Keep fit with regular pre and post-natal exercise

BY: SAMANTHA MONTPETIT-HUYNH / Beaches Metro / VOLUME 37. NO.4 / APRIL 22, 2008

As we look around and bask on the glory of sun, greenery and no more snow (he hope), it is instinctual that we must get out and get some fresh air. Well hallelujah! It’s spring and what better time to get started or get back into a regular exercise routine that will not only lift your spirits, but make you healthier all around.

For any new moms that had a baby this past winter, I you made it! It’s difficult enough sometimes even when the weather is nice, to get yourself together and get outside. This past winter was rough. With the ridiculous amount of snow and extreme weather alerts, even I was suffering from cabin fever and I don’t even have babies anymore.

Exercise during pregnancy and postpartum has limitless benefits including reducing pregnancy related discomforts and conditions, maintaining a healthy weight gain, giving you the stamina to endure labour and delivery and speeding up postpartum recovery. Statistics also show that babies of exercising mothers have higher apgar tests and overall lean muscle mass.

For many, especially during child bearing years, exercise can really become a chore. But it doesn’t have to be. The trick is finding something that you enjoy so there’s a better chance that you will stick with it. Work out with a buddy too. This can be a lifesaver for many because it forces you to be accountable. Knowing that you have someone else counting on you will give you that added kick in the pants to keep moving. Any reason at all that you can think of to walk instead on driving, do it.

For pregnant women who are already exercising, continue doing what you are already used to doing during your exercise routine. As your pregnancy progresses, nature will tell you when to scale back. Just be sure not to push yourself! This is not a time to train for a marathon or “feel the burn” during a weight training session. Your goal during pregnancy is to maintain your current fitness level. Don’t worry, after the baby is born, you will get it back. All the hard work you put in during pregnancy does pay off.

For postpartum women, pushing that stroller up the hill gives you a great amount of resistance to help strengthen your legs and get that heart pumping. Regular cardiovascular and weight training will help you gain your strength back so you can run up those stairs 20 times per day changing diapers, doing laundry and just plain giving you the energy to last the next 24 hours. Be sure to take it slow in the beginning, however. Labour and delivery is probably the toughest workout you will ever experience and your body needs time to recover. The last thing you or your baby needs is an injury because you pushed yourself too hard.

So this Mother’s Day make a commitment to be the healthiest you can be. It’s not going to be easy, but if you stick to it, the benefits are amazing. But be realistic. This is not going to happen overnight and you need to make a plan for action. It needs to be a lifestyle change, not a chore. You are setting the stage to be active and healthy for yourself and your family. Reason enough.