Prenatal Fitness Programmes Keep Mums in Shape

You've just found out that you are going to have a baby. Yippee! "I will take more care of myself, stop smoking, stop drinking, eat for two and lie around all day looking after me". Stop right there! Certainly, stop smoking forever, stop drinking and eat really healthily, including lots of protein, fruit and vegetables but you actually need to up your exercise regime if you want a healthy baby and if you want to be fit and well through the pregnancy and if you want your figure back after the birth.

Keeping fit during pregnancy will help your body through this time and will prepare you for childbirth. It will also help tremendously in your recovery after childbirth. By doing simple fitness exercises, strengthening exercises and components of pilates and yoga, you will stay fit and healthy through the entire nine months and you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you bounce back after the birth of your baby.

Your prenatal fitness programme should be designed by pregnancy experts who will explain that getting your exercise when you are pregnant is extremely important in terms of taking care of your baby as well as yourself. Did you know that pre-natal exercises actually strengthen your baby's heart? Not only that, as we all know, exercising at all ages, prenatal through to old age increases IQ and cognitive abilities so if you exercise when you are pregnant you can substantially increase your baby's IQ and yours at the same time! Everybody wins.

Another study has revealed that exercising just 30 minutes on most days of the week may help prevent gestational diabetes which is a factor in the development of preeclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy complication. There is absolutely no doubt that partaking in an exercise programme during pregnancy is essential for your good health and your baby's health. Partaking in a prenatal fitness programme is as important as your monthly visits to your doctor or midwife and your prenatal classes. Also you will find that exercising with other pregnant women will give you the chance to swap notes on all aspects of your pregnancy and being in a class will encourage your participation as it is so much more fun doing this type of activity in a group.

Just imagine how good you will feel when you have had your baby and all those baby pounds have disappeared. Enroll in a class today and get exercising for you and your baby.

Don't Let Summer Sabotage Your Style

Summer is almost here and the warm weather probably has you peeling off your layers and pulling on your shorts. Yet as the temperatures rise and you begin to break a sweat while simply sitting on the porch, don't let your style suffer.

In many areas, warm weather can be synonymous with casual clothing. Just think about it - head to the beach and chances are your mode of dress barely consists of more than a tank top and shorts or a simple dress teamed with a pair of flip flops or thongs. Or if you're at home you may be wearing the exact same thing and wishing you were at the beach. It's summertime and the living' is easy. Yet don't let the more casual of seasons sabotage your style or your credibility. With a few tips you can tweak your chic while keeping your cool.

1. Business Casual does NOT mean Casual - There is a fine line between business casual and casual dress, and often times it can be confusing to know what's appropriate. Generally speaking, avoid anything that you'd wear to the beach or around the house such as flip-flops, logo tee shirts, sheer and voluminous dresses, jean shorts, tops and dresses that are strapless or have spaghetti straps, and shorts in general are no-no's when it comes to the workplace. Rule of thumb: if you're not sure, the answer is 'no'!

2. White Isn't Always Right - Years ago you'd hear to wear white undies beneath your white pants, and a white bra under your white top. Well, today that's not the way to do it. Wearing white under your whites will only show and create a distraction where you'd prefer discretion. Opt for skin tone colored bras and panties and keep your unmentionables under wraps.

3. Stray Straps - Going lighter in your clothing sometimes mean that your bra straps can find their way into the daylight. If this is the case, you'd be better off going for a different top or dress, or perhaps covering up with a jacket or cardigan. Brightly colored bras are not the solution! Visible bra straps are just plain sloppy. Wear a tank to cover them up if necessary.

4. Boyfriend Sweatshirt - Sure, your office gets chilly, but avoid pulling out a jacket that looks like you borrowed it from your boyfriend. Big, baggy and boxy jackets that do nothing but hide your outfit while keeping you warm will undermine your look. Opt for a more fitted jacket that complements your style and helps you look great.

5. Feet First - If you opt for bare sandals, be sure your feet are ready to make their debut. A pedicure can help you to avoid feet that are rough, dry and unsightly. Add a pretty coat of polish, whether nude or bright, to keep your feet looking their best.

Don't use summer as an excuse to let your appearance go. Sure, your look may be a little more casual, but that doesn't have to mean sloppy or frumpy. Take a little time to be sure and add in those little touches that can mean the difference between frumpy and fabulous!

Happy Summer!

The Fear of Becoming an Invisible Woman Once You Turn 40

Is invisibility the only choice for women over 40?

In a recent article in my weekend paper about women over 40, one particular participant was bemoaning the fact that she was now invisible to younger men. She was sharing one of the greatest fears of baby-boomer women. It is the fear of losing your attraction to others. Whether it is your size or what you are wearing, many women feel unnoticed and bypassed both in their professional and personal life.

Here are two questions for you to consider? Who are you dressing for? What do you want to do with the rest of your life?

Read on for my views on whether invisibility is the only option for business and professional women over 40.

Is Invisibility the Only Choice? Yes!

Invisibility is the only option if you choose to take that option. If you decide to retreat from contact from others, wear dowdy clothes, slouch and look unhappy, you will be invisible to everyone and not just young men.

If how you dress and look becomes unimportant to you and you decide to follow your current passions, you cannot be invisible. Your life-affirming attitude will shine through to others.

Is Invisibility the Only Choice? Maybe!

Beware of invisibility by accident. This is when you live in mostly beige or black clothes or become so much of a stereotype of your age group that you show no individuality.

You might have put on extra weight or wear dowdy, shapeless clothes because it is all too hard. You have no idea how to look modern and stylish. To you it seems like the media is only interested in women much younger than you.

You might relate to the survey result In Weight Watchers, July 2010 magazine that found that women today feel less valued by their partners than men do. If any of these are you, it is time to change invisibility by accident.

Is Invisibility the Only Choice? No!

Face the question that frightens you. Who are you dressing for? Are you dressing for men and of what age group? Are you seeking compliments from other women? Are you dressing to please yourself first?

Dressing for yourself to suit your shape and personality improves your posture and puts a smile on your face. Believe me, men of all ages may not notice your clothes or your hairstyle but they do notice your self-confidence. So do other women. They notice the women who walk tall and quietly proud of their individuality. Look around for female role models in your local community or women over 45 who are on a bigger stage.

Even if it seems that no one notices, it is your self-esteem that matters. Youth is spent dressing for others. Age is spent dressing for you only. Stand tall, smile and learn new dressing skills if that is what you need and you will never be invisible.

Now you are ready for the big question. What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Clarity on that attracts people to you. If you are not sure what to do with the rest of your life, I suggest you read I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher.

Last Words:Getting your partner to pay you compliments, now that is a whole different subject.