Staying fit and healthy during pregnancy is an important and very challenging task. Every woman gets the urge to start eating whatever her body is craving, and skipping daily workout routines starts being more and more tempting.
Fortunately, incorporating some exercise into your daily routine shouldn’t be much of a problem if you’re determined to stay fit and bring a healthy child into this world. Let’s take a look at some things that every mom should know and do.
Walking is good for you
Sure, your ankles might hurt, and your knees are not used to carrying that amount of weight, but you must walk. This doesn’t mean that you should be on your feet all day, just make sure to walk at least 30 minutes a day.
If your ankles are hurting, then cut your walks. Walk for 10 minutes, rest, and then walk another 10 minutes, and so on.
General tips for walking during pregnancy:
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Stay hydrated
- Protect your skin from the sun
Swimming
You’ve probably already heard that swimming is the best exercise for pregnant women, but do you know why? Because the water is supporting your body weight while your muscles are working.
As with all exercises, especially during pregnancy, you shouldn’t overexert yourself. You probably won’t feel tired while you’re in the water, but as with walking, try swimming for about 10 minutes before taking a break.
Get maternity gear
Being pregnant is all about being perfectly comfortable. If you plan on working out (and you certainly do, right?) forget about your old gym wear.
You’ll need clothes that fit your body. If you want to avoid getting injured while working out, don’t wear tight clothes but don’t wear anything too loose either.
Eat healthy
Eating healthy foods is always important, especially while pregnant. A well-balanced, nutritious diet has numerous benefits for both the baby and yourself.
If you can, avoid foods with additives (such as bacon, sausage, and hot dogs) and start cooking! Cooking is a great way to pass time, and you might even learn something new about food along the way. We have tons of recipes that can inspire you to prep your healthy meals!
The way you prepare your food also plays an important role because there are health issues associated with non-stick pans, so opt for using other cookware. Your safest bet would be to read some stainless steel cookware reviews and pick the perfect cookware for yourself.
Take supplements
We live in a world where the word ‘’supplements’’ means something scary, but that’s not the way it should be. Dietary supplements are not steroids; they’re simply the things your body needs (especially during pregnancy) that you cannot obtain from the foods you’re eating. Supplements rich in iodine, iron, and folic acid such as Elevit pregnancy multivitamin can be your best friend.
- Folic acid is essential during pregnancy because it prevents birth defects.
- Iron helps oxygen move through your body
- Iodine is essential for a healthy brain development of the fetus
Find a friend
Yeah, your husband is probably your best friend, and that’s how it should be, but one thing is for certain – you can’t talk to him about absolutely everything. He simply won’t understand all the difficulties that come with the pregnancy. But you know who will? Another pregnant lady!
If you don’t have a friend who’s also pregnant, don’t despair. Just find a class for pregnant women in your local gym and go talk with all the other future moms.
Take it easy
The first few months of pregnancy are relatively easy, but what happens when your belly becomes so big that you cannot see your feet? During that period, you’ll probably become easily frustrated because you simply won’t be able to do the things you previously could.
Don’t let that irritate you. You’re not just you anymore, you’re carrying a human being inside your body. Whenever you get angry, stop for a moment and think – is being angry good for your child? Of course not. Lie down and let your partner take care of your needs.
Do the things that make you happy. Do the things you love. Your child will know when you’re happy, and that can only be a good thing.
Photo credits: Pexels
