Activity Within Limits

So my midwife called me last week and said that I now have some limitations on what I can do to stay active. It seems that I have a condition out of my control that may put myself and/or the baby in jeopardy if I were to "over do it". I'm on my fourth pregnancy and this has never been an issue in the past so you can imagine my surprise that suddenly I'm faced with limitations.

This raises the question- how does one 5 month pregnant, mother of three stay active and healthy with additional physical limitations?? Well, I've done a little digging, and although this means being more careful, this does not mean I have to stop activity all together. I spoke with my pilates instructor and she has assured me that although many of the activities that we would normally do in class are now out of my "safe zone" there are still many excellent activities I can do- particularly on the ball.

Can I tell you how much I love the ball? I loved it before- I love it even more now. It is so inexpensive, yet limitless in it's fitness potential so amazing. Today I will include instructions for one such core strengthening activity that anyone can do- even me.

1. Sitting knee lift: Sit on your exercise ball, feet flat on the floor directly under your knees. Place your hands, palms down, under your buttocks. Contract your abdominals to tilt your pelvis under; holding this position, bring your bent left knee toward your chest. Contract your abs further as you lower your left foot to the floor, using your abs to hold the position. Release the tilt to a neutral position and repeat. Do all reps with left leg, then repeat with the right. Do 2 sets of 8–12 reps in first trimester, 1–2 sets of 8–12 reps in second and third trimesters. Strengthens abdominals and hip flexors.

Now for my personal spin on this- 'cause I like to work out with my kids- I bought them each an oversized ball from the local Walmart last spring- now they can do these exercises along with me.