Tips for Getting Started Pregnancy Exercise for Beginners Faster | Pregnancy Handbooks

You probably can start an exercise program during pregnancy, even if you've been a dedicated couch potato until now. Just be sure to review your plan with your healthcare provider and get her go-ahead before you begin.

Keep in mind that pregnancy isn't the time to try to lose weight, nor is it a good idea to begin a high-intensity exercise routine if you were previously inactive. But if you aren't in any high-risk categories, you can start an exercise program that's appropriate for your fitness level. A reasonable goal is to work up to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most or all days of the week, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Tips for getting started

• Go slowly at first. Exercise for just 10 to 15 minutes a day for the first week or two. When you feel ready to do more, add five to 10 minutes until you work up to 20 or 30 minutes a day. This can take three or four weeks, depending on how your body responds to the additional activity. During this initial period, focus on lengthening – not intensifying – your workouts.
• Do more when you're ready. If you've reached your goal workout length and you're feeling pretty good, you can increase the intensity of your workout. For example, you could boost your walking pace from moderate to brisk.
  However, don't go for the burn, and don't exercise to exhaustion. Listen to your body and don't push yourself beyond your limits. ACOG advises that you exercise with an intensity that you'd describe as "somewhat hard." A good rule of thumb: Slow down if you can't carry on a conversation comfortably.
• Eat well. Being pregnant means you need approximately 340 extra calories a day starting in the second trimester, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. The quality of your diet is tremendously important, so include lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
• Stay cool. Avoid working out in hot, humid weather because you can overheat more easily during pregnancy. Aim to exercise in the morning or after 4 p.m. to avoid peak temperatures. If it's warm out, wear a sun hat and layers of loose, comfortable clothing.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink water before, during, and after your workout. Dehydration can contribute to overheating or even trigger contractions. If you're well hydrated, the color of your urine will be almost clear. If it's dark yellow, drink more water.
• Protect your skin. If you're planning to exercise outside, be sure to wear sunblock because pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and worsen melasma – a condition in which blotchy areas of darkened skin appear on the skin.

Best pregnancy exercises for beginners

If you're pregnant and new to exercise, consider:

• Walking. This activity gets top honors for expectant mothers because it's safe, easy to do, and improves your cardiovascular fitness. It's the perfect way to get started if you didn't exercise before pregnancy.
• Aerobics classes or fitness DVDs. Programs designed for pregnant women strengthen your heart and build muscle tone and flexibility – all of which work together to support your body as it undergoes the physical changes of pregnancy.
• Swimming. This is a great form of exercise because it uses your whole body and puts little strain on your joints. An added bonus: The water supports your weight, giving you a temporary reprieve from feeling ungainly as your belly gets bigger.
• Prenatal yoga and stretching. Both ease tension, promote relaxation, and help you stay flexible and strong.
• Dancing. Moving to music you enjoy keeps you limber and gives you a great cardiovascular workout. Styles such as Zumba, belly dancing, and ballroom dancing are fun ways to exercise that can be modified as your belly expands.

More safe pregnancy exercises

If you're wondering whether it's safe to begin running during pregnancy, the answer is usually yes if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and the approval of your provider – even if you've never tried running before. Just remember to start slowly: Warm up for five to 10 minutes by stretching and walking, then run at a slow and comfortable pace for about five minutes. Cool down by walking for another five to 10 minutes.

If your joints don't hurt and you feel able to do more, you can gradually pick up the pace and start running for longer stretches. Later in pregnancy, you may need to modify your routine or slow down to accommodate your growing belly.

Weight training and other exercises that involve standing in place for long periods can reduce the blood flow to your baby. To do them safely, keep moving by changing positions or simply by stepping back and forth.

Also, approach bike riding with caution. Experienced cyclists should be able to ride throughout the first trimester, but some experts consider it dangerous to bike during your second and third trimesters because your shifting center of gravity affects your balance, making falls more likely. A stationary exercise bike is a safer option later in pregnancy.