What Kinds of Exercises Are Safe for Pregnant Women During the Summer that Won't Wear Me Completely Out?
By Lisa Stone, ACE

Q. It's hot and I just don't feel like doing anything! What kinds of exercises are safe for pregnant women during the summer that won't wear me completely out? Is there such a thing?

A. Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise during pregnancy. The water makes you buoyant so that the extra pregnancy weight isn't so stressful to your muscles and joints. You can swim laps for aerobic exercise; you can also do resistance exercises in the water to tone your muscles. As with any form of exercise, be sure to listen to your body's signals so you don't overdo it. Also, drink lots of water before, during, and after your workouts, even though you might not feel like you're sweating. Put on plenty of waterproof sun screen if you're swimming in an outdoor pool and try to avoid the really hot times of day (10:00 am - 3:00 pm). You might want to call around and see if you can find an aqua aerobics class nearby. Even one that does not specialize in pregnancy fitness can be modified for your needs.