C'mon and Work Your Body!

I finally stepped back on the wii fit board. I was afraid it was going to yell at me because it's been 45 days. oops! Honestly, I've been doing some exercise, but not a lot. It always makes me feel better when I think of the Blue Cross Blue Shield "Work Your Body" commercials. (btw- If anyone can find the url link to that commercial, please send it to me!) Cleaning, gardening, dancing, all those things count as physical activity, right?! On the plus side, I actually got some of my highest scores on a few exercises. Maybe my balance is not as bad as I thought. My wii fit age is 33, close enough. Hubby also purchased a new wii game with a gift card we received for Christmas. It has sand volleyball, figure skating, badminton and a bunch of other fun sports, although it only uses the wii remotes and nunchuk, not the wii fit board.

From Babyfit.com
Exercising during pregnancy can help with the physical challenges of pregnancy and help speed postpartum recovery. One other great point is that you mentally feel much better after exercise! I think that's as important as the physical benefits, and also a strong motivator.

Another benefit of prenatal fitness is that it can improve your baby's ability to tolerate the stresses of labor and delivery. Research has shown that babies of exercising moms have fewer complications during labor and delivery (possibly as a result of a greater blood flow and fetal reserves resulting from their mother's exercise). Another study found that the placentas of exercising women had greater blood flow from increased blood vessel development than those of pregnant women who didn't exercise regularly.

That may be one way that babies of exercising moms are better able to deal with reductions in uterine blood flow during times of stress. All great reasons to keep exercising during pregnancy!

Catherine Cram, M.S.
Owner for Comprehensive Fitness Consulting LLC
Author of Fit Pregnancy for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2004)

Related Links:
Workout Tips for Parents and Stay-At-Home Parents
Stroller Fit Classes
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10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Gym