Pregnancy: Exercise or nah?

Is it really a good idea to start exercising during your pregnancy or not?

Photo Credit: Google/Mommi

The docs and midwives will tell you it’s not recommended to start exercising during your pregnancy if you were never “active” before. So for me, in my first pregnancy I didn’t bother with exercise. Not even a single prenatal workout DVD or attempting prenatal pilates or yoga. I also suffered from Gestational Diabetes (GD) in my third trimester and exercise would’ve been able to help me keep it under control but as I was told I was not an active person before, it wouldn’t be a good time to start exercising. Looking back, I wish I didn’t listen to that advice.

During this pregnancy I’ve seen photos all over Instagram and Pinterest of mums-to-be doing strength training (lifting weights), doing pilates and yoga, running and sweating and it’s shown me that being ‘strong’ is a good thing, even whilst being pregnant.

When I entered my second trimester I had my midwife appointment and they reminded me of that dreaded Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) that I’d have to do around 28 weeks as I had GD in the past. I don’t want to get it again and will avoid it if I can by changing my ways now. I have been ‘better’ in this pregnancy – cutting down on my sugars, watching the calorie intake and portion control and feel that I’ve done quite well so far. I purchased a workout DVD which I gave up on in the end but decided recently to go for a one-on-one session with a personal trainer that specialises in pre- and post-natal exercise.

(I mentioned my experience in my previous post here)

It was a great 1hr session and Shenda taught me the moves that I could do during pregnancy and gave me a workout plan to use for the duration of my pregnancy. So now that I am equipped with the knowledge, workout plan, all that’s left is to add in a few pregnancy pilates or yoga class here and there and the occasional swimming session should technically help me keep fit and healthy and keep getting GD at bay for now. If it turns out that I am positive for GD it won’t be the end of the world but the exercising and healthy eating should keep it under control.

Here are some lovely photos I came across on Instagram of expecting mums keeping fit during pregnancy 🙂

#fitpregnancy

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