The above link takes you to an article written by my martial arts instructor back in Chicago. It talks about continuing your exercise routine while pregnant (given you are low risk and doc says it's ok). I just read another article about how pregnant women are not active enough. It's hard for me to understand when people (low-risk, of course) use pregnancy as an excuse to eat junk and gain a ton of weight. I don't think it's healthy for the mom or the baby and I believe it makes pregnancy harder than it should be. Think about it: your body is about to go through the most strenuous, taxing, amazing thing a body can go through--why wouldn't you prepare yourself to be able to handle it? For those of you that know me, you know I was working out past my due date! I had an amazing pregnancy and a 4-hour delivery. I gained about 30 lbs. I owe it all to being active. I'm not saying it was easy--I am only human and regularly lack motivation, but I would tell myself "20 minutes and if you want to stop, stop." Shawn also helped keep me moving. He'd encourage me to just come to the gym and sit on the bike or stroll on the treadmill. It sounded so easy, I couldn't really say no. I found that most times I actually got a decent workout in. In my first trimester, a lot of times I just didn't have the energy to do much but at least I got those 20 minutes (and it actually made me feel better).
It was Kat (the author of this article) who showed me that being active while pregnant was OK. She has 3 kids (one just a couple weeks old, I think) and she looks phenomenal. I was still her student during her first pregnancy. She had a cute little baby bump while teaching us how to do a roundhouse-sidekick combo with a cross, hook! I always remembered that, so when I got pregnant I didn't think twice about keeping my body in motion.
I didn't do martial arts though--that was for no other reason than I just hadn't belonged to a school. My exercise consisted of: 3 mile daily walks (dog loved it!), lots of prenatal yoga (including yoga classes with weights), and a prenatal pilates DVD I'd throw in from time to time. I also went to the gym and rode the stationary bike, did some light weights and even a couple of the group classes (although I had a hard time always keeping up, so I stuck to the back of the class).
I think daily activity is so crucial and I try to make sure I do something every day--even if it's just a walk around the neighborhood. We might not think much of it now, but I know it made my pregnancy easier. And I just think about when I get much older, staying active and eating well might do the same for me then...
Mary, as a former POW! student, you know I agree 110% with everything you said. When I am blessed with a little bundle, you better believe I'll be as active as possible! Great post!
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