The benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy

Good health at any time in your life depends not only on proper diet but also on getting enough exercise. What you can do in sports and exercise during pregnancy depends on your health and, in part, on how active you are before you become pregnant.

When beginning a program, decide whether you want to improve your heart and lung function, the tome of your body muscles, or both. Then, select exercise that will enable you to meet your goals. If you are not used to being active, you should begin an exercise program gradually.

Exercise to improve your heart and lung function can be measured by keeping track of your heart rate. When you know how your heart rate responds to exercise, you can find out how hard to exercise. You should exercise so that your heart beats at your target heart rate, because this is the level gives you the best workout.

Every time you exercise, you should begin with a 5-to 10-minute period of light activity, such as brisk walking, as a warm-up before each session. One your body warmed up. Exercise for 20-30 minutes at your target heart rate. After this 20-30 minute period, you should have a cool-down period of 5-10 minutes. During this period, you gradually reduce your activity, allowing your heart rate to return to a near-normal level.

A program for toning muscles usually requires exercise at least three times a week. It does not have to be done daily-some people’s muscles cannot withstand hard exercise every day. Every other day is fine. But it is important that you maintain your routine throughout the year. If you stop for 6-8 weeks, you will need to start again at a lower level of exertion, as if you are just beginning a muscle-toning program.