| Cycling for pregnant women might not sound like | | | | or rough roads or terrain, should be off your |
| the best thing but in fact it is an excellent low | | | | agenda. It is also a good idea to keep in mind that |
| impact exercise which is widely recommended by | | | | you are now carrying more weight than before |
| many professionals for women that are pregnant. | | | | you where pregnant, so it might take the bicycle |
| Cycling will help pregnant women stay in shape | | | | longer to stop when you apply the brakes. |
| and get their heart and lungs working, hence | | | | If you do not feel safe riding a bicycle on the |
| providing an excellent cardiovascular work out. | | | | roads while you are pregnant then why don't you |
| Cycling burns a high amount of calories compared | | | | ride a stationary exercise bicycle instead. This still |
| to some other forms of exercise. The fact that | | | | gives you an excellent cardiovascular workout but |
| you are pregnant normally means that you will | | | | with out the risk of riding on the roads. Try and |
| eat more since you are now eating for more than | | | | eliminate any excuses that come in your way, as |
| one person. That coupled with the fact that | | | | to why you cannot exercise. If you are really |
| women tend to exercise less during pregnancy | | | | concerned that for some reason your health will |
| means that there is a tendency to put on an | | | | be in jeopardy if you start exercising then I would |
| unhealthy amount of weight. It is a good idea to | | | | suggest you consult a doctor. Consulting a doctor |
| monitor your eating habits while you are pregnant. | | | | is something you should do anyway before |
| You may be surprised at how much you eat, the | | | | undertaking an exercise routine. |
| times of the day you eat and what it is you start | | | | You must not over exert yourself while riding, or |
| eating. By monitoring this you can then make any | | | | doing any other form of exercise for that matter. |
| necessary changes to your diet or life style | | | | If you can get a heart rate monitor then it is a |
| before any major problems arise. | | | | good idea to monitor your heart beats and to |
| It is important that you are already a proficient | | | | make sure they do not exceed 140 beats per |
| cyclist before you start cycling for exercise | | | | minute. |
| reasons while you are pregnant. The reason for | | | | Remember, you are not trying out for the |
| this is because while pregnant your center of | | | | Olympics here you are simply exercising to help |
| gravity sometimes shifts after the first trimester, | | | | keep you fit during pregnancy as you pregnancy |
| in some women this can cause problems with | | | | and the birth should go a lot smoother if you are |
| balance and hence make them more prone to | | | | fit and healthy. And afterwards you should be able |
| accidents. It can even make you feel forgetful. So | | | | to get back to your normal figure (or even |
| if you have been suffering from these | | | | better) at lot quicker, than if you had not |
| symptoms, do not worry it is perfectly normal. | | | | exercised at all. |
| But for these reasons, while pregnant, it is | | | | Cycling can begin to feel a bit uncomfortable to |
| paramount that you take all possible safety | | | | do in the later stages of your pregnancy. At this |
| precautions and ride in a safe and controlled | | | | point you might want to consider other forms of |
| manner and preferable away from main and busy | | | | exercise, such as swimming or walking, but |
| roads. If there are cycle routes near where you | | | | whatever you do, make sure you keep active |
| want to cycle then try and stick to those. | | | | and keep exercising, you just might have to |
| The human body is an amazing thing and your | | | | modify the exercises you do as you progress in |
| baby is well protected by amniotic fluid, so that it | | | | your pregnancy. As mentioned earlier, always |
| will be fine if you have the odd knock or bump. | | | | keep your doctor informed of what sort of |
| However, it is best to avoid doing anything that is | | | | exercises you plan on doing at different stages of |
| potentially dangerous. Riding during or just after | | | | your pregnancy. |
| rain when the roads are wet or riding over rocky | | | | |