I was scared about getting fat while pregnant but now I’m 23 weeks & still have abs – it IS possible to stay in shape
WITH her toned tummy and washboard abs, nothing gets in the way of Danni Levy's fitness regime - including being 23 weeks pregnant.
The mum-to-be is nearly two thirds of the way through her pregnancy and is still 8st and a size 6 - the same size she was before.
So far the 38-year-old has kept her six-pack and shown little sign of a baby bump.
And she plans to keeping exercising until a week before the birth.
Danni, originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, but now living in Marbella, Spain, with her fiancé Rich, 34, says: "Some days it does feel very easy to say, 'Right I'm just going to let myself go, I'm pregnant so I'll stop going to the gym and start again afterwards.
"But then I think no, because afterwards I'll regret it.
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"We can all make excuses for allowing ourselves to slip. But if you're not happy in your body, you aren't going to be happy in your mind."
Fitness specialist Danni - editor of Muscle and Health magazine - was delighted to discover she was expecting her first child in May.
But she admits she was apprehensive about the impact pregnancy would have on her body.
Danni says: "My partner and I had thought we couldn't have kids so it was a surprise!
"I'm not ashamed to say that for vanity reasons, even though I did always want a family, I was really accepting of the fact that we couldn't have children because I was scared of getting fat.
"I'm also quite career-orientated and we like travelling. Having children is a huge lifestyle change and a big commitment, so while I've always loved the idea of a family, I just figured if we couldn't have them it just wasn't meant to be.
"I wasn't going to go and do IVF or adopt, it wasn't crucial.
While she follows a healthy diet, she does allow herself the occasional treat.
She says: "I eat what I want, about 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day, and we have a consistent diet.
It's not selfish or unkind to say 'Don't eat for two' or 'Don't just eat a load of rubbish' because you're pregnant. It's not good for your baby and it won't be good for you after either
Danni Levy
"I have oats in the morning, an egg white omelette, then maybe chicken or tuna and rice, but I will have ice cream and chocolate, too."
Danni, who admits she's never had issues with weight, believes it's good to advocate a good and consistent health regime - especially if you're pregnant.
She says: "It's not selfish or unkind to say 'Don't eat for two' or 'Don't just eat a load of rubbish' because you're pregnant. It's not good for your baby and it won't be good for you after either.
"You have a new child to look after, and you'll be tired so you won't have the time you had while pregnant, and then you have to worry about losing weight.
She's also in the process of setting up her own fitness app with a pregnancy section.
Danni says: "One thing all the courses advise is you continue consistent exercise, but don't take up new exercise or diet.
"I'm hoping to be able to train up until the last week because if I don't train it impacts my mental health and I feel miserable.
"I know I have a way to go, so I don't know what to expect. It's a journey you go into blind that affects everyone physically and mentally in completely different ways.
"Of course my tummy will grow, but I'm hoping I'll just gain the baby's weight and it will go away again.
"They say you can consume up to 300 calories extra in the last trimester so I may start to feel more hungry and I may eat more."
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She adds that it's "definitely her last" pregnancy, admitting: "My age is a factor too. Never say never, but I am dead set on one."
How to exercise safely during pregnancy
THE advises expectant mothers to stay active.
Not only does regular exercise help your body get back in shape after your baby is born, it also helps you cope with the physical stresses of labour.
There is even evidence pointing to more active mothers-to-be experiencing less problems later on during their pregnancy and in the weeks leading up to labour.
The NHS recommends keeping up your normal form of exercise (whether that is running, yoga, or swimming) for as long as it feels comfortable and manageable.
It's really important to note that if you weren't particularly active before you became pregnant, now is not the time to start hitting the gym and doing lots of cardio.
While most exercise is still safe as long as it's not too strenuous, swimming and pregnancy yoga remain popular among expectant mums as they are low-impact workouts that don't put pressure on joints or an unborn baby.
Contact sports such as kickboxing or judo are not the best idea as there's an increased chance of being hit which is never good for the baby.
Doctors also do not advise pregnant women lying flat on their backs for prolonged periods of time as the baby bump presses against your main blood vessel and can make you feel faint.
To be safe consult your doctor before engaging in physical activity while pregnant.