Preggercise

Now that the big news is out {Psst...here's the scoop if you missed it}, I can finally share my latest McDonald's Wholesome Choice lifestyle change:

Preggercise.

I have to admit it...there hasn't been much exercising {okay, none at all} going on in this household lately.  I've been too nauseated and just plain exhausted.  But now that I've made it past the first trimester I'm hoping the nausea/vomiting will subside so that I can boost my energy level with some prenatal exercise {or as I like to call it, "preggercise"}.

I've been researching the do's and don'ts for preggercise and thought I'd share some commonly agreed upon guidelines:

1. Check with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise routine during pregnancy.
2. It's generally safe to maintain your pre-pregnancy exercise routine {if you had one} as long as you are a normal/low risk pregnancy.
3. If you did not have a pre-pregnancy exercise routine, start slowly.  Walking and prenatal yoga are excellent choices.
4. Warm up 
5. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.
6. Take in more nutritious calories {yes, more than the extra 300 they tell you eat just for being pregnant}
7. Listen to your body. It will tell you when to slow down or stop altogether.
8. Wear comfortable, nonrestrictive clothing and supportive footwear.
9. Kegels are a great exercise to add to any preggercise routine.
10. Avoid overheating.  Do not exercise in extreme temps. 
11. Be prepared to make adjustments regularly throughout your pregnancy.  As you progress further along in your pregnancy {ahem, get bigger and bigger} it will become increasingly difficult to continue at the same intensity as in your first trimester. Again, listen to your body.

Discontinue preggercising if you experience any of the following: {list copied from WebMD}

• Feel chest pain.
• Have abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or persistent contractions.
• Have a headache
• Notice an absence or decrease in fetal movement.
• Feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, or light-headed.
• Feel cold or clammy.
• Have vaginal bleeding
• Have a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina or a trickle of fluid that leaks steadily.
• Notice an irregular or rapid heartbeat.
• Have sudden swelling in your ankles, hands, face, or calf pain.
• Are short of breath.
• Have difficulty walking.
• Have muscle weakness.

On a more personal note, my exercise of choice is running. I was running before I became pregnant and will continue to run for exercise during this pregnancy {as long as it is comfortable}.  Since I basically took the first trimester off due to sickness, I am starting slowly.  I am getting out and walking daily now and plan to pick up jogging in the next couple of weeks.

My biggest struggle when it comes to preggercise is getting adequate water and caloric intake.  I've never been a huge fan of water, so that's a struggle of mine even when I'm not pregnant.  The increased demand for calories on my body during pregnancy has also been difficult though because I have been sick. I feel hungry, but who can eat when you are nauseated? Not me! So, hopefully, I will continue to feel better by the day and increase my caloric intake to fit my preggercise routine.

It also makes it difficult to get the right amount of nutrients when you are an on-the-go momma.  Thankfully, McDonald's is committed to giving us more delicious choices to feel good about in the months and years to come.  Regardless of your dietary needs, you'll find nutrient-minded choices at McDonald's.  And, through McDonald's "Made For You" cooking system, you can special order various menu items to help meet your nutritional needs.

"Extra pickles with my ice cream cone, please!"  :)


You can follow McDonald’s Atlanta on Twitter @McDonaldsATL and check out their website for real-time promos, meal ideas and how to make the most of your McDonald’s experience:
http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/nutrition_choices.html

Disclosure:
McDonald’s partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Wholesome Choices” Blogger Program.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. McDonald’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.