There are so many benefits to keeping fit during your pregnancy! Not only will it help you keep your body toned, but it can also help when it comes time to push that baby out. Every pregnant woman wants to be able to go back to her pre-pregnancy weight after the baby is born, but the only way to do that is to make sure you can. By exercising or working out every day, you are making sure you don’t add fat to your body. During labor, it’ll be much easier to push the baby if you’ve been strengthening your legs and stomach muscles.
Working out is a great way to improve your energy levels. Plus, if you’re feeling tired or down, exercise can help boost your mood. By getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat, you’ll feel more alert and energized. So next time you’re feeling low, get up and get moving!
Here are a few quick things you can do to stay fit during pregnancy, without really having to break out a sweat:
• Practice yoga, especially if you haven’t always been in the best of shape. There are beginning levels available, so you don’t have to jump into the human pretzel right away.
• Purchase a set of small weights that you can use throughout the house, like hand weights or wrist weights. Use them while walking, for example.
Get a chair and do a couple of crunches 5 to 10 times to make sure you don’t pull anything. Don’t worry, you can always add to it as the weeks go on.
If you want to improve your mood and get some energy, try running, walking or jogging outside. Walking is a great low-impact activity, and it’s easy to get started. Just put on some comfortable shoes and head out the door. If you’re new to exercise, start with a short walk around the block and gradually increase the distance. Remember to stay hydrated by bringing a drink with you.
Pregnancy is a time when you want to be extra careful of your health and your body. If you can, you may want to try going for a swim or try bicycling. However, if you find that you are accident-prone you may want to stay away from the bike. A bike accident is something that can easily happen, even when you’ve always road a bike. Swimming can help you relax and stay cool. Take a dip in the pool near you; they may even have a swim class for pregnant women in your area. This would be a great way to meet other moms.
When you are exercising, it is important to listen to your body. If you think you might be overdoing it, stop immediately and take a break. You never want to do anything that could harm the pregnancy.
