You already know you need to exercise, both to stay healthy and to stay sane. You also know that walking is the perfect exercise, particularly when you're pregnant. It's low impact, you can do it anywhere and all you need is a good pair of shoes. One other thing you need is a safe place to do it, but in our ever-expanding cities, that may be more difficult than you think. Many cities have been developed around cars, not pedestrians, which means it's often difficult to find well-lighted, roomy sidewalks and safe places to cross the street.

And then there's the weather. Snow, rain, sleet, wind, heat – these are uncomfortable for everyone but can be dangerous when you're pregnant since regulating your body temperature is important for both you and the baby.

You could join a gym and hop on a treadmill, but if you don't relish the idea of walking to nowhere, there's another option: your local shopping mall. You've probably seen mall walkers, arms swinging, faces determined as they zip through the crowds, but maybe you've never considered becoming one. Not only will walking the mall give you a great workout with no weather or traffic, there's also plenty of eye candy to keep you occupied.

Most malls are big enough so that even making one lap around will get your heart rate up. Plus you've got many things to distract you: the people, the window shopping and the wonderful smells of the bakery. Best of all, many malls open early specifically for walkers, so why not try it yourself?

Mall walking can be a great choice when you're pregnant. You don't have to worry about being hit by cars or walking when it's dark outside, navigating cracked sidewalks or crossing busy streets. Not only that, if you join a walking club, you'll have plenty of company to keep you motivated.

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