14 DAY TRIAL // It’s often said that pregnancy should not mark a period of inactivity and letting go in a woman’s life. Keeping active, though moderately and only under the guidance of a specialist, is highly recommended. However, before starting a pregnancy workout, there are several things that all women should keep in mind, FitSugar points out.
First of all, the body changes with every single day that passes and whatever workout women adopt should reflect said changes. Nevertheless, before getting started with it, all pregnant women must speak with their OB and see whether their condition allows for physical exercise in a manner that will benefit both them and their baby, the aforementioned fitness-oriented e-zine says. Only after that can they meet with a personal trainer and devise a customized plan that will allow them to stay in top shape throughout their pregnancy.
“Don’t expect to do what you used to do pre-pregnancy. You’ll probably need to slow down your pace, take it easy on hills, stick to even terrain to prevent falling, take breaks often, and decrease your distance. Along the same lines, don’t push yourself too hard physically. This is a time to maintain your fitness level, so signing up for your first full marathon isn’t the best idea. Listen to your body from day to day. Throughout your pregnancy, there may be days (or weeks) when you may not be feeling well or energetic enough for a four-mile run, so wogging – doing a combination of jogging and walking – may be a better option. Run (or wog) on days you feel like it, and walk on days you don’t. Your body is going through many changes physically, so while running, stop if you feel a pull, twinge, pain, or cramp,” FitSugar writes.
“Invest in supportive pregnancy fitness clothes. If your chest has expanded a cup size or more, it’s worth it to splurge on sports bras that keep your girls in place. Also make sure your clothes are made of comfortable, lightweight material that wicks away moisture. Since your skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy, this will help avoid irritation or a heat rash. You may soon realize that running on pavement or a treadmill is too intense for your pregnant self. In that case, go for lower-impact alternatives to running such as using an elliptical or deep water running,” the e-zine further advises.
Keeping properly hydrated, avoiding too high or too low outside temperatures and keeping frustrations about daily performance at bay are also essential to staying healthy and fit throughout pregnancy. Before anything, all women must consider the health of their baby and their own – and not sacrifice it just to keep up with their pre-pregnancy workout routine.