5 Simple Pregnancy Exercises for Every Trimester

Our workout makes it easy to strengthen your whole body with simple moves you can do at home.

Experts agree, when you’re expecting, it’s important to keep moving: Pregnant women who exercise have less back pain, more energy, a better body image and, post-delivery, a faster return to their pre-pregnancy shape.

Being fit doesn’t have to mean a big time commitment or fancy equipment. The following workout is simple, can be done at home, and is safe to do in each trimester.

Be sure to do the moves in the order shown and, for best results, do the workout every other day. Always check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program.

Plié

Stand parallel to the back of a sturdy chair with the hand closest to the chair resting on it, feet parallel and hip-distance apart.

With your toes and knees turned out to 45 degrees, pull your belly button up and in. Bend your knees, lowering your torso as low as possible while keeping your back straight [shown]. Straighten your legs to return to starting position. Repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Quadriceps, hamstrings and butt. Improves balance.

Side-Lying Inner and Outer Thighs

Lie on your right side, head supported by your forearm, right leg bent at a 45-degree angle and left leg straight. Place your opposite arm on the floor for stability. Lift left leg to about hip height and repeat for reps.

Then, bend your left knee and rest it on top of pillows for support. Straighten your right leg and lift it as high as possible for reps. Switch sides and repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Core and inner thighs.

Plank

Get down on your hands and knees, wrists directly under your shoulders. Lift your knees and straighten your legs behind you until your body forms a straight line. Don’t arch your back or let your belly sag [shown].

Hold for 1 to 2 breaths, working up to 5 breaths.

Strengthens: Core, arms and back.

Curl and Lift

Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your back straight, feet on the floor, arms at your sides. Hold a 5- to 8-pound weight in each hand, palms facing your body. Bend your elbows so your arms form a 90-degree angle [shown].

Then, keeping your elbows bent, lift the weights to shoulder height. Lower your arms to your sides, then straighten to return to starting position. Repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Biceps and shoulders.

One Arm Row

Using a sturdy chair, place your right knee on the seat, left foot on the floor. Bend for- ward, back parallel to the floor and place your right hand on the seat. Hold a 5- to 8-pound weight in your left hand, arm extended down and in line with your shoulder, palm facing in.

Bend your left elbow up so that your arm forms a 90-degree angle [shown]. Hold, then return to starting position. Repeat for reps, then switch sides.

Strengthens: Back, biceps and triceps.

Source: http://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/prenatal-workouts/5-simple-pregnancy-exercises-every-trimester/slide/1

Getting Pregnant Jokes

Jokes About Getting Pregnant

Q. Am I more likely to get pregnant if my husband wears boxers instead of briefs?
A. Yes, but you'll have an even better chance if he doesn't wear anything at all.

Q. What do you call a pregnancy that is started while using birth control?
A. A Misconception

Q. What is the easiest way to figure out exactly when I got pregnant?
A. Only have sex once a year.

Q. Can a woman get pregnant from a toilet seat?
A. Yes, but the baby will be awfully funny looking!

Q. What is a chastity belt?
A. A labor saving device

Q. Can a mother get pregnant if she is nursing?
A. Yes, but it's a lot easier if she removes the baby from her breast and puts him to sleep first.

Source: http://sarahswitalski.hubpages.com/hub/pregnancy-jokes

Healthy Weight Loss after Pregnancy

Healthy Weight Loss after Pregnancy - Here's How You Can Lose that Baby Fat.  

by Sandra Elliott

We have all seen the prominent profile big shot mums on the red carpet at film premiers, who merely a few short weeks subsequent to giving birth appear to have regained their appearance and so therefore parade it off by wearing the slinkiest of designer dresses.

So how do they progress back into form so quickly?

Well, they are generally likely to maintain a team of private trainers, dietitians and doctors to help them, not to point out the nanny who looks after the baby so they have time to use getting back in form!

With todays enthusiastic media coverage of big shot mothers, there is more pressure than ever on recent mothers to lose weight quickly. Generally, weight loss following childbirth is much the same as at any other period, although no strenuous working out must be taken ahead of the all clear from your doctor.

