focus on health
:::for her:::
Prepping for a Positive Pregnancy
Few experiences are more significant than bringing a new life into the world. After you’ve decided to build a family, take a break from daydreaming about nursery colors and baby names to healthfully prepare before conceiving.
Kick Unhealthy Habits
If you smoke, quit as soon as possible — whether you are pregnant or not, smoking poses major health risks. After you begin trying to conceive, refrain from drinking alcohol.
You — and Your Baby — Are What You Eat
As you prepare to become pregnant, amp up your diet by adding plenty of fruits, vegetables (including leafy greens) and calcium-rich foods. Lower caffeine consumption by drinking, at most, one soda or two cups of coffee daily. Aim for a healthy weight before conceiving to help eliminate weight-related pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Your physician will likely recommend supplementing your healthy diet with prenatal vitamins to help your baby develop normally and reduce the risk of birth defects.
Stay Active
Of course, exercise is healthy before pregnancy. It’s good while you’re expecting, too. Be sure to avoid contact sports and any activities with a high risk of falling, and manage the intensity of your workouts to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated. Stop exercising and consult your physician if you feel dizzy, faint or short of breath, or if you experience vaginal bleeding, muscle weakness, chest pain or uterine contractions. Your physician can help you set healthy expectations.
When Exercise Isn’t Healthy
You notice the little things first. Your active, vibrant teenage daughter is shunning her studies and social group to spend time at the gym. Suddenly, she’s obsessed with working out for hours on end, several times a day.
Such behavior may indicate exercise anorexia. Anyone can develop the condition, but most who live with it are females between ages 12 and 19. In many cases, people with exercise anorexia suffer from low self-esteem and poor body image. They may be trying to bolster their self-image with extreme workouts. (With a similar condition, exercise bulimia, excessive exercise is often driven by feelings of guilt connected to eating.)
A Fine Line
The truth is that it’s difficult to pin down a diagnosis. The distinction between a healthy, active person who practices good self-care and someone with exercise anorexia is how working out affects daily life.
For example, if you notice a loved one exercising despite an illness or injury, consider reaching out to this person. Other red flags may include neglecting relationships or work or school commitments in favor of exercising several times a day.
If you believe you or a loved one may be living with this condition, contact a trusted medical provider.
