~ Hey there! I am a young woman expecting a baby girl this coming August. I love art and being creative with my crazy ideas. Painting, cooking, shopping, and exercising are some of my favorite things to do. I'm pretty new to blogging and such so dont expect too much out of me lol.
~ So this is my first pregnancy.. I believe it is important for women to try stay healthy eat a well balanced diet and exercise stay hydrated. For you as well as your baby's well being.There are many benefits to being physically active during pregnancy, here they are...
- Fight pregnancy fatigue. Low-level tiredness plagues many women during the first trimester, then again late in the third trimester. It seems paradoxical, but sometimes getting too much rest can actually make you feel more pooped. And while you should never push yourself too hard when you're pregnant — and especially when you're feeling fatigued — a little nudge can make a big difference in your pregnancy energy level. So take baby steps — go for an easy walk or pop in a pregnancy exercise video. You'll be surprised at how peppy you feel afterward.
- Improve your sleep during pregnancy. While many pregnant women report that they have a harder time falling asleep (not to mention staying asleep with all the bathroom interruptions), those who exercise consistently (as long as it's not near bedtime, which can be too energizing) say the quality of their sleep is better and that they wake up feeling more rested.
- Conquer pregnancy constipation. An active body encourages active bowels. Some women swear by a brisk 30-minute walk to keep them regular, others say even a ten-minute stroll helps get things going.
- Do pregnancy back exercises. Back pain affects half of all pregnant women — and your best defense is a strong set of abs. Do simple pregnancy-safe exercises to strengthen your abs — which will give your back the back-up it needs. (See Pregnancy Workouts for exercises that work for you.) But don't stop there. Even exercise that's not directly targeting the tummy — a short walk to the post office — can also relieve pain and pressure.
- Don't worry, be happy. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that give a natural high — improving your mood, diminishing feelings of worry and anxiety.
- Do pregnancy stretches. It's not a stretch — stretching does your body good, and you don't even have to break a sweat. This is especially true if you've been troubled by muscle cramps — particularly in your leg. Stretching out (flexing your toes up instead of pointing down) can help you uncover little pockets of tension, warding off cramps and sore muscles. Stretch after your exercise routine, but also stretch at your desk (especially if you've been sitting or standing for a long time), in the car or airplane, and always before bed (particularly if nocturnal leg cramps have been cramping your sleeping style).
- Guard against gestational diabetes. Exercise may prevent this common problem, and the American Diabetes Association recommends exercise as a helpful therapy for women who are at risk. If that's you, don't be surprised if your practitioner is even more gung ho about prescribing a workout routine.
- Make a healthy baby. Babies of moms who exercise during pregnancy are born at healthier weights, are better able to weather labor and delivery (they are less stressed by it), and recover from the stresses of birth more quickly.
- Have an easier labor (possibly). While exercise during pregnancy can't guarantee that you'll sail through childbirth, moms who exercise tend to have shorter labors and are less likely to need medical interventions during labor (including C-sections).
- Speed your postpartum recovery. The more you increase your pregnancy fitness, the faster you'll recover physically after childbirth, the more fit you'll be after delivery — and the sooner you'll be zipping up those prepregnancy jeans again.
~ There is my little munchkin. Zoe Soleil ~ |
These are great tips. When my husband and I start our family, I know I want to have a fit pregnancy. One of my goals (doctor's advice permitting, of course) is to be able to jog a 5K during my first pregnancy :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your first little one and welcome to blogland!
Thanks Andrea!! Jogging a 5K...? Hmmm maybe in first or early second trimester. Good luck with that lol. I know every time i do those 10 minute workouts from u-toube i have to stop almost every 3 minutes to catch my breath ha. I'm 6 months now. It sure is frustrating when your body doesn't want to do do the same things that it used to :( but theres no greater feeling when you lay down and feel your baby kick and do weird stuff inside you :) so its not all bad lol.
DeleteVery cute post! I thought I'd follow you but you don't have a sidebar with followers... ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks! how do you get that?? lol
ReplyDeletei'm new tothe blogging world..