Healthy Habits: Working Out During and After Pregnancy

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Any OB/GYN will tell you that there are benefits to being active during pregnancy - more appropriate weight gain, easier/more effective labor, faster recovery. I know I felt a lot better on the days I was active, even if it was hard to get going during month 9!

There are some important cautions to being physically active. You don't want to necessarily take up a brand-new workout - it's best to stick with things you already know how to do, or things that are simple movements. You also want to be careful about twisting, heavy weights, or activities that require balance or bouncing - all of those are things that could lead to injuries, and that's the last thing you want when you're carrying a baby.

However, there are a lot of things that are good. You may not want to try skateboarding or rollerblading, but many yoga poses are appropriate. Marathons are probably out for most women, but walks are great.

Nutrition and staying healthy are important too. Healthy, Fit, Happy Mom is a DVD series that incorporates exercise workouts, nutrition and health tips, and recipe ideas to help you stay healthy. The workouts start in trimester one and are tailored to each trimester. DVD 2 is for getting back into working out after the birth of your baby, and DVD 3 is for a little later, when you're back into the routine. All of the exercises are safe to do at your respective time pre- and post-partum, and modifications are shown. No equipment is needed - except a chair. The 2nd and 3rd DVDs provide good workouts even for those who have been physical for a while, but the modifications make it accessible for those who aren't accustomed to working out as well. Plus, they're a good value - $6.95 each or all three for $14.95! Hosts Dr. Z and Devon Butler (certified prenatal trainer) conduct the workouts in a friendly, encouraging tone, offering plenty of reassurance that even if you can't do everything now, you will be able to.