Page 96 - Demo

96 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JUNE 2015 || EDITION 2During my first trimester, I continued working out as I had been doing. Exercise and movement are important during pregnancy, as is your overall mental state. For those wanting to start an exercise program when pregnant; be sure to hire an expert. Do not just wing it by yourself or a workout partner; you may risk hurting yourself and your baby-onthe-way. My integrative doctor said, %u201cYou got pregnant doing all you%u2019ve done so keep at it but listen to your body and stop if you feel pain or discomfort.%u201d What my doctor said was true and I followed his advice. I was able to continue life with my holistic functional approach along with teaching weekly cardio kickboxing classes, weight training four times a week and using the Pilates Reformer. I did, however, switch from hot yoga to prenatal yoga early on. My midwife group had warned me of the potential dangers to the fetus, of doing hot yoga, even in the first trimester. If your core body temperature exceeds 102 degrees, you will place your baby at risk for defects and dehydration. I am sure there are many hot yoga instructors who taught classes while pregnant and birthed healthy children. I was not going to take that risk. Cardio, resistance training, prenatal yoga and Pilates are all beneficial during your pregnancy journey while breastfeeding and even carrying your baby. Instead of going to the gym when I wanted and doing what I wanted as frequently as I wanted, I soon found out this journey was not going to be about what I wanted. I was not getting ready to step on stage in a bikini, I was nurturing a child, so I did not need to be killing it at the gym five to six times a week. I teach my clients to listen to their bodies and rest when needed, and I follow the same advice. I had a few days in my first trimester I stayed home in bed to rest instead of working out or going to work, this rest was what my baby bump was telling me to do. At times being pregnant can suck your soul. I know all you mommies get me on this. So those zzz%u2019s are much needed no matter the stage of your pregnancy. During my second trimester, I started to modify exercises more. For example, squats and lunges are great during pregnancy because they help to strengthen and stabilize the pelvic muscles used during labor and delivery. I used very little weight or just my body weight, which was challenging enough for me and baby-to-be. For upper body exercises, I switched many standing exercises to be seated on a stability ball or kneeling to prevent any pulling in my midsection. I started to decrease my weight if I felt any pulling in my abdomen. I even stopped performing some exercises altogether. I incorporated chest and shoulder stretches and By Nicole Moneer>>>