Exercise tips?

[purpleglowspider]

Hiya :)
I am new - to just about everything. I have found out I am 7 weeks pregnant with my first one, and have my first scan on the 16th December.

Prior to getting pregnant I had just begun my couch-potato recovery program. I was very over weight, out of shape (unless you consider round a shape) and completely unfit. I was about to join weight watchers when I found out that I was pregnant. It was a bit unplanned but my partner has been fabulous about everything.

So I am aware that being over weight in pregnancy only adds to my troubles so I was wanting some advice on the best exercise to do whilst pregnant. I have already swapped my snacks for healthy options like fruit and veg and drinking more fruit juice and water.

I do like walking in the countryside and even though the weather is getting colder I still want to do more of that, but any other help from experienced people out there would be great.

Thanks xxx

Honestly? You need to talk to your doctor before you do anything.

Focusing on eating healthily and moderate exercise such as walking is great, but equally don't let your blood sugar levels dip too low and don't let your heart rate get too high.

Speak to your doctor first, but swimming and ante-natal yoga classes would be good - please don't think about doing anything too strenuous if you have not done it before.

With my own exercise programme I've found that one of the main benefits is not weight loss through frantic exercise but hust the fact that getting out and doing something physical stops you eating.

There are programmes with Slimmer World and Weight watchers for pregnant ladies I believe. One of my friends weighed a LOT less at 40 weeks pregnant than she did when she concieved thanks to WW! Sometimes being pregnant gives you that extra motivation to be healthy for the baby.

The general advice on exercise is not to start doing new things if you weren't before - so walking if you were doing it already great, and perhaps some aqua natal stuff?

One word of warning - if you drinking fruit juice (i.e fresh orange juice) be very careful how much. If you are trying to get healthy calories in and keep feeling full, you are better of eating fruit itself, and sticking to water instead, as the fruit has more roughage and will fill you up. Fresh fruit juice is sugary and will not fill you up.

It's great that you are watching your weight. I would focus on healthier eating and gentle walking and swimming. I was fit and 9 stone when I got preggers but it still makes you breathless and tired. Take it steady. Don't forget those snacks. It is crucial that you keep your blood levels steady. Good luck!!

Speak to the GP or Midwife. However, it is common sense to follow a healthy diet. High fibre cereal, porridge, wholemeal toast and fruit or fruit juice would all be good breakfasts. Healthy soups and rolls, baked potatoes and salad etc.. are good for lunch and lean protein and veg are good in the evening. I had a friend who stuck to this type of thing and ended up weighing a stone and a half less after giving birth than she did before getting pregnant.

Thanks everyone.
That is great advice. I have increased my fruit intake, I happen to love banana's, but I also eat berry fruit and oranges.

Meggles76 - I have heard of women losing weight during pregnancy by simply changing their diets. I do need to increase my roughage will get some high fibre cereals.

Before I got pregnant I skipped breakfast a lot so ended up eating rubbish by mid morning since getting pregnant I have started to eat breakfast every day and this has really stopped me eating rubbish as I am generally full.

Thanks again everyone I have already found some really useful things on here xxx