a moment to show pregnant ladies some empathy and acknowledge how miraculous they truly are.
For any father-to-be out there, I hope that you take a moment to tell your glowing pregnant lady how grateful you are for all that she goes through to create life. (Fourteen-pound medicine balls, optional.)
And to Mr. Milchuck, you sir, deserve an award. Better yet, you deserve all the awards.