'The gym helps me to feel like me': Kate Ferdinand shows off bump and talks pregnancy workout routine
Kate Ferdinand has opened up about her pregnancy during lockdown and admitted that keeping fit during this time has made her feel more like herself.
The former TOWIE star, 29, announced earlier this year that she is going to become a mother for the first time with husband, Rio.
She shared a photograph of herself on Instagram stories along with an explanation of what she has been doing - exercise-wise - during her pregnancy.
She credits her workouts for giving her a sense of “consistency”.
She said: “I know I say this all the time but it really is quite mental for me. I’ve found especially whilst being pregnant the gym helps me to feel like ‘me’ as much as I can.
“Being pregnant for the first time there is a lot of ‘unknowns’ so it’s nice to have some form of consistency where possible.
“Still getting through my workouts approx. 3 times per week and a lot less intense. I’ve been really listening to my body and if I feel like I need to rest and take it easy I do.”
Kate and the former Manchester United footballer, 41, married last September.
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The husband and wife duo are pretty serious about their workouts and even have an at-home gym, which has made it easier for Kate to exercise during lockdown with gyms being closed.
Exercise is acknowledged as a great way to boost your fitness and mood during pregnancy and to help recovery after giving birth.
According to the NHS, “the more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain”.
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It’s usually safe to keep up with your pre-pregnancy routine during the nine months as long as you feel able to, but there are some restrictions to consider.
The NHS website makes clear that contact sports are a no-go because of the risk of being hit and similarly scuba diving (decompression sickness) and exercising at over 2,500m above sea level (altitude sickness).
“As a general rule, you should be able to hold a conversation as you exercise when pregnant. If you become breathless as you talk, then you're probably exercising too strenuously,” the NHS advises.
If you weren’t active before becoming pregnant but want to kickstart a routine now, that’s ok too: “Tell the instructor that you're pregnant and begin with no more than 15 minutes of continuous exercise, 3 times a week. Increase this gradually to daily 30-minute sessions.”
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Kate mentioned how her workouts have become “less intense” since finding out she was pregnant, a recommendation that is widely suggested by professionals.
30 minutes of walking per day can often be enough to keep you feeling active during pregnancy.
Other suggestions from swimming to pregnancy yoga (with a fully-qualified instructor) can be good to add to your routine, too.
If you’re not sure what you can and can’t do during pregnancy, speak to a midwife about your options.
