My mom told me that when she was pregnant with me she got up to 180 pounds! I definitely dont want to gain that much weight, but I don't know what I can do to avoid gaining so much. Right now im assuming im around 130. What are some good *safe* exercises to keep me in shape? *Of course by in shape I mean "pregnancy shape lol*. Also, what are some good foods to eat to avoid gaining unnecessary weight? I've been eating so bad and I really want to try to eat healthier. I was thinking more fruit, pasta salads, but I've never been one to know much about healthy eating.

Best excerises for pregnancy is taking a walk, or even a brisk walk. As far as healthy foods, stay away from processed foods and eat what is natural (fruit, veggies, meats, etc...), you cannot go wrong with food that is made from nature, not created with 14 million ingredients, dyes and such.

Funny you say dyes...I just had a nice piece of chocolate cake with bright green food dye...lol...ooooh cravings...they suck.

oh i want cake!!

Walking is a great exercise to do while pregnant. My signature leads to compilation of good exercises to do while pregnant.

I have actually read in several magazines that doing the stationary bike at a reasonable pace is very good as well as 2 lb arm weights. which was great for me 'cause I love to be in shape and i thought it was all over when i found out i was pregnant.

Swimming is also really good for you when your pregnant,just make sure you have someone with you,also yoga...they even have special yoga classes for expectant moms.

As for food...I always cut up a bunch of veggies and keep them in containers of cold water(for carrots celery ) in the fridge....cherry tomatos are good,broccoli,whatever kind you like..I like to keep everything handy so I can grab and go. I keep whole wheat pita around to and fill it up with veggies and cheese super quick and good...fruit also I eat tons of it all day long...yogurt is really good for you as well,mmm and if I want candy I grab a handful of dried fruit.

I have a book that was given to me by a Public Health Nurse called "Healthy Pregnancy... Healthy Baby..." In it there is some exercises "designed to help your body adjust to pregnancy and strengthen it for childbirth." They also help with maintaining weight.
It says to start out doing each exercise 3 - 5 times, and work your way up to 5 - 10 times, breath normally throughout the exercises and never hold your breath, and to do them slowly and to avoid bouncing. Also, avoid lying on your back for more than 5 minutes without a pillow under your head/shoulders.

Pelvic Tilt
Helps prevent and relieve backache and strengthens abdominal muscles.

• Lie on your back, with knees bent, feet flat on the floor.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Tighten you buttocks and press the small of your back into the floor.
• Hold for a few seconds, breathing normally.
• Slowly relax.

**Before doing any abdominal exercises you need to check for abdominal muscles separation. You can ask your doctor to check this, or you can do it yourself by following these instructions. If you do have a separation you will need to support your abdomen while doing exercises. You can do this by either lacing your fingers together across your abdomen, or crossing your arms and putting a hand on either side of your abdomen. (Ask your Doctor first.)

Curl Ups
Strengthens the abdominal muscles.

• Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, arms across your abdomen.
• Tighten your abdomen and buttocks. Hold these muscles firm while doing this exercise.
• Tuck in your chin.
• Lift up your head and shoulders while breathing out.
• Slowly lower your shoulders and head to the floor.
• Relax.
• Repeat.

Diagonal Curl Ups
Strengthens your diagonal abdominal muscles.
**Avoid this exercise if you have a muscles separation.

• Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, arms across your abdomen.
• Tighten your abdomen and buttocks. Hold these muscles firm while doing this exercise.
• Tuck in your chin.
• Lift up your head and shoulders.
• Reach your arms across your body towards one knee.
• Curl up as far as is comfortable, breathing out. Hold for the count of 5, breathing normally.
• Slowly lower your shoulders and head to the floor.
• Relax.
• Repeat, going from side to side.

Basic Pelvic Floor Exercise (Kegals)
Designed to help you strengthen and control your pelvic floor muscles.

• Any Position: lying, sitting, standing, on all fours.
• Tighten the muscles are your bladder, vaginal and rectal openings. Feel them pulling up inside.
• Hold for a count of five.
• Relax and repeat.

The Elevator
Designed to help you strengthen and control your pelvic floor muscles.

• Sitting, Standing, or Lying. Any position is okay, but lying down is easiest when you are learning.
• Imagine that you are on an elevator.
• Slowly contract your pelvic floor muscles, pulling them tighter and tighter at each "floor."

1. First Floor : Contract.
2. Second Floor: A bit tighter.
3. Third Floor: Tighter.
4. Fourth Floor: Hold for a few seconds.

• Breath Normally.
• Now, come back down the elevator.

1. Third Floor: Release a bit.
2. Second Floor: Release a bit more.
3. First Floor: Relax.

• Repeat

Pelvic Rock
This exercise can help to relieve lower back pain.

• Kneel on all fours.
• Hold your back flat (not arched or hollowed). Keep your head level with your back.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles, pulling in and upward.
• Tuck in your buttocks.
• Slowly relax your abdomen and buttocks. Keep your back flat. Don't let it sag.
• Repeat slowly.

Side-Lying Leg Lifts
Helps strengthen all upper leg and hip muscles and helps keep up the circulation in your legs.

• Lie on the floor on your side. Support your head with your arm on a pillow.
• Bend your bottom knee and hips forward for support.
• Keep your upper leg in a straight line with your body.
• Steady yourself by placing your upper hand in front of your body.
• Tighten your abdomen and buttocks. Hold these muscles firm while doing this exercise.
• Keeping your knee straight raise and lower your upper leg a few times.
• Lower leg and relax.
• Roll onto your other side and repeat with your other leg.

Push Offs
Helps to strengthen the upper back.

• Stand facing a wall.
• Keep your body straight from shoulders to feet.
• Keep your helps flat on the floor.
• Push off from the wall by bending and straightening your arms.

Imaginary Chair
Strengthens upper leg muscles.
**Avoid if you have knee problems.

• Stand with your back against a wall and your arms relaxed at your sides.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles and tuck in your buttocks.
• Bend your knees and slide down the wall.
• Stop at comfortable 'sitting' position.
• Slowly slide back up to a standing position.
• Repeat.

Squatting
Strengthens the thigh muscles.

• Keep your feet flat on the floor and wide apart.
• Squat to a comfortable position. If you can, rest your elbows on your knees.
• Maintain a pelvic tilt by flattening the curve of your lower back and keeping your spine as straight as possible.
• Hold for a count of five.
• Push up slowly, using your leg muscles and keeping your back straight.
• Repeat.

There are a lot of exercises that is safe for you but make sure you have the proper weight.. check out how many pounds do you need for a healthy baby.. WHAT TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY: GAINING WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY

In general there are no "bad" foods to eat during pregnancy unless you have allergies. What you really need to do is avoid fake foods, that is foods that are low fat or otherwise processed versions of real foods. For example, if you want to eat a hamburger, eat a hamburger. Don't eat a soy or other bean-based burger. Likewise, if you have an allergy to dairy (for example), don't replace it with soy, rice, or processed almond milk. These products are highly industrialized and do not nourish you or your baby the way real foods found in nature do. Remember that your baby needs nutrients to develop properly. If you're worried about gaining too much weight, then stick to eating real foods found in nature. Don't on carbs like grains, potatoes and fruit though. They will not only cause you to gain the weight you don't want, they will spike your blood sugar and you'll likely end up with gestational diabetes. Yes, many nutrients are found in vegetable matter, but eat them with adequate fats such as butter, cream and coconut oil to ensure proper absorption. Humans barely absorb the nutrients in vegetables without the presence of these types of fat. No, olive oil doesn't have the same effect