While pregnancy is certainly one of the most magical times of our lives, it doesn’t always feel all that magical. From swollen ankles and morning sickness to weight gain and an achy back, sometimes we just don’t feel all that attractive and our confidence can plummet. Seeing our body change so drastically can be quite scary, and a lot of mums worry about their figure and wonder if they’ll ever get it back. Fortunately, it’s entirely possible to do that but, what’s more, it’s also possible to look and feel great during the pregnancy itself. As long as you take the right steps you can be totally fit and beautiful, so take a look at our tips if you want to stay in shape and enjoy this period of your life.
Take Long Walks
You get your vitamin D, you get some fresh air, and you get to stretch your legs and build some muscle. Walking is one of the safest physical activities for pregnant women, and it’s a good opportunity to take your partner with you and discuss baby names as you stroll around the neighbourhood. Walking will strengthen your hip and leg muscles and this can actually make delivery easier, and it will improve your mood in the process. Sunlight, movement, and nature around you can really do a lot to soothe a worried mind.
Pamper your skin
Skincare is a nice, relaxing ritual that pregnant ladies can easily indulge in if they want to nurture their beauty. Take an evening each week to relax and put on a face mask as your partner massages your weary feet, and enjoy that supple glow of skin that’s well cared for.
Don’t Be Afraid To Be Fashionable
Pregnancy doesn’t mean you’re banned from wearing nice clothes! While leggings and baggy tops are cosy and fun to wear, you can actually be as stylish as you like and pick dressy outfit combos that show off your curves and make you feel sexy. As long as you have a pair of maternity pants that support your belly and fit you well, you can combine them with soft cotton tees, silky tunics, and anything with an empire waist. Throw on a denim jacket and a pair of low-heeled ankle boots and enjoy the look. You should also give dresses a chance – they’re easy to wear and yet they can make you look super polished.
Eat Five Portions Of Fruits And Veggies A Day
Most adults don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, and you definitely need more of them during pregnancy. Veggies like leafy greens, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and red cabbage are full of useful nutrients and the same goes for fruit like apples, berries, bananas, and oranges. If you want to stay healthy, it’s a good idea to add these two food groups to every single meal you eat during the day, even your snacks.
Skip Bad Carbs And Stick To Protein And Fat
Refined sugars and carbs from junk food are a recipe for elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, and potentially gestational diabetes. They will also make you more swollen and heavy, so the best thing you can do is cut them out completely. Rely on healthy carbs from oatmeal, and up your protein and fat intake. Quality, monosaturated fats from olives, avocados, and fish are important for baby’s development, and protein can stabilize your blood glucose levels and make you feel full. It’s a good way to cut down those nasty hunger pangs that come to us during pregnancy.
Pick A Steady Workout
Working out is actually a great idea during pregnancy. As long as you stick to slower, low-impact exercises like yoga and pilates you should be completely safe, so feel free to keep enjoying your routine. Keeping your core muscles strong can be particularly useful because it will minimize back pain that’s usually experienced during pregnancy, but it will also help your body stay toned. The fact is, mums who were fit before and during pregnancy have a much easier time shedding weight when the baby comes and generally have fewer issues during labour. It’s not a bad idea to join a prenatal yoga class where you’ll also meet a bunch of other mums and bond with them, but you can also choose swimming, indoor cycling, or gentle home workouts to keep yourself in shape.
Get Your Rest
You need plenty of rest, so don’t feel guilty for taking an afternoon nap. Go to bed early and allow your body to recover overnight because mums really shouldn’t subject themselves to sleep deprivation – this can put both you and the baby at risk. If you have trouble falling asleep, try to keep the room as dark as possible to signal to your brain it’s time to rest, and sleep on your side as much as possible, especially during late pregnancy.
Remember, you’re soon to become a mum! It’s a big, exciting thing that’s about to happen, and you should let yourself smile and feel happy about it. After all, there’s nothing more beautiful than a pregnant lady with a big grin on her face.
