Almost every pregnant woman will, at one point or another, wonder if she’ll ever get her “old” body back after the baby is born. When J was born, I bounced back pretty quickly, but, um, let’s just say I was still working on losing baby weight from C this time around! :)
I really do have the intent to work out while pregnant, for many reasons – all-around health, being in better shape for delivery, and giving myself more of a fighting chance to get back in shape post-birth. Of course, living in Texas (and in the summer, of all seasons) while pregnant makes it difficult to find times where I’m actually motivated to get out to the park and walk – it’s still muggy and HOT in the evenings, and even if it’s not hot in the mornings the mugginess is there (and, c’mon… who are we kidding pretending that I would get up and work out in the morning anyway?). I’ve thought about joining a gym, but it’s hard for me to find time to get away until after the boys are in bed.
Fitness DVDs are a great solution. Pre-pregnancy I found a couple of different DVDs that I really liked, but my favorite is definitely too vigorous for me to try now. The creator behind the sassy-named Knocked-Up Fitness have solved that problem and have produced a fitness DVD with pregnant women in mind.
Erica Ziel, founder of Core Athletica Inc., is one of Southern California’s most sought-after experts for fitness-infused Pilates and personal training. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology & Health from Iowa State University and is a Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Nutritionist and “Mom of 3?.
With vast experience in pre and post-natal fitness, Erica launched Knocked-Up Fitness for reaching the sassy modern mom with real and relevant topics. It is truly an online destination for women who want to stay fit and healthy during all stages of pregnancy, including after baby is born.
I received the 2 DVD pack to review, which came with a free thera band to use during exercises. These DVDs are great! They’re challenging, but not too challenging, getting my heart rate up a little bit and working on my core, but I also felt really relaxed after finishing each video. The Prenatal Pilates-Infused Fitness DVD program fuses pilates, cardio, and condition exercises. And of course, a great feature in using DVDs is that you can pick which parts you really need, so you get the feeling of a workout that’s custom for you. The Prenatal Core Pilates Workouts DVD program is a mix of Core Cardio, Pilates, Yoga and other fitness exercises.
You’ll also find insider tips on a faster delivery and recovery. Learn about the key muscles needed for labor and delivery, the importance of keeping these muscles strong through pregnancy, the basics for getting back into shape after delivery, and at-home exercises to keep core muscle strong. I love this because after three pregnancies I am certain my core muscles aren’t what they used to be, and I definitely want a leg up (no pun intended, haha) on an easier delivery!
You can find both DVDs on Amazon, where you can buy them separately or in the 2-pack with the thera band. I’d highly recommend the 2-pack. Not only are you getting a broader range of exercises, but you’re also getting a great deal at $36.99 for the set, versus $19.99/DVD if you buy them individually. As always, check with your doctor before starting any exercise plan!
I am really looking forward to using these DVDs throughout the remainder of my pregnancy and to seeing the benefits that come from consistent exercise. Who knows, maybe my post-pregnancy fitness will be better than my pre-pregnancy status!
Note: I received the 2-disc DVD set with thera band to facilitate my review. I was not compensated monetarily for my post. All opinions are honest and my own.
I need to check these out. I’m about to start my second trimester and I know the serious weight gain is about to begin, so I really want to at least get in some good exercise and feel healthy through the end of my pregnancy. These look great! Thanks for sharing!