| Pregnant women can practice a wide array of | | | | should continue their regular routine but at a moderate |
| physical activities including yoga, running, walking, Pilates, | | | | intensity. Women who have never been active and |
| swimming, low-impact aerobics, indoor cycling, or even | | | | are deciding to do so during the pregnancy should start |
| boot-camp routines. The key is to select an activity | | | | off very slowly (and in some cases with assistance |
| and an intensity that doesn't put unnecessary stress | | | | from a certified trainer). Any bit of exercise - even a |
| on the body. Regardless of the activity or activities | | | | brisk 10-minute walk every day - will get blood and |
| practiced during pregnancy, the core elements of | | | | mood-enhancing neurochemicals flowing through the |
| physical fitness - cardiovascular strength, flexibility, and | | | | body. |
| muscle tone - should not be neglected. In fact, | | | | When selecting an activity emphasis should be placed |
| performing different types of exercises, as opposed | | | | on minimizing impact on the joints. Given the extra |
| to just one, will ensure that all 3 elements of physical | | | | weight that pregnant women carry, any physical |
| fitness are catered to during pregnancy. | | | | activity that puts excessive stress on the joints could |
| Whether moms-to-be choose to swim, do yoga or | | | | lead to severe injury. |
| walk, there is a laundry list of benefits associated with | | | | Moms-to-be who already have a child might have a |
| exercising during pregnancy, including: | | | | hard time finding the time to exercise and take care of |
| - Prevention of gestational diabetes | | | | their existing child, especially if the child is still very |
| - Increased stamina | | | | young and requires adult supervision. One way to |
| - Strengthening of pelvic muscles | | | | resolve this issue is to include the child in the exercise |
| - Reduced back pain | | | | routine. Many gyms have "mommy and me" classes |
| - Reduction of swelling in the hands, feet, and face | | | | that focus on exercises for expecting moms and their |
| - Stress reduction | | | | young children. These classes typically utilize tools like |
| - Less morning sickness | | | | Swiss balls which are fun for the child and beneficial |
| - Reduction in pregnancy weight gain | | | | for the mom since itís a good way to work the |
| A few things to keep in mind | | | | muscles of the core (abdominals, back, and pelvic |
| As much as the medical community is in agreement | | | | muscles). Pregnant women who walk can also do so |
| about the importance of exercising during pregnancy, it | | | | with their toddler. Including the existing child in the |
| should be noted that this delicate time in a | | | | exercise routine creates a wonderful opportunity for |
| womanís life should not be used to master a | | | | expecting mothers to bond with them and the unborn |
| new physical activity or to set weight loss goals. | | | | child. |
| Women who were active prior to their pregnancy | | | | |