Week 14 - exercising in pregnancy

Before I found out I was pregnant I was a keen gym goer who partook in regular high-impact classes like Insanity, circuits, pump, body attack and spin, keeping me not only heart fit but also trim. 

Since finding out I was pregnant I have been constantly battling with the desire to do exercise but the concern that it might have a negative impact on the baby in some way. However, after speaking to my instructors, midwife and doctor and consulting various websites, who all advised me that exercising in pregnancy is actually recommended, especially if you exercised before. In fact it will help you cope with the changes to your body, labour itself and recovery afterwards. Therefore, despite some ill-informed people questioning my exercise regime, I decided to continue to exercise as much as I could to an appropriate level. The main concerns that my gym instructors had was ensuring that my heart rate does not rise above 140 beats per minute, my body temperature does not rise too much and I do not become dehydrated. The answers to these concerns are however easy, I am going to invest in a heart monitor and simply pull back or opt for the low impact versions of moves where possible.

As a result I am currently doing spin, combat and circuits, where possible and have also introduced swimming to my exercise regime. I am exercising about three times a week and during each class I am very aware of my heart rate, body temperature and hydration levels, and simply tone it down a notch or two if I am concerned at all. Doing these classes make me feel so much better and will help me to not only stay fit but will hopefully help me minimise my weight gain during the pregnancy. As I get further along with my pregnancy I'm sure I am going to have to drop some of the more intense exercise classes and increase the swimming and walking but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I was starting to feel uncomfortable in some of my tight fitting gym gear too as at this stage in my pregnancy I am starting to feel a little bloated and full in my lower abdomen so I invested in a few loose fitting tops. H&M have a great range of exercise gear in nice bright colours at very reasonable prices so I had a little splurge in there and feel much more comfortable in these looser fitting tops and higher waisted leggings with a thick elastic waist band. All in all they are a great investment as they are so much comfier than my previous gym gear. Tops @ £12.99, Trousers @ £19.99 - I'd definitely recommend a look if you are after some jazzy new gym gear.