Getting fit for pregnancy

[Marley&Me]

Hey

I just joined a gym (first time EVER ) and I am looking forward to getting fit and toning up for when I get pregnant ( hopefully 2012 will be our year )
I am maybe a little chubby, but I lost a lot of weight when I was about 16 and have always had flabby arms/thighs/stomach ever since. I feel my body changing with age and I am nowhere near as fit as I used to be when I was younger. I can't sit on the couch for too long because I get pins and needles and when I do get up I'm all stiff and sore. I have almost no muscle definition and I hate it. I even find myself making grunting noises when I have to bend down to pick something up!

So I figure I will tone up and get fit especially for when I have to go through labour. My friend has always been fit and sporty and her labour was SO EASY and quick. She didn't tear at all and looked fantastic again after only a few months!
I worry that my poor physical shape will deem me to have a difficult labour and afterwards.


Will the gym be worth it?

[wysiwyg]

Am sure it will - the one thing I wish I had been told before getting pregnant was to get my back and upper body strength and stomach muscles in good shape, because I have had two heavy little ones and the constant lifting I find hard, I see other mums lifting their little ones all the time (I can't really carry DS unless in a sling whereas plenty of people carry a 5 month old all the time).

[Marley&Me]

Oh yeah, I never thought of that wysiwyg. Another good reason I suppose Thanks!

[LionsandBears]

I recommend lots of core work. Strong back, strong abdomen. Carrying a baby in pregnancy is hard on the back, abdomen and pelvic floor. Personally, I prefer clinical pilates & yoga, though anything that improves strength, stamina and flexibility will help.

I did not realise until giving birth just how all body encompassing the experience it is. Apart from a strong back, you need strong legs to support you for hours and strong arms to lean on things with.

I'd aim for a small goal and work upwards from there. If you can afford a personal trainer, get one. Act like you're training to climb a mountain or do the Kokoda track and that will be good preparation. Just be careful not to injure yourself. I've done that a few times and it set me back months.

Also take the time for gentle exercise. Keeping your mind and emotions balanced is enormously helpful. I suppose why yoga is a good holistic exercise.