| As you know, most people start an exercise | | | | 5. Well-toned abs will assist you in carrying the |
| program to lose weight. Well, of course, this is not | | | | fetus, avoiding back pain and recovering your |
| the objective during pregnancy exercise but there | | | | shape afterward. |
| are lots of other reasons to get started on or | | | | While most pregnancy exercise programs focus |
| continue on a regular exercise routine when you're | | | | highly on cardiovascular activities, it is strength |
| pregnant. The nine months of your pregnancy are | | | | training [as you can see from the list] that will |
| an excellent time to be doing smart, safe | | | | make your routine more complete and beneficial. |
| exercises that will keep you in shape for the birth | | | | Pregnancy strength training will help: |
| and beyond. Here are the five basic areas to | | | | Reduce back pain |
| focus your pregnancy exercise routine on: | | | | Increase your energy levels |
| 1. Cardiovascular exercise: great for circulation, | | | | Make labor and delivery easier |
| energy, stamina and weight control. Walking is the | | | | Keep you strong and injury free |
| most recommended cardio exercise because | | | | Combat postural changes during pregnancy |
| very few women are going to get overly hot or | | | | Make post-partum weight loss MUCH easier |
| dehydrated when they're walking. | | | | and faster |
| 2. Flexibility and | | | | Flatten your tummy after delivery |
| 3. Leg strength; While cardio is great for your | | | | If you were a regular exerciser before your |
| heart, it is strength training that will enable you to | | | | pregnancy, it is usually safe to continue your |
| handle the positions of labor for hours at a time | | | | routine, although some modifications may be |
| and prepare you for the physical demands of | | | | necessary. |
| being a mom. In addition, it is strength training that | | | | If you did not have a consistent program in place, |
| will play a bigger role in getting your | | | | the general rule of thumb is to wait until your 2nd |
| pre-pregnancy body back, or making it even | | | | trimester (when you'll be feeling much better) to |
| better than before! | | | | ease yourself into a routine. Either way, check |
| 4. A strong back: Helps you deal with the extra | | | | with your doctor/midwife first to be sure you |
| weight in your uterus, which could otherwise pull | | | | don't have any complications that could be |
| you out of alignment. | | | | affected by a pregnancy exercise routine. |