I know…I know…exercise? You’re thinking “ I am sooo tired and you think I should exercise ?!“  Trust me as a past fitness model, exercise is the best thing you can do for yourself and for your baby during your pregnancy. 

Here is how I rationalized working out during my pregnancy- “ I will be pregnant for only 9 months….but this body is mine forever and I must make sure I take care of it,  so it will look (close to) the same afterwards“!!! Actually, my body changed so much that once I lost all of my “Baby Weight” I didnt even fit into my pre-preggo clothes!!! My butt got smaller and so did my thighs…this was possibly due to the fact that I lost a lot of muscle tone during my pregnancy, however, I am much smaller even now- 3 years later!! And of course, exercise during pregnancy is proven to help make labor easier and shorter. Thats enough to get me on the treadmill!!

So…….If you have been following a regular exercise program prior to your pregnancy, you should be able to maintain that program to some degree throughout your pregnancy.  If you are new to working out, please consult your physician first for the OK and then find a trainer or ask friends for a recommendation on a trainer that specializes in pregnant moms.

If you are just starting an exercise program as a way of improving your health during your pregnancy, you should start very slowly and be careful not to over exert yourself.

• Listen to your body. Your body will naturally give you signals that it is time to reduce the level of exercise you are performing.
• Never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness. This is a sign that your baby and your body cannot get the oxygen supply they need.
• Wear comfortable exercise shoes that give strong ankle and arch support.
• Take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of  H2O/fluids during your workout.
• Avoid exercise in extremely hot weather.
• Avoid rocky terrain or unstable ground when running or cycling. Your joints are more lax in pregnancy, and ankle sprains and other injuries can occur.
• Contact sports should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Weight training should emphasize improving tone, especially in the upper body and abdominal area. Avoid lifting weights above your head and using weights that strain the lower back muscles.
• During the second and third trimesters, avoid exercise that involves lying flat on your back as this decreases blood flow to your womb.
• Include relaxation and stretching before and after your workout program.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates.
• ** Please always consult your physician before starting any new exercise program during pregnancy

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Tags: exercise, healthy pregnancy, pregnancy