| Don't fall into old ways of thinking exercise is bad | | | | pregnancy. This doesn't mean women who have |
| during your pregnancy. That's just not true. If anything, | | | | never exercised shouldn't begin while pregnant. |
| exercise is a good way to keep yourself healthy and | | | | Your fitness goals change when you become |
| prepare your body for your pregnancy. It's important to | | | | pregnant. If your old exercise style was training for a |
| keep your body fit and healthy, and this is even more | | | | marathon, that's about to change. You're preparing |
| so the case during pregnancy. | | | | your body to deliver a baby not fit into a certain pair of |
| Now that you are pregnant, you will want to pay | | | | jeans. You never want to put yourself or the baby |
| attention to your body while exercising. Your current | | | | under heavy strain. Start off with short intervals of |
| fitness level will determine your upcoming routine of | | | | exercise and gradually increase intensity. |
| exercise. Pregnancy has some guidelines that should | | | | I recommend a good warm up and stretch period. This |
| be followed when it comes to exercise. If you weren't | | | | can help reduce pain during and after exercise as well |
| active before you got pregnant, you will want to start | | | | as decrease the risk of injury. The increased blood |
| off slow and work your way up. If you exercised | | | | flow during warm ups will only help your exercise. |
| regularly then you can continue but within reason. You | | | | A simple warm up is always best. The exercise should |
| should always check with your doctor before | | | | be low impact like walking for 5-10 minutes at a nice |
| beginning any exercise program while you are | | | | steady pace. You can gradually increase your speed |
| pregnant. | | | | as well through the warm up. Your stretch period |
| If you are not pregnant but plan on getting pregnant, I | | | | should include all areas of the body. Hold a stretch for |
| would suggest starting an exercise routine as soon as | | | | at least 15 seconds. Don't stretch to the point of pain |
| possible. This will make it easier to exercise during your | | | | and don't allow yourself to bounce while stretching. |