(Written by Elena White) Pregnancy is not a good excuse to ditch your trainers and lounge around. It is in fact,  a good reason to keep fit and even build awareness about the food you eat, what it contains and how it benefits (or perhaps does not) your baby and yourself. But let’s take a look at some important aspects of exercise and how best to keep active during those nine months of pregnancy.

It makes sense to begin by stating that exercise does not necessarily mean hard-core, exhausting work outs. First and foremost, your body will dictate just how much exercise you can or cannot take. Do you seriously think that in your eighth month you will be able to walk as fast as in your second? You need to listen to your body and be sensitive to its needs. Do not over exert yourself. Whilst pregnant and exercising, always ensure breathing is not too difficult and that you are not panting away. Can you hold a conversation whilst exercising? This is a good rule of thumb to follow. If you cannot talk and exercise at the same time, you are obviously going too fast. In terms of duration, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 30 minutes daily.

Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines

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