The Department of Health and Human Services recommends healthy people to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. While being pregnant, precaution must be taken on what kinds of exercise you do (should leave marathon for next year), it should not stop you from being active in your everyday life. Exercising during pregnancy can give you more energy, help you sleep better and improve your mood. Here are some tips to keep you active during pregnancy.
1. Take a walk
Walking is great way to exercise during pregnancy - it has no impact on your joints, doesn't need any special equipment and you can slow down as your bump gets bigger. Adding walking to part of your normal routine will turn it into an activity that happens without you having to think about it.
Get off the bus a stop earlier
Walk your toddler to nursery if it's not too far
Go for a stroll in the park during your lunch break
2. Switch on your favourite music and dance
Dancing is a low impact and fun exercise for all.
Dancing moderately (not jumping up and down)
Have music on the background while doing housework and put extra energy into it.
3. Join your local activities class
Activities such as aerobic class, yoga and swimming are all safe and healthy for you. Look for classes especially for pregnancy women.
If you didn't do much exercise before pregnant, then you can start slow with twenty minutes class two times a week, and gradually move on to thirty minutes class every day.
4. Climb the stairs
Climbing the stairs is a great activity for toning your leg and stomach muscles.
If you're on a very high floor, try getting out of the lift a few floors early
This activity may not be suitable for everyone. If you are not used to doing exercise before being pregnant, then you should not be doing this activity alone.
5. Gardening
Cutting the grass, weeding and planting are all good ways of getting some exercise with the added boost of vitamin D from the sunshine.