Exercise & Pregnancy
I know you can't "diet" while pregnant (infact you should increase your intake) but what about some exercise to keep your muscles toned (especially the stomach if possible). Or can you only walk?
There are exercise videos and books marketed just for pregnant women. I know Denise Austin has an old one or two - check out your library.
Basically, I did anything that did not require me to grunt (ie, heavy lifting), and you need to make sure your pulse does not get too high. I forget what heart rate you should have, but it should be low enough that you can carry on a conversation. You might want to check out some books or websites that can tell you more specifically.
Exercising is a good idea - there's nothing worse than having a newborn and feeling like a blob of jelly, tired just from holding her. Just make sure you eat enough calories to cover the exercise.
You should always check with your doctor first, but if you were active before getting pregnant, it is typically okay to continue with your normal routine. My doctor said I was clear to do my normal exercise routine, but I did have to stop the recumbent bike toward the end of my pregnancy because my belly was so big that it was in the way and made peddling hard to do.
Echoing what puh8suwrux and cecilyb said:
- Check with your doctor first and foremost
- Start working out before your pregnant and you can continue with the same activities (if okayed by your doctor)
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is currently no limit on heart rate during pregnancy because the fitness level of every woman is different. It used to be recommended that heart rate not exceed 140 beats per minute during pregnancy but that's no longer the standard.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for pregnant women. This can ease labor and recovery. It's also not recommended doing exercises that require you to lay on your back after the 20th week (I think...maybe 26th week).
I worked out for 45 minutes daily before becoming pregnant with my second child. I tried to maintain that while pregnant but I was exhausted and had terrible morning sickness throughout my first trimester. I was also anemic which didn't help with the energy level. Toward the middle and end of my pregnancy, I used Leisa Hart's FitMama workout DVD. It has modifications of all the moves based on what trimester you're in. Here's a list of pregnancy workout DVDs.
Exercise has been my savior during pregnancy BUT like Bier mentioned not everyone can do it. I was an athlete before I got pregnant and luckily had no morning sickness or any problems. My doctor told me to continue doing the same things I did before I was pregnant but told me to make sure I replaced all the water I sweated off and did not overheat, especially in the first trimester. Overheating is very dangerous for the baby so be careful, just work out indoors when it is hot outside and just be smart about it. I am due in 2 weeks and am still doing many of the same things I did before, just nothing on my back and nothing that does not feel right while doing. I do not run anymore because it feels bad to me but I know other women that ran the entire time. But I can do an entire spin class with flying colors 4 days of the week. Just listen to your body, ALWAYS talk to your doctor about everything BEFORE you do it and enjoy your pregnancy. Everyone has their own experience so good luck with yours!!
