Getting Healthy for Pregnancy: Cardio

***Update:  So I see that many of you are interested in information pertaining to pregnancy and cardio/getting fit.  It's good to know that there are many exercises that you can do before you're pregnant, after you give birth and even during your pregnancy!  You don't have to make many changes just because you have a little extra belly in the way.

Anyway, in order to further help the women interested in the information about getting fit post-pregnancy, I did a lot of research and found this info from Holly Rigsby.  She created a fabulous program for moms and it includes sooo many of the topics in my blog posts so I thought it may be perfect for you!  She's not afraid to throw some weight lifting in the workout (which you know I love!), but she still understands the importance of easing back into working out for new moms, because she used the same exercises herself!  I thought this was a fabulous (and cute) way to get into shape for women who have just had children, so I thought I would share it with you!

Holly Rigsby's "Fit Yummy Mummy" Program



Original post:

Hopefully you read the previous article about the differences in getting pregnant in your 20s, 30 and 40s.  If your choice is to have kids, no matter what age, your best bet is to be as healthy as possible!  Here are some exercises to make your body a baby making machine!

If you already have a cardio routine, you are ahead of the pregnancy game!  You know the benefits:

Cardiovascular endurance
Strong heart conditioning
Increased metabolism
The happy feeling you get from the flow of stress-relieving hormones
Short recovery-time from physical activity
Decrease in chance of diseases like diabetes.

Good news: This works before, after and during pregnancy too!

Walking, swimming and dancing are great ways to keep your cardiovascular health even during pregnancy.  Walking can be done through all nine months and, in nice-weather months, can get you out of the house to enjoy some fresh air!  Swimming is an incredible exercise if your preggers or not!  It's safe, works the entire body, has no impact on your joints and, while in the water, relieves you of the pressure of the extra baby weight.  Dancing is pure fun and you can do it right in your own home!  You'll pump up your heart rate and there are many studies that show that the baby responds positively to music outside of the womb.