The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer
jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHILE weight gain is a major concern for many expectant mothers, some women stay clear of exercising during pregnancy because they believe even the slightest workout can harm their babies. However, jump starting pregnancy with healthy practices is best, according to local fitness professionals.

In an effort to increase awareness of the importance of pre and postnatal healthy lifestyle, Club One Fitness Center is hosting the Healthy Start event, which will officially launch several new programmes for expectant mothers and their babies.

The Healthy Start event begins on September 28 from 1- 3pm at Club One. During the event attendees will get insight on how pre and post natal fitness, as well as toddler fitness can influence overall health later on in life.

There will be vendors at the event who will provide information on practicing fitness from pregnancy so that children can be healthy from the beginning.

The Fit for Two prenatal course is one of the new programmes. It is a pilates based course, but also incorporates light cardiovascular exercises, light strength training and exercises specific for preparing the mother for child birth. The first Fit For Two event was held last month.

“Some women believe they should not be doing any physical activity during pregnancy,” said Dianne Gibson, assistant manager.

“Everyone told me to stop doing everything when I was pregnant. I was told I should not dance, I should not wear high heeled shoes, and I should not do any exercises. But that was just a lot of old fashioned thinking. Some women also think that when they are pregnant it is an open ticket for them to eat whatever they want to eat,” she told Tribune Health.

With knowledge people will understand that a mother can be active based on her condition, said Yolanda Barr, manager of Club One.

“Fitness activities can be monitored by someone who has the background in the field and they can monitor a mother’s safety during those activities. All of this is about living a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Being more active makes women more in tune with what is going on in the body. It also helps with a positive mind set.

Many women worry that pregnancy will cause immediate weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight and preparing the body for its most significant event should be motivation for engaging in fitness activities, not weight loss.

“Pregnancy is not a good time to do any weight loss programme, but you can maintain your weight. We stress that we are not here to lose weight but it is about preparing the body for child birth and after.

“People feel like they really should not be doing any cardio activities while pregnant. Anything light weight is okay, once they have been cleared by their doctors. Some women just need the help and support. The support can come from a physician, a fitness professional and even other mothers,” Ms Gibson said.

After the baby comes some women stop exercising. A new Mommy and Me programme is designed to support women in maintaining a healthy lifestyle immediately after the baby comes.

“New mothers feel the need to lose weight.

“They really want to lose the weight that they gained during pregnancy. So there are several activities that we have to help them to get their heart rate up and strengthen them. Also we do not want them to be separated from their babies because at those times the babies are still small. So we have also designed some activities where 1-year-old babies can participate with their mothers,” Ms Gibson told Tribune Health.

Ms Barr added: “The concept is just to make pregnancy a wonderful experience because you are connected to what your body is going through.

“It is also about making sure the mothers are doing their part to be more conscious about fitness and their diet. In addition to that, we want to help them develop a base before and after pregnancy. It is all about awareness from the start,” she said.