It’s a must to exercise during pregnancy. We aren’t talking about those heavy weight training, aerobics, or strenuous workouts. We’re talking light exercises that keep your energetic and flexible throughout pregnancy. The idea is to be active physically. This is the key to a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Exercise To DO During Pregnancy

Walking, stretching, swimming, stationary cycling, bowling, playing tennis, or golf, floor exercises, and yoga are beneficial during this time.

Exercises To AVOID During Pregnancy

• Unnecessary bouncing or stretching.

• Certain asanas in yoga. It’s best to perform yoga under supervision of a trainer.
• Holding breath for a long period.
• Exercising your abdomen vigorously.
• Excessive cardio vascular exercises. You must not strain your heart or get short of breath at this time.

  Before starting any form of exercise during pregnancy, you must consult your doctor.

  Tips To Exercise During Pregnancy

  • If you’ve have been exercising before getting pregnant, you just need to modify your workout session a bit and continue staying active.

  • If you have never exercised before, start with mild activity such as walking or swimming. Check out with your doctor to know what’s best for you.
  • Join exercises classes meant especially for pregnant women.
  • Always do warm ups before exercise.
  • Include rest days during the week.
  • Emphasize on non-impact workouts such as water aerobics or stationary cycling.
  • Wear cushioned shoes for walking. For beginners, you can start by walking short distances at first and then increase.
  • As your belly grows bigger, there is a shift in your center of gravity. Therefore, you must be careful not to trip over while jogging, walking, or aerobics.
  • After the first trimester, avoid exercises that need you to lie on your back.
  • Wear loose and comfortable clothes while exercising.
  • Avoid excessive sweating or getting too hot.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Don’t exhaust yourself. Exercise during pregnancy should be moderate and refreshing.
  • Listen to your body. If you don’t feel like exercising on a particular day, skip it.
  • Along with exercise, follow a healthy diet plan.

    Great Exercises

    Wall Squats - This is a great exercise for strengthening and toning your thighs, lower back, and hips.

    Swimming – This strengthens your muscles and renders better breathing and endurance. You develop buoyancy that helps you relax your lower back muscles, which usually gets strained due to pressure of the womb. Besides, you make new friends while swimming at the pool designed for pregnant women!

    KEGEL Exercises – These exercises are great for enhancing your control over the pubococcygeus muscles, which are muscles of the pelvic region. This helps during labor. Also, it reduces your chances of hemorrhoids or bladder leaks.

    So, if anyone’s told you shouldn’t exercise during pregnancy, pity them on their lack of knowledge! Who says you should feel unattractive and fat? Exercise and feel beautiful!