I’m 31 weeks pregnant and still teach dance classes – trolls can be rude but I’m strong and sexy in my evolving body
This super-fit mom-to-be has opened up about how she plans to continue teaching her dance classes and dancing like a pro until she’s ready to give birth.
Thirty-eight weeks pregnant, Mindi Zim hasn’t slowed down her fitness routine. She teaches her classes with her bump on full display and with more energy than ever before.
The 31-year-old from Jersey City, New Jersey, USA, told how staying as active as she has, even heavily pregnant, has helped her through some of the lower moments over the past nine months.
“Contrary to what most people believe, exercise is actually very beneficial for pregnant women and their babies,” Zim said.
“For me, daily exercise, especially at DanceBody, provided a safe haven for me to feel mentally secure, happy, strong, confident, and sexy in my evolving body, and surrounded by a support system of women.”
Mindi has been a trainer with DanceBody for over six years but has been professionally dancing for much longer, so when she fell pregnant, she knew she was in no position to give it up.
Despite being very close to her due date, Mindi isn’t worried about giving birth during one of her training sessions and takes every day as it comes, but she explained how she will start to slow things down the closer she gets.
She has no plans to stop completely, as staying active is something she thinks will help benefit her in the next weeks and after her birth.
As her child grows up, the dancer hopes her baby boy will take an interest in her classes and continue to dance with her just as he did while she carried him for nine months.
“Whether it was at home while my husband played guitar to our baby or teaching classes, my baby is constantly surrounded by music, so he will certainly want to bop around, and I hope he will join my class!” she said.
“There are many benefits during pregnancy and post-partum. However, it’s important to note that everybody is different.
“You should always consult your health care provider to see whether and how to adjust your exercise regimen during pregnancy and after the baby is born.
“Honestly, most people I encountered, whether it was in real life or on social media, have been relatively kind and uplifting.
“I was quite surprised! Of course, there were a few comments, such as ‘too much jumping can put your baby under stress’ or ‘shaken baby syndrome.’
“With that said, there were certain weeks that were more challenging, and I had to make adjustments or avoid teaching certain classes based on how I was feeling.
“I hope to be the embodiment of motivation and inspiration for other pregnant women to continue exercising during pregnancy, whether that’s for 10 minutes a day to 150 minutes per week.”
Doctor Lawrence Cunningham from UK Care Guide explained that intense workouts while pregnant are medical recommendations that vary from person to person.
“In my experience, the safety of continuing heavy workout dance classes while pregnant largely depends on the individual’s pre-pregnancy fitness level, overall health, and any specific guidance from their GP,” he said.
“Generally, if a woman is highly active before pregnancy and is experiencing a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, continuing her usual exercise routine can be safe and beneficial.
“The key, though, is to listen to her body and make adjustments as needed to avoid any strain or discomfort.
“From what I’ve observed, professional dancers often have a keen awareness of their bodies and physical limits.
“This self-awareness can help them modify their movements to ensure both their safety and the safety of their baby.”