When your body aches, twitches, and seemingly balloons to
accommodate the new life inside you, exercise and a healthy lifestyle isn’t
always on the forefront of your mind.
While there are some prego mommies that love pregnancy and feel amazing the
entire time (and I hope you’re one of them!!), there are those of us that often
feel less than stellar. However, a fit
pregnancy enables us to feel stronger and more energetic now, with additional
benefits presenting themselves during labor, delivery, and enjoying your little
one after he/she arrives! PLUS, it is
much easier to get back into a regular fitness routine (and your pre-baby
clothes!) after delivery if you have been working out during your
pregnancy.
So, how can you dispel the urge to eat ice cream and watch
movies all day on the couch in your pajamas?
Strive to keep a regular schedule for yourself, even during the weekends
whenever possible. Whether a stay at
home mom or a working professional, a schedule can be key to keeping yourself
on track and fitting in fitness. Unless
you really need to sleep in each morning (because you can’t get to bed
earlier), get up! Whether you head to the shower first or outdoors for a walk, moving
(even slowly) will help you keep moving throughout the day. An object in motion tends to stay in motion,
right?! As our bodies get larger throughout pregnancy, getting past the inertia
can be extremely difficult, but earning
that bowl of ice cream at the end of the day can feel downright fabulous.
In addition to keeping a schedule for your day, keep your
expectations realistic. Doctors believe
that starting a rigorous fitness routine while pregnant is not a healthy idea
for you or your baby. However, most
doctors encourage soon-to-be moms to walk at least a few days each week, unless
there are other limiting factors. How
long or how far? Start with 10 minutes and see how you do. If your ankles swell
up badly and you feel awful, rest and talk to your doctor again. If 10 minutes feels too short, tack on
another 10. Make sure to stay hydrated and don’t allow yourself to get
overheated.
As you set up your schedule, try to add in fitness throughout your day. Oftentimes, as pregnant women we don’t have a
lot of energy to expend at one time. Getting
up in the morning for some pregnancy-friendly stretching and core exercises,
taking a walk at lunchtime with your coworkers, and heading outside after
dinner to work in the yard are ways to coordinate fitness into your day. Your goal is to enjoy the energy boosts
throughout the day and win the fight against a sedentary pregnancy. Oh, and when you’re out walking you are that
much further from the refrigerator and television… J
As you go through your pregnancy, it’s realistic to have
days when you are sick and tired, both emotionally and physically. Pregnancy tends to throw curveballs. If you don’t join in with your fitness DVD on
each of those days, it will be ok. However, just because you had a bad day today,
doesn’t mean tomorrow cannot and will not be better. Get back on schedule, be realistic and keep
going!
*Please remember to check with your doctor or midwife about your specific fitness needs and recommendations throughout your pregnancy. These suggestions and ideas may not be beneficial for you and your growing child.
Photo used with permission from Microsoft
