As a superwoman, you want to do it all — which includes exercising while pregnant. But even if you loathe the gym, you may want to lace up those old sneakers: The American Pregnancy Association encourages fitness for a healthy pregnancy (talk to your doctor first and check out these guidelines).
Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren, creator of fitness DVD Can’t Stop the Mamma geared toward moms-to-be, offers these tips on working out while preggo:
1. Dedicate at least 20 minutes in your schedule to moving and exercising your body each day. Exercise will reduce constipation, swelling and help you sleep more soundly. Not to mention, it will help keep your body healthier and stronger.
2. Incorporate some form of strength or resistance training in your 20 to 30-minute daily workout. Strength training will help your body adjust to the unavoidable weight gain. You will also be able to maintain a healthier body composition when gaining the extra pounds. You are better off gaining muscle. Easy examples of this are: step ups, leg lifts, dips, push-up plank holds, lunges and squats.
3. Stay ahead of hunger and nausea. Eat every 3 hours or so, even if it is just a few almonds, a piece of cheese or a half of a banana. This will also curb binge eating.
4. If are not already, try to get to sleep earlier. Because the quality of sleep changes so much while pregnant you need to allocate more time for your body to sleep. You will feel so much better taking on all your other responsibilities.
5. Keep a schedule and stick to it.