Hi

I'm 6 weeks gone. Just wondering whether it's safe to exercise? If so what sorts of exercise do you recommend? how strenous should I go cos used to going gym and doing things like body pump (weights) and cardio combat before being pregnant.

I need to do something active as feel tried and lazy all of the time!!

Thanks,
TJ xx

Don´t think weights and cardio combat will be recommended. All I would do (if I could be bothered, lol) would be gentle stuff. Yoga is usually the thing for pregnancy. You could ask at your gym, they should know what´s safe.

I spoke to my OB about this (I was 13 weeks at the time) and she said that she wouldn't recommend I do any weight lifting until well after the 18th week but that walking and other very low impact exercises were ok. She explained it to me this way "right now your body is trying to hold onto the pregnancy, you don't want to do anything too strenuous". Of course I think that a lot of it depends on your fitness level and the amount of exercising you were doing prior to becoming pregnant. Really best to ask your doctor before starting an exercise regime.

My trainer said the important thing in the first tri is not to get your heart rate over 140, this poses a risk of passing out. He had me lifting weights, but we did one exercise at a time instead of the normal back and forth between two. We also would do an arm. I would talk to a trainer at your gym, they will be able to help you.

I think as a rule you're told you can do as much activity as you're used to but be careful what it is & don't try to do more than you're used to. If you're used to going for a run or going to the gym then you can keep it up but you have to be careful about things which if you got injured could harm your baby. Like my sister for example does Judo which isn't very safe! Also remember your hormones are relaxing your ligaments so it's easier to get strains and hurt yourself in general.

Going for brisk walks or jogging if you're used to it is good, swimming and some airobics or yoga. There are normally classes designed for pregnant women.

Fortunatly for me I've been told to avoid it all because I have a problem with my back. Still I walk to the shop when we need something so I don't sit on my arse through out my whole pregnancy.

I went to talk to a nurse about exercising cos I'm a dancer so didn't want to over-do it
She says it's ok to continue exercise up until 12 weeks but after that nothing to strenuous, gentle exercise like swimming is fine though.