Work It Baby!

One of the first things I did when I was pregnant was to seek resources to stay active. I was an athlete, and fitness was a massive part of my lifestyle and my identity. However, I quickly realised that there was so much conflicting information around the subject, and the general advice was to take it easy and leave my active days behind. That answer didn’t sit well with me, and I knew in my gut that it wasn’t the healthy route.

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As a pre and postnatal fitness trainer, the concept of safe and effective exercise is at the core of what I do. But fitness during pregnancy isn't just about staying active; it's about feeling confident and preparing for motherhood's challenges, it’s about reducing pregnancy complications and giving your baby a head start in their future health. So it’s crucial that you find your mojo – that’s where the Baby2Body App can help.

Here are my top tips for exercising and staying motivated during pregnancy:

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1. Consistency is what counts - Consistency is key, so start with movement that feels good and make it a daily habit. Moving your body every single day is what counts and will lead to you feeling healthier over time.
2. Make a realistic schedule - Workout motivation often gets derailed when we set unrealistic expectations. You’ll say to yourself, “I’ll work out five times a week”, then when life gets busy, it feels like you’ve missed the mark. Achieving goals motivates us, so make a plan and schedule workouts like unmissable appointments!
3. Listen to your body - The #1 rule is exercise should make you feel good, and it can be demotivating when it doesn’t. If you’re trying to finish a HIIT class and feel terrible, Maybe you need to slow things down with a restorative yoga practice instead! If your workouts feel forced, let your body (instead of your mind) lead.
4. Fuel your body - The food we eat is directly linked to how we feel, so choose wisely, avoid processed foods, and eat fresh where possible. It’s also important to listen to your body. Pay attention to how it reacts to certain foods and how you feel after eating. It will tell you much about what is good for you and what’s not.
5. Start today and just do one workout - That’s it. Just get out there today for one workout. It can be challenging to remember that feel-good feeling when you haven’t exercised in a while, so do one workout and write down that feeling on a piece of paper so you can go back to it and remind yourself of what exercise gives you.

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Knowledge is power, especially during pregnancy, but my final tip is to be cautious when searching the web for guidance. A lot of the information can be misleading and will only add to your worries. If you’re concerned, always talk to a medical professional. The Baby2Body App is always there to give you evidence-based information to keep you happy and healthy throughout your pregnancy.

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Baby2Body has joined forces with The Baby Show, the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event, to hold a panel advising on health and fitness at each show across the year, taking place in Birmingham, Manchester and London. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

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