In winter especially, it often feels like whoever said being pregnant was glorious was telling a very big, and very fat, lie. The winter blues are bad enough without the added stress and uncomfortableness of pregnancy. As a soon to be mommy, you may be feeling more than just the normal winter doldrums, and you need to attack it like anything else to do with your pregnancy – with vim and vigor. Learning some summer fitness to shake off the winter blues during pregnancy may be just the thing you need.
You’re Pregnant – It’s Gotta Be Healthy
You, your partner, your best friend, your doctor, and an untold number of hangers on are worried about your health during your pregnancy. That doesn’t mean shying away from a fitness regimen – instead, it means altering one to fit your new, and expanding, body. When you first visit your doctor to find out your due date, spend some time talking about fitness. Be prepared with a list of questions such as:
- Are there any types of exercise to avoid during pregnancy?
- What fitness programs are best suited to each trimester?
- How can you incorporate summer fitness ideas to help you combat the winter blues?
Stretch, Swim, and Walk It Out
Once you have determined the appropriate activity level for your stage of pregnancy, it’s time to move on to the fun stuff – figuring out exactly what to do to keep yourself feeling fresh and health. Many pregnant women find the following three ideas to be helpful:
Take a prenatal yoga class – Not only does this help with your overall physical and mental health, some believe it can even help you prepare for birth.
Mall walking – Walking is good for you, whether you are pregnant or not, but walking during the cold, winter months can be downright painful. Consider joining your local mall walkers and get some window shopping in while you exercise.
Water Aerobics – Many local gyms offer water aerobics that are ideal for pregnant women. Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this is appropriate.
Know Your Limits
While it’s important to remain active throughout a pregnancy, often times even more so during the winter, be sure to know your limits. Take it easy, follow your doctor’s guidelines, and remember that you know your body best. Many people agree that exercise is an excellent way to lift your mood during the winter. Just be sure to use your head while you are working out.
Remember, being pregnant is stressful and, if you live in a northern state where glimpses of the sun are few and far between during the winter months, sometimes the winter blues can get the best of you. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your favorite summer fitness program into your pregnancy. Have you worked out today?