Sure, Hutchison's familiar with the nausea, lightheadedness and aches and pains that often go hand
in hand with expecting, but they haven't stopped her moving.  In fact,  the actress has used such
under-the-weather moments to her advantage.  "When I feel really nauseous, I push myself to do 
a little something, and it makes me feel better," she explains.  "It's difficult to do, but I make myself 
put on my unitard and shoes.  I have something to eat.  Then, as soon as I start walking outside and get some fresh air, I feel much better, and I'm ready to go.”

Although the most important step to take before exercising during pregnancy is to consult your 
physician, Hutchison agrees with most doctors' rule of thumb: Stick to activities you're used
to doing while listening to your body along the way.  "I ran on the treadmill until my third trimester.
I've taken step classes and ballet but as my belly got bigger, I started speed walking," the actress
recounts.  "I make sure not to get overworked to the point of gasping for breath.  If I feel a cramp,
I back off and try again another time."

As Hutchison modified her cardiovascular workouts, she applied the same logic to lifting weights
and improving back strength with exercises (above) that anyone can do. "They're key for pregnant 
women and even if you've never exercised before, they're safe; you won't get hurt.”

Glowing and sporting great muscle tone four weeks before her delivery at the time of this nterview, 
Hutchison is certain do her healthy lifestyle will also pay off when it comes time to snap back into her prenatal shape.  But she admits that Mother Nature holds the cards about how labor itself will go. "You can only try to keep your spurts up and stay in good health.  That's why any form of movement up until that point is good even if it's walking up stairs' "

As for life after birth, Hutchison concedes that getting back into shape while caring for a newborn may seem daunting, given the effects of sleep deprivation., Especially, she says, if there's more than one tyke at hand. Have no fear, though:  The actress assures that with a little planning and creativity, anyone can fit exercise into the motherhood routine.  “This where a loving and supportive mate comes in," she explains.  "If there's not, make sure that you get someone to relieve you, even if it's just for an hour and a half, so  that you can either go to the gym or another part of the house to work out." Following are Hutchison's  additional do what-you-have-to tips that will help to make fitness a top priority in your life. 
 

• Arise while everyone else in your household is still asleep.  Better to get daily exercise out of the way before a hectic day's schedule leads you astray.

• Wide awake in the wee hours between feeding times?  Take the opportunity to do moderate floor exercises  and stretches. 

• Securely strap your infant to you in an over-the-shoulder baby carrier (that supports baby's head) and move to music.  Do knee lifts.  Or look for aerobic classes that offer mother/child workouts. 

Hutchison raises an opposing arm and log for a back strengthening 
exercise as Shaw keeps her spine in perfect alignment.

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A Pregnant Pause

What’s the real skinny on how to deal with your body’s changes and that alien figure in the mirror?  Hutchison has a few words of advice.  “It can be very frustrating to carry around ‘excess’ weight, but you have to accept that it’s necessary.  Your body is going to change.  Think of it as a 10 month marathon.”  What about that awful morning sickness?  “When I’m not feeling well, I reach for a bowl of cereal,” says Hutchison.  “I have 20 different kinds -- Chex, Cheerios, corn flakes -- and mix them together.  It hits the spot.”
 

Let’s Talk About

While everyone may revel in the joy of starting a new family.  Hutchison warns against allowing this special time to sabotage marital bliss.  “It’s all too easy to forget you have a husband who’s your lover first,” she cautions.  “While Mommy is coping with a body that’s changed, Daddy, no matter how supportive, excited or in awe of the whole experience he is, hasn’t gone through it physically.  he won’t be able to relate to the hormonal, emotional or physical effects that take place.”   In other words, the actress says, he has the same needs he always had.  “You may not feel like getting physical with your mate at first, but it’s up to you to get back into shape and into that frame of mind as soon as possible.  He’s the reason you wanted a family in the first place.”  Hutchison points out one last caveat:  “Of course, then you man find yourself pregnant again,” she laughs.