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What to Do Before Starting an Exercise Regimen

Now that you know the benefits of exercising, there are a few things you need to take into consideration before you jump into just any exercise routine.

1. First and foremost, you need to talk to your doctor or midwife before you start any form of exercise. Your health care provider will make sure that it is safe for you to begin an exercise regimen. Some women experience certain health conditions that make exercise extremely dangerous. Don’t put your health and your baby’s health at risk. Talk to your doctor or midwife first to discuss the exercise that is best for you.

2. Second, put your body first. Remember, your body is going through plenty of changes. Even though you may want to start a vigorous exercise routine, don’t overdo it. Being pregnant zaps plenty of your energy as it is. You don’t want to burn yourself out by running a marathon if you’re not accustomed to doing regular exercise.

3. Third, you need to think of your past exercise routine. Did you exercise much before you became pregnant? If you did, then getting into a regular exercise routine will come naturally to you. However, if you haven’t had any real form of exercise in years, you need to start exercising slowly.

In fact, even if you are used to exercising you need to start out slowly. This is because your body may not be used to holding extra weight, and will require more energy to move. Therefore, you should gradually work your way up to 30 minutes of exercise by adding 5 extra minutes of exercise to your routine every week.

4. Finally, you need to choose an exercise activity. In order to enjoy exercise and stick to your routine, you need to choose an activity that you find fun and that won’t place excess strain on your heart and muscles. You will want to avoid any strenuous activities and contact sports. You will also want to beware of any activities that increase your risk of getting hit in the stomach. Basically you need to choose activities that get your blood flowing without causing too much strain.

Fantastic and popular activities/exercise includes:

Aerobics – ie walking, swimming, etc.
Yoga
Kegels

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