Awesome Workout Moves for Moms to Be

September 28th, 2009

You may think that pregnancy is a time to sit on your laurels and eat bon-bons all day, but the reality of pregnancy couldn’t be farther from the truth. A healthy pregnancy is an active pregnancy, and as long as you have your doctor’s approval, you should enjoy as much physical activity as you can. Staying active while you’re pregnant will help you enjoy a shorter, easier labor, and make post-partum energy and weight loss significantly easier to deal with. Working out while you’re pregnant can also improve your baby’s health, offering lower levels of obesity and a love for physical activity before your baby is even born! Here are some activities that are ideal for moms to be.

Swimming is a pregnant woman’s best friend, especially in the summertime. You can get great cardiovascular exercise, take the weight off your joints, and beat the heat of the day. Swimming will allow you to exercise major muscle groups while still keeping cool. And as an added bonus, you’ll feel weightless in the water even though you’re carrying extra pounds in pregnancy.

Walking is a great exercise for pregnant women as well. It’s low-impact, and easy to do just about anywhere. All you need is a safe place to walk and some supportive shoes, and you can take steps toward a healthy pregnancy. Try walking early in the morning or late in the evening with your partner or a friend to beat the heat of the day.

Stretching can make a pregnant body feel so good. Your joints will be tested during pregnancy, and your muscles may be under extra strain. Stretching will help keep you limber and relaxed, and help relieve some of your muscle strain. Stretching in the evening before bed may also help you get a better night’s sleep.

Like stretching, yoga is a great way to stay flexible while pregnant. Enjoy a prenatal workout class or video to get a good stretch and workout at the same time. You may even learn some poses that are therapeutic for pregnancy-related ailments, as well as poses that can help you get through labor.

Pregnancy is a great time to focus on the great health benefits of exercise. Take the time to support you and your baby’s health with a regular exercise regimen. Your body will thank you later!

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