| Trying to stay in shape while pregnant is no mean feat, | | | | this article, let it be this...Pregnancy is NOT the time to |
| and until recently had been considered somewhat | | | | be dieting. Going on specific diets in order to stay in |
| taboo. | | | | shape while pregnant is dangerous and can harm your |
| However, with the press coverage of many celebrity | | | | baby's health as well as your own. Most diets were |
| moms and moms-to-be like Britney Spears, Ashlee | | | | never designed to be used during pregnancy, so |
| Simpson, Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie showing off | | | | please avoid using them. |
| their in-shape bodies, many women would like to | | | | However, there are some things you can do |
| discover what the secret is on how to stay in shape | | | | concerning what you eat and when you eat it, that can |
| while pregnant. | | | | help you to stay in shape while pregnant. |
| Now, I don't want to dwell on these celebrity moms, | | | | We've already discussed the importance of controlling |
| 'cos let's not forget that they are surrounded by some | | | | your cravings, but did you know that eating more |
| of the most highly paid personal trainers, nutritionists, | | | | regularly can be more beneficial to you than eating less |
| doctors and the like, who make their money from | | | | when trying to stay in shape while pregnant? |
| keeping these women in tip top shape - basically their | | | | Snacking is probably the single biggest reason for |
| career depends on helping them to stay in shape while | | | | excessive weight gain during pregnancy, so how can |
| pregnant. So comparing yourself to them is not the | | | | you beat it? Try eating smaller meals more regularly. |
| way to start. | | | | You see, the traditional 3 meals a day works well in |
| However, there are some simple steps that you can | | | | theory, but as you know, with such hectic lifestyles |
| follow to help you to stay in shape while pregnant, | | | | these days the practice is very different. If you miss |
| making you and your baby healthier, and having an | | | | one of those meals, let's say lunch, you are now going |
| easier labour and delivery. Below, I've highlighted the | | | | several hours without eating...at which point the |
| top 3 things you can do to stay in shape while | | | | snacking begins. |
| pregnant. | | | | Start your day with a good healthy breakfast that will |
| 1. Control Your Cravings | | | | set you up for the rest of the day. Make sure you eat |
| Controlling your cravings is one of the most important | | | | a good lunch and dinner, but slightly smaller portions |
| things you'll need to do if you're looking to stay in | | | | than normal. In between the 3 meals you can set |
| shape while pregnant. | | | | designated times to have another "meal" - not really a |
| Pregnancy cravings are perfectly natural as your | | | | full cooked meal as such, but something like a banana, |
| hormones are going haywire, and your body is telling | | | | small salad, pasta...stuff like that. This should help you to |
| you it needs certain foods. However, unbridled eating | | | | stay in shape while pregnant without the need for |
| and submission to those cravings is one of the main | | | | dangerous diets. |
| reasons for excessive weight gain during pregnancy. | | | | 3. Exercise |
| Choosing foods that have a low Glycemic Index (GI), | | | | Beyond making better food choices, getting regular |
| like oatmeal will give you a slow and sustained energy | | | | exercise will help you to stay in shape while pregnant. |
| release throughout the day, as opposed to sugary | | | | The amount of exercise you should be doing while |
| foods like chocolate that give quick bursts of energy | | | | pregnant depends on your situation and whether you |
| and then trail off quickly, giving you that tell-tale | | | | were particularly active before your pregnancy. |
| emotional "drop" that always accompanies | | | | Therefore I recommend you consult your doctor |
| high-glucose, high-fat foods. | | | | before going straight out and busting your tail in the |
| Try substituting some of the high GI, high fat foods for | | | | gym or something. |
| others that are lower on the scale. For example, eating | | | | Types of exercises for pregnant women vary, but |
| a cold fruit smoothie or non-fat frozen yogurt instead | | | | there is general agreement that stomach crunches |
| of ice-cream; whole grains breads with a little jam | | | | and sit-ups are at best risky, and at worst dangerous, |
| instead of doughnuts and pastries...things like that. | | | | and should not be performed. As are any exercises |
| Eating good regular meals will help you to avoid | | | | that require you to lie on your front or put pressure on |
| unnecessary snacking which often contributes to | | | | your belly. |
| consuming high sugar foods, and making it more | | | | Swimming is excellent and there are many pools with |
| difficult to stay in shape while pregnant. | | | | classes that cater for pregnant women. Yoga can |
| Feel free to indulge sometimes though, your baby | | | | also be performed which will help you to relax and |
| needs it. And pregnancy is about the best excuse | | | | relieve the back pains that are common while |
| you'll ever get! ;) | | | | pregnant. Again, make sure you find a qualified Yoga |
| 2. Diet = Bad....Eat More = Good! | | | | instructor that specialises in pregnant women. |
| If you only take one piece of information away from | | | | |