– Exercise in Pregnancy –
Exercise
-
Improves mood because it creates endorphins and releases adrenaline.
- Reduces stress, decreases anxiety and depression.
-
It decreases risk of injury, builds strength and endurance.
-
Quickens the heart rate and breathing with stimulates the cardiovascular system and lungs, reduces incidence of heart disease, osteoporosis, and hypertension.
-
It also helps maintain a healthy weight!
It may be difficult to begin an exercise program. Choosing something that you enjoy and setting an attainable goal will help you to support you in follow through. While pregnant, finding support in a pregnancy exercise program or buddying up with someone may help you reach your goals and make it fun. Remember to stay safe while exercising. It is important to work up gradually and alternate workout activities in a weekly exercise program because all exercise initially will fatigue muscles, tendons, and joints. As the body recovers, strength returns. The body needs to fully recover between exercising to avoid injury. Alternating workout activities keeps the attention and combats boredom while building a good foundation. Another thing to keep in mind while pregnant and exercising: Tissue relaxation accompanies the hormonal changes of pregnancy, so one could over stretch and tear ligaments or tendons or over stretch and pull a muscle. Also, remember to stretch. Stretching strengthens the muscles and builds a foundation to maintain the stretch which helps with endurance and to recover the muscles.
