FitSugar

Work Out in Comfort With These Maternity Activewear Picks!

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:52:41 PDT

Since working out with a bun in the oven can be challenging for a wide variety of reasons, it's important that your workout clothes are comfy. We've done the leg work for you and tested a handful of pieces of maternity fitness gear, both tops and bottoms. Watch the video and learn what our FitSugarTV host Zelana, pregnant herself, has to say about these five activewear picks.

*$20 gift card will be sent by email within 7 days of purchase on ActivewearUSA.com

Hip Openers and Hamstring Stretches For Expectant Moms

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:08:26 PDT

Yoga is the perfect exercise for expectant mommas, not only to increase strength and flexibility, but it can also ease common pregnancy woes such as a sore lower back and heartburn. It can also help you hone your sense of balance, which is ever changing as your belly expands.

Here's a yoga sequence that incorporates standing poses to strengthen your lower body while increasing the flexibility in your hips and hamstrings. Complete the entire 12-pose sequence on one side and repeat again on the other. Be sure to ease into the poses since the hormone relaxin softens your joints and gives your muscles more elasticity. This makes it easier for you to stretch deeper than you ever could, increasing your risk for tearing a muscle.

*Remember to talk to your doc before starting any exercise program when pregnant.

Tracy Anderson's Celebrity Baby Body Workout

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:05 PDT

It seems like dancing diva Tracy Anderson trains half of Hollywood these days, and she keeps these celebs fit and toned during their pregnancies, too. Tracy worked with Molly Sims while she was expecting, and now you can learn three of her signature moves designed to keep moms-to-be feeling and looking their best. These exercises focus on the backside, since as Tracy says, there's no reason your "butt can't look as good as possible, for as long as possible" when pregnant.

Do consult with your physician before starting any exercise regimen when pregnant.

Yoga No-Nos For Pregos

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:33:23 PDT

Fun issues like nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and the need to hit the ladies' room - three different times during a workout! - makes it difficult to keep up with a regular exercise routine when pregnant. If you're expecting, taking up yoga (or continuing to go) is wonderful because not only does it alleviate some of these annoying discomforts, your body will stay strong and flexible. No prenatal yoga class offered in your area? Take a regular class, but be sure to avoid the following during your practice.

Deep forward bends: Folding forward can compress blood vessels and nerves that connect to your uterus. Keep things flowing by separating your legs like in this Wide-Legged Forward Bend to make space at the top of the thighs.
Deep twists: This can also decrease circulation, so always twist in an open position as in this pose, not deeply across the knee.
Lying on your back: Once you hit the second trimester, avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time (as in Savasana). The increased weight of your uterus interferes with the flow of blood and nutrients to your developing baby. It can also aggravate lower back pain, heartburn, and elevate blood pressure. Use blocks and bolsters to prop your torso up instead of lying flat, and whenever possible find ways to stretch the same muscles while you're standing, sitting, on your hands and knees, or when lying on your side.
Poses that work your abs: As your belly expands, it's difficult to support the weight with your rectus abdominus (the muscles you see when someone has a six-pack), so you use your obliques (ab muscles on the side of your belly). Overly-strong obliques can pull your abdominal muscles apart, causing a condition known as diastasis. Avoid risk by skipping poses that target your core, especially your obliques - worry about getting your abs back in shape after the baby arrives.

Keep reading for more prenatal yoga no-nos.

Jessica Simpson Embraces Her Pregnancy Weight Gain - Did You?

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:01 PDT

Once again, Jessica Simpson is being criticized by the media because of her weight. During yesterday's episode of The View, Joy Behar referred to Jessica as "fat," saying, "Most women who are pregnant are not supposed to gain more than 25 pounds. She looks like she gained a lot more than that." Surprisingly, Sarah Palin, mother of four, defended Jessica on the Today show with the response,

"I would have wanted to punch [Jessica's critics] in the neck. It's none of anybody else's business how much weight I would gain. This isn't even an issue. Hollywood . . . is full of itty-bitty people, people [who are] unrealistically tiny."

It doesn't bother 31-year-old Simpson though. She recently posed nude on Elle's front cover in all her expectant-momma glory, and is loving her womanly figure:

"I'm like 170 pounds and I wanted to pose nude. I try to be like 110 pounds. It's funny to be at your heaviest and feel the most confident. I just take such pride in being a mom! I just love my body more than ever now."

It is refreshing to hear a mother-to-be loving her larger body during pregnancy. Many expectant mothers are strict about diet and exercise to avoid gaining too much, while others embrace pregnancy as a free ticket to eat whatever they want and skip the trips to the gym. When pregnant, how do you feel about weight gain?

New Mom Hilary Duff Hits the Gym 1.5 Weeks After Giving Birth

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:18:03 PDT

Hilary Duff gave birth to Luca Cruz less than two weeks ago, but is already exercising to get her prepregnancy body back. She hit the gym Saturday and tweeted, "20 minutes on the elliptical seems like an eternity!!! What the hell…"

Though many obstetricians recommend holding off on exercise until six weeks postpartum (longer for a C-section), every woman is different. Here are some workout tips for brand-new moms.

