The moment that you have been dreaming about for years has finally arrived and you and your husband are expecting your first baby! You care about your physical and mental health and wish to provide your baby with the best start possible. You believe in living an active, healthy life and plan to continue exercising throughout your pregnancy.
Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy
1) Exercise helps you feel better.
- Exercise will increase your energy level.
- Exercise will raise your self-esteem and body image.
- Exercise will make you feel better emotionally because “feel good chemicals” called endorphins are released during exercise.
- Exercise will reduce back pain and improve your posture by toning and strengthening your back, thigh and buttocks muscles.
- Exercise will reduce constipation.
- Exercise will prevent joint problems by activating the lubricating fluid in your joints.
- Exercise acts as a natural sleep aid by reducing your anxiety and stress.
2) Exercise helps you look better.
- As you perform careful exercises throughout your exercise, you are maintaining your flexibility and muscle tone.
- Exercise improves your blood circulation, which gives your skin a radiant glow.
3) Exercise helps to prepare your for your birthing experience.
- Exercise helps you build muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance, both of which are needed during labor and delivery.
- Begin your prenatal exercise program where you left off before becoming pregnant. If you were very active and strong before conceiving your baby, you may continue your program, with some safe modifications. If you were inactive and out-of-shape before getting pregnant, then begin an exercise program slowly and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workout.
- Talk to your obstetrician before beginning or continuing an exercise program while you are pregnant.
- Get involved in the type of physical activity that you enjoy and benefit from physically and emotionally.
Exercise Activities:
a) Swimming. The best prenatal exercise, as it is comforting and non-impact.
b) Water Aerobics. Great cardio workout, low-impact and good social activity!
c) Dancing. Try Latin or Ballroom with your partner. Avoid bouncing or jumping.
d) Yoga. Yoga offers both a physical and mental workout. Try prenatal yoga.
e) Pilates. Pilates works to strengthen your core muscles (stomach and back).
f) Bicycling. Go biking through nearby parks or special biking trails.
g) Walking. Walking is good for beginners. Try to walk a mile, three times a week.
Remember to always listen to your body throughout your pregnancy, especially when you are exercising. If your body gives you a warning, such as you become dizzy, then stop your activity and rest and relax. Your center of gravity will change as your baby grows, so be careful about not losing your balance.
Stop your exercise if you feel any of the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- back pain
- heart palpitations
Avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day during the summer.
Avoid the following sports:
- downhill skiing
- scuba diving
- horseback riding
- contact sports
- step aerobics
- Make you that you stay hydrated. Keep drinking fresh water.
- Avoid exercising if you are feeling sick.
- Listen carefully to your body and respect your body’s signals.
Once again great post. You seem to have a good understanding of these themes.When I entering your blog,I felt this . Come on and keep writting your blog will be more attractive. To Your Success!
I need desperately to get in shape. I’m approaching 40 and OUT OF SHAPE! So much so that everyday tasks are hard to do and sometimes breathtaking. I want to go to the gym, I feel better after I do, but gosh it is so hard to just GO. Any advise?
I really appreciate you taking the time to post this info for readers like me to read. :)
howdy there, i just discovered your site listed on yahoo, and i would like to say that you write pretty well on your site. i am actually impressed by the method that you write, and the subject is superb. in any case, i would also love to know whether you would love to exchange links with my site? i will be more than happy to reciprocate and drop your link on in the blogroll. anticipating for your response, i would like to convey my appreciation and gooday!
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out!
I was looking for this the other day. i dont usually post in forums but i wanted to say thank you!