Weight change between births can harm you and your baby

Hi Everyone,

There was an article in several newspapers today about the problems associated with gaining weight between pregnancies. This is not the first time this has been brought to our attention, and only last year an article based on similar research was also published. Around 15 years ago another study produced the same results, so I guess that unlike a lot of studies, this one shouldn't be sneezed at.

It seems that even a small increase in body mass index can double the risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, with larger increases resulting in even more problems.

So what do we do?

Well try and maintain a healthy and consistent weight would be the best thing.

How do we do that?

Not by dieting that's for sure! I understand the pressure sometimes with our celebrity culture, to try the latest fad diets. The Atkins diet, The California diet, etc etc are all an unhealthy and unnecessary way to go about losing weight. All these restricted calorie or no carb diets result in a loss of lean body weight (muscle). It's not muscle you want to be losing it's fat. Muscle is what gives your body it's shape. Losing muscle weight will slow your metabolism meaning that when you stop dieting you need even less calories to maintain your bodyweight than you did before the diet. Add to this the fact that when you starve yourself your body becomes super efficient at storing fat, and you can see why so many peoples weight goes up and down like a yo-yo.

A sensible diet with good nutritious whole foods is the best way to go. It's not a diet but a healthy eating plan, and one you can stick with for life. Don't go for instant gratification but aim for a slow weight loss over a long period. One pound a week is 52lbs a year, and that's nearly 4 stone!! Add exercise to the equation and you're laughing. You'll end up looking great and feeling even better with loads of energy, and who wouldn't want that?

To read the article in full click here.

Healthy Regards

Watch Those Windows!!

Hi Everyone,

Well summer is here (not) and most of England seems to be underwater. I had to cancel a meeting in Cheltenham last weekend because I couldn't get in or out of the town. If anyone still doubts that climate change is happening it's time to wake up.............IT'S JULY FOR GODS SAKE!!!!

Anyway, I received this from some colleagues the other day, and although at present we aren't really enjoying the weather necessary to throw open all the windows, it is a good point, a good product, and a good price. (And who knows when the weather will change).

Window Watch

As the humidity and temperature rises during the summer months, keeping an eye on adventurous young children is very important as they can easily climb out of open windows. Therefore, parents, grandparents and nannies should consider some extra safety measures when caring for their little ones this season.

The windows in your home can prove a real hazard when they’re left open to allow the fresh air to circulate. Your children could be in danger of falling if a window is open too far, and if they’re a bit curious, they may push a slightly ajar window open even further.

Particular attention needs to be paid if you live in a flat or apartment as an accident could be fatal if your child were to fall from a great height.

Clippasafe’s child safety expert, Roger Cheetham commented: “Even though we’re only promised the odd spot of sunshine this summer, it’s far better to be prepared and not throw caution to the wind, just in case we’re due any warm days or sudden heat waves!”

A window lock or blocker can be easily fitted to restrict the opening and prevent children from opening the window further. Clippasafe’s Window Lock is priced at £1.99 and the Sliding Window & Door Blocker is priced at £2.49.

Call 0115 921 1899 or visit www.clippasafe.co.uk for more advice and information.

Next week there will be more postnatal exercise info.

That's a promise!

Healthy Regards

Exercise Ball & Newsletter Update

Hi Everyone,

This is just to give you all an update on the Newborn Fitness exercise balls I mentioned a few posts ago. We have them in stock and ready to go and are just waiting for the printers to finish our postnatal exercise posters. These are going to be great and we are really excited about them. How many of you bought a 'birthing ball' when you were pregnant, and now baby is here you don't know what to do with it? (the ball not baby!) Our new posters are A2 size, laminated, and show exercises that you can do to get back in shape with your ball and your baby! We'll be offering them at a special introductory price, so keep checking the Newborn Fitness website for details.

We are also starting our Newborn Newsletter this month, bringing you the best in pre and postnatal exercise tips and advice, along with articles, offers, and much much more. You can subscribe by clicking here and entering your email address into the little box on the left of the home page, and you can unsubscribe at any time. If you sign up now you'll be able to download a copy of our top ten postnatal exercise tips FREE!!

More exercise information coming soon.

Healthy Regards

Can I exercise during my pregnancy?

Hi Everyone,

Can I exercise during my pregnancy? This is a question asked by many mums to be, as many people are still under the impression that pregnant ladies need 'to rest' all the time. In this post I'd like to discuss the guidelines for exercise during pregnancy and how they've changed over the years. In the early days there was very little research being carried out, so guidelines were very much 'better be safe than sorry' and I guess that was fair enough. These days however we know so much more, and staying active is most definitely the way to go.

Back in the 1950's the recommended exercise for pregnant ladies was 1 mile of walking a day, but that should be broken down into several sessions.........Phew, now don't overdo it, you're pregnant!!!

In the mid 80's The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) brought out new guidelines that were a little more relaxed but still had firm criteria to follow. They determined that most aerobic activity was safe for 15 minutes duration, but heart rate should be kept to a maximum of 140bpm and body temperature to under 100.4 degrees fahrenheit.

More research was now being undertaken by Dr James Clapp and others, and in 1994 the ACOG guidelines changed yet again. This time it was determined that 'women with uncomplicated pregnancies can exercise safely with virtually the same safeguards as non-pregnant women.'

In fact Dr Clapps research has shown that women who performed 45 minutes of weight bearing, aerobic type exercise on 5 or more days of the week throughout their pregnancy experienced improved well being, reduced constipation, reduced leg cramps and a quicker return to their pre-pregnancy weight than their non-exercising counterparts. There was also a reduced risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension. Added to this, babies of exercising mums have been shown to have less body fat at birth and be less cranky, with a reduction in the instances of colic, and greater neurodevelopment in language and motor skills by the age of 5.

Another study by Dr Clapp showed that in exercising mothers labour was shortened by around a third, with 65% of those women delivering in four hours or less. Now that has to be good news!!

Obviously care has to be taken at all times and your doctor should be consulted before you undertake an antenatal exercise program. This is because there are certain relative and absolute contra-indications to exercise during pregnancy, and while you may not be sure if you have any, your doctor will. Once given the all clear to exercise use your common sense and listen to your body at all times. If in doubt call a fitness professional specialising in antenatal exercise. These can be found at www.newbornfitness.com or www.lifestylexperts.com

A list of the ACOG guidelines and the contra-indications to pregnancy can also be found at the Newborn Fitness website under info & advice.

Healthy Regards