quick clicks

pregnancy today articles

pregnancy today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Take a Seat for Fitness

Exercises You Don't Have
to Stand up For

By Charlene Torkelson, Fitness Expert

Nine months of pregnancy can be exhilarating and energizing – and tiring. It is a time to remain as healthy as possible. This includes healthy eating, healthy habits and a fitness program that allows you to remain consistent and safe. Of course, with any changes in routine, always check with your doctor for any restrictions on diet and exercise before beginning.

One way to remain consistent and healthy in your fitness plan is to do exercises at your desk at work or while sitting at home. Sitting allows you to maintain balance and comfort as you exercise. Pregnant women find they may begin to feel clumsy or unbalanced during these nine months due to the changes in the body. The baby weight shifts the center of gravity, which may increase your feeling of awkwardness at times. Seated exercises allow a feeling of balance and control as well as a way to multi-task during busy days. It is also possible to do a series of exercises at your desk for five or 10 minutes three or more times a day. This is a very doable schedule for many busy moms-to-be.

Begin with a relaxed stretch. Lift the arms straight up over the head. Reaching for the ceiling, wiggle the fingers slightly. With a little shift of the shoulders, lift the right arm higher than the left. Then lift the left higher than the right. Lower the arms slowly to the side and lift the shoulders up and down. Gently lift the right shoulder, then the left. Repeat five lifts for each shoulder. This stretch should feel very relaxed and comfortable – getting all the kinks out of your upper body.

You will discover after the birth of your child that your arms will strengthen from constantly lifting the weight of a child. Begin to build your arm and upper body strength during pregnancy by using small weights – about 2 to 3 pounds each. Try these upper body exercises when seated at your desk:

Want to see more?

• Room to Room Fitness: Exercise Your Way
  Around the House
• Stress-busting! Using Exercise to Manage Stress
• Move It!: Exercise Your Way through Pregnancy
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.