How to Stay Fit Through Your Pregnancy

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By tamarabostrom
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Staying Fit Through Your Pregnancy Helps You Recover Your Body Sooner

During my first pregnancy, I believed that if I didn't change my diet or activity level I would return to my same weight after my baby was born. Unfortunately the unique stresses of pregnancy mean that women need to take better care of themselves during this time if they want to be healthy during the pregnancy and fit afterwards. There are several tips that can help with that.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Desire
Diligence
A baby in your belly! =)

Step 1

Swimming and Yoga Can Be Great Exercises While You Are Pregnant

Pick Pregnancy Friendly Exercise Activities
While most doctor's advise that it is safe to continue any exercise regimen that you are used to before pregnancy into your first two trimesters, many women find that certain activities are more beneficial than others. Swimming is a great choice when pregnant because it provides anaerobic exercise while putting little to no strain on joints that are already overworked from carrying extra weight. Yoga is another great choice because it helps to stretch tired, sore muscles and realign joints that naturally loosen and separate during the last two trimesters. Just remember to exercise in moderation and avoid overheating or accelerating your heart rate beyond moderate exertion.
Step 2

Drinking Fluids Can Help Counteract Constipation and Gas

Hydrate...Hydrate...Hydrate
Drinking plenty of fluids is ESPECIALLY important when you are pregnant for two reasons: First, all that new cell activity burns a lot of water. In fact, it is probably more accurate to say that pregnant women are "drinking for two" rather than "eating for two." Second, the hormones that are produced during pregnancy disrupt our digestive systems. Most women notice this starting during the first trimester when they experience gas, constipation and bloating. Drinking lots of fluids, especially water, throughout the pregnancy can help alot with these issues.
Step 3

Vitamins Combat Fatigue During Pregnancy

Vitamins...They're Not Just For Sitting In Your Medicine Cabinet Anymore!
Most women are aware that prenatal vitamins are important to help ensure the health of your newborn. But they are just as important for you. My doctor described babies in utero as the "perfect parasites." If they need something, and your body has it, they will take it...whether you can afford to give or not. Pregnancy can deplete your body of many essential minerals and nutrients. Taking special prenatal vitamins throughout your pregnancy can help keep you and your baby healthy and combat fatigue.
Step 4

Many Complications Can Be Avoided By Reducing Sugar and Salt Intake

Actively Try To Lower Your Salt and Sugar Intake
I made the mistake of thinking that since I had never had a problem with eating too much salt or sugar before my pregnancy that I could maintain my normal levels and that would be fine. I discovered when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes that many women who have had no prior problems can develop negative reactions to salt and sugar while pregnant. To help avoid illnesses like gestational diabetes as well as toxemia, hypertension and others, I was advised to lower my salt and sugar intake while I was pregnant. During my second pregnancy, following this advice helped me to avoid the complications I experienced in my first.
Step 5

Eat For You...Not For Two!

Don't Eat For Two
It is a misnomer that when you are pregnant you need to "eat for two." A woman's body requires only an extra 200-300 calories per day in order to properly nourish a growing fetus. Since many women find themselves hungrier during pregnancy, these extra calories usually take care of themselves. Using pregnancy as an excuse to indulge in extra portions or junk food will only add "non-baby" weight to your body that you will find harder to lose after you give birth.

Comments

sonni57 said

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on 4/30/2009 Staying in shape while pregnant can be hard but it's the right thing to do.

dorigillman said

on 4/28/2009 very good advice. i had that all planned out but with being sick the first three months and preterm labor at 22 weeks--that landed me in the hospital until my boys were born at 29 adn 1/2 weeks!!! best laid plans...