best start - your health… before pregnancy  
<back
step 7/21
 
Is there a baby in your future?
Alcohol
Smoking
Medications
Healthy Eating
Folic Acid
Being Active
Environment
Stress
Finances
Fertility
Age
For Men Only
HIV/AIDS
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Ready for Parenting
Reaching Out
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy Loss
Safe Relationships
Search Away
 
Being Active: moving makes better babies
The Canadian Physical Activity Guide recommends that adults get 60 minutes of physical activity every day to stay healthy or to improve your health. As you progress to moderate activities, you can cut down to 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week. Add up your activities in periods of at least 10 minutes each. Start slowly and build up.
Being active before pregnancy can make it easier to stay active during pregnancy. Even a little regular activity can strengthen your heart, body and bones and help keep you at a healthy weight. Being active is a good habit to get into. It is like brushing your teeth; you do it every day to keep healthy. Moving your body can also bring down your stress level. If you are active on a regular basis, your labour and delivery will likely be easier. If you get active now and stay active, you will be a good role model for your children. Being active is important.
Turning plans into action

Think about what you would like to do to be active, who you might ask to join you, what may stop you, and how you can make sure you meet your activity goals.

Remember, staying active is part of everyday life that carries with you for years and years to come.

Note: Activity that is too vigorous can make it hard to get pregnant, especially for women with low body fat. This rare problem is usually short lived and less activity can help. This is not the time to aim for peak physical fitness or train for an athletic event.

    Finding your physical activity personality
1
  Activity is a BIG part of every day. I need to check with my health care provider to see what is safe for me.
2
  I enjoy small amounts of activity regularly AND I'm happy with my level of activity.
3
  I think activity is boring BUT I'm interested in increasing my activity level.
4
  I want to enjoy regular activity BUT I am too busy to fit any more into my life.

For help close to home, contact:
Active 2010   Active Ontario: www.active2010.ca
Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines   Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines
Ontario Local Public Health Unit or call INFOline at 416-314-5518 / 1-800-268-1154
local parks & recreation department
YMCA / YWCA and private fitness centres
local walking paths or trails
 
Get started
  Stand instead of sit.
  Stroll instead of stand.
  Walk whenever you can- get off the bus early, use the stairs instead of the elevator.
  Dance to music – it can liven up housework.
  Reduce inactivity for long periods, like watching TV.
  Choose to walk, wheel or cycle for short trips.
  Start with a 10-minute walk and gradually increase the time.
Choose activities that fit with your lifestyle and that you enjoy. Decide what is right for you. The more activity you do with family or friends, the more fun you may have.
 
  Download the complete workbook - 2 mb PDF  
Go
  Download this section - 56kb PDF  
Go
 
©™2005 beststart.org All rights reserved. Home | Resources | Contact Us | Links