If you are pregnant, it is more than likely that your midwife or the doctor who follows your pregnancy, will have insisted a lot about the importance of you walking. It is also more than likely that, although you try and put all your effort into it, you do not walk as much as you should. In addition, as the pregnancy progresses, it becomes even more difficult to get out each day to exercise.
Well, exercising during pregnancy is not just a recommendation, it is that the advantages are so many that it should be an obligation for all pregnant women. You may not know all the benefits that physical activity has, for you and your baby. For this reason, we are going to review what all these advantages are so that you encourage yourself to walk every day and thus improve your health during your pregnancy.
What type of exercise should a pregnant woman do?
Before reviewing the advantages and getting started, it is important to clarify a few points. Each pregnancy, each woman and each body is completely different, therefore, before doing any physical activity it is necessary that you consult with your doctor. During pregnancy, the most recommended sports in general are those of low impact. Among the best is yoga, which also helps your body prepare for childbirth, Pilates or walking.
The latter is the physical exercise that is most recommended for pregnant women, as it is a gentle activity that can be done easily. Not only during pregnancy, walking is the most suitable activity for everyoneregardless of fitness, weight or age. Despite being the best activity for you during your pregnancy, do not overdo it and ask your midwife how long is recommended in your case.
Advantages of walking during pregnancy
The main advantage of walking is that you can do it at any timeYou do not need specific material, or attend a gym, or make an economic investment. You only need comfortable clothes and suitable footwear and of course, willpower. One of the best ways to motivate yourself is to find a group of pregnant women and meet to walk together.
Between all of you you will be motivated and it will be much easier for all of you, in your health center you can meet women in your state and also like this, you can make new friends with whom to share new emotions and experiences. In addition, walking will bring you these benefits:
It will help you control your weight
It is very important to control your weight during pregnancy, and even if you eat very well, sedentary lifestyle will prevent you from having good control of the kilos. Walking every day will help you control the kilos you take on, since you will lose calories without even realizing it and thus you can counteract the weight that you will gain naturally. In addition, you can reduce the risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes or obesity.
You prepare your body for recovery after childbirth
Your body will be toned and it will be easier for you to recover after delivery. You will have much more resistance because in general, you will have achieved a good physical shape and losing the weight will be much easier for you. In addition, by having effectively controlled the weight gain, you will not have too many kilos to lose.
You favor labor
While you walk, a pelvic movement occurs while the muscles of the entire area are improved. In addition, the muscles of the legs are strengthened, so that your body will be more prepared for labor.
Blood circulation is improved
Something fundamental to avoid the appearance of edema, which results in swelling in the legs and feet, in addition to the annoying hemorrhoids.
But in addition to all these advantages, walking and doing physical exercise every day will have a major impact on your emotional state. Hormonal changes can wreak havoc on your emotional state, but staying active will help you feel better about yourself by producing endorphins.