Watch former TOWIE star Lauren Pope's 10-minute pregnancy workout video
It’s not always easy to find motivation to workout during pregnancy.
This can become particularly challenging when morning sickness presents itself and you find yourself getting worn out easily.
It has been particularly challenging for women during the coronavirus pandemic, given access to places to exercise like swimming pools and gyms have been taken away.
In Yahoo UK’s The Baby Bump with Lauren Pope, Pope, who is 35 weeks pregnant, admitted her motivation levels were “not at their peak” during pregnancy.
That’s why she has been trying shorter online workouts instead.
Read more: Dance classes can help parents bond with new babies
“I’ve found shorter workouts have been better for me to be able to maintain a level of fitness,” Pope explained.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star shared a 10-minute workout from personal trainer, Kelly Cole, which can be done during and after pregnancy.
“This is now my new go to,” Pope said.
The workout, curated by Cole, who is also pregnant, is a 10-minute, toning full body workout.
Cole decided to focus on the glutes and core during the workout, saying: “These are the muscles that are really important to reduce any pain or discomfort in your back, but also, these are the muscles that help you to push during labour.”
Read more: Tips to get you through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy
The personal trainer starts with a breathing exercise and pelvic floor exercise. Practising pelvic floor exercises throughout pregnancy trains your body to help with the weight of the growing baby. It can also help to reduce stress incontinence after the baby is born.
Cole then talks us through a step-by-step workout - complete with tips on how to ensure we do it in the safest way possible.
She finishes off with a light cool-down at the end.
Read more: Lauren Pope’s favourite one-pot recipe for new parents
A lot of people wonder and question how much exercise they can do during pregnancy, but UK charity, Tommy’s, confirms that “exercising during your pregnancy is safe and healthy”.
“If you exercised before you became pregnant, you can continue doing the same exercise now. The aim should be to keep your current level of fitness rather than trying to reach peak fitness.”
If you didn’t already exercise before you were pregnant, that doesn’t mean you can’t start now, it just means you should build yourself up slowly and always speak to a GP or midwife before starting anything new.
Staying fit throughout pregnancy helps for a myriad of reasons, not least because it keeps your body healthy and fit for labour and beyond.
