The Secret…to a Fit Pregnancy

Can you guess the secret?

Written by Rose Kjesbo @rose_kjesbo

Rose Kjesbo

Yep. Biking. Biking played a huge role in helping to maintain fitness throughout pregnancy, along with nordic skiing. There are so many unknowns around your body and fitness as you enter pregnancy, but I found that these activities left my body feeling better at the end than at the start of a workout (which is always the goal!). Both biking and nordic skiing are low impact and can be done at any speed, so for pregnancy, they are great options because the way you feel each day is so variable- one day, you are feeling amazing, and the next, a twenty-minute spin feels like a major feat. I learned so much about my body and the amazing things it can do throughout this process, and movement through biking and skiing was the secret (at least until I was too pregnant and uncomfortable to do either).

Focusing on movement facilitated a healthier and happier pregnancy for me.

From the beginning, I promised myself I would do several things every day:

1. Move my body or workout every day. This included anything from a walk

   around the neighborhood, going to a pilates class, a hike, a bike ride, or a ski.

   If I could do any movement outside, I would prioritize it.

2. Listen to my body! If I was tired, I took a nap when I was able to. If I was

   hungry, I didn’t hold back (if you don’t know, I am the “snack master” and this

   came in handy during pregnancy). If I didn’t have the energy to work out, I

   relaxed (easier said than done).

3. Drink electrolytes. This SAVED me during the workday and after working out.

4. Core breathing exercises. This helped me to focus on pelvic floor activation

   and strength.

   
   

I did these four things consistently, and of course, there were good days and bad

days, but I noticed that when I was moving outside, I felt more like my “old” self. In the

winter, nordic skiing was a welcome relief because gliding on snow took the pressure off

my ligaments and joints that were having to adjust to holding more weight. I tried to ski

at least 2-3 times a week, and I eventually replaced these workouts with mountain

biking as the snow started to melt. I didn’t let time or distance become factors in any of

these workouts, and I absolutely savored every moment I was outside, moving and

feeling good!