During the chilliest days of the year, mustering up the energy to get a good workout going can be tricky, especially when all you want to do after a long day at work is curl up on the couch with a blanket and hot cup of tea!
For women who are pregnant, it can be even tougher to overcome those initial hurdles and get to the gym in the wintertime. However, exercise can be an important aspect of ensuring a healthy pregnancy. With these great tips, women can boost their activity levels and enjoy the benefits of greater wellness.
Read more: Want to make labor easier? Exercise!
Think of your baby
Motivation is one of the hardest parts of exercise adherence and can be difficult to maintain on a regular basis. While you may feel like gaining weight is part of the experience, staying in shape while you’re expecting can give your body the extra strength and energy needed for a successful pregnancy.
On days when you’re struggling to work up the gusto to hit the treadmill, think of your growing little one! Embracing fitness early on in your pregnancy can ensure that you stay in top physical shape and give your baby a comfortable home to develop in over the course of the next nine months.
Dress for your activities
As temperatures plunge into the negatives during the chilliest days of the winter season, most expectant moms who do head to the gym may be inclined to bundle up.
While this can be a wise decision while heading to a fitness facility, once women start to work out, they should be mindful of the layers they keep on. Wearing too much clothing while exercising can lead to overheating and exhaustion, both of which can have major impacts on the effectiveness of a regimen.
Make it a group experience
One of the best ways to boost enthusiasm for the gym is to make it a social experience. Exercising with loved ones or friends who are also expecting can be a wonderful way to make each session more fulfilling. It can also provide women with the opportunity to share helpful tips with one another about their pregnancies and how to best integrate exercise into daily life.
Read more: Why you should hit the gym postpartum – and it has nothing to do with weight loss.
The wintertime may not be the best time of year, but it’s still important to maintain fitness levels, especially during pregnancy. By making exercise more social by involving friends and relatives, women can gain a greater enthusiasm for fitness. In addition, dressing properly for each activity can ensure that women get the most out of each session.
— Abigail Tuller