Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

You’re now treating your clothes as an investment — meaning, they have to last. So buying duds for each trimester — little bit o’ belly, bit more belly, whole lotta belly — is out of the question.

Try something that grows with you: FIT2BEMOM just launched as a maternity active wear brand for both exercise and extracurriculars (lounging, lunching). Details like side-seam shirring, a roll-down waistband, built-in shelf bra and adjustable straps contour to your shape, resulting in a proper fit throughout the stages of pregnancy. Plus, the line’s moisture-wicking fabric will keep you cool during prenatal Pilates — or during that sweat-inducing trip to Strollerland.

A good deal is the 2BActive Kit, which includes a round-neck tee, long pant and headband in a drawstring bag, for either the active life or the active look.

Available at fit2bmom.com.

What to wear to prenatal yoga? A muumuu just isn’t appropriate, but that’s about the only thing that fits your ever-expanding belly.

Workout wear from Zobha (Sanskrit for “grace”) has expanded into maternity, with a new mommy-to-be collection of Supplex and Lycra tops and bottoms that move and stretch with you. And luckily, the halters and racerback tanks (in fall shades of plum, chocolate and coral) are cute enough to wear outside the gym.

Say om.

Available at zobha.com.

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.

Getting back in shape post-baby is tough, even for the pros. UB checked in with tennis star — and new mom — Lindsay Davenport, on her off-the-court tips for getting your bod back.

• Once you get the OK from your doc, start back slowly. Get out and walk with baby in the stroller — and try some hills for an extra push. Obviously you’re exhausted, but try to be as active as you can.
• To get energy for your workout, nap whenever the baby naps (and don’t be ashamed to sleep during the day — Lindsay does it, too!). Perhaps during his third nap of the day, you can fit in a little exercise at home.
• Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day, five days a week. Try to do something different every day, to change up the routine and get your heart rate going. Lindsay recommends the elliptical machine, which doesn’t put too much stress on your body but burns more calories than the stationary bike.