Safe pregnancy exercise of any kind - cardiovascular or
strength training - requires extra circulation of blood throughout your body.
As you move, your muscles require more oxygen and nutrients
to keep them going. Your blood carries these essentials throughout the entire
body. As your muscles begin to work harder, your heart needs to pump faster to
keep up.
If you jump right into a workout with out warming up, your
heart is not pumping fast enough to the oxygen and nutrients around in an
efficient manner. This is especially important for expectant mothers because
you need blood not only for your hard working muscles, but for your baby as
well.
A good warm up ensures that your body is prepared well
enough for both in advance, keeping you and your baby safe during your exercise
session.
So, before you do anything - even before you stretch - get a
light sweat going with 5-10 minutes of light to moderate activity. Walking,
jogging, rowing and biking are just a few examples of activities that will
start you off on the right foot.
At the other end of the workout, cooling down is just as
important as warming up.
Your body required extra circulation in order to keep up
with the demands of your workout, so you'll want to give yourself some time to
return to normal before going back to your daily routine.
Using the same light activities as your warm up, take 10
minutes after your workout to let your heart rate, blood pressure and body
temperature drop before sitting in your car to head home, hopping in the
shower, etc.
Complete your safe pregnancy exercise session with these
simple tips - your body and your baby will thank you!
Michelle Ladd is a Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Expert
Pre-Natal Personal Trainer. She is the Co-Author of The Fit and Healthy
Pregnancy Guide. Visit FitandHealthyPregnancy.com for Free Special
Reports on how to look and feel your best - before, during and after - AND have
a healthy and happy baby.
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Categories:
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