Pregnant Cube Dweller – that could be a double whammy against your health and fitness if you don’t pay attention. I’ve found an expert to offer some help to stay in shape as a pregnant cubicle dweller. Enjoy this guest post from Olivia with 4 tips to heed.
Pregnancy is the perfect excuse to obsess over health and fitness. Staying in shape when you are suffering from pregnancy signs and ailments while also being stuck at work all day is a little hard, mind you! What are the best ways to keep fit when you are expecting a baby?
Stay Fit While Pregnant at Work
1. Walk!
Are you in the first trimester of your pregnancy? You probably feel like vomiting in the toilet and trying to stay awake all day are the only sports you’ll ever be doing again. Fresh air may actually give you an energy boost and could even reduce morning sickness. So, those expectant moms who feel like they could fall asleep while they’re waiting in the queue at the grocery store (this one happened to me!) should fight the urge to do nothing, and get out to walk. Walking doesn’t put too much strain on the body later on in pregnancy, either. It may not be the best workout you’ll ever have, but it does a lot more than thinking about ab crunches you can’t do.
2. Working Out on the Job?
Don’t think big — think small. Kegels, those little invisible exercises, do as much to prepare you for giving birth and recovering from it as swimming, for instance. The more pelvic floor exercises you manage to do, the more “toned” those muscles will be. And the great thing about Kegel exercises is that you can literally do them anywhere and at any time without others having a clue that you are working out. Pelvic floor exercises are perfect for multi-tasking workaholics.
3. Swimming
Swimming is relaxing and works a huge number of muscles all at once. Prenatal swimming or aquarobics may help you get in touch with other pregnant women, if you’re into that kind of thing. Doing laps at your local pool sets you up for weight loss after pregnancy just as well, if you’re more of a loner. During pregnancy, the joints loosen up and you are at an increased risk of sports injuries. Swimming makes you nearly weightless and is considered to be the safest prenatal workout possible.
4. Mind and Body
Yoga can, according to some, increase the fertility of those who are trying to conceive. When you’re already pregnant, yoga can help you cope with some of the physical discomforts that go along with carrying a baby, placenta, and all that amniotic fluid around with you all the time. Yoga helps your body stay flexible, and prenatal yoga may specifically work those muscles that you will be using when you are giving birth. And as a special bonus, yoga is also a great way of relaxing — the meditation techniques you learn may just be a great help when your contractions start.
About the Author: Olivia blogs at Trying To Conceive, a site all about fertility and pregnancy!
I can only speak on behalf of my wife who gave birth to our son 6 months ago. My wife was able to stay in amazing shape walking daily. She also took a prenatal yoga course which met once a week. Both activities served her very well.
The yoga in particular worked great. Both of us are long-time yogis, but doing it with a prenatal bent instructed by a yoga teacher who underwent prenatal yoga instruction training was excellent and she really liked it.
I think the hardest part is letting go of the regular more intense training regimen. If you’re a highly motivated in fitness, it’s tough to accept that for a few months (and a few months after giving birth) that the regimen is going to lighten up for a while.
Jordan W. recently posted..Elliptical Trainer vs. Treadmill – Which Is Right for You?
Jordan, Thanks for commenting. Walking and yoga, especially focused prenatal-yoga sounds like a great combination.
Pingback: Best Fitness Tips for Pregnant Women