When you’re pregnant, the couch often looks a whole lot more inviting than the gym. But according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise comes with some pretty convincing benefits.
Regularly exercising during pregnancy can reduce back pain, ease constipation, promote healthy weight gain, improve your overall fitness and strengthen your heart and blood vessels. It may also decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and cesarean birth.
For celebrity trainer Megan Roup, founder of The Sculpt Society and mom of two, exercise was also a form of self care during pregnancy.
“I tried to focus on incorporating self-care throughout (pregnancy), like going on walks, practicing a quick meditation in the morning, having energizing snacks like almond butter and apples, or enjoying a cup of my favorite coffee,” she says.
She gave birth to her second daughter in September and keeping fitness a part of her regular routine was an important part of feeling her best during pregnancy and helping her recover afterward. In fact, she filmed workouts for The Sculpt Society prenatal program (TSS Mama) throughout her pregnancy.
“Fitness has always played a really big part in my mental health, but especially during pregnancy,” she says. “I truly believe that The Sculpt Society prenatal workouts, pelvic floor exercises and 360 breathing made me so much more prepared to give birth. I also believe that taking the time to focus on myself helped me adjust to the physical, emotional and hormonal changes I experienced during both pregnancies.”
She does caveat that all pregnancies are unique, so take the time to develop a workout routine that works for you and your body.
“No pregnancy is alike so it’s incredibly important to listen to your body and modify or eliminate things when something feels off. It’s also so important to be working with a pre-…
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