So you're pregnant and probably thinking, "Great. My body will never be sexy again." Sure, we all know lots of moms who look great and we probably even tell them, "You look exactly the same as before the pregnancy," but secretly we don't think that can happen to us. To us, it feels like our bodies have been run over by a semi and there's no way the bones and ligaments and muscles can go back to where they were before. And maybe that's true—but only to an extent. You can absolutely come out of this pregnancy not only with a bouncing bundle of joy but with a fabulous body to boot.

The best way to start is to start now! Most health care providers will tell you that you can maintain the same level of activity that you had before becoming pregnant. If you were accustomed to jogging 5 miles a day, then try to keep at it—especially early on in your pregnancy before your center of gravity (i.e., balance) and lung capacity start to change. If, however, jogging 5 miles a day starts to cause pains in your abdomen, shortness of breath, or queasiness, you may want to scale back either the distance or the pace. Talk to your health care provider about any problems you experience in your exercise routine.

But maybe you didn't jog 5 miles a day before becoming pregnant. In fact, maybe you did little exercise before becoming pregnant. Guess what? Pregnancy is not an excuse to procrastinate. It's been proven that women who work out consistently during their pregnancy have shorter labor times when the big day arrives and that they slim back down to their pre-pregnancy size quicker than those who don't. However, you do need to be careful when you begin your exercise regimen. Focus on low impact exercises (like walking, swimming, and cycling) that will get your heart rate up but that won't make you short of breath. All pregnant women should be able to carry on a conversation during the entire course of their workout.

As your pregnancy progresses, you will probably find that you need to scale back a little. Suddenly, your lungs have to operate in a smaller space, your heart is working harder to pump out more blood, and you have an unfamiliar weight hanging from your stomach. Your tendons will be pushed aside by your uterus and, like a tired rubber band, become loose, causing unfamiliar pangs in your lower sides; if this happens during a workout, it's a sign that you need to slow down. Also, as your stomach grows and your center of gravity changes, it will become more important to avoid sports and activities that require balance. Skiing is absolutely out, stationary bikes are preferable to street bikes, and walking may be better than jogging. Pay attention to your body and your breathing. If it hurts, stop; if you can't speak out loud, slow down.

Throughout your pregnancy, your workout goals should be centered on delivering your baby. Stamina and cardiovascular strength are key. Do whatever you need to in order to get your heart rate up in a safe way. Be creative and have fun!