| Weight gain is essential during pregnancy to ensure | | | | pregnancy will help you cope with its physical and |
| your baby receives the essential nutrients she needs | | | | mental demands and shedding your pregnancy weight |
| for proper growth and development. That being said, | | | | afterwards will so much easier. You will need to take |
| pregnancy should not be a 9-month never-ending | | | | special care not to become overheated or perform |
| buffet! Contrary to popular belief, a pregnant woman is | | | | exercises that cause jerking motions but there are |
| not eating for two. However, she does need to | | | | various easy to moderate intensity exercises that can |
| provide proper nutrition for two. By following your | | | | be done safely during pregnancy. |
| physicians dietary guidelines, you can gain the proper | | | | In some situations or when a particular medical |
| amount of weight during your pregnancy. It is | | | | condition exists, exercising while pregnant may not be |
| recommended that a woman of average weight gain | | | | advisable. You should therefore consult with your |
| approximately 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 19kg) during | | | | physician before embarking on an exercise regimen. It |
| pregnancy. If overweight, a woman should gain around | | | | should be remembered the primary goal of pregnancy |
| 15 to 25 pounds (7 to 11kg). | | | | exercise is to achieve general good health, not peak |
| If you have ever wondered how pregnancy weight is | | | | fitness. |
| distributed, below is a breakdown for women of | | | | A few beneficial exercises to perform when |
| average weight: | | | | expecting include swimming, water aerobics, yoga, |
| - Baby - 8 pounds | | | | Pilates, biking, and walking. Swimming is often |
| - Placenta - 2 to 3 pounds | | | | recommended as there is a feeling of weightlessness |
| - Amniotic fluid - 2 to 3 pounds | | | | and it does not involve the bouncing, jerking motion of |
| - Breast tissue - 2 to 3 pounds | | | | many aerobic activities. Walking also provides a great |
| - Fat stores - 5 to 9 pounds | | | | general workout. You can adjust the pace, distance, |
| - Blood supply - 4 pounds | | | | and terrain to suit your specific needs. If you are |
| - Uterus increase - 2 to 5 pounds | | | | unaccustomed to exercising, consult with your |
| The time it will take to regain your pre-pregnancy body | | | | physician. He may recommend that you begin by |
| is often determined by several factors. These factors | | | | walking a moderately paced mile, 3 times a week. |
| include your weight when you became pregnant, the | | | | Always warm up by walking slowly the first five |
| amount of weight you gained during your pregnancy, | | | | minutes and then cooling down by slowing your pace |
| and your level of exercise before and during | | | | the last 5 minutes. |
| pregnancy. | | | | If you were physically active and of average weight |
| Unfortunately, the role models of motherhood tend to | | | | when you became pregnant and gained the |
| be Hollywood actresses who sport toned bodies and | | | | recommended 25 to 30 pounds, then it is possible to |
| flat stomachs within weeks of giving birth. Of course, | | | | return to your pre-pregnancy weight within 3 to 4 |
| this is not reality for the majority of new mums, but the | | | | months. However, if you were overweight or led a |
| pressure still exists to lose the excess baby weight | | | | sedentary lifestyle before becoming pregnant or did |
| quickly. | | | | not exercise during pregnancy, it may take longer to |
| Regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy | | | | achieve the desired results. It has been shown that |
| has many benefits. Having a healthy level of fitness | | | | women who are overweight before they become |
| during pregnancy will pay dividends after birth by | | | | pregnant struggle with weight loss after pregnancy |
| making it much easier to regain your pre-pregnancy | | | | more then their normal weight counterparts. |
| shape. Beginning an exercise regimen before or during | | | | |