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Fitness and Pregnancy Can Mix
By Marnie

When the results of my pregnancy test came back positive, I was ecstatic. Once upon a time, I had been told that I would never have children. Now I was having a second baby, and I felt very blessed. I have to admit though, that one of the first thoughts that went through my head was: "How much weight will I gain and how am I going to get rid of it after the baby is born?"

I think this is a very common concern for women. After all, we live in a society where thin is in. Suddenly, when you find out you are pregnant you are expected to be joyous over the thought of becoming a beached whale. I managed to get rid of the weight from my first pregnancy without too much trouble, but I was still worried about what number two would do to my body, and if I would be able to continue to exercise like I did through my first pregnancy.

I work in the fitness industry as an instructor for clients who include pre- and postnatal women. I consider myself to be fit and have high energy. My lifestyle has always been "go go go" and I was reluctant during both of my pregnancies to give that up if I didn't have to. I vowed that I would look after myself and do as much as I usually do, as long as the babies allowed it.

I must admit that the first trimester was agony. I was so tired and all I wanted to do was sleep - but as a fitness instructor, I knew I had to be motivating and cheerful, so I struggled my way through. Some people kidded me that my low energy days were everyone else's regular days. I survived though, and as my twelfth week slipped by, I was back to my usual energy level and ready to move.

I felt great. I wanted to be active, and I was. I taught as many classes as I did before becoming pregnant and really enjoyed it. In fact, I was told on numerous occasions that I was a role model for all those in my classes, pregnant or otherwise. Clients would come up to me after class and tell me that at certain points they wanted to give up, but they saw me go - belly and all - and kept at it. Many told me they thought: "If she can do it, so can I." I never thought that I could have that much impact on people just by doing what I love, but I did - and other people benefited from it.

I know I was a very hard-core exerciser while I was pregnant, and that worried some people. However, I researched all I could on the effect of exercise during pregnancy for athletic women (which was a short search, I can tell you) and decided that my body would let me know if there was a problem. If junior's condo was getting too hot, he would let me know. And both my kids are healthy, happy and full of energy. Wonder where they get that from?

I know that not every woman is lucky enough to have the energy or the ability to exercise during pregnancy, but if you can, I highly recommend it. Even if you only go so far as to take a long walk every day or go for a swim, it will make you feel better. I firmly believe that the more you exercise, the more energy you will have - and believe me, you will need that energy afterwards!

Be healthy, be happy, be fit!

Marnie Kennedy, Aerobics Instructor, mother of two.