Check with your doctor before exercising: How ready you are depends on how well you're healing. Most doctors recommend avoiding exercise until the bleeding stops, but may give the green light for low-intensity workouts, such as short walks or stretching.
Start off slow: Don't expect your body to run 30 minutes straight like it did before you were pregnant. Aside from the stress of the actual birth, lack of sleep and low energy levels associated with nursing offer new moms little get-up-and-go. Start with low-impact exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming. A 10-minute walk around the block every day for a week (or longer) will feel like plenty. Gradually increase the intensity and length of your workouts as your strength and stamina increases.
Invest in some baby gear: If you find it emotionally difficult to leave your baby, exercise with them. There are hundreds of baby carriers out there to enable you to walk with your baby. I'm a huge fan of the Moby Wrap, since it feels the most supportive on a new mom's often-sore back. If you're not into wearing your baby, or a C-section won't allow for it while you're healing, buy a jogging stroller (walk at first and run when you're doctor gives the OK). Postnatal fitness classes are another great option, not only for exercise, but as a way to connect with other new moms.

Keep reading for more workout tips for brand-new moms.

Alessandra Ambrosio's Secret to a Feel-Good Pregnancy: Staying Fit

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:47:23 PDT

Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio is loving the third trimester of her second pregnancy and has no complaints. Without experiencing the usual discomforts of pregnancy, she told People magazine, "I feel really good. I love this pregnancy. It's been really easy. I haven't gotten really nauseous or anything." The VS Angel's secret to feeling great is keeping up with her fitness routine. She says,

"I've been very active. I've been exercising. I've been going for walks and doing yoga. Playing with my daughter all the time gets me in good shape I guess."

Alessandra practices yoga to stay in shape while she's modeling, but it's also an excellent way to stay strong, limber, and calm when you're a momma-to-be. While it's so important for an expectant woman to stay active during her pregnancy, here are some things to keep in mind during each trimester to ensure your fitness routine promotes a stress- and injury-free pregnancy.

First Trimester
Even if you were exercising regularly before becoming prego, it's important to get the OK from your doctor or midwife before continuing. If running, swimming, biking, hiking, strength training, and doing yoga were part of your routine, go ahead and continue those workouts, just modify the intensity as needed. Now is not the time to do anything new or more intense fitness-wise (it's best to wait till after baby to start training for that marathon). Avoid contact sports or activities that put you at risk for falling such as rock climbing or horseback riding.

Early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, sore breasts, extreme fatigue, the need to hit the bathroom more often, and hunger cravings can get in the way of your workouts, but it's important to listen to your body. This might mean walking instead of jogging, taking more breaks, snacking during workouts, or taking entire days off to nap instead. Your body is busy at work growing that little one, so don't worry about toning down your routine. Most women start to feel better in the second trimester, so look forward to working out more regularly then.

Continue reading to find out tips for exercising in the second and third trimesters.

Hilary Duff's High-Energy Prenatal Piloxing Workout

Self — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:39:32 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Some women may take it easy during their last trimester, but Hilary Duff isn't the type to let her workouts slide just because she's eating for two. The singer-actress may be seven months pregnant, but according to her trainer of eight years, Vivica Jensen, she's still staying fit with biweekly Piloxing sessions. "Piloxing is the first fitness program that blends the best of Pilates, boxing, and dance into a high-energy, hour-long interval workout," says Jensen, who created the hybrid class. "I put a lot of focus into balance and alignment, which can be thrown off when you're pregnant. You also get a great cardio workout, and the boxing element tones your arms and legs."

Although Jensen has tweaked Duff's workouts to accommodate her pregnancy, she's quick to point out that the mom-to-be is no slouch in the gym. "Since Hilary was already in good shape, she's able to do everything but at her own pace with a few modifications like taking more breaks to drink water and catch her breath when her heart rate goes up and not doing advanced ab exercises," says Jensen.

As her due date draws near, the former Lizzie McGuire star is also preparing her body for the hardships of labor. That means plenty of arm, leg, chest, and core exercises. "For now, I'm focusing on her core muscles because I want those muscles intact so she has an easier delivery," says Jensen. Just don't expect Mrs. Comrie to stay bedridden for very long since "Hilary loves being healthy and has always been very active. Once she gets the OK from her doctor, we're really going to kick it up a notch," says Jensen. "She's tough with amazing form, so I'm able to work her hard and really kick her butt!"

Want to stay fit throughout all nine months of your pregnancy (or even if you're not eating for two!)? Incorporate four moves into your regular workout routine to get buff like Duff. Read on for the moves.

Tips and Workouts For a Strong and Fit Pregnancy

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:50:13 PST

If you're pregnant or planning on having children in the near future, it's good to know the facts about what's safe and appropriate when it comes to working out. Check out the posts below to ensure you stay active, fit, and strong during your pregnancy.

Momma-to-Be Strength Training Routine

Hip and Back Stretches For Mommies-to-Be

Expecting? Dos and Don'ts of Working Out

How Pregnancy Ruins Workouts (and Ways to Deal)

Running With a Bun in the Oven

Kerri Walsh's Strong Mama Pilates Routine

Postnatal Yoga Poses For New Moms

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:43:34 PST

After giving birth, a new mother not only has a beautiful bundle of sweetness to love, but she's usually left with a sore lower back, tight hips, and tense shoulders as well. Here's a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga sequence that's sure to bring relief.