There is no stopping Zumba instructor, Jennifer Warren from getting her daily dose of exercise in–even at 8 months pregnant! The first-time mommy-to-be teaches Zumba classes at a South Carolina YMCA three times a week and even manages to lift weights as well as hit the elliptical and spin classes. Um, I'm young and not pregnant and just typing that exhausted me!
Warren tells MidlandsConnect.com that she even ran a half marathon when she was 16 weeks into her pregnancy! Some women struggle with the idea of exercising while pregnant because they fear possibly injuring their baby, but Jennifer proves that as long as your doctors approve, a healthy exercise regime it totally Ok for those who are expecting.
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Not only do I applaud Warren for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but she kept it up throughout her WHOLE pregnancy. I hope one day I can do the same since it makes getting back into a shape a whole lot easier! It takes a lot of guts and determination for to keep up an exercise routine when your body is going through many changes.
One key to remember is that __y____our level of exercise during pregnancy should be based on how physically active you were beforehand.__Warren delivery date is approaching fast and she's preparing for the arrival of her baby. OBGYN Dr. Mark Wild says that the health benefits from exercising while pregnant are extensive:
"There are a lot of studies out there that show that women who exercise regularly have less aches and pains during pregnancy, they have less of a risk of gestational diabetes and other complications, and they also usually tolerate labor better."
But what about women who have never been active a day in their life and suddenly want to start exercising? Warren says that starting out slowly is key and suggests taking walks or riding a stationary bike.
Warren wouldn't be the first pregnant woman I've heard of who kept exercising during her pregnancy. I recently encountered a fitness instructor who had twins 4 months ago and worked out all nine months while carrying the babies. I think Warren offers the best advice by advising that women remain active however they can while pregnant.
Just consult with your doctor beforehand to ensure that you're in good shape and ask your doctor for advice on what kind of exercise you can do. I can almost bet that Warren's baby is going to come out dancing with all the Zumba classes she's attended at this point!
Watch her go!
Image via CNN
