FitSugar

Is Running While Pregnant Safe?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:52 PDT

It's not every day that you see a pregnant woman going for a run, like Miss Kourtney Kardashian here. On her hour-long jog, I'm sure she got some stares and whispers. Not just because she's famous, but because she's got a big bun in the oven. They're probably wondering, is this safe for her baby, and safe for mom?

Regular exercise is encouraged by doctors for those expecting, because it can help a woman stay healthy, and alleviate some of the discomforts like stiffness, back pain, leg cramping, or constipation. Working out can also prevent unnecessary weight gain, relieve stress, and get a woman ready to endure the physical challenges of labor.

With that said, there are some guidelines a pregnant woman should follow when working out.

Don't make any big changes to your exercise program once you become pregnant. If you were running regularly before you conceived, then it's safe to keep it up, as long as it feels good and you don't overdo it. If you want to start a new type of exercise, talk to your doc first.
Be OK with modifying your routine, especially as your pregnancy progresses. If you used to run four miles a day, you may find that you'll need to cut down in the beginning of your pregnancy. And once you're in the end of your second trimester, or third, walking may be best.
Don't do any types of exercise that put you or the baby at risk, like extreme sports that require balance, speed, or could result in you falling. Your doctor will probably recommend you save the surfing, skiing, horseback riding, biking outdoors, and rock climbing for after delivery.

For the rest keep reading

DVD Review: Erin O'Brien's Prenatal Fitness Fix

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:30:00 PDT

It feels like baby fever over here on the Sugar Network. Many of our favorite celebrities along with our very own BabySugar are expecting so I've decided to dive into the world of keeping healthy while pregnant in my Fit Momma series.

Having already experienced the joys of pregnancy myself, it's been a few years, so I recruited a pregnant pal to try Prenatal Fitness Fix with Erin O'Brien. My friend was a frequent gym goer, but recently she can't stomach the smell of my gym - if you're pregnant, you understand - so she happily joined me. We were both thinking it was going to be a walk in the park since it was after all, a prenatal fitness DVD. To find out if we were right, just

The instructor, Erin O'Brien, is calm, cool, and collected. She's motivating, but not too peppy and it was the mix of both that kept us going through the entire 40 minutes. (Side note: Did you know she is James Denton's wife?) The music was a little slower than I normally workout to, but it was not unpleasant.

Much to our surprise, it's actually pretty strenuous. There is no heavy cardio or weights, but there is a lot of body weight resistance work that left my quads pretty darn sore. I love that Erin takes pauses for water and potty breaks - essentials for any pregnant woman. She also uses household items (couches, coffee tables, chairs) for the exercises, so there's no extra equipment needed. Overall I would highly recommend this DVD for anyone who's expecting and had a pretty good level of fitness before her pregnancy. If you haven't exercised in years, then you may want to consider something a little more beginner at first.

Fit's Tip: Pregnancy does amazing (and crazy) things to your body, and keeping it healthy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. DVDs are a great option to keep moving at home, but you should check with your OB/GYN before starting any exercise program while pregnant.

Exercise Beneficial for Mom, and Baby

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:00:00 PDT

We always put all this stress on how exercising while pregnant is really great for the mom, and makes it easier for her to get back to her pre-baby weight. However new research sort of brings us back down to earth on the most important benefit of exercising while pregnant: it's generally good for the baby too. Here are details from Dr. Linda E. May of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences:

"When the mom exercises during pregnancy, the unborn baby gets the same type of training effect that you would see in an adult - so you see the lower heart rate and also improved heart rate variability, which is evidence of improvements in the nervous system of the heart. Maternal exercise may be the earliest intervention to improve the heart of children and possibly the best," May concluded.

So if you're expecting like Jessica Alba or plan to be in the future, don't just exercise for yourself, do it for your baby.

Bauer Griffin Online

Ali Landry Doesn't Deprive Herself of Those Doritos

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:30:00 PST

Ali Landry, who will always be the Doritos girl in my eyes, had a baby girl about six months ago and she is looking fantastic these days. She credits getting back into prebaby shape to having a very healthy pregnancy as well as working out through the whole thing. She told OK! that she thought she'd be back on the treadmill in no time, but things did not quite go according to plan.

To find out how she did it, just

Here's more:

"I thought once I had the baby I would run again. Two weeks after she was born, I got on the treadmill and I didn't think about the nursing and the pain," she says. "It hurt! I had to find something else. I went back to my trusty videos and started doing them - very low-impact."

Now working out two days a week, down from five, the 34-year-old former Doritos girl is also following a diet, but don't think she deprives herself of any treats. "I love to eat. I'm from the South so I don't really like to deprive myself of food. I will never turn down home-cooked Cajun food."

