Finding out that one is pregnant, for a fit and active woman, can be a very confusing time. Everyone around you congratulates you and wishes you the best. Although happy about her imminent arrival, he may be nervous about the subsequent weight gain and fears of not knowing what the future holds regarding her changing body. Yes, you can exercise with some modifications. In fact, many very fit women continue to exercise until the time of delivery. First of all, get her/his OB/GYN or midwife’s permission to exercise and check in with him/her often. Also, hiring a personal trainer with a prenatal certification is a great option to add to your fitness arsenal so you know what exercises are appropriate for each trimester.
Sometimes those plans to be a super fitness mom can go off the rails. Morning sickness can make you unable to hold your head up, much less a free weight! Some lucky women don’t have a problem with food and drink and are able to support their growing babies and fuel their workouts. Unfortunately, there are other women who can hardly contain anything other than crackers, ginger ale, or herbal teas. This can be you. How can you care for your growing baby and exercise at the same time?
Be honest and modify your workouts to fit your energy levels for that day. You may have been a superwoman in the gym. You can still be a superwoman, but you may need to put the cape down for now. It will be there after birth. Tone down your workouts. If you can only do a ten-minute workout, don’t feel guilty. Just do it! Moving for a few minutes a day is beneficial. Much better than not moving at all. In fact, you may find that your morning sickness is less than if you stayed in bed. If you used to lift 15 pounds but have to cut down to 10 pounds, don’t feel like it’s a sign of weakness. It is a normal feeling. You are creating a new life! Your body wants that energy for the baby. If running makes you dizzy, just walk.
Morning sickness usually goes away in the second trimester. Many women report new energy tips. Take advantage of this window. You may now be able to walk more or exercise longer than during your first trimester. You may also find that your aversions have diminished or disappeared altogether. Pile on the fruits and vegetables that you may have missed during the morning sickness phase.
Remember, morning sickness is temporary, just like pregnancy. Take pictures each quarter to document this wonderful change. This is a time to enjoy the fact that during this stage of your life, a growing belly is beautiful and miraculous.
