Personal Trainer Reveals how to keep fit during pregnancy

Pippa Middleton is ultimate fitness goals. Although she is pregnant, Pippa is determined to stick to her exercise routine and stay fit.Kira Mahal, CEO at MotivatePT has outlined 5 great tips to keep during pregnancy like Pippa, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on your fitness goals while pregnant.

Keep fit during pregnancy Tip 1: Enjoying Exercise

Do what you love Pregnancy is the time to be kind to yourself. Exercise in a way that’s enjoyable for you. Whether it’s a sport you’ve always loved like tennis, (Pippa’s favourite) or swimming or pilates, pick something you know you will stick with and want to do as time goes on, and that bump makes everyday life a little more tricky! Don’t force yourself to do exercises you don’t enjoy because the likelihood is you won’t stick with it.

Tip 2: Healthy Eating

You are what you eat We know the cravings hit hard in pregnancy and we know it’s not always for the healthy stuff! In order to stay fit while pregnant, you should be eating more healthy fats. It’s important to fuel yourself and the baby with the right nutrients. Eating healthy fats like omega 3’s and monounsaturated will reduce cholesterol and chances of cardiovascular diseases. Some healthy fats includes salmon, avocado and walnuts.

Protein makes up every cell in our body. It’s crucial to eat the right proteins in order to build and repair tissue, especially when you are carrying a baby. When exercising during pregnancy, you should be eating double the amount of protein in order to repair your fatigued muscles. Consuming high-protein foods has many benefits including; speedy recovery after exercise, building lean muscle, and curbing those tempting sugar cravings. Examples of good protein are eggs, salmon, chicken breast and greek yogurt.

When the sugar and carb cravings do hit, it really helps to understand the science behind the craving. Sometimes a piece of fruit can satisfy a sweet tooth, and a slice of pizza rather than the whole thing, will do the trick. Remember, no amount of exercise will out-do a bad diet.

Tip 3: Motivation

Keep the long term goal in mind Reminding yourself why you are training is a really great way to stay motivated throughout the pregnancy. You are training to stay strong for the baby and get those muscles ready for childbirth. You are also training so you can bounce back quickly after giving birth. If you focus on the growing bump and varying symptoms, you will inevitably feel disheartened. Instead focus on the long term and visualise the feeling of feeling fitter than ever post pregnancy!

Tip 4: Consulting with an Expert if you plan to keep fit during pregnancy

Work with an expert Before you try new exercises while pregnant, it is always advised to speak to a doctor or specialist trainer. If you need the extra motivation, it’s probably the number one time in life to invest in a personal trainer, who can get you to the finish line safely! Your fitness routine will change while pregnant and it is important to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

What you do in the first trimester will be different to what you can do in the second and the third. Doctors encourage you to keep an active lifestyle while pregnant because it reduces discomfort and helps with the pain during pregnancy. There are always certain exercises that are unsafe while pregnant. For example, exercises that involve lying on your back should be avoided after the first trimester as it can shut off the circulation to your legs and ultimately your baby. Staying active is important but always make sure to be safe.

Tip 5: Health comes first!

Listen to your body The most important point to note when training is listening to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right. Do what feels comfortable. Train at the times you want, it’s important to find a time of the day where you really enjoy working out. Fatigue can occur throughout all stages of pregnancy so train when you feel most energised. During the first trimester, the nausea is the most prominent and the last thing you want to do is workout, but exercising will help.

Always remember, you are not exercising to lose weight; you are exercising to stay healthy. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your fifth, it is never a good time to start a completely new exercise. Stick to what your body knows and use that as your starting point.

Read our tips on how to keep fit after pregnancy.

MotivatePT connects you to brilliant Personal Trainers – anytime – anywhere. To receive heaps of motivation and understand how best to train your body visit: www.motivatept.com.