Overweight During Pregnancy
By Lisa Stone, ACE

Q. I'm almost 300 lbs, and I'm 7 weeks pregnant. My doctor said I should only gain 15 pounds. I find myself already gaining weight. Is there any excerise I can do to not gain but 15 pounds?

A. Once you get the okay from your doctor to exercise, I would suggest walking for 10-15 minutes at a comfortable pace to start gradually building up to 30-45 minutes at a brisk pace. You could also try swimming and/or water aerobics if you have access to a swimming pool. Don't workout to exhaustion and really tune into your body's signals as to when you've had enough. Also, be sure to drink LOTS of water so you stay well-hydrated. As you become more fit, post again so I can give you some light strength training exercises to try. I'm so proud of you for taking this positive step for yourself and your baby!