Although research has come a long way with regards to exercise during pregnancy, there are still a lot of misconceptions as to what is allowed and what is too much. In some cultures it is still considered way too much of a risk to exercise while pregnant and they support the notion of protecting the growing fetus, by putting your feet up, eating a lot of hearty foods and getting plenty of “rest”. While I would never argue with protecting your baby, eating healthy foods and getting additional rest if needed, leading a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy could just be the biggest risk for you and your little one. And so with this, I would like to tell you about my client who I shall call Sandra.
Sandra just recently gave birth to beautiful twins; a boy and a girl. We met when she was 18 weeks pregnant and she was lethargic and unmotivated. This was her third pregnancy as she had 2 girls back home in a country that supported the old fashioned custom of sitting, eating and “rest”. She did not exercise during her first two pregnancies and decided that she would change her attitude because if she was already feeling uncomfortable and tired at 18 weeks, what was she going to be in for during the long run? So at the advice of her doctor, she decided to take the plunge, get herself a personal trainer and make exercise a part of her weekly routine.
And what a trooper! Imagine being pregnant with twins and exercising up to her 36th week! Although some days were tougher than others, just like any other person trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, she persevered and stuck it out almost to the end. She delivered at 38 weeks. Sandra saw her doctor regularly as being pregnant with twins increases your risks, but continued to maintain that the exercise was the one thing that gave her the energy and stamina to endure the length of her pregnancy and gave her the strength for labour and delivery.
I recently went to visit her and her newborns and she looks fantastic! Alert and strong, she is the perfect example of what a pregnant woman can do if she puts her mind to it. It certainly wasn’t easy as I’m sure she would agree, but her dedication to stay healthy and strong throughout her pregnancy proved that you can work with mother nature and stay in control of your changing body even when sometimes you just want to give up.
Sandra just recently gave birth to beautiful twins; a boy and a girl. We met when she was 18 weeks pregnant and she was lethargic and unmotivated. This was her third pregnancy as she had 2 girls back home in a country that supported the old fashioned custom of sitting, eating and “rest”. She did not exercise during her first two pregnancies and decided that she would change her attitude because if she was already feeling uncomfortable and tired at 18 weeks, what was she going to be in for during the long run? So at the advice of her doctor, she decided to take the plunge, get herself a personal trainer and make exercise a part of her weekly routine.
And what a trooper! Imagine being pregnant with twins and exercising up to her 36th week! Although some days were tougher than others, just like any other person trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, she persevered and stuck it out almost to the end. She delivered at 38 weeks. Sandra saw her doctor regularly as being pregnant with twins increases your risks, but continued to maintain that the exercise was the one thing that gave her the energy and stamina to endure the length of her pregnancy and gave her the strength for labour and delivery.
I recently went to visit her and her newborns and she looks fantastic! Alert and strong, she is the perfect example of what a pregnant woman can do if she puts her mind to it. It certainly wasn’t easy as I’m sure she would agree, but her dedication to stay healthy and strong throughout her pregnancy proved that you can work with mother nature and stay in control of your changing body even when sometimes you just want to give up.