Source

Courtney Thorne-Smith's Fit Pregnancy

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:30:00 PST

From her super-skinny Ally McBeal days to now, where she has learned to accept and love her body even with the extra pregnancy weight, Courtney Thorne-Smith has come full circle and she looks fabulous. Fit Pregnancy magazine sat down with Courtney and got the scoop on her pregnancy workout and more.

Here are highlights:

FP: Have you been working out?
CTS: Well, I used to be a compulsive exerciser, but I’m over that. For the past several years, I’ve been walking 40 minutes and doing Pilates and yoga stretches at home, so that’s what I’m doing now. I used to run 8 miles a day, then go to the gym, do weights and then yoga, until I realized that I was so hungry and tired all the time. I feel so much freedom now: I don’t have to stay in a hotel with a gym and I’m never so hungry that I panic.

FP: I know you struggled with body image for years; how are you feeling about your body now?
CTS: I feel great: I wanted this so badly. One day I was with one of my friends, and I was rubbing my belly, and she asked me, "How does it feel?" I told her, "It feels really good." And she said, "Great, I hope that you keep rubbing your belly with love even after the baby is born." And that was so powerful because my belly has always been the spot I obsess over. I have come to appreciate my body so much - and I think that's why I was able to get pregnant. Now, the baby is kicking and it's all working. It's a miracle what the body can do.

Bridget Moynahan Gets Fit While Pregnant

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:00:00 PDT

Bridget Moynahan is staying very active even in her final days of pregnancy -- She is due to give birth this Friday to a baby boy and ex-boyfriend Tom Brady is the father. Hopefully Bridget is not pushing it too hard and you can pretty much bet that she is going to join the club of celeb moms who slim down quick after giving birth.

In case you're like Bridget and have a bun in the oven, use these tips for exercising safely while pregnant:

Pregnant women can participate in low-impact aerobic activity three times per week, or even as often as every other day, but be sure to get clearance from your physician first.
Walking is a great way to get in some low impact exercise that most pregnant women can engage in.

For more tips and to see more pics of Bridget working out while very pregnant just

Swimming is another great, low impact option for expecting moms. A lot of gyms offer water classes specifically for pregnant women, so be sure to check with your gym for availability.
Watch the heat. Temperatures greater than 102.6 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) could cause problems with the developing fetus - especially in the first trimester. So if it's hot out, hit the air conditioned gym instead.
Don't push it; if you're feeling exhausted, don't try to exercise. Plain and simple.
Move it at home. There are lots and lots of workout DVDs for pregnant women such as Patrea's Prenatal Fitness for the Entire Body ($14.99).
When strength training, go for lower resistance with higher reps. Pregnancy is not the time to test your strength, you'll have plenty of time to do that when you're getting fit after giving birth. Also, it is a good idea to avoid weight training (and sit-ups as well) after the first trimester.
Think about hiring a personal trainer who specializes in working with pregnant women. She would be able to create a program specifically to meet your needs.

View 7 Photos ›

Good luck Bridget! Can't wait to see the beautiful baby boy!

Flynet

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.

Hip Openers and Hamstring Stretches For Expectant Moms

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

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

Hilary Duff Opens Up About Postpartum Exercise, Postbaby Date Nights, and What Fills Her Phone Now

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:28:45 PDT

Hilary Duff's been one busy mama since welcoming son Luca Cruz to the world 5 weeks ago. The new mama's been sharing family photos with her fans, trying to return to her prepregnancy workouts, and getting back into her daily routine. Now Hilary's about to become even busier as she joins Johnson's Baby and Save the Children for the launch of Johnson's Baby CARES, a new initiative to support the basic needs of families during natural disasters. The actress and recording star took some time to answer our questions about the campaign, as well as her initial thoughts on new motherhood.

LilSugar: What's been the most surprising thing about motherhood so far?
Hilary Duff: How much I fell in love with Luca from the moment I saw him; it's so cool to see your child changing every day.

LilSugar: And the most challenging?
HD: Getting Luca on a schedule that works for both of us, it was tough at first, but he is getting better every day.

LilSugar: Who does lil Luca look like?
HD: A lot like me when I was a baby, but he has his daddy's nose!

LilSugar: How did you come up with Luca's name?
HD: Mike [Comrie, Hilary's husband of a year and a half] and I were just bouncing names off each other and Luca just stuck. We both knew when we heard it - it was unique, but not crazy.

LilSugar: Have you and Mike gone out on a postbaby date yet?
HD: Yes, we've had a few dates since Luca's arrival. At first it was nerve-racking, but the second date went a lot better. It's important for Mom and Dad to have time together.

Keep reading for Hilary's thoughts on postpartum exercise and her decision to partner with Johnson's and Save the Children.

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.