Pregnancy can be a difficult time for your body, what with raging hormones and out of control cravings. Staying thin during pregnancy is not as hard as it seems – follow these tips, and you will ensure you maintain that hot bod right until your little bundle of joy is born.
1) You are NOT eating for 2
Many pregnant women fall into the trap of “eating for two”, and while it is true that you have a human life growing inside of you, that human life has a stomach the size of half a peanut. Convincing yourself that you should be eating 2 enormous bowls of pasta to “feed the little one” is asking for trouble. Remember that the only stomach you are really feeding is your own, and it needs no more food now that you’re pregnant than it ever did before.
2) Your body needs all the goodness it can get
Pregnancy takes its toll on your body. The baby growing inside of you requires lots of nutrients and vitamins, and you will start feeling tired and worn out, thanks to the baby guzzling all the good stuff! When you are tired and worn down, the quickest way to perk up for most women is junk food – chocolate, fizzy drinks and fatty comfort foods give you a temporary boost, but they leave a more permanent mark on your waistline. Rather opt for iron rich foods such as spinach, beans, lean red meats, as well as complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and sweet potatoes. These foods will feed your body with the nutrients it requires, give you sustained energy through the day, and still keep you slim and trim.
3) Keep exercising
While you may feel fragile, exhausted and generally all out of whack while you’re pregnant, the truth is that your body is as resilient as ever, and the baby inside of you is well protected. There is no reason why you should not keep exercising. There is research to suggest that babies born to mothers who exercised throughout their pregnancy are generally born incredibly healthy and happy. Pregnant mothers have been known to continue running marathons, going to spinning classes and climbing mountains!
4) Listen to your body
As a pregnant woman, it is crucial to learn to in be touch with your body, and to listen to what it is telling you. While exercise makes many pregnant women feel good, some pregnant women literally struggle to walk up a flight of stairs. Be realistic about your expectations of your pregnant body, and allow for the fact that your body’s capabilities and limitations may well change during this time.
Being pregnant is a magical time in a woman’s life, although for some it is a physically demanding and draining time. The key is staying thin during pregnancy is to remember that you are in charge of what you put into your body, and to be aware that your hormones will be more active than ever at this time. Keep in touch with what your body needs, and you will sail through pregnancy as thin as ever!