Why bloat when you can glow?
Of course you should always check with your doc first, but studies worldwide show that continuing to exercise during pregnancy generally has a bucket load of positives.
Pros of exercising during pregnancy
According to professional bodies such as the American Pregnancy Organisation,¹ it is generally safe to train while you are expecting your bundle of joy, provided that your doc gives the go-ahead.
The first rule of thumb, is that you can typically continue to exercise, if you were already exercising before you fell pregnant. Here’s some of the pro’s in a nutshell:
Mood
It enhances your mood, so you can continue to be your cute self
Energy Levels
It boosts your energy levels by mega degrees
Reduces Symptoms
It reduces those yucky symptoms such as an irregular tummy, bloating and backaches
Dream Easy
It helps you drift off to dreamland much easier
Femininely Fierce
It improves your muscle tone, strength and endurance, so you can be as femininely fierce as you choose to
Prevent Diabetes
It aids in keeping those blood sugar levels in check, to treat or prevent gestational diabetes
Most importantly, it has been proven to make the actual labour process a whole lot easier. PLUS, you’ll get back in shape so much quicker, after your little one is born!
Exercise you can do when you’re pregnant
A little progress each day, will eventually pay off big time! You’ll reap some of those pros we raved about above, when you exercise half an hour a day, or even just 20 minutes three to four times a week.
As long as you stay active and keep that heart pumping.
Also remember, that it’s in your and your baby-bundle-to-be’s best interest to get prof advice from a qualified nutritionist. This will go a long way towards making sure you’re consuming enough cals to keep you both suitably fuelled.
And finally, even if you’re a powerhouse whose always on the go, or an athlete of note, never exercise until that point of complete exhaustion.
DON’TS
Experts agree that it’s best to steer clear of the following while you’re expecting:
- High impact activities such as jumping, skipping or bouncing
- Exercising when it’s hot and humid outside
- Anything that poses the risk of you falling
- Anything in which you must hold your breath for a long time
- Waist twisting or any other movements that could cause trauma to your tummy
DO’S
Here’s some smart advice for training while you’re gaining that beautiful baby weight:
- Be sure to wear comfortable, loose fitting active gear
- Always wear the right trainers for the right exercise
- Finish your meals about an hour before you start training
- Stay hydrated with plenty water during and after your workout
- Be careful to not get up to quickly from the ground so you don’t get dizzy
Also remember, that it’s in your and your baby-bundle-to-be’s best interest to get prof advice from a qualified nutritionist. This will go a long way towards making sure you’re consuming enough cals to keep you both suitably fuelled.
Exercises for mothers-to-be
We’ve said this before and we probably can’t say this enough: you always need to clear it with your doc first. But, generally, the consensus is that you can continue to perform whichever regular exercise you already did, before you fell pregnant.
This however excludes high impact sports like netball for example, or any other activity that we’ve listed here above under the DON’TS.
Click here for some great advice on what you can do, to stay fit.