KAWARTHA LAKES-For those of you who know me, you know that I have been pregnant with my first baby for the better part of this year and finally, my due date has arrived-today!
Due to babies coming only when they are ready, this has given me some time to reflect and think back on the past 9 months. I can pretty much describe each trimester in one word: the first trimester is RESEARCH-which I did a ton of; the second trimester was: FOCUS-I stayed focused on maintaining optimal health-which I will discuss in details later on; the third TRIMESTER is: GRACE-I choose that word because grace is what you must give yourself when you are a high energy person, used to doing it all, and you must allow your body the grace to grow and give new life. Pregnancy has been an amazing journey and has taught me so much more than I ever thought about the importance of staying healthy and listening to your body.
SO without further adieu, here are my top 5 tips to stay healthy during pregnancy:
- Whole Foods are KeyWhile it can be tempting to throw all your old healthy staples out the window and opt for caloric foods like donuts and French fries, continue eating healthy, hydrating whole foods. These foods are the building blocks to grow a healthy baby. Pre-pregnancy, I used to be a little stricter about what I ate, however, knowing that I was growing a tiny human, I learned to be more open about including all foods-even the treats in moderation. I found I craved more complex carbohydrates like potatoes, oats and rice, while still eating tons of fruits and vegetables. Eat when you are hungry and make sure you pack plenty of healthy options as snacks throughout the day. You never know when hunger will strike and it’s better to be prepared than have to opt for something full of chemicals and preservatives.
- Stay ActiveSome days you are tired, but even on those days, stay active. Even if it’s one small walk, it’s very good to include regular, daily movement. The sooner you stop exercising, the harder it will be to bounce back after the fact. Since I have always been active, it wasn’t difficult for me to stay active. I did a weekly spin class, but towards the end my half hour class turned into the 30 minute class instead. I maintained my gym routine on Mondays and continued with Pilates and mobility every other day. Do what works for you, even if it’s just a simple walk, it’s better for you and the baby to stay flexible and strong. I am hoping this also works in my favour during the labor process-but I’ll have to let you know about that one!
- Smart SupplementsNot all diets are created equal and often we are left with nutritional gaps. Check with your care provider on what supplements you should be taking throughout your pregnancy. As a plant based eater, I know I am getting a variety of vitamins and minerals to support growth of new life, however, I took a prenatal vitamin with folate and an Omega 3 supplement as insurance against anything I could possibly be missing out on nutritionally.
- HydrateI didn’t realize how important hydration was for pregnant mamas-to-be! You become so thirsty while growing a baby and your body a lot more blood flow during this stage of life. I gave myself little water challenges every day. I would challenge myself to drink one full bottle of water for every class I taught, and if the bottle was not finished by the end of class, I had to chug it. I started each day with a 500 ml glass of lemon water, and made sure to drink one more before bed. Water also helps with pesky leg cramps-though as many pregnant mamas know-you will have to use the bathroom more!
- Listen to Your BodySome days you’ll feel like slothing around and eating a lot, and some days you’ll have tons of energy and be amazed by it. Whatever happens, trust your body and listen to what it asks for on any given day. Eat when you are hungry, have that extra helping of dinner, try a new food you haven’t considered before, and move your body. You are going to be amazing, mama!
Now let’s hope this baby makes it debut soon!For more information on how we transform lives through mindful movement, visit sweathappywellness.com
Becky Sheehey is a Holistic Health Coach, and a Pilates and Movement Expert with a background in Kinesiology. She lives in Lindsay.
