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After years of sweating to the sound of the oldies, paying gym memberships and taking on the stairs, you can finally kick off those trainers and hit the couch, right? Wrong. These days not even pregnant women should get out of shape, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). "If you are active now, pregnancy need not cause you to alter your fitness routine," the ACOG advises in their latest edition of "Your Pregnancy and Birth." "If you have not been active, now is a good time to start," they add. The benefits of staying active during your pregnancy should provide you the get-up-and-go to enroll in a yoga class, head to the gym or take a long walk. Moderate exercise, for example, can help lessen the severity of common pregnancy complaints, including backaches, swelling, constipation and sleeplessness. Something as simple as a brisk walk increases circulation and releases the body's natural painkillers. In addition to the immediate physical and mental advantages, exercise primes your heart and muscles for the ordeal of labor and helps you fit into your skinny jeans faster once baby arrives. While doctors insist on staying fit, now is not the time to start training for a triathlon. If you were an exercise junkie before pregnancy, keep up the good work, but be willing to modify workouts as your pregnancy progresses. Those with a more sedentary lifestyle should take a gradual but consistent approach to fitness. Before starting any exercise program, it's wise to consult your doctor. He or she can determine if any pregnancy complications should limit your exercise regime and will likely advise you to stop working out if you experience anything unusual, like dizziness, heart palpitations or pain. - By S. Danyelle Knight |
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