Why You Should Exercise During Pregnancy (PowerUp Challenge Post)steemCreated with Sketch.

in #life6 years ago (edited)

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Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to live in a glass box, despite what some might say. Your energy levels might not be what it was before but don't use it as an excuse not to do any exercise at all.

In fact, exercising while preggers can help alleviate some symptoms and also pump fresh oxygen to your little growing human.

Why Workout During Pregnancy?

The logic is simple:

"Healthy Mama, Healthy Baby!"

But if you need some more reasons, here are a few:

  1. Prevent picking up too much excess weight. The less weight you pick up now, the less you will have to lose post birth.
  2. There is less chance of you becoming constipated as its a common problem amongst preggo eggos.
  3. Women who work oy during pregnancy report better moods and higher energy levels.
  4. Exercising limits swelling and improve blood flow, so you likely to get less leg swelling.
  5. The extra exertion during workouts will help you to sleep better!
  6. Improve posture and decrease backaches and fatigue.
  7. Working out also allows smokers to better deal with going cold turkey during pregnancy as it helps to reduce cravings.
  8. Build more stamina needed for labour.
  9. Studies also show that being active during pregnancy relives stress and you are less likely to succumb to prenatal depression.
  10. Your Baby will be healthier overall. Studies report healthier hearts, higher levels of intelligence and better memory retention for kids who's mom's worked out during pregnancy.

In addition to all that, you will look and feel better! When has exercise ever been a bad thing?

Appropriate Exercises During Pregnancy

Now I'm not saying you should run marathons or compete in CrossFit leagues, but instead, find simple alternatives that will help you stay fit.

My OB advised that I continue doing all the activities that I did before. I am an avid runner and hiker, and I kept going. Now that I'm halfway through, Running has turned to walking and I choose less strenuous hikes.

I also try and do a little bit of exercise each day for 15 to 30 mins. Remember everyone is different, so you just have to do what works for you!

Experts advise on the following activities:

  • Walking
  • Water exercise
  • Prenatal Yoga
  • Prenatal Pilates
  • Light Weight Training

Warning

  • Don't go too hard too soon and also access how you are feeling that day.
  • Keep it light if you need to as long as you keep moving.
  • And most importantly, always consult your doctor before!

I'd love to hear from you! If you like what you read, pop me a line in the comments and don't forget to #powerup!


This has been a part of @cgbartow 's PowerUP Challenge that you can read about here. I was challenged by @tamala as punishment for messing with her, be careful of that one LOL.

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Your Task If You Choose to Accept It

  1. Create a post using 100% powerup
  2. Use the word “powerup” in your title so that others may know what it is instantly
  3. Use the tag #communitygrowthproject as one of your tags on the post that I may upvote you at 100% from both my personal and CGP accounts. Estimate .04 cents upvote
  4. Tag 5 people and add these instructions at the bottom of your post so the Community Growth Project may find and support them as well
  5. Resteem this post to give more awareness to the movement
  6. Use #powerup as the last line of your post

I Challenge:

@chekohler, @maquemali, @gholsa, @haritakurdu and @batman0916.

Much Love From Sunny Cape Town, @mimismartypants


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Excellent post and on a topic near and dear to my heart 🤗!

It’s so important to take care of yourself with good nutrition, exercise and managing stress during pregnancy to make that special - or for some of us extremely trying - time as healthy as possible for both mom and baby.

Those habits are also very important to have in place for after baby’s arrival when the real fun begins!

I’m so glad you messed with me (and no - still no gluten 😉) so I could punish you and read and resteem this fabulous post!

XXXOOO
~T

hahahahahahaha when will they ever learn not to mess with @TAMALA?!?!?!?! she has ninjas for crying out loud!!!!!! LOL

Right? I mean seriously!

Except I was really happy about this great post so I’m thinking @mismismartypants can mess with me all she wants if we keep seeing these great posts.

I’ll keep the ninjas on standby - just in case 😉

Hahhahaha you ladies are hilarious!!!
Glad i redeemed myself in the eyes of the great and powerful @tamala!! 😂😂
@dreemsteem apparently i always learn the hardway!!

ninjas on standby are always a good idea! LOL

but i should have used your technique in the Sugar Shack! although - i did have pretty great success for the first year hahahahaha

speaking of sugar. do not look at my latest post. The blue icing all over my niece's mouth??? ummmmmmmm that has nothing to do with the half ton of blue icing on her cupcake.

BUT IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY.
lol just.... just look away @tamala.

I thought for a moment if you were pregnant hahaha..

I will try to join in the challenge, no promises haha

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she is pregnant!!!! heheheh halfway there! :)

Lol @dreemsteem beat me too it again! Yip growing by tge day!!

hehehehe sorry ;) i'm fast today!

You are always fast!!! Hahahahahaha you're like 100m ahead of us hahaha

This comment was made from https://ulogs.org

hahahahahaha zoooooooooom!

now i wonder what vitamins are you taking??? hahaha... super vits you have??

Wow!!! That is so great!!!! Preggy on WW house... hehe...Is this your first??


This comment was made from https://ulogs.org

see... i want to comment - but... i'm not going to ;)

hahahaha i can feel you there... the excitement is just bursting inside!!

Hahahaha both you ladies can babysit nooo problem!!

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Lol yes it is... So awaiting Armageddon!!!

Lol thanks @dreemsteem!

wooohoooooo!!!!! when I was pregnant with my first, all I said was Gee Im not gay at all!! hahahahaha... congrats! Its really fulfilling? So what are you having? did you have your gender reveal already or is it a secret all the way??? hehehe

Lol at not gay at all. Almost sure its gonna be a little girl. We hope sooo. Coz girls are way cooler 😂😂

Im envious!!! Waaaaaaaahhhhh.. i really want a girl hahaha i have two boys! 🤣😂

This comment was made from https://ulogs.org

Great post, and great point! Exercise IS important for everyone, and pregnant ladies are DEFINITELY included!

Thanks @squishysquid!!! Love the name!!!

Also im not sure if the exercise is working, the other day my friend's kid was squashing my thigh and going singing "squishy, squishy, squishy!" 🎶😂😂😂 of course i have no need to mention what triggered that memory!!

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Hahahaha! Dont you just love kids and their blunt honesty!
Mine told me my tummy is nice and soft like a pillow... LOL

Lol pillows are nice though. They bring comfort when you sleep. Try to take it as a compliment. These little people!! They so cute though, you can't get mad!

So true... They make me laugh, haha! The sweet innocence. ♥

Your post has been sent to the promoted section of Steemit for free.
Thanks for participating in our Followers Appreciation Promotion

Thanks @rentmoney! Much appreciated!!

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Thanks for the challenge @mimismartypants. Will see what I can put together in the next day or so.

Awesome i look forward to it!

awesome post and great way to engage your fellow Steemians @mimismartypants!
I loved the picture of the todo list LOLOLOLOL
you forgot to say "when you're finished, repeat!" hehehehe

So many people would do well to STAY active during pregnancy - it makes labor easier too! Can't wait for the baby to arrive! woo hoooooooo WW baby!!! ;)

The blockchain baby! We should dlive my birth lol!!

Thanks for the support, as always, @dreemsteem!! Glad you enjoyed the read. Trying really hard to keep it in practice!

hehehehehe let's do it!!! LOLOLOL we would gross out all the boys for sure ;)

Lol just dont let my mommy find out!! What would she say flashing my business all over the blockchain!!

oh my gosh - you make me laugh so hard!!!!