How to Stay Fit While Pregnant

One of the most common questions that I got after I had my son and one that I still get is,  “how are you in such great shape after having a baby?” I think there is a common misconception that as soon as a woman becomes pregnant and has a child, she is forever going to be battling the weight she put on during her pregnancy. The reality is that when you are pregnant, you’re going to gain weight. No question about that- I gained 28 pounds with my son and lost it all pretty quickly.
 
The amount of weight of course varies from woman to woman and each pregnancy is different. The recommended amount of weight gain during pregnancy relies on a variety of factors, your age, weight and current health condition. Medical professionals say that on average you should gain anywhere from 25-35 pounds. Most women that I know gain above the suggested weight gain, but that doesn’t mean they can't and don’t lose it all. I know a lot of momma’s who have and who look so fab!
 
Prior to becoming pregnant, I wasn’t too worried that I wouldn’t return to my pre-pregnancy size and shape. It’s funny how we tend to worry about things that are so trivial. I knew that I was healthy before my pregnancy that I would be healthy during my pregnancy and of course I would be healthy after my son was born. Any concerns that I may have had soon dissipated once I was pregnant with my son because all that I cared about was that I was healthy and most importantly that my unborn child was too. I wanted to make sure that I was eating the right amounts of nutritious foods so my baby would thrive in my belly. Here are some of my tips for Staying (not GETTING) fit when pregnant.
 

Pre-Baby #1

35 Weeks Pregnant with Jaxson

Stay as Active as You Were Before Pregnancy
 
Pregnancy is not the time to get into shape or start a new workout regimen. If you ran and did yoga prior to becoming pregnant than of course you can continue with that. Don’t start training for something while your pregnant. If you’re not a runner, don’t start now. Doctors recommend that you continue with whatever your daily activity was prior to your pregnancy to help keep you and your baby healthy. If you didn’t exercise at all, I would suggest doing some light to moderate exercise. Some great workouts for us pregnant gals are: walking, prenatal Yoga, Pilates and swimming.
 

10 Months Postpartum

Force Yourself to Exercise
 
Pregnant or not pregnant, there are so many days when we just don’t feel like exercising. Maybe you are tired or didn’t get enough sleep or just not feeling great and exercise is the last thing on your mind. As a pregnant woman and a mother of a 2 ½ year old (I’m sure many of you can relate) there are so many days when I don’t want to even move, but once I force myself, I feel so much better. This is essential for a pregnant woman, we really do need to force ourselves to exercise (whatever that may be), there are so many benefits during pregnancy, during delivery and once baby comes!

Two Years after Jaxson was born

Eat Healthy & Have some Treats too
 
Growing up I always had homemade meals, there was never a night that I didn’t. Both of my parents are amazing cooks, I am pretty good but I am working to be on their level. It’s so important to me that my children grow up with the homemade meals that I did. Because of the amazing meals that we always had and still do, we learned the importance of a balance diet. We ate healthy and fresh, but we would also indulge. I have always eaten what I wanted to, even before I was pregnant. If I wanted a Blizzard from DQ (my dad is my DQ partner lol) than I would have one. I was the same way in my first pregnancy and I eat that way now. I don’t believe in neglecting or ignoring what it is you want to eat. That said, I also don’t think that anyone should eat too much of anything- everything in moderation !So my fellow pregnant momma’s- if you wanna eat that bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, than dive right in! (maybe just don't eat the whole tub in one sitting).

20 Weeks with Baby #2

My Secrets
 
I attribute my quick loss of my baby weight to a few things, the biggest being nursing. I remember waking up one morning about 4 weeks after having my son and I felt like myself again, my stomach was flat and I looked like I hadn’t had a baby. Nursing has so many health benefits for our babes, it also burns calories and reduces the size of your uterus after birth.I nursed my son for 11 months, the beginning was definitely  a struggle, but I persevered and it was so worth it for both of us.
 
My next secret is; play with your kids. The amount of time I have spent chasing and running after my son is endless. We play so much and we always have- he is my greatest workout! Lifting a baby up and down as much as new momma’s do is an amazing workout; you don’t need to go to a gym!! When my new babe makes his or her debut, I will be showing you some of my workouts with babe- no equipment needed!

My last secret- don't stress! Each one of us is unique and so is each pregnancy. Don't compare yourself to others who are pregnant. As long as you feel healthy and you're eating well and your baby is healthy- that's all that matters! Once you have your brand new baby, you wont even think about weight loss. You will be too obsessed and consumed with your beautiful miracle that it won't and shouldn't be your first thought or worry!

xo, Tara