Regular exercise is always beneficial to those who practice it safely–and that same rule applies to women during pregnancy. While there's no reason for females to stop working out while expecting, it's important that they approach their regimen with extra caution and take some extra steps to protect themselves and their baby.
Not sure where to start? Check out 7 rules for exercising while pregnant below:
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Talk to your doctor: Before starting on any exercise program, you should always consult with your doctor and make sure that it's right for you. Every woman, whether pregnant or not, varies in the amount of exertion they can handle, so finding the best optin for you is important.
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Modify your routine: If you were really active before getting pregnant, you don't have to suddenly relegate yourself to the couch. But before diving back into your usual program, you should make sure to modify some of the higher-impact exercises so as to not risk overdoing it.
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Don't skimp on calories. Exercising regulaly will obviously burns calories, so make sure to eat well to help nourish and strengthen your body. That's not to say you need to binge (the amount you'll need to gain will vary based on your pre-pregnancy weight.), but remember–you're eating for two!
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Warm up and cool down. Jumping right into an exercise without first warming up is always dangerous. It can strain your muscles and cause pain. Always build your heart rate slowly and at the end of your workout, take a few minutes to walk in place and do some pregnancy-friendly stretching.
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Stay hydrated. Drink water before, during, and after exercising. Otherwise, you can become dehydrated, which can raise your body temperature, sometimes to levels that are dangerous for you and your baby.
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Commit. Working regular exercise into your schedule is easier on your body than having spurts of activity after a long period of skipping the gym. Talk to your doctor and figure out how often is safe for you.
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Listen to your body. You should feel like you're toning and working your body, not hurting it. If you start getting pains or feel like you're getting dizzy or nauseous, that means something is wrong.
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