Staying in Shape During Pregnancy
I stood on the scale on January 4th, the first day back at work, on a regular schedule, on a regular routine again, and gritted my teeth. The number was so much higher than I had anticipated.
Here I was, 11 weeks pregnant, and I had already gained eight pounds. As much as I wanted to say, “Well, it’s all baby weight,” I knew it wasn’t true. Slacking on my exercise plus way too much eating (and not just because “the baby wanted it”) had made those pounds increase day by day while I was on a two-week Christmas break.
During my first pregnancy, I would always get so aggravated when I would ask, “Seriously, how much am I supposed to eat?” and would hear the answer (from medical professionals, friends and family), “You just eat whatever you want! You’re eating for two!”
No. No, that’s not how I work. I worked very hard to be in the shape I am, and while I have no problem eating for two, I do not want to say, “Well, who cares?” and just eat everything in sight. Eating six donuts in one sitting is not good for the unborn child or me. Not only could it increase my chances of gestational diabetes, but it could lead to health complications, it could increase stretch marks and it also makes it that much harder to lose the weight after the baby comes.
If you’re at a healthy weight to begin with when first pregnant, you should gain around 25-35 pounds. Some people lose weight in the first trimester due to nausea and/or vomiting. That’s never been the case with me. Even with the nausea and vomiting, I eat like a horse. The problem is that during the last 10 weeks or so of pregnancy, you’re going to gain about a pound a week. So if you are one of the lucky ones who lose weight or don’t gain weight in the first trimester, don’t think you can just go crazy in the second trimester. That third one is coming up, and that – from my experience, at least – is when everything tastes SUPER AMAZING. Food is never as good as it is when pregnant. Everything I eat (that I want, at least) is always the best. It was the best eggroll I’ve ever eaten. It was the best spicy chicken sandwich I’ve ever tasted. It was the best spaghetti I’ve ever had. You get the point.
I’ve read various opinions as to how many extra calories a mom-to-be should consume, too. One report said about 300-350 during most of your pregnancy, while BabyCenter.com suggested different caloric intakes for the different trimesters.
Of course, if you have health problems or are underweight or overweight at the beginning of the pregnancy, this could change. So many variables come into pregnancy in general. Health problems for you or the baby could come up whether you’re healthy or not.
If you are healthy during your pregnancy, though, and you aren’t having complications, here’s a little advice on how to stay within that good goal weight throughout your pregnancy.
Eat lots of veggies!
Vegetables are so good for you and the baby, and they generally are low on the calorie scale, too. So eat as many green, leafy vegetables as you can, and try to include at least one vegetable with every meal!
Splurge – but maybe not as often.
Christmas and New Year’s and visiting too many family members resulted in my weight gain. I, thankfully, did not crave sweets (unlike another pregnant friend of mine). If you have those sweet tooth urges, give in – on occasion. But make sure to take part in physical activity to maintain a healthy weight throughout pregnancy.
Exercise!
Again, if you were exercising before you found out you were pregnant, if you’re not considered high risk, and as long as your doctor allows it, exercise! I’m still running (though over break I did very little, as the scale noted), though I don’t run as much or as fast. Do remember that you are living for two. While it’s good to get exercise, you don’t want to overdo it. This is not the time to try to reach for that next level of fitness or to set a PR on a race. Exercise to keep yourself in shape – and during your pregnancy, during labor and after the birth, your body will thank you.
Overall, listen to your medical practitioner and listen to your body. I generally love sweets, but since being pregnant, I haven’t really wanted any. That didn’t stop me from eating desserts over Christmas, though, because, it’s Christmas.
Being in the midst of a holiday does not mean I should have indulged as much as I did.
And while we really don’t have our big eating holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) coming up anytime soon, if you’re pregnant, you’ll have baby showers to attend – with petit fours, cakes, cupcakes and all things decadent. Take a bit, enjoy it a little, but don’t go overboard. Remember, you’re eating for two – but choose foods that will benefit you and that sweet baby – not just ones that satisfy your sweet tooth.