If you thought that being pregnant meant that you simply had to lay around in bed or on the sofa all day feeling sorry for yourself, gaining weight and waiting to give birth before you could even think about attempting to work on your weight, health, or fitness, then you would have been very much mistaken.
In reality, with a little know-how, you can live a relatively normal and perfectly healthy life while pregnant, providing you know a few helpful hints and tips on how to do so. During your pregnancy you can eat healthy foods, drink healthy beverages, and you can even exercise to help manage your weight and work on your health and fitness.
Here’s a list of a few simple exercises during pregnancy:
Walking
Starting off with the easiest and the most common form of exercise we have walking. Walking is ideal during pregnancy because you can do it anywhere, at any time, it is low impact, you can do it at your own speed at your own leisure, and it is a great way of boosting your stamina, fitness, and endurance, and burning a few excess calories in the process. Another benefit is that you don’t have to use any specialized equipment or expensive gym memberships, and you can simply head out of your front door and begin.
Swimming
Healthcare specialists consider swimming one of the best forms of physical exercise for pregnant women. Swimming is perfect because it is extremely low-impact, it works on your cardiovascular conditioning, your strength and resistance levels, and it helps to tone your muscles as well. It is especially beneficial for pregnant women because the women who will now be even heavier than they were used to, will feel weightless within the water.
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Read More:
Making Healthy Choices to Prevent Birth Defects
Tips to Reduce Blood Sugar During Pregnancy
What to Expect on Your First Prenatal Check-Up
How to Keep Your Weight Gain on Track During Pregnancy
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Low impact aerobics
Aerobic exercises are ideal because they strengthen the heart and help to tone your muscles as well. There are now numerous aerobics classes aimed specifically at pregnant women, so that alone should tell you how safe and beneficial aerobics can be.
Bodyweight squats
One of the safest and most beneficial exercises for pregnant women is the bodyweight squat. Bodyweight squats are ideal because they can be done anywhere, can be performed easily and quickly, and they work by strengthening your legs and your lower back as well. Simply stand up straight with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, keep your head up, and slowly squat down until your knees form a 90 degree angle. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat as necessary.
Yoga
Pregnancy based yoga is perfect because it works on flexibility and agility, as well as improving posture. Search for local pregnancy local classes in your area rather than trying it on your own, especially if you have no real experience with yoga.
Pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises are simply a must for any pregnant woman because it strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. Your pelvic floor actually supports your bowel, your bladder, and your womb so it is important to take this kind of exercise when you’re pregnant.