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Expert Q&A

	By April Underwood Fitness Consultant Playa del Rey, California

I'm wondering about Billy Blanks "Tae-Bo" workout. It looks pretty intense and I'm nine weeks pregnant. I was wondering if I could begin the workout and if so, when should I discontinue it?

It's a little difficult to recommend Tae-Bo without knowing your current workout history or fitness condition. However, if you do start Tae-Bo now, what you will inevitably find is that when your baby gets bigger, you won't be able to kick as high or move as quickly as you may be able to do now. Also, as your ligaments become more lax in preparation for the birth of your baby, the quick moves and high kicks may put you at a higher risk for pulling a muscle or just feeling a little off center in your body because of excess joint mobility. So your body and your baby will limit your activity for you - as long as you listen.

In reality, you're better off putting off Tae-Bo until your after your baby is born. If you're going to the studio, he's been around for a long time, and he'll be around in a year, so don't think you're missing out on something that you have to do right now. Now is a good time to focus on fitness and health maintenance rather than increasing your fitness levels and activity beyond what you may have been doing prior to your pregnancy.

Walk, ride the stationary bike, do some prenatal aerobics, try a yoga class, try some guided instruction on weight lifting, some moderate dancing. Do things that allow you to move comfortably in your body as your body blossoms with new life.

April & two-week-old baby William

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