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Cycling Mama

Should Moms-to-be
Take up Bicycling?

By Charlene Torkelson, Fitness Expert

When that pregnancy test comes back positive, questions usually follow. What can I expect? What can I eat? How much weight should I gain? What can I wear? What kind of exercise is right for me? Your doctor should be your first source of answers. Each pregnancy is different, and what may be right for someone else may not be the right answer for you.

Bicycling is one activity most children anxiously look forward to mastering at an early age. And adults love it too, which makes it understandable that May has been declared National Bike Month. But one important question you may ask is whether bicycling is an activity you should continue or one you should avoid when pregnant.

When selecting an activity or fitness plan during pregnancy, the first thing to consider is whether this is something you already do or something you are adding as a new activity. Some activities are perfectly fine to continue if you have already been involved for a while. If you are an avid cycler, you should be able to continue at least into your second trimester. If you haven't been on a bicycle in years but thought it might be fun to try it during your pregnancy, you might reconsider your intentions.

There are some activities that are appropriate to begin as a novice during pregnancy. Swimming, water aerobics, walking and low-impact classes are exercises that might be comfortable and even recommended as first-time activities during pregnancy. They can be soothing, healthy and restful for most new moms-to-be. Bicycling, however, has both the good and the bad to consider.

Remember: It's important to check with your doctor before doing any exercise regimen during pregnancy.

Want to see more?

• Cancel the Wedding, Grab the Bike: One Woman's Journey Down Paradise "Rode"
• Good Health From Day One: Keeping Active Before, During
  and After Pregnancy
• Pedaling Through Pregnancy: The Benefits of Biking
  While Expecting
• Talk about it!

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