When it comes to health and paying close attention to what goes on in our bodies, I’ve realized that for a lot of women around me, in Mumbai close monitoring of health starts when she becomes pregnant.

I read this article recently and it makes so much sense.  That health begins in the womb and even before is a rather strong concept to contemplate. Well, since I haven’t seen my baby yet (being only 5 and a half months pregnant) I can only vouch for myself when it comes to the benefits of my head start in health care.

Second, I had high levels of activity pre-pregnancy. Though I’ve changed my routine currently, I’ve continued to remain highly active. 2 different classes of Iyengar yoga, twice a week each, walking everyday and the dog grooming combined is enough to keep my legs strong, body supple, and weight gain in check. This would not have been possible had I not taken hold of my health 2 years ago when I made the switch to eating and living primal. Not to mention my bi weekly dose of handstands and headstands that keep my shoulders and arms toned!For one, I am not worried about being nutritionally bereft. I do not count every morsel I put in my mouth and worry because I may be lacking a certain vitamin. That’s because I know the clean food, the awesome fat I have consuming for the longest time before pregnancy struck would take me through those dreadful puke induced days. Which it did.

Third, I am used to listening to my body. During this crazy hormone induced ride I’ve had it all. First the hungers, then the throwing up every bite, more hunger, then the mad hunger but absolute fullness two bites later, then loss in appetite for days on end, then heartburn (and what more?). It’s not pretty but the years of practice in tuning out helpful voices of wisdom and instead just listening to my body helps a lot. I don’t feel I’m eating too little, or too much of something I should not be eating. I’m letting my body guide me and I feel absolutely at ease with that understanding.

It’s easy for women to slip into a not so happy or positive mind frame during pregnancy when clothes stop fitting, weight gain takes a whole new spin, back aches and fatigue plagues your every move, and when you generally don’t feel yourself. Worrying less about your health and the health of your baby, is one way to not slip into the ‘poor me’ syndrome. Another is looking good and feeling super by eating right and exercising a lot.

I read this post / rant a while back and it resonated with me well. I think for women, our reproductive health and hormones working in sync is such an important part of being healthy and so much more indicative of good health than being thin or fat.