Exercises » Body Image Issues
Pregnancy can be a time when many women struggle to embrace their
changing body image....
Exercise can have a crucial role in helping women to develop and maintain a positive body image in pregnancy.
Not all women like the natural body changes that occur in pregnancy and struggle with how their body 'morphs' almost
out of their control.
However exercise can help women not only in the ‘physical' area maintaining a strong, fit and healthy weight maintenance.
But also ‘psychologically' by working with their changing bodies in a positive and healthy way.
It brings a sense of acheivement, connection with a more positive body image and a sense of taking control but in a healthy way.
Here's how....
Exercise boosts serotonin levesl; which are the bodies ‘happy hormones' and help naturally boost your mood and feel happier!!
So by exercising you will naturally be charging your body with extra serotonin and be more likely to feel better about your body and life in general.
Exercise also encourages our body to release natural pain like hormones called Endorphins (taken from the name morphine)
which act as natural pain releif.
Therefore by exercising you are more likely to cope with the aches and niggly pains that pregnancy can bring.
Your also more likely then to be active and cope with the birth easier.
My reccomended exercises in pregnancy are.....
A combination of both cardiovascular and postural strength exercises.
CV exercise keeps weight gain to a healthy level and therefore promotes a better body image.
Walking outside in the sunshine/ fresh air is one of the easiest, most accessible and cost effective exercise you can do.
You can buy an inexpensive pedometer and track your step count to make it more fun! Aim for at least 10,000 steps a day.
Walking outside also boosts melatonin levels which are also associated with lifting your mood.
Postural strength exercises include exercises which are going to work your back and core muscles and help your body
adapt to the strains of pregnancy. Your body will look and feel stronger and more balanced.
And you will feel more confident about how you carry yourself and move in pregnancy.
When the mirror feels unkind....
On the ‘duvet' days when you feel low and ‘blobby' and just can't motivate yourself to exercise; rather than berate yourself
simply be your own best friend and be kind to yourself.
Do some gentle stretching exercises followed by a body treat such as a bubble bath or manicure.
BUT commit to doing something more active the next day! Don't slip into a cycle of not exercising.
Even though you may not feel like it, after exercising you will feel happier, have more energy and feel a sense of acievement and pride.
In my opinion there is absolutely no doubt that exercise exercise is a womens essential tool
to having a positive, fit and happy pregnancy both physically and emotionally