I was in great shape all during my first pregnancy and in horrible shape for my second. And, it could be coincidence, but I felt great throughout my first pregnancy and horrible throughout the second. So, needless to say, I’m a believer in exercise during pregnancy (with the doc’s approval, of course!). Here are 5 tips to keep you motivated:
#1 A little bit goes a long way
During the first trimester, fatigue and morning sickness can make it hard to work out. Instead of giving up entirely (which can be tempting), try to get your exercise in small but frequent doses. Walk the dog, do yard work, do 15 minutes on the elliptical. Sometimes, 15 minute chunks are more manageable when you are not feeling well.
#2 Take Advantage of Prenatal Fitness Classes
There are many classes tailored for pregnant women. Yoga is a popular one, and I loved doing yoga when I was pregnant. Having a scheduled class will make it easier to stick to your exercise program, and it’s also a lot of fun to swap pregnancy stories with your fellow exercisers. If you can’t make it to a class, don’t despair—there are also a lot of wonderful prenatal exercise DVDs.
#3 Vary Your Work-out
To keep things interesting, try to vary your routine. Walk one day, do yoga another, and swim a third, for instance. I found that changing my activity helped me keep motivated. I didn’t always want to get in a pool (even though I love to swim), so instead I would go for a walk. The important thing is to keep moving.
#4 Listen to Your Body
Pregnancy is not the time to push yourself to the limit. Pay attention to your heart rate, and to how your body is feeling. Listen to your body’s cues.
#5 Eat well and stay hydrated
Exercise is only one part of being fit. Be sure to eat a balanced, healthy diet, and drink a lot of water. To help myself remember to drink enough water, I filled up a huge jug in the morning and left it out as a visual reminder.
A class that I loved doing throughout my pregnancy was Fit4Baby- it is offered by Stroller Strides locations across the country. The class is great because, as you mentioned in your article, it gives you a set time & day to be at class in a small enough group that they notice when you aren’t there. I met some amazing moms and really went into labor feeling confident in my body. Not to mention, it kept my weight-gain at a really healthy level- much more ‘normal’ than my 1st pregnancy.
http://www.strollerstrides.com for more info.
I am going to have to tell my girlfriend who just go pregnant. She is so nervous and excited about the whole ordeal. I cannot imagine her being pregnant I always imagine her as anti-baby.
Leslie