Walk For a Fit Pregnancy

Walking is a great way to stay fit during your pregnancy. Since the key to any fitness program is consistency, I have found walking to be the easiest to maintain since there is always a place to walk, even if it is around the neighborhood or mall.

Start out with a simple goal, walking 20 minutes, 2-3 days a week. Then, build up to 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. The hardest part is getting started, so you may want to find a walking buddy to keep you accountable and motivated. When you walk with an exercise partner, you will find the time passes quickly, especially as you talk! If you walk alone, listen to music to pass the time.

If you find it difficult to find time to walk due to a full-time work schedule, try walking for 20 minutes during your lunch break. Into the spring and summer months, you can often find a safe place to walk, as the day light extends. I have found that once I get home, especially after a day's work, I am less motivated to walk. So, I bring my walking shoes in my car and stop by the gym, park, or mall to walk before I return home.

Some helpful tips for a simple fitness program, like walking, during pregnancy include:

1. Stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you at all times.

2. Wear comfortable & supportive walking shoes.

3. Consult your pregnancy doctor about your exercise program to discuss any concerns.

4. Don't push it, take it easy and slow. Never walk to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness, as this can be harmful to you & your baby.

5. Stop walking immediately and call your healthcare provider, whose phone number you should have in your cell phone contacts, if you experience any unusual symptoms. These may include: vaginal bleeding, difficulty breathing, dizziness, exercise, chest pain, muscle weakness, calf pain or swelling, preterm labor, decreased fetal movement, apparent leakage of amniotic fluid, or contractions.

6. Always carry your cell phone and a small healthy snack & water bottle with you in a small fanny/back pack.