When a woman finds out she is pregnant, she is typically overjoyed. But for many women there is a small part of them that worries about the weight they will gain during the pregnancy. It is possible to lose weight with exercise when you are pregnant, but it is important to discuss any plans for weight loss with your doctor first.
It is recommended for pregnant women to exercise five to seven times a day for about 30 minutes. Now not all types of exercising is good for pregnant women to take part in, but there are many that are good for them. Some of the exercises that are good to do include:
- Walking
- Water aerobics
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Biking
- Pilates
- Running – for women who were avid runners before becoming pregnant, it is a good form of exercise to continue running into the beginning of the third trimester.
Exercising Benefits
There are a number of benefits to exercising while you are pregnant, including:
- Strengthening muscles that are used to support the weight of the baby.
- Build up endurance that will be necessary in the third trimester, when you will tire more easily, and during labor.
- Your increased activity level will help to control the weight you gain or help you lose weight while pregnant.
Depending on whether or not you were overweight before you became pregnant, you can begin to lose weight while you are pregnant, with your doctor’s knowledge and his or her recommendations as to what kind and how much exercise you should be getting. It is important for your health as well as the health of your baby to consult your doctor about losing weight while pregnant.
Image: Bigstockphoto.com / Alexander Yakovlev
