by Elizabeth Weichert

Created on: September 30, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Gaining weight during pregnancy is completely normal and it's alright to get a little depressed about your weight gain. What's not OK is to obsess over it. During the first trimester, most women lose a few pounds and they start catching up in their second trimester and taper off in the third trimester. I have found that the best way to maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is to walk and do simple exercises that won't be too strenuous on the body. Remember, if you limit yourself to less exercise activities the more weight you will gain and the harder your labor will be as well as your weight loss after having the baby.

During the first trimester, you should keep up on a work-out regimen. I personally recommend walking, aerobics, yoga, Pilate's, and running (seek doctor's opinion first). This will help with morning sickness, as well as keeping your metabolism up and running and your energy level up. Be sure to take your prenatal and other medications as prescribed by your doctor.
The first trimester is quite hard to keep things down if you have really bad morning sickness, but if not, incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your diet and you will see the results in your body as well as for your baby. Try to stay away from all of those junk foods that will definitely boost your weight gain!

The second trimester is a time when your belly will start to grow! How exciting! Your baby is growing with every second and you need to eat things that will nourish your baby and your body at the same time! The exercising regimen might slow up during this phase of pregnancy due to obvious precautions for your baby and yourself. So I suggest walking once again and having a healthy diet. Also if you get those cravings for a chocolate mousse pie or cookies and ice cream, have your husband or yourself make you a healthy fruit smoothie! I live by smoothies during pregnancy-it's a great desert!

The third trimester, your weight gain will start to slow down, and so will your activity level. It will be harder to get out and do things with that baby weighing on your back. At this point in time, get up and do house chores! That is a work out in itself when your carrying that baby around inside of you. You will break a sweat!

Your weight gain should be no more than 25 to 30 lbs. within the 9 months. However, some women gain up to 60-70 lbs. within that time span. It's not hard to gain all that weight, but it's worth it to keep watchful of your body! Remember your body is housing a beautiful baby in there and be sure to eat properly and take your prenatal vitamins! Also, if you continue to work out during your pregnancy this will benefit you by being able to lose all that weight after having baby! You will be back into those old jeans in no time!

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