Exercising while you're expecting

Hello workout friends!
Today we continue exercising with our coworkers, and the segment is about staying fit during pregnancy.

Megan Reuther told us, "Since my workout has been reduced to the treadmill, I could use pregnancy-friendly exercises!" and Jeriann Ritter said, "I have not been working out at all. All I do is eat and chase after a 1-year-old, so please don't kill me!"

For this very specific segment, we turned to Mendy Collum - she's a fitness instructor, a registered nurse and a mom. Her first words of advice are simple, "Listen to your body. If the activity feels ok, chances are it's fine." Both Megan and Jeriann are shocked at what Mendy tells them next. "Most things are ok, you're not stuck to just walking during pregnancy! You can continue step, aerobics, eliptical, kickboxing, spinning...pretty much everything!"

Mendy explains that she was still teaching high impact fitness classes right up until she delivered both of her kids - she just made some modifications as her pregnancy progressed. "In the long run, just like when you aren't pregnant, exercise is going to give you more energy." That's part of the reason she teaches a prenatal fitness class at the Walnut Creek Y. Participants do cardio like step or kickboxing, some weight lifting and resistance training and even yoga!

The classes also include a lecture and discussion and topics run the gamut - nothing is off limits and the motto is, knowledge is power. Bottom line, Mendy says staying fit during these nine months is what's best for baby - and for mom. "It's going to give you more endurance, not just for daily pregnant life, but for the biggest endurance challenge of all ... LABOR!"

Mendy is starting a new prenatal fitness session on September 7th. The class meets every Tuesday evening from 5:15 to 6:20 at Walnut Creek. You don't have to sign up but do need a release from your doctor or midwife to exercise.

Have a healthy week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com