A mom having a baby is always something to see. If it’s your first, I can bet you are nervous. You definitely would have many questions about dealing with the pregnancy and how best to live comfortably during these nine months without hurting your baby.
Pregnancy would take a toll on your body. It could limit movement significantly, amongst other things, so generally, all you want to do is sit. However, spending too much time sitting without being active can harm your health and that of your baby. You need to exercise a little for both you and the baby’s sake.
If you didn’t exercise a lot before becoming pregnant, that’s okay. There are a couple of things you can do to stay fit and healthy. So, if you’re an expecting mom, here are some tips for staying fit during pregnancy:
- Walking:
You’re probably thinking, “I already walk everywhere.” Yeah, that may be true, but when I say walking, I mean intentional walks around the neighborhood. You don’t have to go a crazy distance, but it helps to move around.
You could get off a stop early instead of riding the bus all the way through, or you could decide to walk the distance instead of driving. The goal is not to go overboard. It’s all about keeping that body moving. You can walk at an even pace, or you could walk briskly. It’s all up to you.
- Taking the stairs:
No one likes to take the stairs, if we’re honest, but it’s a great way to tone the muscles in your legs and stomach. Consider walking up a few flights. Remember to pace yourself and listen to your body.
- Walk your kids to school:
If you’ve got other kids, consider walking them to school if the distance isn’t too far. This would also allow you to spend time with your kids and know more about the things happening in their lives.
So there, you’re killing two birds with one stone.
- Stationary cycling:
This is a safe way to exercise. Stationary cycling helps increase your heart rate while protecting your pelvis and joints. You can easily pace yourself, and since the bike is static, you don’t have to worry about balance. If you have access to an exercise bike, hop on and get those legs moving.
- Yoga:
Yoga helps keep your joints and muscles flexible and mobile. Engaging in prenatal yoga also helps a lot with strengthening your muscles and breath control. This particular exercise would help you during labor as you would need to stay as calm as possible. Doing yoga would help teach you how to relax your body in the midst of exertion
- Doing labor-specific exercises:
Exercises like squatting, pelvic tilts, and Kegels help prepare your lower body for all the motions involved in birthing your child. You should take part in these kinds of exercises to prepare your body for labor and to keep it fit in the meantime.
- Swimming:
This is another excellent way to stay fit during pregnancy. You don’t have to do any over-the-top swimming. Simply moving around in water goes a long way. The natural buoyancy of water reduces the pressure on your joints, especially if your bump is now bigger.
- Get involved in organized workouts:
Even if you didn’t exercise before pregnancy, it’s still safe to exercise during that time. You could get on Google and look up some routines for pregnant women. There are tons of fitness mom blogs that would provide you with valuable information.
- Turn on some music when you’re doing house chores:
Chores are boring for everyone. It’s not a bad idea to spice things up with music. You get to move your body while doing your chores. A win-win, don’t you think?
In Conclusion
Exercise has many benefits for you and your child, including the prevention of obesity and body aches. It helps maintain a reasonable heart rate. It enables you to sleep better, and it also helps prepare your body for labor and birth. It is, however, vital that you listen to your body. Be sure to wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothes when exercises. You should also avoid exercising to the point of exhaustion. The goal is to keep your body active and not to overwork it. If at any point you start feeling tired, take a break.
As the pregnancy progresses, adjust the intensity of the exercises accordingly. No matter what you’re told on fitness mom blogs, remember you would have to consult your doctor before indulging in certain kinds of activity. Your safety and that of your baby are paramount.