Fitness and Pregnancy

First I want to start off by saying that YES you CAN stay/become fit during pregnancy!

It is perfectly safe to continue the workout's you were already doing. If you personally feel you're pushing it too hard, take the intensity down a notch or two. Slow and steady wins the race in this case!

If you are just beginning, it may be best to take it slow, but yes you can still work out. It's never too late to put more effort into your health!

➡ If you have had a previous c-section, history of miscarriage, or other health concerns, I do suggest consulting with your midwife or doctor before starting any new routines. ⬅

The rest of this article will be working under the assumption that you have the green light or are low risk.

As a mother to 2, soon to be 3 little ones & being about 50lbs overweight, I have been trying my best to keep up & thought I would share a few tips with my fellow health conscious mommies!

My first tip, especially if you are just starting out, is to start with your diet. Food is fuel & during pregnancy it's more important than ever to be fueling your body properly. By "diet" I don't mean "go on a diet". I mean, alter your eating habits to meet your body's needs.  If you are fueling your body with junk, the reality is, you will get "junk" results. This doesn't mean you can't indulge your pregnant self with a donut here or there, it simply means you can't live off said donuts. 😂

Now I'm not asking you to go 1,000% organic, gluten free, sugar free, etc ect. Though if that's what you're into, feel free! But there are a few things you may want to take moderation into consideration. Soda, for one, is a big fat creator. Man do I love my precious Mountain Dew, but it sure doesn't love my body. Pizza & pizza related foods aren't good for the body, processed foods, chips, bready foods, ho-ho's (obviously lol), ect.

If you want extreme results & can handle the heat I say ditch em all & go Paleo all the way baby! (Paleo = Veggies, fruits, & meats only). But for pitiful humans like me, I say MODERATION! Make a plan to cut these things down little by little throughout this process (& stick to it!) and I promise you, you will see results. Physical work out or no. I think a good place to start beyond basic bodily needs is looking into what your pregnant body needs. Like what vitamins and such. Then find out what foods will provide you with them. The prenatal vitamin is honestly more of a supplement rather than the pinnacle of vitamin intake. 😉

My second tip is to stay hydrated. As a mama I often forget to drink enough water. I find having water bottles available & leaving them all over the place helps immensely. Part of fueling your body properly, especially in pregnancy, is keeping yourself properly hydrated. Make it a priority. I don't personally use one, but I've heard of apps that remind you to drink. If you can't find a good app, set alarms. It may get annoying until it just becomes habit, but you and your little one are WORTH IT!

My third tip is to (you probably guessed it!) be well rested! Much easier said than done if you're a working mama, a single mama, or a second+ time mama, but it IS doable. Me time is SO important, but if your screen time is interfering with your sleep, it's time to take it down a notch. If you're trying to "do it all" and be "super mom" - Stop that shit. Motherhood doesn't have to be any harder than it has to be, & during this time, you being well rested is much more important than your friends' feelings or that bake sale you could volunteer for like you normally do.

Become comfortable with putting yourself first where you can. Don't be afraid to say no. Don't feel selfish for taking care of you, because taking care of yourself is taking care of everyone around you a whole lot better than running yourself ragged. It really is that simple.

The next step for those who already have a fitness routine is to keep on keeping on. If you have any excessive cramping, swelling, bleeding, dizzyness, or anything else that isn't normal for you - Take it down a notch & consult your health provider (if you've gone that route 😉). If not, do what feels comfortable. You don't have to change anything about your routine unless you're having health concerns or feel you are pushing yourself too hard. Listen to your body and your instincts.

If you are a beginner, the next step is to research "pregnancy safe" work outs. (Hint : If you're low risk, they're all fairly safe.) Start out slow & easy & work your way up slowly. Do what you can & remember that consistency is key. Any amount of physical activity benefits your body and your health, so if all you can manage is a daily walk & a weekly dance party with your kids, that's OK. The key is to get moving & don't give up. Learn to listen to your body & to be able to tell the difference between normal work out soreness & what is a legitimate concern. Reach out for advice if need be from other mommies. There are plenty of groups & forums online for topics such as these. 😊

To sum it all up, I suggest : Boosting your diet, staying hydrated, staying as rested as possible, making self care a priority, and being consistent if you would like to reach your health/fitness goals during pregnancy.

I hope this helps, good luck mamas! ❤❤❤