Hello Mumsnetters!
All over the internet, people are singing the praises of a consistent exercise routine. Whenever I browse the web for pregnancy tips, exercise advice seems to pop up quite regularly (next to folic acid intake).
There are so many benefits for both expecting and non-expecting women (and men). Maintaining a healthy heart, keeping our serotonin levels high and getting the bowels moving when constipated are just a few of the massive differences it can make to your daily life - as well as keeping you lean and feeling sexy.
It's easy enough to natter about, but lets face it, in this age of convenience fast-food, sedentary office jobs and busy schedules, keeping your fitness up can be challenging. Even more so if you have never even seen the inside of a gym.
I'd really like to know what the expecting ladies in this community do to keep fit during the 9 months when your body wants you to do nothing more than lie on the sofa, and eat whatever the cravings tell you to eat, whilst wondering when Luke Skywalker will arrive and order you to hand over the Wookie and Han Solo.
I'm 25, and I'm now roughly 9 weeks LMP (first pregnancy). I'm actually a dedicated runner and have been running for a good 5 years now consistently. My personal best for a 5k jog is 23.5 minutes and the farthest I have ran is a half marathon. I run roughly 3-5 times a week for at least 20 minutes. I love running because it makes me feel happy and sexy. It's also a brilliant way to clear your head and problem-solve when something particularly confounding is getting to you. I think that keeping in shape (as well as eating really healthily) is important and I want to be a good, healthy role-model for my child. But I have to admit ladies, it's getting difficult. I don't want to lose my fitness, but I also don't want to accidentally cause any problems for myself during pregnancy.
So here's my questions to you lovely lot!
Do you have a particular routine? Or is their a certain exercise that you think would be more suited to an expecting mother?
Do you use any exercise aids? (Like those bog, squishy balls I've seen some women rolling their bums on)?
Do you find it beneficial to exercise in a group, with your other half or go at it alone?
Do you think that there are some exercises that should be avoided like the plague?
Do you think that pregnant women should avoid exercise completely and focus on the pregnancy first, and then get their fitness back after the birth?
What do you do when your body doesn't want to let you stick to your routine? Do you go for it anyway, or do you bypass the treadmill and beeline for the kitchen?
Do you find it easier to exercise at certain times of the day?
Looking forward to your responses!
Keyboard.