If you have been working out for at least 8 weeks prior to pregnancy, then HECK YEAH!  Your pregnancy workouts should definitely be intense, but they should also be safe and effective.

I worked out my entire pregnancy until the day before I went into labor and I owe my 4 hour labor and 3 pushes to my awesome 5am pregnancy workouts!  Yes, I know 5am, I am crazy!

But you know what?  I felt so energized and I felt so much better working out that I didn't mind it.  I basically trained the same as when I was not pregnant except I didn't do anything lying down with weights over my head and I didn't lift excessively heavy even though I did lift pretty heavy.  I think I did around 90lbs on the leg extension machine while I was pregnant.  So don't be afraid.

Just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you shouldn't lift more than 5lbs.  Actually if you don't stimulate your body and muscles, nothing is going to happen.  So step it up Sista!

Here are a few pointers on things you should stay away from during your Pregnancy Workouts:

• Do not do any exercises lying down (bench presses, dumbbell chest presses, etc.)
• Do not do any exercises with barbells on your spine.
• Do not do movements that require too much balance.
• Do not lift heavy when doing movements overhead or that stretch the torso (lat pulldown, straight arm pulldown, shoulder presses, etc)

Here are a few pointers on things you should do during your Pregnancy Workouts:

• Do maintain controlled movements and ranges of motion.
• Do workout your body symmetrically (train your chest, back, shoulders, triceps, biceps and core).
• Do Abdominal Training to strengthen the core and help prevent diastisis recti.
• Do weight training and cardio.

As long as your movements are controlled and safe you can lift as much weight as is challenging.  Don't be afraid!  Trust me, I not only trained myself super hard but I have trained tons of Prego's.

Ways to keep up your Pregnancy Workout Intensity:

• Lift weight heavy enough and challenging enough to reach the desired number of reps without being able to do more than the desired reps.
• Time your rest periods and move along unless you don't feel well or you can not control your heart rate.
• Change up your workouts every 4 weeks.

If you need help with your pregnancy workouts, I can help you.  Fit Mom-To-Be will guide you through safe, effective and fun workouts during your entire pregnancy.  These workouts are easy to follow and very effective.  With these workouts you can achieve your IDEAL BABY WEIGHT.  And best of all, these workouts will help you get back into pre-pregnancy weight in NO TIME.  Check them out by clicking on the following link:  Pregnancy Workouts

Click here to see me on CBS Channel 4 talking about Pregnancy Workouts & Nutrition