| Pregnancy and Running: When You Should Put on the Brakes |
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| by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
| Tuesday, 04 July 2006 | |
Take the right steps, and you can jog your way through your entire pregnancy.These days, getting pregnant doesn't automatically mean you have to end your fitness regimen. Swimming, indoor cardio machines and walking are all popular options. But what about running, is it safe? If you're an avid runner, when should you call it quits?
"You don't have to put on the brakes," says Shelly Glover, program director of running classes for the New York Road Runners Club and coauthor of The Runner's Handbook (Penguin USA, 1999). "If you're enjoying a normal pregnancy and have permission from your doctor, there is no reason why you can't run throughout your entire pregnancy. I have coached a number of pregnant runners in my classes," she adds.
While Florence and others agree that running is safe for both you and the fetus, you should exercise caution to accommodate your changing body. Besides the most obvious change (your protruding stomach), your body is releasing hormones that cause the ligaments to become more flexible.
Here are some of Florence's tips to make your run safe, comfortable and more fun during your pregnancy:
Set your goals accordingly. Your body will change so be flexible with your expectations.
Stay hydrated. This is very important because you're also involving the health of the fetus as well as yourself.
Adjust your running shoes. Your feet will grow due to the growth hormone, so you may need to buy a new pair of sneakers or make some adjustments to your regular pair.
Look into support clothing, such as a maternity girdle or pregnancy belt, to hold your growing belly. A good jog bra is crucial. You may need to wear two of them, or wear one with an ace bandage wrapped around it. The bandage should be wrapped in a crisscross fashion. This may sound high-maintenance, but it will make your run much more comfortable.
While Florence sees no problem with running throughout the entire pregnancy, others, such as Amy Brummerloh, an exercise physiologist and prenatal and postpartum care expert in New York City, are more cautious. "I wouldn't recommend running toward the end of your pregnancy. It's not a time to train; it's a time to maintain good cardiovascular fitness, upper back strength and flexible ligaments. The goal is to be in good pregnancy shape." Bookmark:            Trackback(0)
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 July 2006 ) |
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