Exercise Tips For Fatigue and Morning Sickness

Fit Fitness Into Your New Lifestyle

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietician

Before pregnancy, you were actively involved in an exercise program and you planned to incorporate fitness into your daily routine. However, now that you're pregnant, the morning sickness and the afternoon fatigue have you too pooped to move. You are wondering if there is any way to fit in fitness.

Fatigue is a normal part of pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimester. This doesn't mean you should ignore it or resign yourself to being continually exhausted. As always, fatigue is a signal from your baby that you should slow down. Take the hint:

Make rest and relaxation a priority.
Cut back on the nonessential activities.
Make sure your spouse or partner and family members are helping out with the household chores.
If possible, try to get extra sleep at night or take a nap during the day.
Make sure your diet is nutritious and well balanced.
And remember, too much rest and not enough exercise can heighten the fatigue.

Morning sickness and nausea can occur in the morning or anytime throughout the day. Sudden intense movements can make it worse. Therefore, try to get your queasy stomach under control first (Morning Sickness Help.) Continue with some light stretching and warm-up movements. Then, move on to your exercise plan.

Member Comments About this Article

	"During my first pregnancy I had morning sickness in the morning - and afternoon exercise was a life saver - a step class or a brisk 30 minute walk around my neighborhood with my dog really gave me a lot of enery and made my backache much better. This time around, I am getting morning sickness in the afternoon and my workouts have moved to the early a.m. It's so important to find the time and stay active!!" -- MMKSMOM

	"I found it most helpful to swim for about 1/2 an hour in the evenings (btwn 7 - 9 PM) to unwind after work, release my sore hip, and help combat insomnia with my first pregnancy. Just getting in the water lifted my fatigue enough to get in a bit of exercise each day." -- M1NN1EMOUSE

	"This was an informative article. This is my second child, 16 years later AND at age 40, and I want to know what is the best time, if any to excersise prior to going to bed at night. My sleep pattern is so irregular when my husband is under weigh and I've hear excercisin at night is good. Any suggestions?" -- LIVIN4CHRIST

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About The Author

Becky Hand
Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. She teaches prenatal classes and counsels individuals, helping women eat right and stay fit before, during and after their pregnancies.