Here are a a small number of things to help you lose weight healthily subsequent to pregnancy:

1. Breast feeding is one of the most excellent ways to help budge that surplus baby fat since it uses up supplies of fat in the body equivalent to burning an additional 500 calories each day of the week. If that's not an incentive in support of breast feeding then I don't know what is! Breast feeding can decrease the chance of diabetes and decrease your body's need for insulin if you already suffer diabetes, and can furthermore reduce the chance of osteoporosis. It furthermore helps the uterus contract and return to the pre-pregnancy state.

2. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day of the week will help you to lose weight. Water will ensure that you are appropriately hydrated and will furthermore help if you are suffering from water retention subsequent to giving birth. Eating a lot of fruit, vegetables and high fibre foods will help reduce water retention. Lower your salt intake by avoiding processed and fast foods. Salt will encourage the body to keep hold of water, which is an imperative element in your diet, but its consumption must be measured.

3. Eat healthy foods as your body will need time to recover subsequent to giving birth - if you are breast feeding, now is not the stage to go off on a calorie restrictive diet. Make certain that your diet includes lots of fruit and vegetables and a regular source of lean protein such as chicken and fish. Lean protein is needed for the body to heal itself.

4. When you feel inclined, start doing a little light working out. Going for regular walks with your baby is a useful place to start, and pushing the pushchair will help you to burn calories, get free of stomach fat, and will bring about wonders on those flabby thighs!

By following a healthy weight loss diet and taking regular exercise, your confidence and self-value will blossom and you could be surprised once other mums in your crowd wonder how you look so lovely in such a fleeting interval of time. And the really terrific bonus is that you will gain the benefit of more energy, which will beyond doubt come in handy as the baby progresses to the toddler stage!

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Healthy-Weight-Loss-after-Pregnancy-Here-s-How-You-Can-Lose-that-Baby-Fat/2710842/

How It Is Possible To Ensure Losing Weight Right After Pregnancy   

by Jared Dulle

Many women notice that as soon as they have a baby, people begin questioning them about how long it will take them to return to their normal weight. In a culture that is filled with people who suffer from obesity and high BMIs, we are a little bit obsessed with weight. Today, it is assumed that after a woman has a baby, she should be in a big rush to lose all her baby weight. All women are not the same, though, and you have to lose weight at your own pace. The following suggestions will help you if you're trying to lose weight after pregnancy.

To begin with, you will have a hard time losing your baby weight if you don't get sufficient exercise. Physical activity is a requirement for anyone who wants to lose weight, after pregnancy or anytime. But you can't make your workouts too intense following a pregnancy. You do want to do aerobic and strength training regularly. You should, however, stick to low intensity exercises. You can actually get a good workout by pushing your baby's stroller if your pace is healthy. Working out burns calories. Yet you also have to recognize that, after you've just given birth, you have to take things a little slowly.

How much weight did you put on during your pregnancy? This is not usually a question a new mom wants to be asked. It is a fact that your weight after pregnancy is directly impacted by your weight before pregnancy. If you were in the "normal" range for weight and gained the recommended amount of weight given to you by your doctor, you shouldn't have any problems dropping pounds. Obese women tend to have a harder time losing the weight after pregnancy. You will have a very difficult time losing the weight you gained during pregnancy. If you have had problems with weight gain in the past it is a good idea to consult your doctor before you begin a weight loss routine.

Diets are not the answer! This may not be what you'd expect to hear. The fact is that when you are caring for a newborn you should not limit yourself with restrictive diets. Limiting your food intake or cutting out specific foods can work against your weight loss. New mothers actually have enough on their minds as it is without the added burden of having to conform to a strict diet.

It isn't going to help you right now if you start trying to cut out foods that you crave. Just eat what your body tells you to!

It is not uncommon for a woman to struggle with the challenge of getting the pregnancy weight off. For others it comes quite easily. There are of course many factors that play a role in the ease or difficulty you have getting rid of that weight. Everything from your pre-pregnancy weight to your exercise routine will factor in to the rate at which you can get back to your "old" size. Try not to freak out about it-every woman is different. Don't let anyone make you feel like you have a timeframe because you don't.

Most of these techniques may easily be extremely helpful for your needs during and also right after the pregnancy period. Having said that, if you one of the females who have difficult to get pregnant, then take a look at the following site about the Pregnancy Miracle Book and discover more about a proven program to improve your odds to get pregnant naturally within 8 weeks or even less.

Source:http://goarticles.com/article/How-It-Is-Possible-To-Ensure-Losing-Weight-Right-After-Pregnancy/6122522/