Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. So many changes occur in a relatively short amount of time, and it can be tempting to forget about yourself in the process. However, establishing and maintaining an exercise routine during pregnancy is so important. Exercise gets your heart pumping and lowers your anxiety and stress levels. Setting aside just a few minutes a day can have many benefits. Let’s take a look at 5 ways you can stay active during your pregnancy.
Do What You Enjoy
The truth is that you are most likely to stick with an exercise routine you actually enjoy. There are so many options to choose from, even during pregnancy, that it’s a matter of trial and error. If you followed a specific workout regimen before getting pregnant, you may be able to continue doing so with approval from your OBGYN.
Get Outside
For an easy and simple way to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine, try to get outside every day. Whether it’s a simple walk around the block, taking a hike with the family, or doing gardening work – it all counts. If you are due in the summer, it can be difficult to spend a lot of time directly in the sun, but do what you can! Getting adequate sunshine can also improve your mood, which is important both during and after pregnancy.
Stretch It Out
Another simple way to fit some activity in is to incorporate some basic stretching. This has the added benefit of loosening up your muscles in preparation for childbirth. If you plan on doing daily walks, you can stretch before and after to increase blood flow. The good thing about this option is that it’s easy to incorporate. You can find some basic routines on YouTube or follow pregnancy-safe Pilates exercises if you prefer more structure.
Stick to Low-Impact
During pregnancy, safety for you and your baby is of utmost importance. Certain physical activity choices depend on your level of fitness before pregnancy. If you followed a strict weight lifting program before you got pregnant, for example, you may be able to continue this routine with your care provider’s permission. As your pregnancy progresses, the added extra weight often means a switch to more low-impact exercise options is necessary. A low-impact workout routine also lowers your risk of falls and other risks that could hurt you or your baby.
Break It Up
Don’t think you have time to fit in a scheduled workout every day? Break up activity into chunks of time you can manage. This might mean parking further away than normal while shopping errands or even just going for 10-minute walks around the block several times per day. The best part with this option is you can incorporate friends and family into your routine. Take daily family walks after dinner. Stretch out your legs every few hours if you work from home or are otherwise off your feet most of the day. Any amount of exercise is better than none, especially during pregnancy.
Unexpectedly pregnant? Clearway Clinic offers services to women facing unplanned pregnancies in Massachusetts. Schedule your free consultation appointment today.
