FIVE secret tips for staying in shape during pregnancy from an OB GYN who has done it FIVE times… And it sure ain’t me

Because of my profession (and not experience), I am fully aware of the recommended nutritional guidelines for pregnancy. I can explain to you how much weight you should gain based on your current body mass index, how many extra calories you should eat per trimester, and what the most important food groups are for your baby.

As a girl who has struggled with her own weight her entire life (I started my first “diet” at the age of twelve and have since tried every one known to woman), I also know how difficult it is to master any nutritional plan. Therefore, I can only imagine how much more difficult it will be once I have a growing human inside of me.

So I have decided to outsource.

My dear friend Cortney amazes me in many ways. She is also an OB GYN, she is a wife to an Anesthesiologist, she was a military doctor, and she is laid back NorCal cool. You can catch her on any given Saturday drinking Nutri-Bullet smoothies, going to a Giants game, or taking her FIVE (5) children on an excursion.

She is so cool she has the state of California tattooed on her legitimately toned calf. She has managed to not only carry and birth FIVE humans, but also stay healthy during the process.

Since she has not just the knowledge of an OB GYN, but the legs to prove it’s possible, here are her top FIVE tips on how to stay in shape during and after pregnancy:

• Don’t drink your calories: Sugar filled drinks have little nutritional value for your growing baby and are a quick way to pack on the pounds. Diet drinks are also discouraged in pregnancy due to the associated caffeine and sugar substitutes included so it is best to stick to water. Juices are great, but make sure they are pasteurized and you are limiting the amount.
• Remember you are not eating for two!: Meaning you don’t completely double the caloric intake you are used to. It is very easy to adapt the “I am pregnant and it’s a free-for-all” mentality, but before you hit the buffet on the reg remember that you will eventually have to try and lose the pounds you gain, so be reasonable about when and where you are splurging.
• Stay Active: Unfortunately some high-risk pregnancies may lead to limitations on activity, but if you have a normal pregnancy it is encouraged that you exercise. The American College of OB GYN recommends that in the absence of either medical or obstetric complications that pregnant women receive thirty or more minutes of exercise most days, if not all, days of the week.
• Eat multiple small meals throughout the day: This will help you from ever feeling too hungry which can lead to overeating. In addition, it seems to cut down on nausea and heartburn as well.
• If you are going to have a big meal have it at lunch: Eating your larger meal earlier will give you a chance to burn those calories off later in the evening.

All of these tips are fantastic for trying to gain the appropriate amount of weight for your body. So how much is that you ask?

ACOG recommends that a woman with a starting BMI of less than 18.5 should gain between 28-40 pounds, a BMI of 18.5-24.9 should gain 25-35 pounds, a BMI of 25-29.9 should gain 15-25 pounds and a woman with a BMI of 30 or greater should gain 11-20 pounds.

You can calculate your BMI with several online calculators.

It will be tough, but besides calculating and counting, I really encourage that moms embrace the awesomeness of their changing bodies. It is important to realize that a transformation is taking place—your jeans won’t fit, your ankles will swell, and you may never want to wear a two-piece again… and that’s okay. Focus on your nutrition and your baby’s health.

Obesity in pregnancy has numerous risk factors for pregnancy, but also may be the start for many women for a future of obesity leading to future health problems. It has also been linked to childhood obesity.

As a non-pregnant, I can only imagine how hard it will be to maintain my weight and activity level when I am pregnant, but I encourage you all to try your hardest, take Cortney’s tips and strive to be healthy moms!