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Monday, January 12, 2009

Maternity Dress: Work Out Maternity Clothing Tips

OK, I know some of us had dreams that when we were pregnant, we would spend the whole 9 months reclining (gracefully!) on the sofa while someone brought us bowls of ice-cream and chocolate biscuits, and massaged our very slightly swollen but still elegant-looking feet. And of course we would put on exactly the recommended amount of weight, and our belly would be perfectly shaped and cute. Sigh…the reality can be just a little different.

Remember that staying active and healthy during pregnancy has many benefits, and gentle exercise like pre-natal yoga is perfect. It seems yoga is an all-time favourite with the celebs, and most keep going right through pregnancy. Both Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry are reportedly including yoga in their pregnancy exercise routines. So what to wear? Your pre-pregnancy workout clothes may not fit for long, and you want to be comfortable, right?

A couple of factors should be taken into consideration when buying workout clothing and will often vary due to individual taste. The first factor is the climate in which you're working out. For cooler climates, long sleeves, leggings and a light-weight jacket might be more appropriate. In warmer climates, short unitards or bike shorts might be enough. A second factor is the type of exercise you are doing. For a low impact exercise like yoga, a jog bra might be fine. However, if you choose to run or do a higher impact exercise, a good sports bra would be much more supportive.

Fabric is another personal preference. Some women find that a cotton/spandex blend wicks moisture away effectively. Meanwhile, others prefer the higher tech Supplex or Lycra blends that are very stretchy and also do a good job of wicking moisture. However, there is one drawback to both types of blends: they can easily shrink if not washed in cold water and hung up to dry.

What's Your Style?
For some women, the unitard is a maternity staple because they create a long line and don't cut into the thighs. They also provide support under clothing without lines or elastic digging in, even if you gain a lot of weight during pregnancy. Most unitards come in a sleeveless or with long or short sleeves, short or full legs, and can also be worn after the baby is born.
If you are not one to go the unitard route, many women really like the idea of fitness separates. For example, you can use a pair of bike tights and sports bra tops with tanks or tees over them. This way, you can buy a couple of each and mix and match throughout the entire week. You can also wear the longer maternity leggings if you are looking for a little extra coverage when modesty is important. The separates do provide a little easier bathroom access than unitards, and when you are pregnant, you know this is a big issue.

I would recommend a few basics for nine months of working out that would cover all the bases.

1 pair maternity fitness shorts
1 pair maternity yoga pants (long or capri); for yoga or any activity
2 really good and supportive bras
1 supportive swimsuit for any kind of water workout
2 maternity tanks or tees for layering


If you want to find something to wear after the baby is born, look for a style that was specifically designed with that in mind, such as Fit Maternity's maternity/postnatal unitard. Remember that your fitness wear should fit comfortably and that waistbands should rest either over or under the belly to minimize unnecessary pressure across the middle.

With your doctor's approval, exercising throughout your pregnancy is not only possible and beneficial, but, with today's maternity fitness wear options, you can be fashionable and comfortable, too! Why not take advantage of the selections available and choose the proper fitness wear for you? Enjoy staying fit through your pregnancy and look good while doing it!




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