How to Maintain a Consistent Lifestyle While Pregnant
Pregnancy is nothing short of difficult. Your body is changing on a daily basis, you're having ups and downs and aches and pains, and you're preparing for your newborn's arrival. As a result, maintaining a healthy physical lifestyle might be challenging. But there are a few methods to do it, largely by taking it day by day, removing any pressure from yourself, and listening to your body. Here are our top four suggestions:
1. Keep hydrated
It goes without saying that staying on top of your water consumption is beneficial even in the best of circumstances. However, it might be difficult to remember how to stay hydrated while pregnant.
Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses if feasible); our bodies are made up of a high amount of water, so staying hydrated makes sense. Avoid bubbly or carbonated drinks since they can impair nutritional absorption. Limit your caffeine intake to the recommended daily level of 200mg. Tea and coffee can also cause nutritional loss, so replace them with a healthier, caffeine-free alternative. If you consume tea or coffee, follow it up with a glass of water because both are dehydrating.
2. Regular physical activity
Regular physical activity can aid with weight management, as well as improve fitness, sleep, and mood. It can also help you cope with labor and get back into shape once your kid is born. More information regarding the benefits of exercising during pregnancy may be found here.
It's crucial to do something you enjoy so you'll be inspired to keep going, especially when you're exhausted, which you will be, especially in the first and third trimesters. Swimming, dancing, walking, aqua aerobics, and a stationary bike are some aerobic classes to explore.
If attending an aerobics class always inform your instructor that you are pregnant, or you may prefer to check out classes specifically for pregnancy. Remember exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial.
- Always warm up and cool down thereafter, avoid overheating, stay hydrated, and rest if necessary. Pay attention to your body.
- Stop and seek help if you feel uneasy.
- Extreme twists and quick changes of direction should be avoided since they can strain sensitive muscles and ligaments.
- When practicing stretches and balance exercises, avoid straining your back and make sure you have adequate support.
- Maintain one foot on the floor and avoid high kicks, jumps, or leaps in aerobic classes to avoid straining your body.
- After 16 weeks, do not exercise whilst lying on your back, a major blood vessel can become squashed by your growing baby in this position. Do not attempt any vigorous exercise that could cause physical injury.
3. Dietary habits
Are you eating for two? That would be fantastic! But did you know that you may only need to increase your daily calorie intake by 200 calories (equal to a slice of toast and a banana!) during the third trimester of pregnancy? What counts most is quality rather than quantity, and the most important thing is that you acquire all of the key nutrients you require.
Consume foods of various colors throughout the day, such as green vegetables, tomatoes, yellow peppers, bananas, blueberries, or blackberries. Remember the five-a-day rule for fruits and vegetables; even a glass of fresh fruit juice or vegetable soup can help you meet your daily requirements. Remember to eat iron-rich foods as well.
Eat three meals a day and don't skip breakfast. Snack on healthful foods such as fruit, oatcakes, dried fruit, or almonds between meals. Try to err on the side of healthier pregnancy cravings rather than sugary ones.
While you will want to keep slim and fit during your pregnancy, this is not the time to start any dieting regimens or 'fad' diets, as many are not nutritionally suitable for pregnancy.
The important thing is to stay healthy, enjoy your pregnancy, and know that you are doing everything you can for your kid. Your body is accomplishing wonderful things, and a healthy diet is essential for maintaining your energy levels!
