Your Body While Pregnant

Since I just helped host my dear friend's baby shower, and I will be hosting another one in a few weeks, plus just found out my long time friend is expecting this article is for them. Love you all guys.

Your Body - Exercise Tips for Pregnant Moms

Exercise does wonders for you during pregnancy. It helps prepare you for childbirth by strengthening your muscles and building endurance, and makes getting your body back in shape once the baby's born much easier. Staying active during pregnancy doesn't necessarily mean going for the burn. Your body releases a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy that loosens your joints in preparation for delivery, so it may not make sense to exercise as hard as you did before you became pregnant. It's important to find exercises that won't injure you or harm the baby.

Ideal exercise gets your heart pumping, keeps you limber, manages weight gain, and prepares your muscles for the hard work of labor and delivery -- without causing undue physical stress for you or the baby. Many activities such as running and weight training are fine in the beginning, but you may need to modify your regimen as you grow bigger. You'll be better off avoiding activities that could put you at risk for slips and falls, such as bicycling, rollerblading, horseback riding, and skiing.

The following exercises are fairly safe for expectant moms, although some of them may not work for you during the last few months of your pregnancy. To be safe, consult your doctor or midwife before embarking on any of these activities.

Cardiovascular

WalkingOne of the best cardiovascular exercises for pregnant women, walking keeps you fit without jarring your knees and ankles. It also gets you out of the house, which can only help, and is safe throughout the nine months of pregnancy.

Jogging / RunningGoing for a jog is the quickest and most efficient way to work your heart and your body. Plus you can tailor it to your schedule -- running 15 minutes one day when that's all you can afford, and 30 the next when you have the time.

SwimmingHealthcare providers and fitness experts hail swimming as the best and safest exercise for pregnant women. Swimming is ideal because it exercises both large muscle groups (arms and legs), provides good cardiovascular benefits, and allows expectant women to feel weightless despite the extra pounds of pregnancy.

Flexibility and strength
Yoga and stretchesGood news: Yoga and stretching can help maintain muscle tone and keep you flexible with little if any impact on your joints. But you may have to augment a yoga regimen by walking a few times a week to give your heart a workout.

Weight TrainingIf weight training is already part of your exercise routine, there's no reason to stop, although you will need to avoid using heavy weights and assuming certain positions. If you take the necessary precautions and have good technique, weight training is a great way to tone and strengthen your muscles.

DanceYou can get your heart pumping by dancing to your favorite tunes in the comfort and privacy of your living room, but steer clear of breakdancing or other dance movements that call for you to leap, jump, or twirl. If you sign up for a class, you can lose yourself in music, stay fit, and meet others.

Low-impact aerobicsOne good thing about an aerobics class is that it's a consistent time slot when you know you'll get some exercise. And if you sign up for a class specifically designed for pregnant women, you'll get to enjoy the camaraderie of others just like you, and can feel reassured that each movement has been deemed safe for you and the baby.

courtesy of baby.com

xoxo

griselle