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Jun 22 2017
How to Exercise Safely During Pregnancy
You probably already know that exercise during pregnancy can be good for you and your baby. With your health care provider’s permission (of course!) getting in your cardio and strength training can alleviate back pain, keep your circulation flowing and even help you sleep better.
Myths like “you should slow down,” and “ab work is a no-no” during pregnancy have circulated for ages. Almost all have been debunked and/or can be worked through. Here are my answers to some of the most frequently asked pregnancy workout questions:
1. How long should I exercise? According to American Pregnancy, “exercising for 30 minutes on most, or all, days can benefit your health during pregnancy.” Most moms-to-be report being able to exercise right up until delivery, but you’ll want to keep in close touch with your health care provider to determine what’s best for you.
2. What’s the safest type of exercise? WebMD reports that swimming and low impact aerobics are great choices for pregnancy and “carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth.
3. What if I didn’t work out before I got pregnant? Go slowly and start small. One 15-minute walk is enough to kick things off. Then, increase the walk one minute per day until you’re walking 30-45 minutes.
Don’t forget to follow these three tips during your healthy, active pregnancy:
1. Drink enough water.
2. Get enough quality calories from high-nutrient whole foods like these.
3. Listen to your body and know when to stop. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop working out and call your doctor, pronto!
I taught Jazzercise throughout both of my pregnancies. In fact, I was getting ready to go teach when I went into labor and had my son two hours later!
I wouldn’t have had it any other way.