Staying Fit While Pregnant - May 31, 2009

Staying Fit While Pregnant

Pregnant or not, physical fitness helps keep the heart, bones, and mind healthy. Like all women, healthy pregnant women should aim to get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week. It's best to spread your workouts throughout the week. If you regularly engage in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or high amounts of activity, you can keep up your activity level as long as your health doesn't change and you talk to your doctor about your activity level throughout your pregnancy.

Special benefits of physical activity during pregnancy:

• Exercise can ease and prevent aches and pains of pregnancy including constipation, varicose veins, backaches, and exhaustion.
• Active women seem to be better prepared for labor and delivery and recover more quickly.
• Exercise may lower the risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
• Fit women have an easier time getting back to a healthy weight after delivery.
• Regular exercise may improve sleep during pregnancy.
• Staying active can help protect your emotional health. Pregnant women who exercise seem to have better self-esteem and lower risks of depression and anxiety.
• Results from a recent, large study suggest that women who are physically active during pregnancy may lower their chances of preterm delivery.

Learn more:

Staying fit while pregnant.

The 2009 Woman Challenge!

3,625 women have taken the Woman Challenge pledge.

Have you joined the eight-week physical activity challenge for better health called the Woman Challenge? Each week that you meet or exceed your personal physical activity goals, you will receive a virtual Woman Challenge trophy. Earn 8 trophies in 8 weeks and receive a certificate of completion! Also, you'll receive weekly newsletters with tips on staying motivated and weekly quizzes to test your knowledge.

		Take the Woman Challenge pledge!
		Find out more about the Woman Challenge.

What's New on the Woman Activity Tracker?

Setting goals is a good way to stay on track. When you set a goal for your Woman Activity Tracker, you set the total amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity you would like to complete in a week, including how many days of muscle-strengthening activity you would like to complete. You can change your goals as you go. Bonus quizzes help you make up for those weeks when you miss a goal by adding 20 minutes of moderate activity to help you toward your weekly goals.

Learn more about setting goals.

New Bonus Quiz!

Are you a Quiz Mastermind? Find out by taking this week's quiz, "Staying Fit While Pregnant". Get all five questions correct and earn 20 extra minutes of moderate-intensity activity toward your weekly goal!

Take this week's Bonus Quiz!

Voice Your Vote!

Do you have a home gym?

• Yes.
• No.

Vote!

Speak Up!

How do you feel if you miss a workout?

23 women have answered this question so far!

Add your comment!

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