Lifestyle July 19, 2019
The judging and criticizing of women who workout while pregnant needs to end ASAP.
Fit, pregnant women have become a target for nasty bullying, especially via social media. People who obviously don’t know the facts are constantly shaming mothers-to-be for working out.
According to the CDC, physical fitness is one of the top most important factors in preventing birth defects, behind planning ahead (seeing a healthcare professional regularly and taking folic acid) and avoiding harmful substances. So why are we shaming women for working out while pregnant?
Former CrossFit Games athlete and fitness trainer Emily Breeze has recently been shamed for continuing her workouts during her pregnancy. Users are leaving comments on her posts saying she is harming the baby and not taking proper precautions, when in fact, she is doing everything but those things.
Pregnant women everywhere encounter this kind of shaming. Health is a cornerstone of pregnancy, so why discourage what is healthy?
A mother-to-be must be physically fit to have a child. Think about the strain and extra weight your muscles have to endure over the next 9 months.
Breeze said in response to the outbreak of criticism on Instagram, “It’s just so odd to me because I would never say anything like that to any other person, let alone a woman who is going through such a powerful and emotional experience of growing a human inside of them.”
She said she has received nasty direct messages telling her she is just asking for a miscarriage.
Breeze is not the only woman to encounter this type of shaming. Kayla Itsines and other fitspo women receive some of the harshest criticism since they have thousands, or even millions, of followers.
However, you don’t have to be a fitness influencer to receive this type of criticism. Regular women will face it from strangers, friends and even family members.
Of course, even though working out while pregnant is beneficial, it does not mean you shouldn’t do your research or consult with your physician beforehand. If you have never worked out before, then maybe starting crossfit during your pregnancy isn’t the right choice. But there are plenty of exercises you can do as a beginner.
In Breeze’s position, she had been doing crossfit and intense training for years. But when she became pregnant, she simply dialed back her intensity. Which is exactly what you are supposed to do.
Physicians, OBGYNs and experts all preach this. Brad Schoenfeld, Ph.D. said in an interview, “You can carry on pretty much any activity you did before you conceived, as long as you don’t ramp up intensity or frequency beyond what you’re used to.”
The NIDDK said that working out while pregnant can help to avoid birth complications. It can also ensure the health of the baby, keep the mother healthy and help to avoid gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes that is developed during pregnancy).
They also said that weight gain is normal and should happen during a pregnancy.
There is a time to refrain from certain workouts during pregnancies. Typically, this is up to the mother’s discretion, since she truly knows her body and how she feels.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that if you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed below, stop the exercise and contact a healthcare professional.
Of course, there could be a number of factors that effect pregnancies, for each pregnancy is unique. That is why you should always consult with your physician before starting your workout and exercise regimen.
A healthy pregnancy has several components. It includes physical fitness, nutrition, prior medical history and even emotional well-being.
Women are created to carry life. This in and of itself is phenomenal.
Women who take their pregnancy seriously and continue their physical fitness should not be shamed for doing so.
Even if a woman was not working out before the pregnancy, it is okay for her to begin slowly, for it can prevent a number of issues in the long run. However, you should not begin intensive exercise if you were not working out before your pregnancy.
So rather than shaming these rock star moms-to-be, we should empower these women on their journey to improving themselves, their bodies and the growth of their babies.
