The moment you find out you are pregnant changes your life in ways you never expected. You may think about your old ways of life and wonder if you can still participate in some, if not all of your favorite activities. If you are a person who enjoys working out at the gym before work or casually on the weekends, you still can. However, you should be safe about it.
Before lacing up your shoes at the gym for your first workout, you should check with your OB or midwife first, just to make sure you are not putting your baby at risk. Chances are, if you were working out pre-pregnancy and you are healthy, you should get the green light to proceed.
Your workout routine may need to alter slightly once you find out you are expecting. If you were playing high contact sports, you may need to switch your role to an assistant coach and help support your team from the sidelines.
It is important to know your limits and not overdo it. You should not exercise to the point of exhaustion. The general rule of thumb is you should listen to your body; to put it lightly, if you cannot hold a conversation while you are working out, you should slow down.
Exercising is very important for keeping your energy up for when the time to deliver comes around. Make an effort to habitually exercise each day after work for example. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you can safely do 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most or all days of the week as long as you have the go-ahead from your healthcare provider.
If you have a friend also expecting, that could be a great person to exercise regularly with. Chances are they want to stay safe and healthy just like you, and she will not want to go any tougher than what you can handle. Once babies are both here, you can coordinate walks and playdates together at the mall or in the park.
For additional information on working out while pregnant, read here.